Colorful beads and tiny pieces of wire cover tables at the city of Texarkana, Texas, Parks and Recreation Department's Collins Senior Center.
A group of women are using the bits and pieces to make jewelry they can wear out on the town or give as a gift.
"We can't help it. We have a lot of fun," said artist Melissa Sawyer after one recent class.
Sawyer, who operates Honey Bee Jewelry, has jewelry available at 1894 Trade Days and other events.
She has been the instructor of the Collins Center jewelry-making class for the last few month. The class meets once a month on Wednesdays and usually has many of the same people returning each month. "We had three new ladies in the class today, but most have been coming every time I really enjoy doing the class. They are ready to do something different and they are eager to learn," Sawyer said.
She enjoys teaching and was pleased to find out the Collins Senior Center was looking for an instructor for the jewelry class.
"They have made me feel so welcome and it's really uplifting. I really enjoy teaching, no matter the age group," she said. "It's rewarding and I want to keep doing it."
During a recent class, Sawyer patiently explained what type of wire worked best with different sizes of beads and how the jewelry will fit based on the size of the beads used.
The group was working on designing matching sets of memory wire wrap bracelets, with necklaces or earrings.
She prefers working with wire instead of thread because wire is "durable and functional."
Sawyer said she likes knowing the people in her class can continue their new skills in their own time.
"I like knowing I can send them home and they will be able to do it again. It's something to do with their hands. And they can learn enough to not be intimidated when they go in Micheal's or Hobby Lobby."
Cecile Tittle, 79, has taken several of the jewelry classes.
"I've worn jewelry that I've made out to things, and I always get compliments on it," she said. "There are only two pair of earrings that I wear and one pair is one I made here."
"She's a veteran at this," Sawyer said.
Tittle likes matching jewelry with her outfits. She is also trying to teach her two great-granddaughters how to make their own jewelry. Though she admits it's hard for the girls, ages 7 and 4, to be patient.
Sawyer just hopes that her students have fun, no matter their age or their aptitude for jewelry.
"We've got to go through this world, we might as well have fun," she said.
Sawyer books private lessons or parties.For more information, send her an email at [email protected] or visit her Facebook page.