Aracheli Studio: Treasures Reimagined
Some creative paths feel inevitable, even if they take years to unfold. For Araceli Concordia, founder of Aracheli Studio, that moment of clarity came in 2019 when her parents brought over boxes filled with tools, beads, fabrics, and ribbons she hadn’t touched in more than fifteen years. Opening those boxes felt like opening a door back to her teenage self. “It was a hallelujah moment,” she recalls. “Something deep inside me was reignited, and I knew it was time.”
Her career had taken her through science, real estate, and other fields, but that day was a reminder of where her heart truly lived. Creativity wasn’t just a hobby…it was her calling.
As a child, she loved treasure hunting through Los Angeles vintage and thrift shops with rolled-up coins in her pocket, searching for something rare and unusual. That thrill of discovery still fuels her work today. She designs jewelry with the hope that wearing it will spark the same joy she felt finding treasures as a girl. “I want people to feel like they’ve stumbled upon something rare and truly special,” she says. “Something that makes them feel elated, delighted, and deeply connected.”
Much of her process starts with the components themselves. Because she often works with vintage and repurposed materials, each piece has a story. Sometimes a design lives in her mind for months before it comes alive; other times, it comes together in just a week. She describes her first time digging through a metal shipping container filled with boxes of vintage treasures as “absolutely mind-blowing,” the kind of sourcing trip that still inspires her.
Balancing her life as a designer with being a mom of three is no small feat. She admits it’s messy, ever-changing, and full of constant adjustments. “Each stage of business and family life brings its own unique demands,” she says. Choosing self-employment gave her the freedom to be present with her children, but it also required sacrifices and discipline. For her, routines, organization, and the willingness to ask for help are essential. Equally important has been the support of her partner “a true tag-team,” she calls it. Someone who carries the load when her bandwidth runs out.
Her proudest moments range from customers telling her they’ve never seen jewelry so unique, to one insisting she’d be famous someday. Yet the most meaningful memories are the ones at home: hearing her kids say how proud they are, or her daughter dreaming of becoming a jewelry maker too. Those affirmations remind her that her work is shaping not just her customers, but her family’s future.
Sustainability and ethics remain at the heart of Arancheli Studio. She prioritizes vintage and natural components, recycled metals, and works with artisans who are treated fairly. Even her packaging choices reflect her desire to keep her business aligned with her values. For her, every detail - no matter how small, is part of creating responsibly and intentionally.
When asked what making waves means in her life, she describes it as creating ripple effects. In her jewelry, it’s about pushing boundaries and challenging the norm, inspiring curiosity and delight. In her life, it’s about being authentic and encouraging others to do the same. “Making waves,” she says, “is about living in a way that sparks impact beyond yourself.”
Through her work, Araceli reminds us that jewelry is more than adornment. It’s memory, discovery, and expression — a treasure that carries both history and new meaning into the lives of those who wear it.
This story was created by Making Waves Project to spotlight real people whose creativity, resilience, and purpose inspire us all. By sharing these stories, we aim to honor the journeys behind the work and amplify voices that spark connection and change.
If you or someone you know has a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re a brand interested in partnering with us to bring more stories like this to life, please reach out at hello@makingwavesproject.com
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Photography by Robiee Ziegler
Produced by Katie Caro
Post production by Kelly Budish
