Nicole Michieli of Gilbert’s Floating Specks: 100 Creatives

Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city’s creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year’s Best of Phoenix issue, we’re profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 30. Nicole Michieli.

Arizona native Nicole Michieli wants you to send more snail mail.

Michieli, 27, cofounded Gilbert-based paper goods company Floating Specks with her husband, Nick. The couple recently celebrated the business’ two-year anniversary with a pop-up shop at Frances. And new projects continue to unfold.

See also: Tempe Artist Ben Willis: 100 Creatives

In addition to selling online via Etsy and at Frances, Michieli’s works are sold at West Elm. She recently teamed up with Studio DIY and Ban.do for a printable series of cards.

And soon she’ll further expand her mix of prints, greeting cards, and gift tags.

“I’m currently working on drawing some Christmas and New Years cards, and thinking of some baby art prints since we’ll be welcoming our baby into our home this coming March!” Michieli says.

I’ve lived in the Phoenix area my whole life. I was born in Mesa, currently reside in Gilbert, and went to ASU for fine art photography.

I started drawing when I was little because I always saw my mom and grandma draw and paint and I wanted to be just like them. I continued to draw and knew that it was a passion I couldn’t give up, I had to figure out how to make it into a career. After graduating from ASU, I came across this thing called “Etsy” and was inspired by all of the “Quit your Day Job” series and after months of research and planning, I opened up our paper goods shop Floating Specks and I’ve never looked back. I love drawing and creating them into greeting cards, gift tags, and art prints. There’s nothing better than receiving a hand-drawn card in the mail!

I’m most productive when I have some music going in a sun-filled room, and sipping on something caffeinated.

My inspiration wall is full of bright colors, patterns and illustrations.

I’ve learned most from my husband. Without his belief in me and his desire to see me succeed, I wouldn’t have had the courage to put my self and my work out there.

Good work should always reflect your passion.

See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:

100. Bill Dambrova
99. Niki Blaker
98. Jeff Slim
97. Beth May
96. Doug Bell
95. Daniel Langhans
94. Nanibaa Beck
93. Nicole Royse
92. Ib Andersen
91. Casandra Hernandez
90. Chris Reed
89. Shelby Maticic
88. Olivia Timmons
87. Courtney Price
86. Travis Mills
85. Catrina Kahler
84. Angel Castro
83. Cole Reed
82. Lisa Albinger
81. Larry Madrigal
80. Julieta Felix
79. Lauren Strohacker
78. Levi Christiansen
77. Thomas Porter
76. Carrie Leigh Hobson
75. Cody Carpenter
74. Jon Jenkins
73. Aurelie Flores
72. Michelle Ponce
71. Devin Fleenor
70. Noelle Martinez
69. Bucky Miller
68. Liliana Gomez
67. Jake Friedman
66. Clarita Lulić
65. Randy Murray
64. Mo Neuharth
63. Jeremy Hamman
62. La Muñeca
61. Kevin Goldman
60. Emily Costello
59. Kerstin Dale
58. Vara Ayanna
57. Nathaniel Lewis
56. Ruben Gonzales
55. Lisa Poje
54. Bobby Zokaites
53. Frances Smith Cohen
52. Julie Rada
51. David Miller
50. Xanthia Walker
49. Kyllan Maney
48. Cary Truelick
47. Constance McBride
46. James D. Porter
45. Allyson Boggess
44. Abigail Lynch
43. Ashley Cooper
42. Jaclyn Roessel
41. Brandon Boetto
40. Melissa Dunmore
39. Gavin Sisson
38. Rossitza Todorova
37. Monica Robles
36. Josh Kirby
35. Jesse Perry
34. Yai Cecream
33. Nathan Blackwell
32. Carley Conder
31. Ben Willis

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