"Hey y'all! My name is Camille Fishback and I’m a senior Tri Delta
at USC majoring in Marine Science with an emphasis in biology.
Here’s a little background to this story. I grew up in a
VERY artistically dedicated family–many thanks to my mother. There are
paintings all over my house that she created when she was my age. As a mom, she
dedicates much of her creativity to my sister and me. She would send us to
school in dresses and scarves she made for us, always hand-makes each Christmas
card she sends, and has a sewing machine she can connect to her computer to
design special things she wants to sew. I even went to sewing camp when I was
in elementary school (you can’t make this stuff up), which actually really comes
in handy now. I ran my own jewelry store out of my locker in middle school
called ‘beadz n thingz,’ my main customers were my teachers and mom (thanks for
that by the way). So nonetheless, I grew up surrounded by arts and crafts. My
point is that making clothing and jewelry is not a foreign concept to me.
A couple
months ago, a beautiful necklace with tassels and beads that one of my
girlfriends was wearing really caught my eye. When I asked her where she got
it, my jaw dropped when she told me that it cost her $150. For us college kids,
$150 is a huge chunk of money to dole out for a piece of jewelry. After
thinking about it, I felt I could easily replicate the necklace. I came home to
Kentucky a couple of weeks later with that necklace still in mind, and I asked
my mom if she knew how to make tassels. The response was a smirk and she sent
me into the arts and crafts room (yes, we have an arts and crafts room). She
showed me an easy technique that I could use to make the tassels, and then I went
to a local bead shop to pick up the rest of the materials.
I sat down, excited to begin a new
project, and created the necklace myself. Anxious to show off my new design, I
wore my necklace around and was surprised at how many compliments I received. I
decided to share the jewelry on an Instagram account and try to sell it. I
began the account while I was home in May, and I could hardly contain my
excitement. My little sister and I were talking about different designs when
she then asked me whom it was benefitting. I responded, “Well, I guess myself.”
She then told me that if I were going to be making money off of something, it
would make it even more special if I used it to help out a cause. I thought
about it for a second, realizing how insightful my 16-year-old sister was, and
decided that I would donate a portion of the proceeds to the Humane Society of
America, a cause that is very near and dear to me. Animals have always had a
soft spot in my heart, which is one of the reasons I am studying marine
biology. The humane society is also someplace very close to me; I’ve done a lot
of community service there and enjoyed every moment. This was an obvious
decision for me to choose the Humane Society for which I am so passionate in
helping.
Once I told
my sorority sisters I created this account, I immediately gained so many
followers and had orders coming in like crazy. I was ecstatic about all the
newfound support, and that my passion for making jewelry was seen by all of my
friends. The encouragement they gave me was unbelievable. I went into this idea
not thinking that I would have the support that I needed and this plan might
just fall through. Suddenly, many of my friends were writing in their blog
about my jewelry, endorsing Quelques Perles to others via social media, and
even sending me ideas of creations. The encouragement and motivation they demonstrated
gave me the confidence I needed in order to get on the right track and stay dedicated
to my new goal.
I don’t
think my mom, my biological sister, or my sorority sisters realize how much of
an impact they have had on me in regards to Quelques Perles. Without their
help, I wouldn’t have gained the inspiration and motivation I truly needed to
keep pursuing my hobby. I hope if yall are reading this now, you’ll learn my
appreciation for everything you have done. If any of you who are reading this
have a hobby that could turn into something more, don’t let anything hold you
back. You have your family and your sisters there to help!
Each
necklace is handcrafted by yours truly, and can be shipped anywhere. Necklaces
range from $25 to $35. They include an assortment from tassels, pendants, arrowheads
outlined with gold, and stones outlined with gold. Please follow my Instagram account
@quelques_perles and Facebook page
DL and all of mine,
Camille Fishback"
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.