Michelle Miller
I have enjoyed living in Southeast Michigan my entire life. I graduated from Sand Creek High School in 1990, and attained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan in 1995. Over the next few years, I served as staff nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing and then Director of Nursing for a local nursing home. My life changed in 1999 when I married the love of my life and started a family.
In 2002, I established “Pickle Patch Child Care”, an in home day care that would allow me to continue to contribute to my family’s needs, while being home to raise my own children.
In the summer of 2008, my family visited an amusement park in Ohio. Josie, my 3 year old, had her face painted at the park, and I was intrigued. I had always loved to draw and paint, and thought this looked like something my daycare kids would love. I bought a tiny kit, and practiced on my daycare kids for the next several months. “Face Paint Friday” was their favorite day of the week.
I decide to make yet another career move in 2009, starting my company, “Masquerades by Michelle.” Beginning at festivals such as The Morenci Town and Country Festival, events for Spotted Cow and other local businesses and an increasing number of birthday parties, I had become so busy with gigs, that I needed to close the daycare to pursue my growing business. I've continued to add events throughout the years. A calendar of events can be found on my events page. In the beginning, I offered face painting and glitter tattoos, later adding balloon twisting and balloon decor.
I’d have to say the most enjoyable part of my job is what we face painters call, “The mirror moment.” It’s that moment when you have finished painting, added all of the gems, glitter, lips, bells and whistles, and hand the mirror to the child for viewing. As they take that first glance, their faces are priceless. I love hearing little ones tell me they want to be a face painter when they grow up. I can’t blame them. I tell them it’s the best job in the world!
In the future, I dream of owning and operating a small to moderate event venue that can incorporate my event planning and entertainment skills for baby and bridal showers, birthday parties, graduation celebrations and retirements or anniversaries.
-Michelle Miller