Many have a natural ability to do something, whether it's sewing, drawing or singing, but Western junior Molly Swesey has a natural ability to design the perfect piece of jewelry for any occasion.

Swesey, 21, an independent jewelry designer from Bellingham, said jewelry making is addictive because she has so many different possibilities and it

sets her apart from others. "I started making jewelry last year," Swesey said. "I didn't know how to do anything. I knew the basic components of making a bracelet and the correct materials to use, but once I started working at Bead Bazaar I learned a lot of techniques."

Swesey is double majoring in Spanish and art and hasn't decided if she will focus on photography or painting. Her love for art inspired her to develop her own craft and talent for jewelry making, but she knew little about a subject she needed to know a great deal about.

To improve her skills, Swesey frequently visited Bead Bazaar in Fairhaven and started working there in June 2005, she said.

Swesey learned to fix and repair bracelets, necklaces and earrings while working at Bead Bazaar. She said she hasn't come across a piece of jewelry she can't fix.

When Swesey's friend and coworker from Bead Bazaar told Swesey she was selling her own jewelry at a local store in Fairhaven, Swesey decided to pursue the idea as well.

Since September 2005, Swesey has been selling her jewelry at Fun to Shop in Fairhaven, a consignment store that supports local designers, shop owner Jaimie Berg said.

Berg said she decided to sell Swesey's jewelry because it is unlike any other designer she has in the shop, because Swesey uses different beads and doesn't always stick with the same material.

Swesey enjoys creating, fixing and improving pieces of jewelry for her family and friends.

This past spring break Swesey and a couple friends drove to California and stayed at her aunt and uncle's house. In return, Swesey fixed three pieces of her aunt's jewelry, she said.

"She gave me three things to fix but I have one left," Swesey said. "It's just costume jewelry but it was one big brooch I made into a necklace and matching earrings, and I made her a little bracelet to go with it."

Swesey is fixing a bracelet that belongs to her brother in Chicago but has to find the time between working two jobs.

"My older brother doesn't really wear a lot of jewelry but one thing he wears that broke is a snake vertebrae bracelet," Swesey said.

Swesey has made, repaired and improved many pieces of jewelry for her family, friends and her five roommates. Depending on what needs to be fixed on the jewelry, Swesey said she could fix broken clasps, add beads or re-string a necklace or bracelet if it broke.

Swesey's roommate and cousin Anna Swesey has fond memories of her and Swesey growing up.

"Molly was the center of attention and she liked it," Anna Swesey said. "She always stood out in a crowd, kind of like her jewelry. She likes to make her presence known."

Swesey said she likes to design jewelry because each piece is never alike. The beads can be the same but a designer can use a different pattern or style to create a unique piece.

She does admit to being a perfectionist, which can be hard when she is making jewelry because she has so many beads to choose from. Working at Bead Bazaar gives Swesey many different types of beads from turquoise, coral, pearls and cloisonne, she said.

"When it comes to making jewelry I use different color pearls in almost everything I do," Swesey said. "I'll try and match the shape or the color so they're not identical but have something in common."

The time and effort Swesey puts into her projects exudes her distinctive ability for jewelry designing.

"She fits the whole category of what we look for," Berg said. "Her pieces are very unique, she expresses her own unique style."

Her jewelry is flashy but not gaudy because she uses prominent gems or stones that act as the focal point, Anna Swesey said.

"I think she makes her jewelry to be a stand-out piece in the outfit," she said. "I feel like people's eyes are drawn to the jewelry because it is so interesting."

Usually students work for money when they have a job, but Swesey works at Bead Bazaar to improve her creative talent and avoid running out of materials.

"Everyone who works at the bead shop works for beads," Swesey said. "Every time there is a new shipment we all have to get some. We never leave with our full paychecks."

Swesey said she likes to work with her hands and turn a plain piece of jewelry into a piece of beautiful art.

Berg said Swesey is the best out of all the jewelry designers in the shop. She has been a prominent jewelry designer for the shop with her earrings and is an innovative person who takes risks with her designs, Berg said.

Depending on the piece of jewelry, her pieces can range from $25-35 for a necklace and $15-20 for a bracelet, she said.

"I like to keep my prices low," Swesey said. "Even though people like it, they don't like to spend a lot of money on jewelry."

Swesey designs her jewelry to be versatile between any age group from teenagers to adults.

"It is a very eclectic type of jewelry," Anna Swesey said. "There are so many different styles, anyone of any age could wear her jewelry."

When Swesey is working on designing a new piece, she immerses herself in a movie to pass the time. Occasionally her thoughts drift and she sees herself one day owning a boutique selling her jewelry along with paintings and photography, she said.

Article by Annie Runnels
Monday, June 26, 2006
The Western Front