michelle my belle

Still Catching Up!

Before I get to our family vacation I need to backtrack just a bit to NY... You probably don't know this about me but my husband and I used to own a small bicycle shop in Leucadia, CA. About 11 years ago we sold it and moved to Vancouver, WA. These are some of the wonderful friends we made during those years. This is the Cordasco family, Greg, Ingrid, Samantha, Johanna and Gregory. They own a bicycle shop in Baskingridge, NJ Liberty Cycle. It was like seeing family again, I even got a little teary saying goodbye after our dinner together. If you ever make it to Baskingridge (which is a charming little community) stop in and say hi to them!

Our annual shoe shopping trip to Infinity Shoes in NYC. In case you don't remember this is my friend April from Catching Fireflies and Jenni. Check out April's blog for the chosen shoes.

Oh, and a side note... I'm reading a great inspirational book for entrepreneurs.

Another NY Goody!

I met Thomas Leiblein of Silvie Goldmark who does these amazing pewter salt and pepper shakers. The more I looked at his line the more I fell in love. They are perfect gifts for those people who have everything. Check out his selection here.

Thank you, thank you Thomas for my wonderful gift! I love them! I will be ordering some more for Christmas gifts.

Sue Dreamer!

One of the amazing artists I got the pleasure of meeting in NY was Sue Dreamer! I've always loved her whimsical style and after meeting her I equally love her. What a little whipper snapper!

If you're an artist and you're considering licensing your art PLEASE talk to as many artists as you can about their experiences! I have met so many artists who have gotten the short end of the stick.

All in a Days Travel!

On our way to the NY Gift Show.

First thing this morning (6:30am) my friend Jenni and I were standing in line at the airport and she asks me what's in the box I had with me. I looked at the box and suddenly realized that I had forgotten to send the other 3 boxes of samples to NY earlier in the week. Oooooops! I frantically figure out how to still get them there in time and SEVERAL $$'s later.

Finally, back to peace of mind, I go off to purchase my travel periodicals. The lady asks me for my ID, I begin digging... and digging and digging. I had just used it to make my way through our high security checkpoints! My friend Jenni and I back track to where we had been sitting and find it slyly tucked in the side of the chair just where I had cleverly dropped it! Now I realize why those people check your ID for $9 on a credit card with your signature on it, they are just helping you keep track of yourself! All this time I thought it was just to annoy you!

We make it to Chicago, the flight to NY is cancelled. We get on one an hour later, not bad. An hour later turns into 2 and now 3 and counting. I'm beginning to think that the overnight samples may be making it to our hotel before we do.

What I'm thankful to God for today is:
-my friend Jenni traveling with me
-samples on the way and that I remembered in time
-the lady that asked for my id! and finding it
-internet in the Chicago Airport is only $6.95 for the day
-blueberry frap from Starbucks (and the strechy pants I'm wearing!)
-my family and of course YOU!

Eat Your Veggies!

I love this new addition to our line! Mounted print on an 11"x11"x2.5" wood panel, signed limited edition of 100. $70 In every new collection I try to do a piece that is for my pure enjoyment. A piece that I'm not thinking about if it's going to sell on a large scale...this is my piece. And, believe it or not I've even sold some! : )

Another friend from right behind me at the San Francisco Gift Show... Agnes from Holly Yashi. Holly Yashi is a wonderful jewelry line that is celebrating their 25th Anniversary. Wow! I think Agnes said that she's been with them 22 years?? I purchased some super cute earrings for my mother-in-law that are reversible. Nice idea.

Thanks for tuning in! Hope you are having a fantastic week. Blessings to you.

A New Friend!

Meeting new people with great talents and visions is one of the highlights of this business. Especially when traveling and being away from your family and friends starts to wear on you. This is my new friend Christa DeMartini from Modern Wall Graphics. This is her first show with her clever product.

Happy Sunday!

I am realizing that when I take too many pictures and have the desire to share with you too much, I tend to become overwhelmed and not post at all. Isn't it funny how we are sometimes. So, here's a nibble...

I had the pleasure of meeting Carrie Sommer from Sommer Designs. I hope she doesn't mind me pulling this image but I wanted to show you how wonderful her stuff is. I just love the cheery colors that she chooses for her creations. Check out her blog or her website! It's always fun to watch an artist on her journey. You will find her blog inspiring and amazing.

Back to the CA Gift Show in Los Angeles. Right outside our hotel, The Westin Bonaventure, they were shooting a movie called John Hancock starring Will Smith. I never actually saw him but I would believe it with all the action they had going on in this shoot! On every trip down to this show they are shooting something on the streets of downtown LA but this was a pretty fun one to watch how they set it up and blew out windows in the buildings (starting at 4am!). I was hoping for some big action with this huge crane but I myself never saw anything.

Well, off to church! Hooray! Haven't been for WEEKS! No wonder I've been feeling the need to take lots of naps. ha! Loves to you all!

San Francisco Gift Show

I just got home today from the SF Gift Show. 3 shows down and 1 more to go! I, of course, waited till the last minute to get a hotel room... almost thought I was going to be on the street for the first few nights of the show cause it was so hard to get a room in the city. Little did I know that there was a marathon AND a Giants game going on at the same time. I ended up at the Holiday Inn all the way up at 1500 VanNess for a whoppin $200 a night (pretty spendy procrastination!). I did get to ride the famous SF Cable Car into the show though.

Did get to see and meet the SF Twins, we asked for a picture and they were just so gracious and kind about it. They were returning home after eating at the CheeseCake Factory.

My inlaws drove up from Santa Cruz and Sunnyvale to take my friend Jean and I to dinner. We dined at One Market Restaurant. The company and the food were fantastic. I hadn't seen my nephew in a little over a year, he's grown up! It was really nice to catch up and spend time with them. Only sorry that it couldn't have been longer. If you feel like getting in really good shape you can check out my brother in laws site for a full on training program! (I am obviously am not a subscriber at this point)

I still have some great goodies to share about some of the wonderful new creative people I have met in Los Angeles and San Francisco, I just need a few more minutes to catch up on emails and studio stuff. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get to it!