Coastal. Soulful. Storied.
The Heart of Costa Vida Design
Not everyone understands what it means to follow a calling that doesn’t quite fit the mold. But for me, the journey has never been linear—it’s been coastal, soulful, and deeply storied.
Costa Vida Design is more than a jewelry brand. It’s the result of a life lived across oceans, anchored in wild places—from the lush jungles of Costa Rica to the turquoise shores of the Florida Keys. Every piece I create is born from that intersection: nature and soul, memory and movement, craftsmanship and meaning.
A Life Rooted in Movement
For years, I’ve been inspired by the raw beauty of the world around me—by textures in driftwood, the curve of a wave, the grounding power of a stone that seems to hold ancient energy. As a photographer, metalsmith, traveler, and mother, I’ve worn many hats (sometimes barefoot in the jungle, sometimes behind a lens). But jewelry has always called to me in a different way—it allows me to tell stories you can wear.
Whether I’m designing in my jungle studio in Costa Rica or sourcing stones in South Florida, the heart of my work is the same: to create meaningful, handmade adornments that feel like you.
This is slow fashion—with heart and with history. Every stone is chosen with care. Every piece is infused with story. Nothing is mass-produced. And when you wear it, you become part of its journey.
The Meaning Behind the Words
Coastal. Soulful. Storied.
When I chose these words as the foundation of Costa Vida Design, they weren’t just for branding—they were lived.
Coastal.
This is where I feel most at home—where jungle meets ocean, where salt lingers on skin, where the days are long and the light is golden.
The coast is more than a place. It’s a rhythm, a lifestyle, a sense of openness. Costa Vida was born between two coasts—Costa Rica and the Florida Keys—and everything I design holds a little piece of that warmth, that freedom, that ever-moving tide.
Soulful.
Jewelry, for me, is never just an accessory. It’s an extension of energy, of memory, of meaning.
Each piece I create is slow-made, crafted with intention. I let the stones speak first. I honor their imperfections and their beauty. I believe in objects that carry soul—that connect us to places, to people, and to parts of ourselves we sometimes forget to celebrate.
This is wearable art, yes—but more importantly, it’s emotion made tangible.
Storied.
I’ve lived many lives—rock ’n’ roll photographer, wedding storyteller, music venue owner, metalsmith, sailor, wife, mother, world traveler, and a saltwater soul shaped by the Florida Keys, though my roots trace back to Houston.
Each chapter has left its imprint—and Costa Vida is the golden thread that ties them all together.
But these aren’t just my stories. They’re yours, too.
When someone wears a Costa Vida piece, they make it their own. It may mark a milestone. A journey. A heartbreak. A rebirth. It becomes a symbol—of freedom, grounding, transformation. A reflection of where you’ve been—and a talisman for where you’re going.
That’s what I mean by storied.
It’s more than design—it’s memory, movement, and meaning, made wearable.
Thank you for being here, for supporting small-batch art, slow fashion, and coastal magic.
I’m so glad you’ve found your way to this corner of the world—and I can’t wait to see how you make these stories your own.
With love and gratitude,
Michaelynn