LIFE Beyond the beads: Student takes on the jewelry business
10 — Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021— North Pointe
By Madi Lucido & Christina Shea INTERNS
COURTESY OF GRACE COLOMBO
FINISHING IT UP | After finishing one of her pieces for Handmade by Grace, junior Grace Colombo always makes sure to nicely package it. "Once it's completed, I put it in a bag, or something to transport it in. And then I put a little note that says “thank you for shopping with me and supporting my small business.” In search of a creative outlet, junior Grace Colombo has made her dreams a reality by starting her own jewelry brand, Handmade by Grace. Ranging from beaded necklaces to wire rings, Colombo designs a variety of pieces. “I'vealwaysbeencreativeandIstartedwantingtomakethingsthat I could wear myself,” Colombo said. “So, I started making jewelry.” Keeping the jewelry both on trend and unique is important to Colombo. She looks for inspiration in her daily life, whether
it is on social media or in her peers. She also adds a little bit of her personal style when crafting the pieces. “First, I look for inspiration online, on Pinterest, or I pick something out that I think that other people around me would wear and that I would wear,” Colombo said. The jewelry making process is not always easy for Colombo. Each piece of jewelry varies in the length of time it takes to produce. Rings can take less than 10 minutes, while necklaces can take up to 40 minutes. Despite how tedious they are to bead, necklaces remain Colombo’s favorite piece to create and wear herself. “I feel like necklaces add a lot to your outfit,” Colombo said. “I think they're aesthetically pleasing.” With Handmade by Grace only being a few months old, Colombo is focused on getting the word out about her business. She uses various social media platforms to advertise, posting pictures and videos to showcase her products and prices. “Instagram is the main way that I advertise,” Colombo said. “I have my Instagram account linked to my Facebook account, and I have a small TikTok account.” Colombo has high standards for her jewelry and continuously puts in the work to keep her customers happy. She creates, packages and hand delivers her orders. By delivering the items face-to-face, she gets to experience seeing the reactions of the buyers. “Everyone seems overjoyed when they receive it,” Colombo said. “I think I would be overjoyed to also receive a piece of my jewelry because I try to make it as creative, colorful and aesthetic as possible.”
Colombo believes this is only the beginning for Handmade by Grace. As she enjoys the creative aspect of designing and producing practically anything, Colombo plans to expand her brand to include more than just jewelry. “I definitely see more clay pieces being incorporated and more possible custom pieces,” Colombo said. Colombo not only designs and creates the jewelry, but she also manages the financial aspect of her brand. She has found a balance between her prices and the money she spends on supplies throughout her time managing Handmade by Grace. “I usually try to make a good amount of profit,” Colombo said. “I have some spreadsheets that I use to calculate the overall profit.” Throughout the process of running her business, Colombo has learned about not only finances, but also a multitude of other real-world applications. She mainly has come to the realization that it is a challenge to produce and successfully continue a business. “I've learned that it takes a lot of focus,” Colombo said. “That it is not necessarily easy.” Colombo’s love for jewelry has motivated her to overcome these challenges and continue Handmade by Grace. She believes that jewelry is more than just a product and can serve as a confidence booster, as she has experienced this personally and seen others notice this. “I think it's a way to express yourself, express the way you feel,” Colombo said. “It (also) adds an aspect of fun.”
The gift that keeps on giving: Facebook group shows appreciation for staff By Alyssa King & Ella McCarthy STAFF REPORTER & INTERN Spreading kindness never loses its importance and there is strength behind its spread. The Facebook group, Gratitude and Gifts for GP Teachers and Support Staff focuses on creating acts of kindness directed at the school system's staff. With around 600 current members, the group is constantly finding more ways to support teachers and staff. Whether it’s receiving a gift basket or even a small snack, the Grosse Pointe Public School System teachers and support staff are getting their share of the community's gratitude. Creator and co-admin, Joyce Wagner, established the Facebook group with the wellbeing of the teachers and staff in mind. “My original goals for the group were just to spread kindness and boost our teachers’ and staffs’ morale,” Wagner said. “I wanted our teachers and staff to know that they were appreciated, and do what we could to make things easier for them and lift their spirits.” Student activities director Peggy Bonbriscis one of many staff members in the district who has felt appreciated by the group’s kind doings after receiving a gift of her own. “The Facebook group does so much for teacher appreciation, especially with last year being so hard for all
the staff and students,” Bonbrisco said. “I especially love the idea of the community filling a Starbucks card with money and letting teachers stop by at their leisure and receive a complimentary cup of coffee when the time is just right." Junior Paige Spence, and her mom Amy Spence, joined the group to give back to the teachers that impacted them throughout their years within the district. “This group definitely has a positive impact on the community,” Spence said. “It's a way of giving back to the teachers who we love so much and have formed relationships with over the years.” According to Wagner, the group has become a reminder that kindness is more important than ever before. “For teachers and staff, I think it’s been really nice for them to know that there are so many in our community who stand behind them and who support them,” Wagner said. “For everyone else, I think it’s been great for us to have clear avenues on how to directly help our teachers. There are so many people out there who want to help, but may not know how best to do that, and this group has been helpful in making those connections.” Spence has participated in one of the most wellknown aspect of the group, the teacher coffee fund.
She and her mother donated money that goes into a Starbucks card available for any teacher to use. “We've participated in the Facebook group by providing art supplies for classrooms and donating to the teacher coffee fund,” Spence said.
