For as long as I can remember, I have loved creating. Long before I became a photojournalist, a professor, or an author, I was drawn to making things with my hands. Photography was my first love, but when I could not immediately find a job after earning my master’s degree, I returned to another creative passion: jewelry. That small act of creation taught me lessons that carried into every part of my professional life. It reminded me that creativity and work are not separate. They feed each other.
When I started my Etsy shop, Al’s Side Hustle, I wanted to make one-of-a-kind earrings. I wanted pieces that were thoughtful, personal, and crafted with care. I entered juried arts festivals, connected with boutique owners, and learned the rhythm of creating, photographing, cataloging, and selling. Every step required focus, patience, and a kind of perseverance that mirrored the demands of journalism. There was a satisfaction in holding a finished product in my hands that could never be replaced by a computer screen or a published article.
Creativity as a Bridge
The thing about creativity is that it is transferable. Making jewelry taught me to see details, to notice colors, textures, and patterns. That same attention to detail became critical in the newsroom. As a photojournalist and editor, I needed to recognize small details that could make or break a story. I learned to slow down, to observe, and to notice what others might overlook. Jewelry was a practice ground for seeing the world more clearly, and that clarity translated into every photograph, article, and project I worked on.
Focus and Discipline
Running a small business is no small feat. Every earring I made had to be cataloged, photographed, and listed online. I managed inventory, processed orders, and responded to customer inquiries. This level of discipline was not unlike managing a newsroom or leading students in a workshop. It reminded me that passion alone is not enough. Focus and consistent effort are what turn ideas into results.
I often think about how this discipline has shaped my career. Whether I was coordinating photo shoots, editing images for the Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina, or teaching students how to tell meaningful stories, I relied on the same skills I used while making jewelry. Being organized, intentional, and patient allowed me to produce work that I could be proud of, whether it was an article, a book, or a pair of earrings.
The Power of Balance
One of the greatest gifts of creative hobbies is balance. Journalism and academia are demanding. There are deadlines, conferences, manuscripts, and classrooms. It is easy to become consumed by the weight of professional responsibilities. Having a creative outlet, like jewelry making, provides a space to recharge and reflect. It is a reminder that professional success does not have to come at the expense of personal fulfillment.
I encourage anyone in a high-pressure career to find that outlet. It does not have to be jewelry. It could be painting, cooking, woodworking, or writing. The key is that it engages a different part of your brain and spirit. That engagement fuels your professional life in ways that are hard to quantify but easy to feel. It makes work more meaningful because it reminds you of who you are beyond your title or your résumé.
Creativity and Justice
My creative work also connects to my sense of justice and purpose. Many of the women I have interviewed and written about in my books faced systemic barriers, economic hardship, and social inequality. I want to honor them by producing work that is thoughtful, intentional, and ethically sound. Making jewelry taught me that attention to detail, care, and patience matter. It reminded me that creating is not just an act of expression. It is a commitment to excellence, integrity, and responsibility.
In my journalism and teaching, I carry this philosophy forward. Every story I photograph, every student I mentor, every class I teach benefits from the lessons of creativity, focus, and care that I learned from jewelry making. The process of creating something from scratch, refining it, and sharing it with the world mirrors the work I do as a storyteller. Creativity and justice are not separate. They are intertwined.
Finding Joy in Creation
Perhaps the most important lesson I learned is the value of joy. There is something profoundly satisfying about holding a completed piece of jewelry and knowing that it started as a simple idea in your mind. That joy carries over into professional life. It reminds me to celebrate small wins, to recognize effort, and to find fulfillment in the process, not just the outcome.
Jewelry making is a quiet practice, but it has taught me loud lessons. It has taught me patience, precision, creativity, and the importance of honoring your craft. These lessons have fueled my work in journalism, history, and education. They remind me that personal fulfillment and professional passion are not separate. They feed each other, building a life that is rich, intentional, and meaningful.
Passing It Forward
I hope my experience encourages others to embrace creative hobbies, no matter their profession. The skills, focus, and joy gained from these activities do not stay confined to the hobby. They ripple into professional life, relationships, and the ways we engage with the world. Creativity is a gift we give ourselves, and it is a gift we can pass forward by applying it in meaningful ways.
Whether you are writing a story, editing a photograph, mentoring a student, or picking up a small tool to craft something new, creativity fuels purpose. Jewelry, journalism, and justice may seem like an unusual combination, but in my life, they are inseparable. Each informs the other, creating a balance that makes work satisfying and life fulfilling.