Passion Pearls Hailey Ross

  • Hailey Ross
  • Contact: hross9@elon.edu
  • Major: Accounting & Business Analytics
  • Sponsor: Dr. Elizabeth von Briesen (Asst. Prof. of Computer Science)
PERCHASE PASSION PEARLS HERE!

Since I was little, I have enjoyed crafting, specifically bracelet making. My grandmother had a large bead collection, and I would spend time with her admiring her jewelry, hoping that one day I could make some of my own. In addition to this, I have always had a love for giving back to my community. That’s why I’ve chosen to bring these two passions together in a meaningful project that blends creativity with purpose. I am currently exploring gold and pearl jewelry that reflects both my creative expression and my dedication to serving others. Looking ahead, I hope to expand this project by partnering with women and girls experiencing financial hardship--providing them with high-quality, handcrafted jewelry for special occasions, free of financial stress.

Elon Kickbox is (literally) a box filled with guidance, resources, and a $300 gift card—all designed to help me turn my idea into reality. Before receiving the box, I had to come up with an idea, find a sponsor, and complete an application. The review committee liked my idea and decided to give me a box!
I received an email saying my project idea had been accepted into the Kickbox Program!
To get started with the project, I had to attend the Kickbox Kickoff, the first of many monthly meetings at the Maker Hub. At this meeting we went over expectations, got advice from previous Kickboxers, and scheduled our first meetings with our sponsors.
I got my box!
I couldn't wait to see what was inside.
Wowww look at all the goodies!
At the Kickbox Kickoff everyone made little cards to introduce themselves and their project. It was really cool to see what everyone else wanted to do!
I also had to make a list of all the things I was nervous about going into the project.
For Part 1 of the process, I had to complete Level 1: Inception and Level 2: Ideate of the Kickbox cards. Some of those steps are shown below. I also had my first sponsor meeting and Kickbox check-in.
This was my first time brainstorming design ideas for my project.
Here are some of the things I knew I'd have to think through before executing my project.
And some more...
Pinterest was really helpful for helping me come up with design ideas.
This was my first sponsor meeting! I am so lucky to have had Dr. von Briesen to guide me through my project. She was my previous data science professor and loves to make jewelry in her free time! I talked through my plan with her, and she gave me some suggestions.
I had another meeting with the other Kickboxers to go over our ideas, plans, and give suggestions to each other.
At this meeting I also received funds for my project!
At this meeting we were told to explore alternative ways of thinking and going about our project.
As well as sharing more of our worries....
For Part 2, I had to complete Level 3: Make of the Kickbox cards, meet with my sponsor again, and do another Kickbox check-in. I also had more meetings with the other Kickboxers!
At my next meeting I designed my first prototype.
And thought about what I valued as the most important aspects of my project.
Before using my funds, I went to the Maker Hub to see what materials they already had on hand. Unfortunatley, there wasn't much of what I needed.
So off to Hobby Lobby I went! There were SO many options!
And I finally completed my first supplies run.
I laid out all my supplies when I got home...
Selected my first design...*thank you Pinterest!
And got crafting.
And I finally had my first piece done!
Butttt it didn't last very long before breaking...
For Part 3 of the process, I had to complete Level 4: Improve of the Kickbox cards. Some of those steps are shown below. I had another sponsor meeting and Kickbox check-in.
So I went back to my sponsor to brainstorm some ideas to keep this from happening again.
And worked on then worked on creating more prototypes!
But quickly learned that affordable jewelry isn't very waterproof for long periods of time. Some of my prototypes quickly rusted after a few showers, hand washes, and trips to the beach.
Again, I went back to my sponsor and did some of my own research and came to the conclusion that in order to sell affordable jewelry, I would just have to recommend to customers that they take them off before getting too wet. And this kept my jewelry from rusting!
I showed my fellow Kickboxers these new prototypes at our next meeting, and they gave me feedback as to what they would like to see as customers.
At this meeting I also shared what I had learned from these rounds of prototyping and iteration.
Lastly, I created, created, and created some more! I had my last meeting with my sponsor, created a website and an Instagram, and prepared for the Maker Takeover. I also completed the final level of the Kickbox cards, Level 5: Present.
Once again, I had a meeting with my sponsor to go over final iterations and final steps.
And had another meeting with my fellow Kickboxers.
At this meeting I brainstormed ways to get feedback from others on my jewelry so that it would better appeal to customers
And I made a schedule for myself for the final few weeks leading up to the Maker Takeover.
And from there I got crafting.
And created more stock...
More jewelry...
Had to restock on supplies...
And kept creating more!
I even made a website to eventually sell the jewelry on!
Look how cute :)
First sets posted!
Finally, I started preparing to show off my work at the Maker Takeover!

All of the materials needed for my project I either already had, or bought for Hobby Lobby. I even stayed under my $300 budget!

  • Beads (metal, glass, plastic)
  • Charms
  • Nylon Coated Stainless Steel Beading Wire
  • Stretch Jewelry Fiber
  • G-S Hypo Cement for Beading
  • Heart Chain
  • Lobster Clasps
  • Metal Clamps
  • Precision Flat Nose Pliers
  • Precision Flush Pliers
  • Jewelry Tags
  • Jewelry Displays
  • Jewelry Bags

I was very lucky to have Dr. Elizabeth von Briesen as my Kickbox sponsor. I took a class taught by Professor Briesen in the fall, and she seemed like someone who would be into jewelry making. Regardless of whether this was true or not, I had built a good relationship with her and knew I wanted to ask her to be my sponsor. Turns out, I was correct! When I first shared my project idea, she got very excited and told me that she loves to make jewelry in her spare time. In fact, the necklace and earrings she was wearing that day were her own handmade creations. Throughout my project, she was an incredible source of support, insight, and inspiration.

Dr. Elizabeth von Briesen: Sponsor

I tend to be someone who likes to just figure things out along the way. This, paired with my prior, basic knowledge of jewelry making, meant that I never used websites or watched YouTube videos to help me make the jewelry. This being said, Pinterest was an amazing source for helping me generate pattern and design ideas throughout my project.

Pinterest: Primary Inspiration Source

Dan is a manager at the Maker Hub at Elon and was the leader of the Kickbox program. He helped get us started, was there for every step of the process, and was readily available for help whenever we needed it.

Dan Reis: Kickbox Project Leader

Although I ran out of time to figure out logistics for this part of my project, in the future, I hope to expand this idea to partner with women and girls facing financial struggles, providing them with quality jewelry gifts for special occasions without the financial burden. I would like to have a section of my website where people can donate a piece of jewelry to someone, or where someone who is financially struggling can order a piece of jewelry for themselves or a loved one.