Jewelry By Day in the news...
 
East Oregonian (Pendleton, OR)

Day's jewelry dazzles
Published: July 19, 2007
PENDLETON - When Michelle Day was growing up, her passion was airplanes. She has a bachelor's degree in aviation business administration, but a trip to Budapest gave her a new calling. A job opportunity for a family member saw Day moving to Hungary, taking leave from the career she loved.

She started making jewelry to pass the time. A friend noticed her necklaces and earrings and suggested they share a table at a Christmas bazaar. The response she received from shoppers caused her to change her flight plan.

"I'd been so focused on having this corporate job, that creating something beautiful out of beads could be so fulfilling took me by surprise," Day said.

Day connected with women all over Europe through various international women's groups and racked up an impressive list of clients. After six years in Budapest, Day was homesick for Pendleton, where her family ties go back to the 1880s.

"Living in Europe was amazing, but it's true what they say, 'There's no place like home.'"

When she returned, Day connected with Traci Durant at Blue Hawk Beads, traveling with her to the biggest gem and mineral shows around the country.

"Traci helped me to define what I was doing," she said.

Day's work has changed dramatically over the last seven years. She's inspired by a wide range of influences from architecture to nature to contemporary culture.

"Right now I'm really into the colors of the high desert plateau - purples, reds and sage greens," she said.

She's cultivated a following in Walla Walla through her work with Cheval, Giancarlo Solimano's boutique. She said Solimano has inspired her to take risks. The duo recently joined forces to design a necklace that was worn at red carpet events at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

In Pendleton, Day's work can be found at Marla June's, the Pendleton Underground Gift Shop and the Pendleton Foundation Trust Fine Craft Gallery at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. She creates distinctly different lines for each location.

"I have to say that my current favorites are the iridescent freshwater pearl pieces I've made for the Arts Center," she said. "They have a knack for displaying my pieces like art, which is great."

Day's popularity continues to increase, as she faces the day to day problems of making her small business in downtown Pendleton work. She's optimistic about her future.

"I feel so fortunate to have found two passions in life and to have been able to pursue them," she said. "There's a real renaissance happening downtown, and I'm proud that my work can be a part of it."

SideBar: "There's a real renaissance happening downtown, and I'm proud that my work can be a part of it."

Michelle Day



Copyright, 2007, East Oregonian (Pendleton, OR). All Rights Reserved.