Marije Pöpping is a visionary creative, dreamer, and founder of Studio POPPING.

“Growing up near the national park De Veluwe in The Netherlands, I’ve always felt connected to nature. I would often venture in the forest to find small, magical details that captivated me: a patch of soft moss in beautiful hues or the shimmering of light in a meandering creek. Even as a child, I felt an urge to lose myself in nature’s materials, patterns and forms, to find beauty in its smallest wonders.

Yet, for a long time I felt there was no room for this sensitivity in a world that valued efficiency over wonder. I saw it as something insignificant rather than an asset. I started pushing myself to meet expectations that never truly resonated with me. By the time I was 27, I found myself completely burned out.

I stood at a threshold—one where I could either keep running or finally listen to what had been calling me all along. In the stillness that followed, something within me stirred. It wasn’t a sudden revelation, but a slow unraveling, a remembering. A rustling leaf, the shimmer of a butterfly’s wing, each a gentle reminder of who I was before the world told me who to be. Slowly, I allowed my hands to create again. In that moment, I wasn’t just rediscovering my creativity, I was reclaiming myself. Studio POPPING was born.

Studies

Marije’s creative and esoteric journey of studies bringing depth to Studio POPPING.

Courses, studies and research:

  • Classical Tibetan literature studies at the Nyingma Institute, Amsterdam (2023).
  • Breathwork Facilitator training at De Nieuwe Yogaschool, Amsterdam (2023).
  • Assisting Forest Bathing courses from The Forest Bathing Circle, NL (2023).
  • Cacao Facilitator training with mayan wisdom keepers Tata Juan Carlos and Nana Odilia with Cacao Source, Guatemala (2022).
  • Ipsalu Tantra training at Brave Earth, Costa Rica (2022).
  • Bhagavad Gita studies at De Nieuwe Yogaschool, Amsterdam (2021).
  • Tibetan Buddhism studies at De Nieuwe Yogaschool, Amsterdam (2021).
  • Ongoing personal research of ancient indigenous nature worship and symbolism in North-Western Europe (2023-2025).

Education and pre-education:

  • Bachelor Fashion & Branding, Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Amsterdam (2015-2019).
  • Trend Forecasting, Styling and Art Direction pre-education, Artemis Academy, Amsterdam (2014).
  • Arts & Design pre-education, ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem (2012-2013).

What most people ask me about

How did you start creating butterfly wing jewelry?

I graduated from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute in Fashion & Branding in 2019 with a project centered around Artificial Nature. For this project, I explored various materials, including natural latex, photo printing techniques, and different types of resin to preserve natural objects. A friend gifted me some butterfly wings, and I began experimenting with them. This led to the creation of liquid-shaped butterfly “blobs” that felt like wearable art. I was captivated by the idea of being adorned with butterflies and although my graduation project primarily focused on latex, the butterflies stayed with me.

Afterwards, I continued experimenting until I developed a method to craft jewelry from them: my butterfly brand was born. After taking a long break, I transitioned to work with glass, a more sustainable and enduring material, and began collaborating with local skilled artisans in 2025. Together, we bring my vision to life, creating pieces that honor the fragile and intricate beauty of butterfly wings.

Where do your butterfly wings come from?

All the butterflies we work with have been sourced and prepared with the utmost care and responsibility. They have lived their full lifespan and passed naturally. We partner with one of the most respected taxidermy companies in the Netherlands, known for their dedication to butterfly conservation and rainforest preservation in various parts of the world. You can learn more here.

What's the best way to take care of my jewelry?

To keep your jewelry looking beautiful for as long as possible, a little extra care goes a long way. Here are some simple best practices:

  • Remove your jewelry before sleeping, exercising, or engaging in physical activity.
  • Avoid contact with lotions, perfumes or any chemical products. Exposure to extreme temperatures and rough activities that could scratch the glass should also be avoided.
  • Store your jewelry in a clean, dry, and dark place when you're not wearing it -  this helps prevent tarnishing and damage.

For sterling silver pieces, here's a helpful tip: wear them often! Regular wear actually helps slow down the tarnishing process naturally. If your jewelry does become tarnished, gently clean it with a small amount of silver polish and a soft polishing cloth.

Extra Important: Make sure your jewelry stays completely dry. Water can seep beneath the glass and cause serious damage to the butterfly wing inside. This may result in moisture build-up or visible condensation, which can harm the organic material and accelerate deterioration. Keeping your piece dry is essential to preserving its natural beauty.