My passion is creating – it is the pulse of life that separates existence from truly living. I have explored a range of creative outlets over the years, from ceramics to crocheting, writing to photography, my creative journey is ever-evolving.

I grew up landlocked in Indianapolis, Indiana, so spending my summers at my grandparent’s house on Balboa Island in California was the highlight of my year. Just a few steps from their house on Abalone Avenue, I made some of my most cherished memories: swimming in the waves, beach combing, and painting my favorite shells to sell at lemonade stands. With the money I made from selling my painted seashells and lemonade, I would march down the street, wad of cash in hand, and buy saltwater taffy, seashells, and trinkets from my favorite shell shop. Shortly following, I began experimenting with photography too, borrowing my mom’s camera to shoot whatever stood out to me, to try and preserve memories. Reflecting back on this, I realize that these childhood hobbies have evolved into my core passions now as a young adult. If you are unsure of what your passion is, a great place to start is to reflect on things that would make ‘little you’ happy. Photography and sharing my handmade creations with others made little me happy and continue to bring me the same youthful joy.

One of my most recent endeavors is the creation of my own jewelry brand, Abalone Ave. I started Abalone Ave as a platform to sell my handmade jewelry, but it quickly became so much more. Prior to starting Abalone Ave, my creations were reflections of what I wanted to be rather than what I am. I was stuck in a rut, my mental health was at an all-time low, and any creativity I had at the time felt forced. I was living an unauthentic life that had drained me emotionally and physically, suffocating my creativity in the process. The prospect of a new venture to pour myself into pulled me out of my long period of depression; slowly my creativity and passion revived and began seeping into the project. Suddenly I was excited to wake up, not just a morning here and there, but consistently – an entirely new sensation for me.

With this newfound energy and affinity for life, I decided to start surfing. Surfing gave me a whole new appreciation for the ocean and made me feel more alive than anything: fueling my passion for marine conservation and creating simultaneously. As an ode to our oceans, my biggest muse, I created jewelry inspired by the raw and wild beauty of the ocean as seen through my eyes. I celebrate the uniqueness of each shell and piece of sea glass that I find. So, when I turn these treasures into jewelry, I try to preserve their personality by incorporating the natural form of each piece. Once I started crafting based on my own inspirations, my creations began to feel like my own. Abalone Ave is an authentic display of my creativity and a culmination of my passion for creating art and my love for the ocean.

My creativity comes in waves and it can be incredibly frustrating to work with an inconsistent stream of inspiration. Lately, I have been trying to embrace the natural flow of my creativity: working hard when I get a burst of creativity, and not forcing it when I’m feeling uninspired. One thing that has helped me maintain a more consistent creative flow is making an effort to get outside of my comfort zone more often. There is a ceiling on your growth within your comfort zone, but the second you step outside and embrace the discomfort, your growth is limitless. This is easier said than done, especially if you are a creature of habit like myself. I love being comfortable and honestly am usually terrified of change; I’ll dig my heels in until I am forced to give in. Taking a risk and embracing the anxiety that comes with stepping outside of your comfort zone is a catalyst for growth: aligning you with the best version of yourself and unlocking opportunities that can help you reach your dreams.

In terms of the future, I have no idea where my creative endeavors will lead me or what I will end up doing. Although, I think I would be happy doing just about anything that gives me room for my creativity to flow freely while simultaneously contributing to marine conservation to give back to the force that ignited my passion. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding my future, but I truly believe that as long as I continue to follow my passions and seek out what makes me feel alive, everything will fall into place.