From Oh My Jewelry to The HOME Project

I have loved making jewelry since I was young. I have two younger sisters, and making friendship bracelets was one of the ways I kept them occupied. As I got older, I turned my love of jewelry-making into a small business called Oh My Jewelry, selling bracelets online and at events like my school’s holiday market.

From the beginning, I wanted the business to be about more than selling jewelry. I donated the proceeds to organizations supporting refugees, including The HOME Project, where the funds helped support the renovation of a shelter in Athens.

That connection made me wonder if I could contribute in another way. Instead of simply raising money, what if I could share something I loved doing with the children themselves?

I spoke with The HOME Project’s COO, Stelios Vellis, about holding jewelry-making workshops at the shelters, and began planning. I wanted to bring enough materials that the children wouldn’t just be following my example—they could decide what they wanted to make and create something that felt entirely their own.

In Athens, I went to Diva, a store filled with what seemed like every kind of bead, charm, chain and jewelry-making supply imaginable. I chose beads in different colors, letters, connectors, and a wide assortment of charms—from doves and hearts to animals and tiny flip-flops.

I arrived at my first workshop at Little Pugad Shelter with heavy boxes full of supplies and a carefully thought-out plan.

As I would quickly discover, the children had ideas of their own.