About Michele Reising
Fashion and creativity have been my passion since childhood.
I graduated Baylor with a Fashion Marketing degree and launched my career in the buying office of what would become Macy’s. I went on to manage the children’s department at a flagship store where I also designed a successful line of children’s clothing.
I moved on to be a Fashion Director for one of the largest commercial photography studios in the US—partnering with top modeling and talent agencies such as Elite, Ford, NEXT, Wilhelmina, The Campbell Agency, Kim Dawson, and more. I also had fun as a petite model with The Kim Dawson Agency on the side.
I went on to be a Booking Agent for Independent Artists—booking top stylists, hair & make-up artists, and coordinating photography shoots and commercials for clients like Metropolitan Home, PierOne, and Mercedes, etc.
I was hired away to be a Senior Booking Agent with Page Parkes Houston. I found myself pivoting between Houston, Dallas, Miami, and New York. I even booked two of the first ever “13 year old Models” on the cover of Seventeen Magazine.
As I was running in the fast-paced world of high fashion, my soul was suffering. I knew God was calling me back to Him in a real and genuine way. Through friends that connected to me at church, I began to rediscover God's plan for my life and He began to open up a whole new world.
I met my husband, Richard, who was also a model but a strong Christ-follower. We were dating when out of the blue, I had my first stroke, this rocked my world. Under 30 years old, I vividly remember having to learn how to use my left arm and leg again. God's work in my health was remarkable. We soon married just after we caught God's dream for starting a creative agency that would serve the Church worldwide.
From there, we started the agency God called us to (Artistry Labs), and as the business grew, so did my health challenges. I walked through six TIA's (small strokes) and another major stroke, this one leaving me with home healthcare for 6 months, a cane, shower chair—things you only imagine the elderly go through.
I’ve had dozens of surgeries and sport a pace-maker-type device that causes several of my organs to function. Few years have past that did not involve weeks spent in a hospital. And as I recovered in my many hospital stays (at least over 8 month's worth), I began to see a pattern I didn't like.
God began to deal with me about finding too much of my value in my work. This became a major heart challenge as I was forced to lay work aside to recover time and time again. I would run into a friend who I had not seen in years or meet someone new at a Bible study only to hear the question I hated most, "What do you do?" These often frequent first words in our introductions echoed in my ears as if the lack of an answer truly defined me as a person.
The fact that I found my value in my work was a painful reality that challenged me to my core. I had to learn and seek out the truth that I, indeed, was valuable outside of what I did. God showed me that all women, young and old, are valuable & have worth, not because of what they do or don't do. We are valuable because of Who created us. In the same way I find my creative efforts personally valuable, God finds His creation in us immeasurably valuable.
So a few years ago, I was helping coordinate an event for college women at Gateway Church and while researching I came across a life-changing verse.
The verse that changed it all for me is Zachariah 9:16. "On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of His people. For they will sparkle in the land, like Jewels in His crown, they shall sparkle in His land. For how great is His goodness and how great is His beauty!"
We were built to sparkle. We are His creation. We are jewels in His crown. We are created to shine. Every jewel is unique—with distinct, cut and clarity, with flaws and everything—just like us. We are jewels in His crown.
I had an opportunity to bless this precious group with a piece of art that would remind them of their unique value and beauty.
Little did I know that this small token would strike a chord inside young women and help them realize how God saw them. From this moment on I began creating a line of small unique prints, t-shirts, journals, stickers, and more. I am constantly dreaming about creative ways to encourage young girls and women to see their value and worth in God.
This verse has become a life verse for me and inspired me to share the message of how God values his daughters to friends in my Bible studies, to others in ministry, and to the people I meet around the globe as I serve church leaders with my husband and our amazing team.
Today, with over 25 years working in the creative industry, ministry is where my heart is. I have been honored to serve on the board of many great ministries, as well as advise business leaders and ministry leaders alike. This is what I do for fun! I also paint, create, and travel. I have a brilliant husband and a 7 year old miracle daughter who brings more joy to my day than I could ever explain!.
With I am His Jewel, I get to fulfill God's call to ascribe His value on young girls and women—to encourage them about their value and worth. I hope to inspire women everywhere to be the brilliant, bold, and beautiful—to find their value in God their Father and to shine with all their might for Him.
I am blessed beyond measure. I still battle health issues most days. Funny, I think Mayo Clinic knows me by name. However, I am committed more now than ever to persevere—to shine—not for my glory, but for His.
For I am a jewel in His crown—full of beautiful cuts and cracks—formed in heat and pressure over time.
You, daughter of the King, are His Jewel! Go be Brilliant!
Love,