Original Handbeaded Jewelry

By: Sara M. Shreve

The Project

First, let me introduce myself:  My name is Sara, and I’m a second-year senior at Grand Valley State University where I’m a student in the Honors College.  Part of the Honors curriculum is to complete a Senior Project where we create a representation of our education.  For most students, this project is very closely related to their majors and future career goals.  Well, apparently I’m not your average student.

When I started here at Grand Valley I didn’t have a major, I was one of the many “undecideds.”  However, I had always enjoyed working with kids, so I decided to take an Introduction to Education class.  After taking that class I decided on my major: Special Education.  For the next three years I worked towards my Psychology/Special Education degree… But at the end of the third year I began to question whether or not education was where I was really meant to be.  So I changed my major.  I’m sure most college students can relate to me there!

Now my major is strictly Psychology.  So, why didn’t I do a project related to Psychology?  Basically, I’m just still unsure about what I want to be when I “grow up.”  I thought this project would be a great opportunity to try something new.  That’s why I decided to see not only if I was really any good at making jewelry, but if I could make some money doing something I really like to do.

I have always enjoyed making jewelry, but until recently didn’t have much knowledge beyond simple knotting techniques for hemp and thread jewelry.  I was first introduced to beading when I attended a beading workshop hosted by the Native American Student Association here at GVSU.  There I made my first pair of earrings, and I was hooked!

Unfortunately, for the past few years, I haven’t been able to spend much time with this great hobby.  Silly things like school just took up too much of my time.  Having this project has given me the excuse to take time for the things I enjoy.  Don’t get the wrong idea though, this project has been a lot of work.

Earlier in an Education class, I had the opportunity to create a website.  I thought that could draw on that experience to create a more in depth and more functional website that would showcase and sell my jewelry.  Boy, did I overestimate my website making abilities!  Creating this site has been a real struggle, but a struggle that has been well worth it now that I see the final product.  I am very proud of what I have created, and I hope that others will see it as a positive contribution to the world wide web!

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My first pair of earrings!

So this is me!

(and my pup)

The Details

So what exactly does this project entail?

Well, the basics are as follows:

                 •  Making jewelry! (I chose to focus on earrings)

                
                 •  Designing and creating a functional website in order to showcase and sell my jewelry.

 

                 •  Logging my progress.

 

Also, I had originally planned to donate any profits to a local elementary school art program.  Unfortunately, my website has only reached its current functionality very recently, and I have yet to sell anything.  Hopefully though, that will change before too long!

 

 

Did I achieve my goals?

 

Here is a table outlining my initial plan, and my actual progress throughout the semester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 ** As you can see… my timeline was shot!  But I managed to get it all done quite nicely.

                                                                                     (I hope you think it was all done quite nicely!)

 

 

My thoughts after completion:

 

One thing that is sadly missing is an order form for custom jewelry creations.  I did however include on the Catalog page that I will do custom orders.  The ordering process is just a bit lacking in functionality.  For now they will just have to e-mail me with what they want.  Another negative it the picture quality.  About a moth ago I ordered a mannequin head for jewelry display.  I was hoping to be able to photograph each pair of earrings in a way that customers would be better able to asses how the earrings look when you wear them.  Sadly my mannequin head is on back order.  I’ve got my fingers crossed that it shows up soon!

 

Although I regret to admit that my initial goals may have been a bit ambitious, I am extremely proud of my final product!  I also hope to continue working with it in the future.  I feel that this project has reminded me that it’s ok to take risks, and try something new.  Maybe someday in the future this will become an actual business.  I am thankful to the Honors College for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity!