Almost everyone has a battle that is fighting every day, mine was anxiety. During December 2019 I was feeling anxious and full of fear, I had a lot of pressure from college finals, I wanted another stream of income so I could pay more easily my college tuition and I didn’t have a hobby. One day my mom enrolled me in a Basic Course of Resin Jewelry, I went but nothing happened until February 2020. 

I started making some pieces and uploading it to my personal Instagram profile and quickly I started receiving orders from friends and family. I began gaining some followers and then the COVID-19 pandemic spread through Puerto Rico, and lockdowns started. I was blessed that I had materials in my home because I couldn’t find anything in store and online, the postal carrier was taking forever. I woke up every single day, took my college classes and the went to my very small table in the corner of our living room and make anything.

That little table was my escape. All that glitter was my joy, seriously, I got excited every time I saw a new glitter. I sat in there for long hours. I started trying new color combinations, new techniques and started to learn about marketing and E-commerce – but that is another long story haha- in order to begin giving my hobby a solid business base.

Using my motor skills to keep my mind distracted, helped me to focus on what was important on that time; my family was healthy, and I started something that honestly, I always wanted but fear didn’t let me. In another hand learning something new kept me awake at nights and excited for a new day even though I wasn’t seeing my friends or making trips to the beach.

Making jewelry helped me get through the anxiety of college, the pandemic and now that COVID is more controlled and I have finished my degree it continues to give me joy, peace and an escape from my 9 to 5 job. Antalya Designs was born from this very dark time of my life and seeing how it  has evolved with me makes me proud and happy to confirm that crafting or any hobby is so important for anyone and their mental health.