A multiple choice quiz told me that I'd be a Jeweller in the 8th grade

Close to the end of my elementary school experience, my class - like so many others - was assigned to use Career Cruising; a website that hosted a multiple choice quiz, the purpose of which was to provide students with a list of jobs/careers that they might be a good fit for. Apparently, the Career Cruising algorithm came back with “Jeweller / Appraiser” on the top of my list; I was very disappointed to say the least! I wanted nothing more than to be a world-famous fashion designer and at the time, this punch in the gut seemed like the exact opposite field.

Flash forward about 8 years into the future, as I was well into my 3rd year of my Bachelor of Design in JEWELLERY AND METALSMITHING at OCAD University, my memories of what Career Cruising had determined came rushing back to me out of nowhere. Somehow, the sage-like advice from the oracle that is Career Cruising knew much more about me than I thought.

My parents never disowned me!**

Coming from a strict, religious, South Asian family I was very surprised that I made it all the way through an art & design university without my parents telling me to quit and go to school for something more academic. After graduating from OCAD University in 2013, I returned as a member of the Material Arts & Design (MAAD) Faculty. At the same time, I was starting my own business and selling my jewellery at local craft shows and boutiques.

I started working at Made You Look Jewellery Studio in 2016 where I fully launched my business and jewellery collections. This is also the point where my parents finally realized I was selling enough pretty things to support myself, so that worked out great for all of us.

So now I have a cute little rescue doggo

I love my job - making things that I love, working with clients and hearing their stories. I love being able to make things everyday - things that exist first in my head, then on paper, and then transform into a physical object. It means the world to me that my creations will be treasured for a very long time - well-loved first by one, and then maybe by many. Being an entrepreneur can be very difficult and I am grateful for every person who has contacted and supported me throughout this journey. I'm eternally grateful to have a passion and a career that I can live by.

When I’m not working at my studio, I’m usually watching horror movies with my partner or going on long walks with my funny little corgi-beagle-husky pup.

** I want to make it clear that my parents would never disown me.
I also want to make it clear that they made me write this endnote.