Who are you...
I never really understood the sense of Twitter, but surprisingly I did get to know a few amazing people there. For example Laura Michele. I'm not sure how it happened exactly, but we have been in contact for a few month now helping each other with our most challenging job as a starving artist, and supporting each others blogs and random events. She is incredibly kind and helpful, and makes some awesome jewelry. So this interview is an opportunity to get to know her and her creations a little better. And if you like what you see go check out her new blog or chat a little with her on Twitter ;)Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Laura Michele and I own cheekyjezebel.com where I sell handmade jewelry and accessories featuring my artwork.
What's the origin of your artist name?
Cheeky Jezebel kind of got thrown together one day and I liked how it sounded so it stuck. I remember I was calling people cheeky a lot at the time lol! Like if they would say something sarcastic or shocking I’d just yell “cheeky” and act like I was scandalized. It was all in good fun! Jezebel I just find to be a really beautiful name even though after I chose it I found out it sometimes has negative connotations. I find it lovely though no matter what its reputation.
What has been your biggest challenge with your art so far?
Just having the confidence to put myself and my art out there. It was extremely hard at first. You want everyone to like you and like your work, but that’s unrealistic. You have to do it for yourself. When people are fueled by fear, worry, etc. it’s hard to accomplish things. When they are fueled by passion and a love of what they do then the possibilities are endless.
Who or what is your biggest influence?
I’m influenced by so many things. I can see the most random things or be in the most random places and suddenly I’m inspired to create a new piece. My style is the alternative/indie style and always has been. In high school I was kind of a skater chick even though I was horrible at skating and BMX, but I tried! Now if I had to describe my style I guess I’d just say I have more of a rocker chick style, so that’s what I enjoy designing for.
What is your wildest story?
My main group of friends are totally outgoing and spontaneous so we have some crazy times. The most recent story was this past week. One of my girls and I went to an outdoor bar on the water and within the first fifteen minutes of being there I fell down the stairs and got bit on the face by a mosquito so I had a cut on my knee and my cheek was swollen! You just have to laugh at yourself! Thank goodness I don’t get embarrassed easily anymore because I’m not the most graceful person so I’ve gotten used to doing clumsy things in of people.
What is the last book you read?
I haven’t been reading much lately which is horrible but I was last reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I love zombies because they are one of the few things that really creep me out.
If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?
Good question! This is a hard one. I would probably have to say Sookie from the Southern Vampire Novels by Charlaine Harris. Those are the books that the show True Blood is based off of but I’ve never seen an episode (sorry True Blood fans!). I’ve been reading the books for years, well before the show came out, and I absolutely love them. I like Sookie’s character because her life is never dull, she’s tough and stands up for what she believes in, has a cool gift (reading minds), and as an added bonus she’s constantly surrounded by handsome men lol!
What couldn’t you live without?
The people I love which is a common answer but so very true. I also couldn’t live without my dog Jake, being able to express myself creatively, and the random adventures I have with my friends.
What is your secret talent?
I suppose the first thing that comes to mind is that I can still do a cartwheel. I just learned this last week when I modeled for a photo shoot and the photographer was trying to capture me mid cartwheel. Doing cartwheels isn’t a super original talent but I’m still pretty proud that I haven’t lost it!
Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
I was in some sort of cafeteria and there were werewolves everywhere attacking people and turning them into werewolves as well. I was trying to save my friends and got scratched by one. I rushed my friends into a car but felt dizzy. I started to worry that maybe just by being scratched by a werewolf could cause you to become one… and then I woke up! I have some very detailed and strange dreams lol!
What are you craving right now?
Smores! I’ve been craving these for the past few weeks! All the ingredients are at my boyfriend’s house and we are just waiting for the perfect night to make them! I plan on having 7 ½ of them. I think that amount should satisfy me :)
What was the last song you fell in love with?
There are two of them! The first song I’ve fallen in love with recently is “Brand New Day” by Ryan Star. It’s about a boy and a girl running away together. The second song is “Lions” by The Features. It’s the type of song that makes me want to dance whenever I hear it.
Can you hula hoop?
Sadly I cannot. I used to be able to as a kid and now every time I see a hula hoop in a store I have to try… I think I’m getting better but I still wouldn’t say that’s a skill of mine.
What do you like?
Animals, cute things, nacho cheese, being outdoors, creativity, cartoons, and random acts of kindness.
What do you dislike?
When I need to sneeze and can’t, black licorice jelly beans, mean people, fur when it isn’t on the animal, the color “pea soup green”, annoying songs getting stuck in my head, and when I really miss someone who I know I won’t see for awhile.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“A lot can happen in a day.” One of my best friends threw that at me when I really needed it. When I’m stressed or having a bad week I think of how quickly things can turn around. It can be very motivating to think of how much I can change things in just a month, week, even in one day if I just focus and push myself. Anyone can change something in their life, or even their entire life, just within the second it takes to make the decision to do so. There is a quote by Maria Robinson that says it better than I can. “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
