I see all these fashionable ladies with their beautiful jewelry walking around in their knee-high boots that would come up to my crotch, and I ask myself, “Why are you so afraid to accessorize?!”
It’s not my fault I’m barely 5’1 and these adorable fall boots swallow me whole. But the jewelry thing? I could rock that, right? I self-consciously finger the tiny diamond studs I’ve been wearing since high school. Whenever I take them out, they’re crustified and smell of death.
Why are you so afraid to accessorize? And clean?
Truth be told, because I don’t know how (to accessorize. I know how to clean, I just prefer to do it sparingly). Those big bulbous necklaces that look gorg on most gals leave me lookin’ like Mr. T.
Those little studs are my safe zone, my assurance that I don’t let myself out of the house resembling an angry black man with gold chains.
What?
Anyway, so I ran into this girl who used to be my student and who would now be my co-worker if I still taught at the same high school (spoiler alert: I’m getting old), and she’s all, “Hey, my mom started making her own jewelry if you’re interested.”
At first, I wasn’t interested. I was exhausted at the idea of having to even think about taking off my simple cross necklace and replacing it with something that would shout, “HEY YOU GUYS, I TRIED! DID I NAIL IT OR DID I FAIL?!”
And then I saw some of her mom’s work online and I was like, hmmm…that’s kinda nice. It was more than kinda nice, so I contacted the lovely Michelle Pujol with an offer she couldn’t refuse. I mean, she could have refused, but I would have cried and ain’t nobody want to be on a hormonal pregnant lady’s bad side.
Just kidding. I’m very pleasant, right Michelle???
I wanted to get mother and daughter necklaces for me and, duh, my daughter. With the holidays coming up, I thought we could jazz up our outfits and take the focus off of my second trimester nose. When Michelle told me I could essentially build my own necklace, I shat in my pants with glory and took to the www to find a style I loved. Was she really going to let me design stuff?! Was she crazy to give me this kind of creative control? Or just super talented and secure in her abilities to make whatever eff-ed up piece I found look really pretty?
Turns out it was the talent thing:
I love the length, color, and style of my necklace. Michelle hit a homerun with that bad boy. And with my daughter’s miniature piece…
I have been crafting something or another since childhood, but started really making jewelry about two years ago when I saw a bracelet in an expensive catalog and decided I could make it for WAY less. Which I did. (Editor’s note: when I chose the necklace design I wanted Michelle to make for me, it was from a well-known jewelry company with a ticket price of EIGHTY DOLLARS. Good lawd, that’s alotta money!) I found (making jewelry) a very relaxing hobby and found myself designing and making several pieces. My husband and daughter decided that I should go into business, and so this is my attempt.
I love all the colors and different materials from glass to semi precious stones, metals and other materials and so enjoy making something that makes someone happy. Love seeing people wear my pieces. I love creating, but have also found that I enjoy special requests for customers’ special occasion needs. (Editor’s note: I had no special occasion, unless you count my ploy to distract family at holiday dinners from my fourth helping of turkey, and allow them to focus instead on the beauty around my neck. Which I do.)
The name Michelle’s Mark of course includes my name and the concept of a traditional Jeweler’s Mark, but also pays homage to my baby brother Mark who we lost much too soon.
My business goals are modest, I don’t expect to become rich with this. I just hope to make some nice jewelry that people enjoy wearing and save them a bit of money over the high prices they would pay elsewhere.
What’s up, after reading this amazing piece of writing i am too delighted to share my
experience here with friends.
Thanks so much, Spammy McSpammerson.
LOVE the necklaces! So great… I’m also terrible at accessorizing because I forget to. That’s why I wear my crusty diamond stud every day! I will be checking out her work for sure. Great gift idea!
Thanks, Stephanie! May the best crusty studs win!
Love the necklaces!
She does good work 🙂
How fun!! I totally entered. You look beautiful!
Awww–you’re sweet, lady, thank you! GOOD LUCK!
I’m the tomboyest Mom at the preschool so I could definitely use some accessorizing! Beautiful stuff, Michele! And you look FAB Steph!
Same here, Jeannette! My flip flops and tennis shoes could really use some help 🙂 THANK YOU for your kind words, too 🙂
I love the big chunky necklaces on bracelets on others, too! I’m with you, Steph, time to remove my gold hoops, infinity necklace and small gold bracelets to try on some fun new pieces!! My husband is obsessed with me wearing a ton of jewelry daily so he may hyperventilate when I leave the gold behind, but that’s just an added benefit, right? Thanks for sharing!
All the more reason, lady. Go big, or go home!!
Lovin the white and turquoise piece!
Steph, you always manage to know the most amazing people.
I like to make new friends 🙂
I’m loving the silver plated bead bracelets but there are plenty of beauties to choose from! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love the same bracelet!! Thanks for entering 🙂
I love your necklace! It’ beautiful! I also love that you had one made for your daughter. Its super cute.
We gals like to stick together 🙂 Thanks for the comment and for entering, Bobbi Jo!
I like big jewelry and I cannot lie. I am almost 6 ft tall so dainty jewelry on me is like giving a whale a tic-tac! Her jewelry is gorgeous and affordable- LOVE!
Giving a whale a tic-tac! HA! I feel dwarfed in the stuff, but it’s so dang purty!
I love the look of jewelry on other ladies but am also fearful of how it looks on me. It’s like you took my words, Steph! If I win I will totally rock the piece I choose though.
Oh forgot. I like the black and silver zebra necklace and that’s the one I will choose if I win.
Thanks so much, Heather!
I would like a large butterfly broach. 😉
And it would look beautiful on ya 😉
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s
time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things
or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
I want to read more things about it!
Well, shucks, Bradley. Are you saying you don’t want free jewelry?
Love this mama!!! Beautiful necklace!! See you later tonight!
Excellent!!
I love the Orange Ceramic Embossed Leaf Pendant with Copper Wire with assorted Orange , White and Orange and White Cermaic beads…so pretty!
That is the most detailed description EVER. 🙂
I want to win! I am both style/accessory challenged and craft-dumb. I totally deserve to win. Great giveaway, pal!
I’m not sure that I believe you, Mama; I’ve seen you rock your adorable hats! xo
I’m slowly getting into this trendy, chunky, jewelry thing…not sure if it’s working yet!
It’s working, I promise!
These look awesome!!!! I hope I win!
Oh hellooooo! I know you 🙂
I love a good versatile necklace that can be casual or dressy. And that’s well-made so my two year old doesn’t yank it off me like he does everything else!
I tried to comment on your chocolate post, but it kept giving me an error. Just wanted to say it sounded like so much fun getting to play Lucy for a day! And your vlog? Okay, you do NOT sound like a dude. You’re adorable!!
I’m with you on the no-yank jewelry (and clothes…) for the two-year-old, Kathy!
Hmmm…wonder what’s going on with that dang post?! I’ll check it out. Thanks so much for telling me!
I want that green recycled glass necklace. Gimme.
I want, I want, I want! So, I will just assume b/c I have met you IRL, you are bumping me to the front of the line?? 😉
I love the brown dangle earrings.
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I
realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it
and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!