origins
the journey, the vision, and the heartbeat behind mj design co.
hey there, mycelia here. welcome to my world.
it all began in 2015 in the south suburbs of chicago, where knotznlocs was born as a bedroom craft fueled by curiosity and the desire to support my mental health. what started as idle hands quickly grew into a full-time pursuit of jewelry design and artistry. from 2015–2021, i crafted one-of-a-kind pieces, collaborated with creators around the globe, and built a grassroots movement that connected others like me to something real and inspiring.
at the same time, my yearning for discovery ignited a love for solo travel. from van life to island hopping to hitchhiking, my late teens and early twenties were marked by exploration, collaboration, and an insatiable desire to understand the meaning of existence. these experiences gave me a deep appreciation for human connection and the transformative power of creativity.
eventually, the twists and turns of life brought me back home to chicago, where my love for hosting and space-setting blossomed. i curated unique community events like elevated potion parties, chess clubs, sound baths, and ceremonies, all fueled by my passion for beauty, design, and connection.
my love for wellness also deepened during this time, leading me to earn my integrative life coaching certification through the institute of integrative nutrition. this sparked the creation of gnosis coaching academy, a space for growth, healing, and empowerment woven with frequency therapy and wisdom borrowed from transformative practices. through it all, my devotion to design remained at the core of everything i touched. whether crafting one-of-a-kind talismans or branding an entire business, my heart is at home in the design world.
a place of purpose
mj design co is home of my many facets.
here you will find many folds of my purpose driven life. from adventure, travel and art :: to perspective, philosophy and photography, mj design co is a passion pit and my space to express myself and the things that bring me peace.
my mission as an artist + designer is to embody a radical sense of authentic expression rooted in values. through this i aim to lead a legacy and empower others to fiercely approach their dreams.
mj design co is the manifestation of my life's work.
curated over the course of 10+ years, this is my legacy. it is my highest priority to lead a purpose-driven, authentic, and creatively active life. more importantly :: to share my passion for design, alchemy, and art with this flourishing community, inspiring authenticity in each individual i have the pleasure of crossing paths with.
i believe our life is our greatest masterpiece. within each of my endeavors, i seek to thread a common theme:
you are the creator of your reality.
my goal is to remind you of the innate magic that has forever lived within you:
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to guide you in your own alchemical expansion,
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to empower you to create boldly and live authentically,
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to inspire you to build a life and legacy rooted in purpose and truth.
through mj design co, i aim to create timeless work that serves as a catalyst for transformation and self-discovery. this is more than a brand—it’s a movement toward embodied creativity and intentional living.