Some might say oversize flower crowns are best paired with a wedding gown or festival attire—but not boho accessories designer Michaela “Magaela” Durisova of Magaela Accessories. “I wear a hair wreath absolutely everywhere I go and match it with every type of outfit,” Michaela explains. “My aesthetic is all about freedom, bare feet, and love for all that is beautiful.” And it shows in her free-spirited line of jewelry, bouquets, and signature hairpieces—all intricately crafted in her Austrian home studio from a mixture of feathers, hand-colored flowers, and preserved plants.
Read on to learn how Michaela finds inspiration and discover her most exciting moments as a designer—then shop the collection.
Tell us about your creative background. How did your find your way to floral accessories?
My father is an artist, and I suppose I inherited my artistic sensibilities from him. I’ve been creative since childhood: I’ve always liked to draw, I sewed my own clothes, and I even went to art school. During my studies, I needed to clear my mind, which led me to start creating jewelry. I began with felt and resin earrings, then moved on to original hand-sewn pieces that people liked a lot.
I think it was thanks to my part-time job at a flower shop (and seeing floral fashion on the runway) that I began to think about floral-inspired accessories. I started by making a flower crown for myself, then I put it online and people started asking me about it. That’s how my shop started. Creation for myself became creation for others.
When did Etsy enter the picture for you, and how did it affect your work?
Magaela Accessories has existed for four years. I’m from Slovakia, so I started out by selling locally, as well as in the Czech Republic. I wanted to establish myself abroad, so I started a shop on Etsy. When my items were first featured on Etsy, I was giddy like a kid—it was a dream come true! Soon my creations started getting noticed by women in Germany and Austria.
Today, we have customers in Australia, Canada, the US, and France. In fact, we have more customers from abroad than from Slovakia. (Wow!) For this, I owe Etsy a great deal. Being on Etsy has encouraged us and served as a motivation to get better, come up with new ideas, and take better pictures. We now collaborate with photographers, makeup artists, and bloggers. We’ve also improved the materials we use; I work with hand-customized and hand-colored textile flowers and with preserved flowers, plants, and other materials.
Has your shop and your work evolved over time?
My line started with hand-sewn earrings, flower headbands, and wreaths. Today, our portfolio is full of products: we offer belts, shoe clips, bracelets, necklaces and, of course, a complete portfolio for brides—bouquets, buttonholes, garters, the list goes on. I like using my imagination and rare materials, like succulents or feathers. I like to experiment.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I wake up in the morning, have some breakfast, and then I go to walk our beloved dog. After that I prepare packages for mailing, communicate with customers, and plan and divide the daily tasks in the workshop with my team: my husband, Roman; my production assistant, Barbora; and my two customer service assistants Nikola and Zusana, who work from home.
On days when I feel peaceful, the work is easy. Some wreaths are created quickly, some take a few days. At the beginning, it’s necessary to prepare the base using felt and wire. I use a natural under layer, such as grass or moss, and then I glue the flowers. If I am not satisfied with the available flowers, I often create or customize them myself. While I’m creating, my husband packs the products, and in the evening they’re brought to the post office. When he gets back, the new products from the day are prepared to be photographed, then he color-corrects the photos. After that I pass them along to be sent to customers.
After work, I try to find some time for myself and go for a run. I also love hiking in the mountains with my husband, taking in the view and the smell of earth, moss, and grass; it clears my head and provides me with endless inspiration. I love flowers of every color, and I try to reflect nature in all of my creations.
Some may be intimidated to wear a crown or wreath. What’s your philosophy around when and where floral accessories should be worn?
Our philosophy is that there is a fairy in every woman, and our wreaths emphasize feminine charm. Magaela products are meant for special occasions like weddings, family photo shoots, festivals, or balls, but they can just as easily be worn on a regular day. It makes me so happy to meet girls wearing my products on the street! Pair a long, loose linen dress with flowing hair and a wreath; that works well together.
Can you tell us about a commission or custom order that was especially memorable or meaningful for you?
We’ve done lots of custom orders for brides. There was a wedding where we created boho-style wreaths full of feathers and grass, and an antique-inspired wedding with a laurel wreath in gold—those were both interesting challenges. We got also an cool request for a big flowery headband for a Bollywood-inspired wedding.
What have been some of the most exciting moments of your creative career thus far?
At the beginning, it was the first headband I sold. Then it was the first real photoshoot of my products with a photographer and models. When I think back on being on the cover of a magazine or my first time on live TV introducing my products, I still feel butterflies in my stomach. Recently, my products were featured on the catwalk of Slovak fashion designer Lydia Eckhardt’s runway show. That was the best experience of my career.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
The best part of my job is a satisfied customer. No, it’s not just a phrase: I really mean it. When I see women smiling and wearing my products, when they thank us and I see how happy they are, then I know my work is meaningful.
Follow Magaela Accessories on Instagram and Facebook.
Photographs courtesy of Magaela Accessories.
56 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Your work is beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 3 years ago
Truly enchanting Michaela! Your crowns are stunning, but my favorites are the hair combs and pins....so versatile!!! Enjoyed reading about your creative journey! Congratulations on the feature and many blessings for your continued success! :)
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 3 years ago
Beautiful floral accessories! Congratulations on the feature!
Adam Speicher from SpeicherBowTieCo said 3 years ago
Cool!
Niki from JandEdoodles said 3 years ago
Congratulations on all of your success. Your creations are beautiful!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
What a lovely shop. Congrats on the feature.
Lizzy from Bagitconscious said 3 years ago
Absolutely beautiful!!! and so creative.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! Beautiful colorful shop.
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 3 years ago
I love your work. How creative and it shows in your items. Your shop looks very well organized. I wish you the very best on your future endeavors.
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 3 years ago
Your creations are gorgeous and your workspace.... love it! Congratulations on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Lovely shop! Congrats on your success, and the feature.
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 3 years ago
You have a lovely shop! Congrats on the feature!
Cheryl and Miriam from TheUrbanHedgehog said 3 years ago
Gorgeous shop and gorgeous pictures :)
Adri L. from alwayzwithlove said 3 years ago
Very nice!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 3 years ago
Michaela your shop is simply stunning! Congrats on the feature and I wish you a prosperous year!
cindy Q. from mrsakarn said 3 years ago
I love your story , and your work is so lovely! If you would have been around 22 years ago, I would have brought my flower head wreath from you. I had an island , vintage wedding back when it wasnt poplar to do. I always beat from a different drum and it sounds like you do the same. Much luck , success and blessing to you and your work and store! Cindy Q
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations on the feature!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats!
Mira Guerquin from MiraGuerquin said 3 years ago
Your creations are beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. I wish you much success :)
Rosita from pillowlink said 3 years ago
Very magic floral world.. Every piece have great energy. Love your works!
Jaine from gypsyjaine said 3 years ago
LOVE your shop! And a big congratulations on your feature!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 3 years ago
I just have one word for this lovely line of gorgeousness: stunning! congrats on this BEAUTIFUL feature...wow!!
Michela from LilyandFern said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats. :-)
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
Beautiful floral creations! Congratulations on the feature!
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 3 years ago
Your work is just gorgeous! It makes me feel happy when I look at your photos, which by the way are beautiful!! Congrats on the feature!
Jeanne B from PruAtelier said 3 years ago
Very pretty items....It's always a joy to work with that creativity inspired by flowers! Congrats to you!
mary schussman from EndlessBlossoms said 3 years ago
Love your workspace. Congrats to your success!
Sharon from YearsAfter said 3 years ago
Very pretty florals! Much success to you!
sil440 said 3 years ago
Beautiful, congrats on the feature
GorinArt from GorinArt said 3 years ago
So delicate and original, the way you combine traditional folkloric style and modern style is kind of magic, your work reminds me to PreRaphaelite masters! Good job!
TheNew Housewife from TheNewHouseWife01 said 3 years ago
Lovely, everything is beautiful!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Lovely shop, your creations are gorgeous!
Tamara Lance from MusingTreeStudios said 3 years ago
Wow! Your work is just stunning! Congrats!
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 3 years ago
Wow, such beautiful work! : ) The crowns are stunning. Congrats on the feature!
Martha from ThistleRoseWeaving said 3 years ago
What bright and cheerful work, love everything you make.
Anne Hopkins from annehopkins said 3 years ago
Stunning.. Congratulations. ;) xx
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 3 years ago
Your designs inspire me. They are beautiful! The colors and the flow capture the essence of nature, woods, and fields. Thanks for sharing your creativity!
MARIAELA from MARIAELA said 3 years ago
Congrats!
drunkmansdaughter from NaturallySonia said 3 years ago
I love how Michaela took something simple and transformed it into an incredible business so artful and easy on the eyes. But so are the stories on Etsy :)
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 3 years ago
Everything is so bright and beautiful, Michaela!! Particularly like the wrist bands. Your photos are excellent. All the best!
Ferdi from ferceramics said 3 years ago
Beautyful!
Esther from DuchessAndDomicile said 3 years ago
Nice. I like your studio too :)
Vera Ayrapetyan from AngelinasFlowers said 3 years ago
Beautiful accessories!
Alexandr Yershov from HornJewelryuaShop said 3 years ago
Great work! Congratulations! Good luck in the future!
Ludmila Rozhdestvenskaya from CraftsmanShopUA said 3 years ago
Your work is beautiful! They are both modern and at the same time have a centuries-old history.
Ludmila Rozhdestvenskaya from CraftsmanShopUA said 3 years ago
Magic works! On the one hand, very modern and at the same time rooted in the distant past!
Anthony Auffret said 3 years ago
Stunning :)
Natalia from MagicRibbonCreations said 3 years ago
Interesting and instructive story. Works remarkable. In the bottom everything harmoniously combines. Success and prosperity, as well as creative inspiration.
Valery Artemenko from AtributeVintageStore said 3 years ago
So much warmth in your work...inspires..!
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 3 years ago
Really beautiful !
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 3 years ago
Cant express how much i LOVE your flower crowns .
Marlena Burger from MarlenasArtSilks said 3 years ago
Your creations are beautiful and you photographs are extremely nice! Good going!
oz wedding cars said 3 years ago
This is absolutely gorgeous! Not sure which feature we liked more–part one or part two!! Sydney Wedding Car Hire
SIMONA AL NSEIR from Hyndussidstudio said 3 years ago
Bravooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Jeannie from MysticalRaindrops said 2 years ago
Lots of creativity here!