I am the Featured Artist on Etsy Artist of Color Blog

! http://eaoc.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-love-wirequeen.html



Please look and share.

As always you can click on the title to purchase.

My Queen Yan Lin ring was included in a Treasury

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ2NjM0MTJ8NjMzMDA1MjI2/yellow-rings My ring was included in this treasury.



Please view and share.


As always you can click on the title to purchase.

Thank You For Following my Blog

My way of saying thank you for following my blog. Here's a coupon for 50% off to use on my http://artfire.com/MichelleS. You have until August 27, 2011 at midnight to take advantage of the code.

The code to use is follow8-2011. As always you can click on the title to make purchases.

Thanks for being kind enough to sign up to follow my blog.

Michelle

Why International Trade is important for your small business

http://bit.ly/qqyijf

Wirewrapped Ring and Bracelet

I was playing with wire and made the ring first and then the bracelet. This is wire weaving. They were time consuming but fun.

News Flash: Interested in A Job in International Trade?You should be

The state of Florida is providing two million dollars to train folks for jobs in international trade. A friend and I put pen to paper added up what it cost me to learn what I know in international trade. The figure we came up with was ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000). I made that back in spades over the years. So if you can get into the field on someone else's dime do it. I had no mentors until much later and had to learn a lot by the seat of my skirt. This is an industry where the skills you learn are never outdated. People will always do business across borders. The world is becoming much smaller so take advantage of every situation you can to learn. http://bit.ly/nw7UUJ

If you put in for this give me some feed back on the program. Thanks

My Unakite Earrings Were Featured

Create Balance wi...

Curated By: strawberryfie...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Please review and rate this lovely collection that included my unakite earrigs. As always you can click o the picture or my title to purchase. 

Angano…Angano…Tales from Madagascar Make Your Own

Angano…Angano…Tales from Madagascar



This is so cool I had to share it. My Daddy instilled in us a love of folktales, animal history (?) (We watched National Geographic and Jacques Cousteau with him). He loved the program "Sea Hunt" because it showed you  deep sea life forms.

If you fortunate enough not to have your kids going back to school until after labor day, now is the time to make those memories. One of my fondest memory is my Daddy teaching us to swim at Belle Isle. All of sudden he told us come out the water. The next thing we knew Daddy was swimming towards Canada. People all along the beach started cheering him on. The Coast Guard stopped him at the international boundary. They had him rest and the he swam back.
You know that was bragging rights for years. Daddy said he wanted to see if he could do it. Mommy just shook her head. Daddy's an Ancestor now but my friends still fondly remember that day.

What you do doesn't have to be that dramatic, it can be corny as heck. Take a staycation or a over night trip and sing all the songs you know they don't want you to sing. (Especially if you're like me and can't carry a tune in a bucket). Smile Make those memories your kids will treasure them forever, even as they complain and moan now. Smile

Peace.
Michelle

Phoenix Mercury Makeover Part II

All five of the ladies who got the makeover last nights Phoenix Mercury vs. Connecticut. The event was wonderful. At the actual makeup session the camera crew did short interviews with all five ladies. They chose my interview to display at US Airways. They has us sit together until the reveal. We were on camera for about five minutes ten minutes while they told told about us winning the makeovers. They showed different shots of us at various stages of the makeover. We had to keep looking into the camera the entire time, it felt weird.

We had great seats four rows behind the team. The game was excellent going into overtime, unfortunately the Mercury lost by 1 basket.

I really appreciate the makeover and the game tickets even more. The game was really exciting. I took one of my daughters friends and her parent.

I want to thank the Phoenix Mercury and Logan Mayer (who works for the Suns) for the great job they did and especially for the wonderful tickets.

As always you can click on the title or the link on the right to shop.

Phoenix Mercury Makeover Reveal at the Game Today

I took my twists down , combed my hair and wore a afro the the

makeover.

After coloring and blow drying.

After flat ironing and makeup.

Close up of make-up

My make over artists (?) 

My makeover courtesy of the Phoenix Mercury/Suns. This was done as the Brillaire Academy in Scottsdale. I asked the director if they had any experience working on Black hair. She claimed they did. They must have had a twenty minute lecture. I felt a little better when the floor monitor (?) an older Spanish lady came though and told them about how dry Black hair becomes in this weather and the extra moisture that was needed. I pretty much let the young ladies play doll at the make over. I just selected the hair color which was a combination of two colors.

I had been up since 3 am and did not leave from there until after 9 p.m. I think it shows on my face. I have always considered my hazel eyes as my best feature, even with GRAVES Disease which keeps them puffy and a lot of the time red. The ailment also makes them tear easily. The medications I've been on keep the face puffy as well. I have always had a narrow face until they put me on steroid based medications which puff you up like a balloon. I was on the medicines for over ten years. Doctors neglect to tell you how the medications will affect your body when they put you on them or how you can counter the negative side effects.

I was not happy with four inches being chopped off the left side of my head for no apparent reason and not blended in. The Spanish blonde who did my make did a very good job in, my opinion, of covering up the the puffiness around my eyes. Unfortunately there was no chart done of what she had used and where.

This was the first makeover I ever had where you were not given ANY information (Let alone product) to take away so that you could replicate the process.

I want to thank the Phoenix Mercury/Suns for the makeover. I would suggest since was the only Black person selected (yes they knew I was Black before I went to the make over) that they confirm the facility they are using has experience working with all races or at least have a back up plan. They had a young man running this who know knew nothing about the hair care business. I suggested Chris Rock's Good Hair documentary to him and told him it was just as applicable to other women when it came to how women are socialized about hair. (White women with curly had straighten it, women with straight hair curl theirs). Actually its an attack on all of our self esteem to not love your perfect self .

Peace

Michelle

Iftar Ice Cream Social and Bazaar

Yes, Ramadan  in this heat quite a challenge. The heat by itself is a challenge add in no water and food and it becomes even harder. Yet to do so brings many Blessings to you for doing or trying to fast. Fasting is an interesting way to clear the Mind Body and Spirit. I have non-Muslim friends who fast with Muslim for the 30 days of Ramadan because there are so many healths benefits to doing so. They have enjoyed the iftars as this gives them a chance to understand what it means  about Islam being a total way of life. The Iftars (Communal Meals) are such a great way to end the day. You get to see folks you may not have seen in a while. Think about it , some of your best memories, no matter what your religion, have been around sharing a meal. Whether holiday gatherings, the family reunions, Sunday meals or just having friends or for food. There is just something special about breaking bread together.

Today one of the Masjids (Mosque is french for masjid) is having an ice cream social and Bazaar after Iftar. I know the kids are looking forward to it. Women to browsing and Men to hanging out and not having to rush back to work. Should be very nice.

Enjoy your Saturday.

As always you can click on the title to visit my store.

Countdown to School starting Monday August 8

Countdown to the last days before school starts. We made a run through Fashion Square mall to my daughter's favorite stores. I bought five pair of jeans from one store, my daughter's favorite. I asked the cashier what was my bonus. She looked at me funny. I repeated it and explained , I just purchased five pair of jeans on sale,  but I think I should receive some kind of bonus. She stated she couldn't include anything. Having learned from my father that the only dumb question is the one NOT asked, I requested the manager. He was standing there at the register with us the entire time. Now mind you I was being very nice and laughing as I repeatedly made the request. He said I can't include any thing. I stated, Yes you can. I am purchasing five items in one transaction. I said I sell the jewelry I'm wearing and if I have someone purchase five items in a single transaction they don't have to ask, I'm giving them SOMETHING.  He said,  several items and I didn't know what they were. When I asked my daughter and she told me I said, No. I was nice the entire time. He said I'll be right back.

When he returned he  had three items my daughter would use. I told her to pick the one she liked. He said , No gave her all three. The also gave us a coupon for the next sale. Thank you Daddy (now an Ancestor) for teaching me not to be afraid to speak up and to ask for what I want. My Daddy taught us there are only two answers to a request Yes or NO. Maybe is a Yes with conditions. Whatever the outcome, don't take it personal.

What lesson were you taught as a child that you use to this day?

I'm going to make the "Dragon's Blood" stone into a  pendant and post it probably Saturday.  I have clear  picture of the final design in my head so I can execute the pendant now. (Those of you who follow my blog know I can't draw a lick.)

As always you purchase my "pretties" my clicking on the title.

School Starts August Here in the Valley

School starts in the Valley August 8 which is pretty crazy since we have 110 plus degree temperatures now. Yet again kids are not the priority its more about those stupid tests that are really not measuring much of anything and consuming way too much of the teaching time.

My daughter ad her friends have  been ready to go back to school since July. I think that's  so they can come together with their friends. Schools are not like when I attended and we could walk a couple of blocks and you're at school. We walked to both elementary and middle school (we called it junior high).

I had to deal with a major meltdown when we received the class school schedules. I do have to give the Scottsdale school district a plus on getting the info out to the parents. We have schedules and the entire school calendar before school starts. None of this monthly guessing game nonsense. Back to the meltdown,  baby girl was not placed in Mandarin Chinese. This led to major boohooing and my daughter rarely gets upset. So Mommy had to visit the school to find out why she got none of her electives. The schedule was reworked to add AP Mandarin (She's really very good). She hopes one day to visit China through one of the exchange programs so she can really test her skills without Mommy present. (Little Ms. Independence)

We know several families from Mainland China here in the Valley and they have graciously offered to talk with when ever she wants to practice. We recently attended an event and one of the families grandmother was there and baby girl got to Dialogue with her. She was elated because "Grandmother" complimented her on her mandarin.

Baby girl is turns thirteen next month. I am an "old school" mom and want to encourage her femininity something too many girls seem confused about. Off we went to get manicure,pedicure and her hair done.  We wear our hair natural so she wanted to try a press and curl. She loved it. (Local trade schools and skills centers are great places to go because they are supervised and graded so they do an excellent job at even better prices). We went to Maricopa Skills Center on Buckeye.

Everyone has sales going on so I bought basic supplies and will finish up as soon as the teachers post their lists today or tomorrow.

All in all a good summer. How's you summer going? Made some memories yet? Still have time for a staycation or weekend road time? Get those memories made that is what your kids will remember and hold on to. Think about what you remember best, even if you resented it at the time. I'll best its one of your fondest memories now. Even the IPhone-Generation needs that. So shut the computer down, cut off the gadgets and go made some memories. Smile

As always you can click on the title to purchase from my store.

China Closing Turquoise Mines

by Jake Woolley, Marketing Content Development Group, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®


Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has always had a passion for turquoise. You could say it's in our blood; after all, it is the favorite stone of owner Stuart Freedman. In the early '70s Stuart was a gemstone hobbyist, cutting rough turquoise into beautiful cabochons, which later resulted in sales and a small storefront. Essentially, that's how it all began in 1973, a love of turquoise resulting in a successful wholesale jewelry-making business


Turquoise is produced from a number of locations worldwide, notably in the southwest US, Egypt, Iran and Tibet with the largest supplier of the stone being China. With over 75% of the turquoise market coming out of China, jewelry makers stop and pay attention when they hear that the Chinese government has closed quite a few major mines and will be strictly supervising the production of several others. This mining moratorium has placed a halt on production in the Chinese provinces for a minimum of 3 years and quite possibly longer.



There are several reasons why the mines are closing and questions have been raised as to how it will affect the prices and availability of turquoise.   Contd .http://bit.ly/oRIu5w

 
As Always you can click on the title to go to my store.

Anyone going to Blogher 2011 this week. Please Share Experience

Is anyone goinng to BLOGHER in San Diego this week? If you have gone to BLOGHER before Please share what you got out of it. What you would do differently this time. How you have incorporated the info into your blog.

http://www.blogher.com/

I am doing the NaBloPoMo 30 Day Blog Challenge

Hello All and to those who celebrate Ramadan Mubarak.


I'm doing the NaBloPoMo 30 Day Blog Challenge to post every day in August 2011. I'm looking forward to the challenge as many exciting events are taking place on the national and international stage that affects us all. On and off the net whether you are a big or small player a home based business craft or a big business, events are taking place that affect your business and you need to know about them.

We are going through trying and challenging times. I lived and worked in Houston, Texas during the 80's oil bust I saw fortunes made and lost. Here in Arizona we are going thorough the same spiral but its the housing and job market that is taking the hit.

How is that affecting folks? For me as a small business owner I was surprised in reviewing my sales they were equal US and Overseas. This was surprising since two thirds of my visitors are in the US. For me this means Americans can no longer stick their head in the sand. There is a whole world out there that we have to compete with. The questions this raises are not can you compete? You have to, but how will you compete?

Sign up for my newsletter and to follow my blog for new designs, gemstones and info you can use.

As always you can click on the title to purchase my pretties.

Thanks,
Michelle