meet the maker

 Melissa Jenkins

The Beginning

It all started with our many trips to the local hobby shop, Pope’s Hobbyland. It was the place my Grandpa got his model airplane parts & my brother picked his next model car kit to build. Where we went for all the craft supplies for my outer space centered science projects. Where I gathered yarn for my Nana to teach me how to knit. Where my Mom found art focused Christmas presents or a special crafty treat for our summertime rides to Northern Wisconsin. Where I discovered my first tiny plastic box, filled with blue iridescent seed beads to string onto dental floss - and created my first necklace.

That place was so, so special.

The Middle

I’ll never forget the day I decided to order a weaving kit from the brilliant, amazing, incredible fiber artist Maryanne Moodie after reading the quote, “If not now, when?”. I decided it was time to try something I’d been drawn to for a while, but felt I couldn't do good enough. After being creative on the daily in my career (managing a bead store with the hope of buying it & working in interior design), I found myself in a left-brain techy job once we moved to Madison. I enjoyed my new work, but missed paying attention to my creative side as a big part of my daily work.

Once in Madison, weaving called to me; a fresh new start and addition to my maker journey and a further dive into creating pieces for interiors. The potential to combine all my loves into one also thrilled me; texture, color, shapes — ohhhh the jewelry possibilities!

The Now

Fast forward to today & my love of woven home decor and metal wearables is stronger than ever. Stepping out of my comfort zone over & over again has created opportunities to teach my craft to others, help folks feel like their best selves, and to sell my goods face-to-face; a few of my favorite things.

I currently stay home full-time with my two children, squeezing in creative making time during naps, after my hubs gets home, after bedtime, when I hire a nanny, and any spare time in-between. Life is crazy, but I'm so, SO thankful I get to call this beautiful chaos a part of my work.

When I'm not making jewelry or weaving at home, you can find me:

• reading + making messes with my little guy

• knitting a wearable piece

• thrifting for my next favorite outfit

• weaving at my favorite coffee shop

• reading feel-good, self-help, parenting, and thought provoking books

• going to concerts with my love

• dining al fresco with some tasty iced tea (2 lemon wedges, please!)

• pinning home/wardrobe inspo + so many paleo recipes

• re-styling my home + dreaming up our next home project