MUNCIE, Ind. – Spring is in bloom, and students across campus are embracing the sun, including Elliot McBride, a second-year student and co-owner of Orchid Mantis Arts.
When the weather is nice, you might spot her outside of the DeHority Complex, making and selling earrings, necklaces and bracelets. McBride says making jewelry outdoors helps her creative process.
“When I sit in nature, I’m not feeling sad when I create,” McBride said. I’m feeling bubbly. I’m feeling happy, and I think I put a lot of that bubbliness into my work. It’s not sadness. It’s a lot of expressions of happiness.”
McBride got into jewelry as one of the many hobbies she picked up from her mom. She says this hobby has made her meet many people.
“Yesterday, I got around like five or six people, which was really nice, and they came over, and then they would invite their friends too,” McBride said.
She tries to connect with the people who visit her shop, and with that, she found a connection with herself, saying, “I think this opportunity, like the shop, really gives me the ability to see the good in what people see in me,” and that “... truly, the community is what makes me want to keep working.”
Some customers may say that McBride is a gem of the campus community.
“The best part of having a business on campus is connecting with the people here,” McBride said.
McBride will be at the Artist Ally at C-Con 2025 at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center on March 29 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact Daniel Huber with comments at daniel.huber@bsu.edu.
