How Making Jewelry Saved Me

by Jamie Elliott
(Hannibal, MO, USA)

Mother of Pearl Anemone Necklace

I've always loved making jewelry, when I was 10 I remember stringing tiny seed beads from the local Wal-Mart with a friend and her mother.

Of course, growing up in small-town Missouri didn't help me further my craft at the time. The selection was limited, my family with little money to travel, and the internet not yet available to everyone.

As a teenager I was moody and angry at the world. I abandoned my passion for beadwork and the sense of accomplishment it gave me.

Suffering from a deep depression my entire adolescence and my early 20's, it was hard to even get out of bed, much less try to make something beautiful when I didn't feel the world or myself was worth it.

I had managed to get through a local LPN program, pushing myself to the brink and coming away with a license and the honor of valedictorian, but still never getting rid of that emptiness.

I packed away what I had managed to collect, toted it with me when I moved away from home at 21, and every once in a while I would pull it out and look at all the pretty beads.

My soul was still tormented with negative thoughts and a feeling of hopelessness, so the beads always went back into the closet. And I dragged my way through my days.

I bounced from job to job, city to city for a year, until ending up in Kansas City. I landed a good job working with visually impaired children.

And a coworker donated a handmade Swarovski bracelet to our auction. Seeing that revived the passion in me for beads.

I drug out what I had, added much more to it, and dabbled in the world of jewelry making. But the depression wasn't over yet.

This past April, I made the very difficult decision to move away from my life in Kansas City to come home with my parents.

At 26, I felt this to be a failure on my part, but the deep depression had gotten worse and I felt life wasn't worth living anymore.

Being back home has been good for me. I didn't touch my beads for a month or so. Then I started feeling better, and having something to keep my mind and hands busy made me feel good, so I started thinking and drawing and creating again.

My mom and I thought up a catchy name for my beginning business, Creations by JAE (my initials make up the JAE).

I set up an Etsy site. I worked on my own personal website. The compliments drive me to make more and make better items.

I still have a long way to go, but I'm making it, one day at a time, with those beautiful beads helping me along!

Wishing you health and happiness,

Jamie

Visit my blog: Creations by Jae
My Creations by Jae website
My Creations by Jae Etsy Shop

Comments for
How Making Jewelry Saved Me

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Inspiring!
by: Ann

You are truly a survivor and an inspiration. As someone who has battled major depression since I was a teenager, I understand what its like, and I truly applaud You!! Keep the hope and keep creating!!

You have come a long way Baby
by: Wilma

Jamie, I read your article with great interest, hoping that there would not be an end to your creative outlet. Your struggle with depression and life has been a long one and I am truly glad that you are fighting your way to the top. Keep creating those wonderful items and will look for them on your Etsy stor and website.
Have you posted anything in the new store on Etsy as Yet? Have a look at it for great inspiration. The link is http://www.esmarts.etsy.com. and good luck to you with your struggle with depression.

Thank you for your kind words!
by: Jamie

I thank both of you for your kind, wonderful words. This was a hard thing to write. I am not ashamed, but it's always a difficult story to tell. Wilma mentioned eSMArts, and I wish to give proper credit to eSMArts group on Etsy for all they are helping me to do. We have a blog at http://esmarts.blogspot.com and a store at http://esmarts.etsy.com. Everyone, please visit and see what wonderful things we have been up to!

Love to everyone,
Jamie
Creations by JAE

Things are looking up
by: Anonymous

A big step, to share your story with others. The beads make a big difference but I hope you are seeking therapy as well.

Jamie's Major Leaps
by: Anna Lee

Wow Jamie you are taking major leaps towards your recovery and I am so proud of you! Even just publishing this article demonstrates your readiness to move to the next level both personally and with your artwork!

Jamie, we are all so pleased to have you on our eSMArts (etsy Social Marketing Artisans) team where hopefully we provide a supportive and nurturing environment for personal and professional growth :)

Wishing you continued peace and happiness luv and the very best of luck with your jewelry business!
hugs,
~Anna Lee Husband
[Artisans wishing to connect with us please visit:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eSMArts/join]

Moved by Your Story
by: Studio618

Jaime, it takes a lot of guts to write and publish your story. You're a survivor and you're strong. Being able to create, to have the vision, is a gift because it not only brings you a sense of achievement, but it also brings joy to other people. I'm sure your story will touch and inspire many of us out there.

Theresa

I know how you feel.
by: Terri Jacoby

Early in 1998 I was in a car accident, which left me with a spinal cord damage. And I only had the use of one hand. I was depressed also, till I walked into a bead shop, and I was hooked. I tried to make some nice pieces, but with the use of of one hand, they looked like a child made them.but it got me thru the days.
Eventually I felt better, and it helped with my manual dextherepy. I have some on a site called
www.artisansMarket.com
Rena put me on her blog and I made friends from all over the world. so hang in thre, and you will see that things will get better. I promise.
Terri

Beauty in the Beads
by: cam

Jamie, I know exactly how you feel. I have been fighting the same dragons all my life. I am 40 now and it is still a struggle every single day.

I find peace and serenity in my beads. I truly believe that what you create is an expression of the beauty inside of you. Life is wonderful.

Please consider medical attention, there are very good meds out there that will help you to be the best that you can be.

all the best
cs

Courageous Story
by: Janine

You are so brave to tell your story. And you are definitely not a failure for moving in with the rents at 26, (You're still so young!)and everything else that is going on. Just keep making beautiful jewelry if it makes you feel good.
Janine

One Step at a Time
by: Helene

Hiya, Jamie. One step at a time. That's all you need to promise yourself to do. All journeys begin with the 1st step. And when the Black Grumpies get you then say something grumpy on your blog. My Black Grumpies sneak in and ambush me and I am a solitary kinda person so having a blog is very therapeutic.
Don't take on your Black Grumpies alone. They like solitude: tell somebody. They operate in the dark: shed some light on them by telling somebody.
Just promise yourself one step at a time.
And you better keep being our cheerleader because it certainly helps me clear my Black Grumpies.
)))JAE((( Consider yourself hugged.
That's what I think
Helene ~~ Glass0Beads

Keeps me sane
by: Maureen

People always ask me how long it takes to make a piece of jewelry and I always say, " It doesn't matter. It's my therapy." And it's true!