Trunk Show Success & German Apple Pancakes Will Become My Beading

Yay trunk show success!!! The prep; cleaning, merchandising, and the non-stop mincing and chopping to make the food and drinks was well worth it. Even when my index finger and thumb went numb for 4 hours from chopping...I would do it all over again.

Last night I had my second trunk show here in San Diego. It was an intimate affair, and I quite like it like that. Fantastic company, declious home-made guacamole and salsa, and the second reason people came...amazing SANGRIA! ;0) It was goooood..dangerous, but good! I will definitely be sharing this in my next Miele by Michelle Glossy. I also showed and sold some of my new Fall/Winter pieces, which I've been working on recently. All in all, a great event!!! Can't wait for the next Spring/Summer one.

Sangria had always seemed like a daunting feat, and I'd shy away from it because the work involved was more than I wanted to handle. I think that WAS my look on a lot of cooking. Funny, I'll spend hours making chandelier earrings, but not on a beautiful meal, which I could eat...hello, instant yummy gratifcation!! Making the sangria was a process, but like beading and wire wrapping, there's meditation in it, and of course creativity. So now I'd like to learn how to make something new every week. I'm not taking on the complete Julia Childs cook book like Julia did, but I've got to start with a reachable goal, right? This week German Apple Pancake!

Let me leave you with a creativity challenge. Some time this week, make dinner at home using what you have in your fridge. Don't go out and buy ingredients. For some of you it's the everyday, but for others, like me, I'd usually just give up and go to a restaurant. I'm just not very good at unintentional recipe making.....or cooking on the fly. So Chuck and I did this a few nights ago and came up with a beautiful pasta casserole using pasta, zucchini, red pepper, pasta sauce, mozzarella, oregano, and onion. Yum, so glad we stayed home.

No gauntlets here

Some things make me frustrated or even make me want to cry (in a lame girlie over-reactive way) when certain things happen. Surfing; a prime example. I just got back from a (what I thought would be) promising surf sesh...1-3 foot waves, warm Santa Ana winds, sun shining, life is good...ERGH, instead I feel defeated, my equilibrium is out of whack, and I'm finding sand in all the wrong places! I still love the sport, and everyone says you're going to suck for a long time before you get "good." Patience just wasn't my friend today I guess.

So to reset I'm going to make a beautiful necklace. Arts and crafts doesn't run you through a gauntlet, and no matter what you're doing you feel good about the result. Surfing 1 - Michelle 0.

Jewelry Trends - Fall 2009

<-- Kenneth Jay Lane - Amethyst Drop Earrings

In the Spring and Summer we saw a mix of Bohemian spirit, Modern Boudoir (or French Chic), and a merging of various cultural inspirations. The colors and looks were bold and bright. Perhaps it was a prelude to what's to come this Fall. As the cooler weather approaches, the leaves start falling and we bundle up in our cozy sweaters and share memories with our loved ones over the holidays, adorn yourself in bold and luxurious accoutrement.

You'll see more of the dreamy Bohemian look, and bold statement pieces, but with more glitz and decorative glam. The old world feel of charms, pearls, tassels, and shimmery gemstones meets modern strong female as the 80's memories continue to inspire. You'll also see lots of multi-strand and torsade necklaces, and ornate chandelier earrings. Think luxurious sparkle in the rich colors of purple, ruby, gold, black and cobalt blue.

Fall 2009 is an eclectic mix to create a perfect palette for the upcoming holidays. Mix your own style with this Fall's inspirations and be the sparkle in the room.

Be sure to check back end of September to see Miele by Michelle's Fall inspirations!

More beautiful Fall designs from outstanding jewelry designers.


Martin Grant - Katrina Necklace


Janis by Janis Savitt - Gold Crystal Multi Chain Necklace



Alexis Bittar - Black Shell Pearl and Crystal Necklace



Oscar De La Renta - Lucite Enamel Teardrop Earrings

Hello, let me introduce you to my old friend, Creativity

Remember being a kid and making puppets out of brown paper bags or drawing a magnificent landscape using finger paints? I vividly remember in kindergarten creating an elaborate scene of animals having a party using felt fabric on a black felt board. When we were young, art and creation played a large part of our growth. For a child with boundless imagination, it's the medium of expression.

As adults we leave it behind. It's not that we've lost it. It's still very much there. Creating and using our imagination, building things, is a hard wired innate ability in us since our days as cave people. Some of us just hide or suppress it for a while or forever. As it was a tool for growth and a medium of expression as children, it still has the same benefits for adults.

Using your imagination and creativity taps into your soul. You dig deep and act on what truly makes you who you are or what makes you happy. You'll find things about yourself that you didn't know. It's a great form of meditation or relaxation. And I'm sure you'd agree, we all need a little R&R in today's busy world. For those who can't completely remove the figures and results from their thinking, creating has the satisfaction of a result, and stretches and exercises our brain on a different level.

Getting back in tune with your creative side doesn't have to be an expensive or intricate endeavor. Start simple, set aside time, and enjoy the process. Pretend your a limitless five year old. Here are a few ideas:

• Cook a dish that you absolutely love, but never cooked before.

• Make a hand made card for a dear friend.

• Plant a mini herb garden that you can use for your cooking.

• Hand sew a simple design on a place mat or plain pillow case.

• Bake and decorate a cake or cookies.

• Pick a tall vase or terracotta potter and paint a design on it.

• Draw a picture for yourself or someone you know.

Since I have a “Do it yourself” attitude, I've focused more on the physical creation of things. There is a plethora of liberal arts; dance, writing, music etc. Pick your interest. They're all great.

It doesn't matter how good you are at what you are doing. There is no critiquing when it comes to your own creativity. Of course, you'll have an end result, so you can feel good about the work you've put into your new masterpiece. What really matters is the experience you feel. That in itself is immeasurable personal growth.

The Beginning of Something Special

Hello to whoever is reading this!!

Why am I writing? After a few years of moving around, adapting to physical, environmental, and mental changes, and staring "Adversity" in the eye several times, I've realized that my creative expression has been huge in stability and all-round happiness. Making "things" has a healing, consoling...therapeutic benefit. If "arts and crafts" has affected me in this way why wouldn't it be a positive for someone else out there. Hopefully you, the "whoever is reading this."

So, in my blog I'll be regularly sharing my "crafty" and random experiences, providing ideas, and in general, hopefully be a catalyst for finding your daily creativity. Thanks for visiting!