Her pride shows. Along the back wall hangs necklace after necklace in more colors and hues than imaginable. Under those necklaces more colors are splashed in a variety of quality beads and stones to be used in making these already colorful necklaces more expressive. Melvin has been making jewelry all of her life and she urges those who appreciate that type of artwork to come visit her studio and learn how. With workshops soon to come, Melvin is excited to share her jewelry making techniques with others. She thinks that people don't know how creative they actually are and how much they would enjoy creating. There is "a creative side in people. Making jewelry is a great way to be an artist."

Another item she holds dear in her studio are the many stones and crystals, unpolished or polished. Her inventory is so large the serious crystal lover will appreciate the variety. There are polished or "tumbled" ones which have been through a machine that takes the edge off of the corners, making them smooth to the touch. She also has many crystals that are in raw form, straight out of the earth. Ocean Of Beads from previous page Some of these crystals are amazing, knowing that the mix of colors and designs are not manmade.
"It's fascinating to me how the earth could create such beautiful things," she said. The crystals are great for someone who is interested in the healing aspects as well as the everyday geologist.

Displayed in the opposite corner is another passion of her life, a Native American collection. Melvin feels very in tuned with this culture and likes to specialize in it through her studio. She says that it's a big attraction for her, especially the "ceremonial and spiritual" aspects of it. Basically everything that she carries, as it is through the rest of her products, has a spiritual and feminist quality to it. Here, she provides the opportunity for people to get more in touch with that side of life, especially in the everyday hustle and bustle.

She particularly is fascinated with the old Mayan cultures. One product she stands by is her Mayan Moon calendar, something that the Mayans successfully used ages ago in regulating their times, harvests, and so much more. She just really thinks people will appreciate what she has. "I think it will be refreshing for people to come here. I'm a very spiritual woman. I just want to share it," Melvin explained.

There are many other odds and ends that she has. There are some detailed inkstamps for stationery or even to be used for decorations on the skin, similar to the recently popular henna designs. There are also some books shelved, alternatively designed computer mousepads and sarongs hanging from the walls. "I do want to get some tribal drums and indigenous instruments," Melvin said of future plans.

As far as the workshops go, she's thinking of starting in about a month, possibly every Sunday afternoon. She is interested in teaching beadwork but is waiting to "see what the public wants." Along with advanced classes, she says it would be fun for kids to make jewelry but suggests that they "have to be old enough to thread a needle and knot."