In a world filled with accessories designed to follow fleeting trends, Stonington Designs takes a different approach: creating jewelry designed to carry meaning. Founded by husband-and-wife team Michelle and Rich Drake, the Connecticut-based company combines artistry, engineering, woodworking, traditional weaving techniques, and American craftsmanship to create distinctive pieces for both women and men.
At the heart of the brand is Drift by Stonington Designs, a collection of handwoven wood jewelry that transforms natural and reclaimed materials into contemporary accessories. With its clean silhouettes, varied wood tones, and understated aesthetic, Drift offers an alternative to conventional jewelry while remaining versatile enough to complement a wide range of personal styles.
A Business Born From a Personal Reinvention
Stonington Designs began with a major life transition for Michelle Drake. In 2020, Michelle stepped away from her career as an executive director of an assisted living community as the COVID era and her aging mother’s declining health required her to become an advocate and caregiver for her parents.
When she began considering what might come next, her husband Rich suggested they build something together.
Their professional backgrounds were different, but complementary. Michelle brought years of experience as an artist and painter, while Rich contributed his background as an engineer, woodworker, craftsman, and lifelong builder. That combination of creative vision and technical problem-solving became a defining characteristic of the company.
What started as a small creative venture eventually developed into Stonington Designs and its signature Drift collection.
From Wood to Wearable Art
Drift is distinctive because it brings together two disciplines that are not typically associated with one another: fine woodworking and hand weaving.
One of the collection’s signature pieces is the Legacy Cuff Bracelet, a bold 3/4-inch cuff handcrafted from premium hardwood and natural bamboo over a structured core. The bracelet is individually made and handwoven through Stonington Designs’ Military Spouse Weaving Program.
Natural wood also means that no two pieces have exactly the same grain, tone, or texture. Rather than attempting to make every bracelet look identical, Stonington Designs embraces those natural variations as part of the character of the material.
The collection is intentionally unisex, making Drift equally relevant to women and men. Pieces can be worn individually, layered, or stacked, while the broader collection provides options for those looking for handcrafted accessories beyond traditional watches, leather bracelets, or conventional jewelry styles.
Stonington Designs also incorporates wood into metal through select rings and necklaces in its Encore line, expanding the brand’s approach to combining natural materials with refined jewelry design.
Craftsmanship With a Purpose
As demand for the jewelry grew, Michelle and Rich faced an important question: How could they expand production without losing the human craftsmanship that made the pieces distinctive?
Their answer was the Military Spouse Weaving Program.
The program trains military spouses to become skilled artisans within Stonington Designs’ production network. Importantly, the work is designed with flexibility in mind, recognizing that military families may experience relocations, deployments, childcare demands, and constantly changing schedules.
The program is particularly meaningful to the Drakes because their son is an Air Force pilot, giving the family firsthand appreciation for the realities of military life.
Rather than treating craftsmanship as something that needs to be removed in order to grow, Stonington Designs has made skilled human involvement part of its approach to scaling the business.
Jewelry With a Story
Materials are another important part of the brand’s philosophy. Stonington Designs works with natural, reclaimed, remnant, and responsibly selected woods depending on the individual design. The company is also exploring materials that carry their own history, including reclaimed wood and materials connected to meaningful places, experiences, and memories.
That philosophy is reflected in Michelle Drake’s perspective on the brand: “We don’t just want to make beautiful jewelry. We want to create pieces that connect you to a story, where you’ve been, who you love, and the moments you want to carry with you.”
Ultimately, Stonington Designs is about more than creating something beautiful to wear. It is about thoughtful design, American craftsmanship, responsible material choices, and creating opportunities for skilled artisans.
Its guiding idea could perhaps be summed up in four simple words: from wood scraps to wearable stories.
For consumers who value distinctive design and meaningful purchases, Stonington Designs offers jewelry intended not simply to accessorize an outfit, but to become part of the story of the person wearing it.
Written in partnership with Tom White
