In semester 1 I chose to do recycled jewellery as my choice for Innovate Ed. The process was long and had many milestone however it was worth it.
In the beginning we got given lots of old and pre used beads. The task sounded easy but it was not. We got given thousands of beads and had to organise them into their correct colours and places. This took us two whole lessons and was very frustrating but it helped us when it came to the making and creating.
Prototype
The next task was Proto typing this was a really fun and creative task. We had to design different designs that would be potential end designs. We had to create at least three
Next we started creating! We got given string and crimps. Crimps are what stop the beads from sliding off. We used pliers to secure the crimps on the string. Our designs were based on our proto-types we made as many as we could this stage was vital as it set us off to begin our product.
Weeks of Making bracelets had paid off we had made many bracelets with unique designs. At this stage we thought we were going to give all our bracelets to Sick hospitalised kids. These bracelets were going to brighten their mood. In our class we already had two potential hospitals and contacts that we could send them too however we needed to do some research.
This lead us too our fourth task. Everyone had a job to do for preparation of this product. There were packaging groups Message writing groups and research groups. I was part of the message writing group. With our bracelets we wanted to have a special touch too them so we had decided to write messages along side them. We had created messages and poems each written multi-coloured and with love.
Everyone had finished there task everything was ready packaging the research and emails for approval. That is when we realised our mission to send these bracelets to Sick children was unlikely. Covid was spreading not only were we not allowed to be at the hospital but we were not allowed to give pre used items because of the germs they consist. With little time left we had to come up with a solution.
The next week we brainstormed and that is when we got the prefect idea. There was a market being held for the $20 boss group. This market was a chance for us to sell our products. Generally all proceeds to tat market and split and given to each member of that group but we thought different. Remembering the hospital and our original motivation we decided all proceeds would go toward the hospital.
The market was full everyone wanted to go home with something. Not only did we sell bracelets we had phone charms and photo frame. Each was priced not too high but not too low. We all took turns in selling as we were a very large group. Almost all products was sold. We earnt a profit of around $150.
Everything worked out perfectly we knew the money was not enough but the thought is what counted. Wee decide we would join the money with the next jewellery making group and donate that end profit to the Hospital hoping that it makes a difference.
Overall I learnt a lot in this process not only about Team work and motivation but about problem solving. All the problems that we faced were a learning moment we had no time to complain and instead we learnt how to problem solve and face challenges with an open mind.