I was creative at a very young age. My mother was a volunteer, girl scout leader and crafter. I was always at her heels learning a new creative process. It started at 6 years old making "burples"; fuzzy little purple guys that I sold at my mom's craft sales. My interest in crafts and art grew as a child, teen and adult. Through my adult years I went from craft to craft, always keeping myself busy but never focusing too long on one medium. I enjoy paper crafts and have been published in Memory Makers magazine 2 times for scrapbooking. I also dabble in photography and won Parents' magazine's Amateur Photography Competition several years ago. I settled on bridal florals and party favors for a few years before my son was born. Then I took a few yrs to enjoy his childhood but kept my creative juices flowing by teaching Community Ed. classes.
One day I saw a hand stamped necklace and was going to order it because my son's name is Jasper, a name you don't find very often in the "pre-made" personalized items. I decided to try to make it instead. I made one for myself and then had a friend ask if I could make her one. After that she became my "walking advertisement". Whenever someone would ask where she got her necklace, she'd reply "Mel Made It for me". That's when "Mel Made It" was born. I enjoy making jewelry that is fun, personal, easy to take care of and best of all...affordable! I mainly use a jewelry grade aluminum because it's easy to care for, doesn't tarnish, I can finish it to look just like sterling and it makes my items affordable. I also work with sterling silver, copper, brass and nugold, which is a warm colored brass.