Michael Michaud is an American jewellery designer. His jewellery is made by creating moulds directly from botanical specimens in a process similar to lost-wax casting. Michael uses real leaves, branches or flowers in place of wax models. A mould is created around the botanical specimen and as it is heated the plant matter burns away leaving behind a beautifully detailed mould of itself. Having created moulds inspired by nature the jewellery is then cast in bronze, silver and gold. Each piece is handmade in New York.
This Hydrangea Brooch is part of Michael’s 20th anniversary collection.
Ama-cha, meaning sweet tea, is a tisane made from Hydrangea serrate. It is poured over a statue of the Buddha in a bathing ceremony and served to people in attendance on 8th April, the day thought to be the Buddha’s birthday.