Meet Stephanie

I’ve always felt a deep connection to nature, something I attribute to my Costa Rican roots. Being surrounded by it has shaped so much of who I am and has always been where I feel most like myself. There’s something quietly healing about being immersed in it, and I’ve had an affinity for animals and insects for as long as I can remember.

The Dreamy Phoenix was born from my fascination with transformation, rebirth, and finding beauty in unexpected places. The name itself was inspired by my Scorpio rising and Pisces moon, two signs that have always felt deeply connected to these themes throughout my life. I’m drawn to things that are overlooked, forgotten, strange, or a little out of place, and to the possibility of transforming them into something beautiful.

I’ve always loved vintage treasures. There’s something magical about objects from another time: wondering who once owned them, what their life looked like, and how something from the past can be given a new story. That curiosity inspires my work with responsibly sourced insects and vintage vessels. The insects I work with live for only a week or two, and I love creating a way for their fleeting beauty to be appreciated long after they’re gone.

I’m a quiet person with a rebellious nature, endlessly curious about the things that don’t quite fit the mold. I love hiking, 90s fashion and music, and teaching myself new ways to create. I’m also a self-taught sewist who enjoys making costumes and upcycling clothing, something I hope to explore more through The Dreamy Phoenix in the future.

I never imagined I would have a small business of my own. I have a full-time career that I love, but creating The Dreamy Phoenix somehow felt meant to be. I believe there is something deeply human about creating simply because we have something inside us that wants to be expressed, and then allowing those creations to be witnessed by someone else.

The Dreamy Phoenix is my little corner of that idea: a place where insects and vintage treasures are transformed into strange, delicate, and one-of-a-kind art. At its heart, it’s about finding beauty in unexpected places and giving new life to things that deserve to be seen. I hope each piece brings a little magic into someone’s world.