Simone Pal
12th Grade
Q: When and why did you start your business?
A: I started my business earlier this year. And as for why I started—that’s just because I love jewelry! However, the selection in mainstream stores is limited (and can get pretty pricey, too). I sell niche pieces pretty much for as low as I can without losing money, and honestly most of the profit I make often ends up being reinvested right back.
Q: What type of jewelry do you make? And what is your process for making it?
A: Primarily, I make earrings, but I also make necklaces, bracelets, and keychains! My process is pretty simple: typically, it just entails attaching charms to earring posts or key rings. I lay out the exact charms that I will use with the correct order/orientation. Then, I use pliers to assemble everything together (easier said than done as some pieces are very small!)
Q: What is the inspiration for your jewelry designs?
A: I honestly don’t come up with designs ahead of time. Ironically enough, for someone who enjoys the visual arts so much, I have a tough time picturing things in my head. So, the ideas really only come to me when I am sitting down in front of everything I have. Also, I make sure to always pay attention to everyone’s jewelry—whether it be online, in a movie, at the mall, or even worn by strangers. In fact, a lot of the jewelry in my most recent collection of vintage-inspired jewelry was based off of what I have seen in shows like Downton Abbey.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Baylee Webber
11th Grade
Q: How do you make your clothes/shoes? What is the process?
A: The most common way I make/customize clothes is using bleach to add designs to basically anything that can be processed by it. Because I don’t have that much faith in myself, I draw the design with chalk first. Then, depending on how intricate or how rendered the design is, I mix different ratios of bleach to water to create a range of different bleach concentrations. The higher the concentration, the more the fabric is processed (the lighter it gets). From there I just work on building layers of the diluted bleach with a brush to create my design. I add bleach directly to the brightest highlights, rinse it in cool water, and then put it on low heat in the dryer!
When it comes to shoes, I use acrylic paint, and I’m usually able to sketch out what I want with a. pencil. Painting on shoes endures basically the same process of me painting on any other surface, although sometimes it absorbs a lot more paint. Acrylic is pretty water resistant but just to make sure it holds up I add a layer of mod podge or whatever other sealant I have on hand.
Q: How do you come up with your designs? What is your inspiration?
A: When I come up with designs, if I’m being honest, It usually just starts as a random idea I wake up with at 4 in the morning. Usually it stems from drawings or clothes I have seen on pinterest. (pinterest is my wife.) Most of the time my designs are halloween or nature related, because that’s the kind of stuff i am drawn to. I tend to do lots of skulls, vines, flowers, and ghosts. I get a lot of inspiration from pinterest and also from nature and things that I see when I am out and about. The most recent shirt I designed included an old Victorian mansion based off of some that I have seen in passing while I’m in the car.
Q: Why do you make your clothes/shoes?
A: I make my clothes and shoes so I can wear things that make me really happy! I love wearing things that I put a lot of effort into that also just look cool. I can express myself through what I’m wearing in the most unique way possible. It’s honestly hard to describe. I also just really enjoy the process of making them. I love the feeling of being so locked into a project that I lose track of time. Additionally, I enjoy experimenting with new mediums! Bleach specifically was really fun to figure out as I went along. Also a drop or two of bleach is so much cheaper than a single tube of paint.
