Melissa O’Connor

Starting From Scratch

It was the winter break of my senior year of highschool and my family was exchanging gift ideas for Christmas. I had always considered myself a lover of crafting and DIY projects, but I couldn't help but notice that every time I walked into a craft store I would see all the strands of shiny and colorful beads and didn't know how to make jewelry. I always really admired and aspired to be one of those "hands on" people that knew how to take on various tactical projects, but I never really had a creative outlet for myself. Jewelry has always been something I have thought to be inspiring from a young age. There are so many different designs and styles and it just has a way of making people feel unique and confident in their own skin. While writing our holiday wish lists I vaguely asked for "jewelry making" stuff from my sister in law knowing it would probably be a hobby I would never follow through with, but I was still hopeful and excited about the prospect. Christmas day finally arrived and I received a package containing two very informative "how to" beading magazines, some strands of beads, some beading wire and a few other supplies to get me started. So I dove into this new creative outlet, reading through the magazines' various projects and tips I needed to get started. One of the magazines helpfully contained a visual display of all the jewelry findings you could ever need and the function of each, a built in ruler (I always thought this was so cool!), and different project ideas with step by step instructions and picture aids. My first project was a simple pair of dangle earrings while the second was a clasp wire beaded bracelet. I remember feeling so accomplished reading through my first projects, going to Hobby Lobby to purchase all of my supplies including five sets of pliers I didn't really know how to use, and then seeing the tiny masterpieces after the fact. It was such a gratifying feeling creating those handmade pieces, and knowing that this was going to be such a fulfilling outlet for me. Although I was still a highschool student that year, I was also taking some dual credit courses at my local community college, and it was such a help to have this new hobby for therapy and stress relief during this busy time. This was the beginning of my love for jewelry, and the foundation of many more ideas to come.