We recently connected with Michaela Banks and have shared our conversation below.

Michaela , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’ve always had a knack for being crafty and creative. As a kid, I spent my summers at art camp, drawing to my heart’s content and exploring whatever artistic ideas I had. But it wasn’t until high school that I really started diving into paper crafting. Some of my classmates were obsessed with making those little colorful paper “lucky stars”—you know, the kind you fold from strips of paper and collect in jars. I thought it was such a simple yet charming way to get creative with paper.

That’s when I discovered the beauty of origami. I was amazed by how a single sheet of paper could transform into something so intricate and alive with just a few folds. I started following online tutorials and made small origami gifts for family and friends. By the time I was in college, I took a leap and decided to create wearable art by turning my origami into unique pieces of jewelry. It was an exciting challenge to mix craftsmanship with personal expression.

Looking back, I realize that I probably would have started with video tutorials rather than books. Videos made it so much easier to understand the folding techniques, and I could pause and rewind to rewatch tricky parts.

Another tip: hole punches in various sizes are a game-changer. They make the whole process so much quicker compared to cutting everything by hand beforehand.

And let me tell you, the paper really matters. Basic origami paper gives clean edges but isn’t as forgiving if you make a mistake. I found that Chiogami or Yuzen paper was a dream to work with—it’s got such a rich texture and depth that elevates the whole craft.

One thing that’s hard to teach but absolutely essential is patience. Working with such small, delicate pieces can be frustrating, but if you stick with it, the satisfaction of completing something intricate is totally worth it.

After college, life got a little crazy. Between full-time work in user experience design and balancing other responsibilities, it was tough to carve out time to dive deeper into my crafting. I’d have to take time off work just to attend art events, and many times I’d be folding paper late into the night after a full day of work to prepare for shows. But even when it was challenging, it felt rewarding to keep pursuing something I loved.

Michaela , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi there! I’m Michaela, but feel free to call me Mika. I’ve been creating with Mika Washi for over 7 years now, and I’m still just as passionate about it as when I first started. Paper crafting has always been a huge part of my life—I’m constantly inspired by the colors, textures, and patterns out there, and I love turning them into delicate, meaningful pieces. This love for crafting has also translated into my day job as a user experience designer, where I focus on creating enjoyable, user-friendly experiences through thoughtful design.

When it comes to what I create, I primarily focus on earrings, necklaces, keychains, and greeting cards. I release themed collections throughout the year, and I’m always happy to take on custom orders if you’re looking for something a little different from what’s available in my collections or at events.

What I believe sets me apart is the care and attention I put into both my work and my relationships with customers. I take great pride in building meaningful connections with people and making sure they’re happy with their purchases. If anything ever breaks or doesn’t hold up as expected, I always encourage people to reach out so I can make it right.

It’s such an honor to have my work be a part of meaningful moments—whether it’s as a gift for a loved one or included in a wedding ceremony. It truly warms my heart when people stop me at events to tell me how many compliments they’ve gotten on a piece or to share how unique and special they think my work is. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive, welcoming community.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how the community responds to my work and to discover new approaches to my craft. Looking back at the year and seeing what I’ve created always fills me with pride, especially knowing I pushed myself to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I’ve realized that connecting with other artists is key to building a supportive community. I tend to keep to myself when it comes to my own work, but reaching out has made all the difference. Through these connections, I’ve learned which events offer the best experiences, when applications open, and how to navigate the scene. It’s also helpful to have others to chat with when frustration hits. So, don’t be afraid to approach other artists—you never know what you can learn or how they can help you grow!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mikawashi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mika_washi/

Image Credits

Sarah Wall