We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Roberts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was starting Stryke Vintage. In the spring of 2022, I stepped away from my career due to health challenges. It was a difficult transition—I had always worked, and suddenly I found myself in a space where I had to redefine my daily life and sense of purpose. During that time, I focused on things that brought me joy: gardening, traveling, cooking, spending time with my pets, and most importantly, creating art.

I’ve always loved vintage finds, and I had been collecting matchbooks for years. One day, I decided to make a piece of matchbook art just for myself. When I shared it on my personal social media, the response was overwhelmingly positive. That’s when the idea struck—what if I turned this into something more? The thought was exciting, but also terrifying. I had never run a business, had no formal art training, and no budget to start something big. But despite all of that, I decided to take the leap.

I started small—just a few pieces, using what I had. There was no marketing budget, no expert branding—just me figuring things out as I went. My husband was incredibly supportive, and a close friend helped with key aspects, like coming up with the name Stryke Vintage and the tagline “spark something.” I handled everything myself—learning how to set up a shop, how to take product photos, how to promote my work on social media. It wasn’t perfect, but I kept going.

The risk paid off. My very first sale was to a complete stranger, and that moment solidified for me that this was real—that someone out there connected with what I was making. Since then, I’ve continued to evolve, experimenting with new ideas and growing my style. There have been missteps—like when I invested in prints that didn’t sell—but every challenge has been a learning experience.

Taking this risk taught me that sometimes, you don’t need to have everything figured out to start. You just need to trust yourself enough to try. I’m so grateful I did.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Michelle, the artist and creator behind Stryke Vintage, where I transform vintage matchbooks and other nostalgic elements into unique, one-of-a-kind art pieces. My work is rooted in a love for history, design, and storytelling—each matchbook I use carries a little piece of the past, and I love giving them new life through my art.

My journey into this craft wasn’t exactly conventional. I’ve always been drawn to vintage objects, especially paper ephemera. After stepping away from work due to health reasons in 2022, I found myself reconnecting with creativity as a way to bring joy back into my life. What started as a personal project—making matchbook art just for fun—quickly turned into something more when friends encouraged me to share my work. That encouragement led to me taking the leap and launching Stryke Vintage.

I specialize in shadowbox art featuring real, vintage matchbooks—everything from classic hotels and restaurants to tiki bars, casinos, and sports clubs. Some of my pieces focus on a specific theme, like golf or cocktails, while others celebrate a certain color palette or aesthetic. I also incorporate other vintage elements like playing cards, game pieces, and small collectibles to create layered, textural compositions.

What I love most about my work is how it sparks nostalgia. Matchbooks are tiny time capsules—reminders of a favorite restaurant, a memorable vacation, or a place that no longer exists. My pieces allow people to hold onto those memories in a unique and artistic way. Whether someone is a collector, a history buff, or just looking for something cool and different for their home, my art offers a connection to the past in a way that’s personal and meaningful.

What sets Stryke Vintage apart is the authenticity of my materials and the thoughtfulness of my designs. I don’t use replicas or reproductions—every matchbook is real, often decades old, with its own story. I take great care in sourcing and arranging them into compositions that feel intentional and visually compelling. No two pieces are ever the same, which makes them special.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how far Stryke Vintage has come since I started. It began as a small creative experiment, and now my work has reached collectors all over the country. I’ve also had the chance to create custom pieces for people who want to preserve memories in a unique way—whether it’s a set of matchbooks from their hometown or a piece celebrating their favorite bar or restaurant.

For anyone new to Stryke Vintage, I want them to know that my work is all about celebrating nostalgia, design, and the small details that make life memorable. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece for your home, a gift with a personal touch, or just love vintage matchbooks as much as I do, I hope my art brings you as much joy as it brings me to create it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Since launching Stryke Vintage, my creative journey has been as much about fighting an ongoing battle with depression as it has been about building a business. There was a particularly challenging period not long after I started when the weight of depression felt almost unbearable. I remember waking up one day, overwhelmed by the pressure of managing everything—from creating new art pieces to handling all the behind-the-scenes tasks—and feeling as if each step forward required a monumental effort, like climbing a mountain that grew steeper with every moment.

Today, while my battle with depression is ongoing, each day I continue to push forward because I know that every piece of art is a testament to my strength. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never struggling—it’s about showing up every day, even when the darkness is there, and finding a way to let your light shine through.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society can support artists by actively purchasing their work and by building an enthusiastic online community around them. When you buy art, you’re directly investing in an artist’s journey—helping sustain their creativity and giving them the freedom to take risks. Equally important is the role of social media: sharing, liking, and talking about an artist’s work not only boosts their visibility but also inspires a broader community to appreciate and engage with art. Every purchase and every post helps create a thriving creative ecosystem where artists like me can continue to turn passion and resilience into meaningful art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.strykevintage.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strykevintage?igsh=MXJ5dmtueno4eDVpcA==