Camp.

I'm in the middle of my fourth week working as a camp counselor this summer and have learned two things so far:
1. Kids are exhausting, and
2. They know a lot more about food allergies than they did when I went to camp as a kid.

I'm fortunate enough to work at a nut free camp, so I do not have to worry about my kids eating nuts at lunch and snack time. Making this announcement at the beginning of the week also gives me the opportunity to explain the rest of my allergies to my campers, telling them that they can eat the other things that I am allergic to as long as they wash their hands after they eat.

When I was a kid, I was the only camper with allergies. Most of my friends already understood my situation, but anybody that I didn't know before camp started usually had no idea what food allergies were or how to keep me safe from my allergens. The changes in kids at camp now compared to ten years ago when I was a camper are fantastic, and it warms my heart to know that my campers already know what food allergies are and how to be safe and prevent me from having an allergic reaction.

My kids are also great because they ask a lot of questions. I have a different set of campers every week and its cool to know that every Friday I send home a different group of kids knowing a lot about jewelry or fashion design (the two camps I teach) AND a whole lot about food allergies.

Knowing how well informed these kids are about food allergies makes me optimistic for the future of food allergy education. While it is important to fund research and work towards finding a cure for food allergies, there is no way to tell how long that will take. Educating children about the importance of food allergy safety is the best way to help create a safer world for those with food allergies, and I am glad that I have found a way to incorporate that education into my summer job!

Life Update

Hello!
This post is to announce a few things, the first of which being that I am no longer working as a Jewelry Instructor at Michael's in Flemington. I am so thankful for the year that I was able to spend teaching there and I have learned a lot about myself and how others learn. Unfortunately I was having trouble maintaining a schedule that appealed to students while keeping up with my studies and had to make the decision to leave.
If reading this makes you sad because you will miss me I don't blame you (I am pretty great after all) but I also have good news! I will begin posting on this blog regularly so you can keep up with all of the fun happenings in my life and what I am up to as I finish up my last two years of college. Of course I will continue to post about my creative endeavors but if arts and crafts aren't your thing, fear not! I will also include the things I'm cooking, what I'm wearing, and how I'm navigating through the beginning stages of adulthood!
A final topic that I will begin to discuss in greater detail will be my food allergies. I have a lot of plans in the works for informative and conversational posts regarding college, dating, parties, and just life in general with multiple food allergies but that will all come in a later post.
For now just hang tight as I work on the format of this blog and the frequency of my postings and stick around cause things are about to get interesting!

xoxo
Haley

March Class Schedule at Michael's!

Below are all of the classes being offered during the month of March at Michael's. As always, send me an email if you have any questions or a date or time does not work out for you. I understand that everybody has different and busy schedules which makes it difficult for me to schedule classes as conveniently as possible for as many people as possible. I welcome and encourage you to send me an email if you want to take a class that isn't offered at a convenient time for you and will do everything that I can to accommodate any schedule. I look forward to hearing from and hopefully seeing some of you during the month of March!

Layered Chain Necklace

March 3 2:00-4:00

March 21 2:00-4:00

Velvet Drop Chandelier Earrings

March 7 2:00-3:30

Jewelry 101

March 10 6:30-8:30

Jewelry Beginner - Instructor's Choice

Though it is named Instructor's Choice, this class is essentially an hour and a half private lesson for you to ask me any questions or learn any technique that is not offered in another class. I have classes in the works to teach seaglass wrapping, pearl knotting, and metal stamping and hammering techniques. If you are interested in any of the above or something else entirely than this class is for you!

March 14 2:00-3:30

March 16 2:00-3:30

March 24 2:00-3:30

February Class Schedule at Michael's!

Below are all of the classes being offered during the month of February at Michael's. As always, send me an email if you have any questions or a date or time does not work out for you. I understand that everybody has different and busy schedules which makes it difficult for me to schedule classes as conveniently as possible for as many people as possible. I welcome and encourage you to send me an email if you want to take a class that isn't offered at a convenient time for you and will do everything that I can to accommodate any schedule. I look forward to hearing from and hopefully seeing some of you during the month of February!

Spring Statement Necklace

February 3 2:00-4:00

February 24 2:00-4:00

Jewelry 101 

February 10 6:00-8:00

Jewelry Beginner, Instructor's Choice

Though it is named Instructor's Choice, this class is essentially an hour and a half private lesson for you to ask me any questions or learn any technique that is not offered in another class. I have classes in the works to teach seaglass wrapping, pearl knotting, and metal stamping and hammering techniques. If you are interested in any of the above or something else entirely than this class is for you!

February 7 2-3:30

February 21 2:00-3:30

February 28 2:00-4:00

Wire Wrapped Sweetheart Bracelet

February 17 2:00-3:30