Aug. 22, 2024

Shelleen Weeks has been making crafts her whole life, beginning with watching her mom.

“My mom painted and drew a lot; she was very artistic,” Shelleen Weeks said. “During the summer, we always did crafty-type things together.”

Weeks has a science degree and worked for years in labs until she was laid off in 2011.

“I remember thinking now I get to craft all month when I was laid off,” Weeks said. “I planned to take that month off, but it turned into several months of crafting until I started selling stuff in consignment shops.”

It grew into Do-Overs, a craft business focused on repurposing items to create distinctive jewelry, which will be at the 605 Made Market Night from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the Raven parking lot at Sixth Street and Phillips Avenue. More than three dozen vendors and food trucks will be at the free event, which includes entertainment throughout.

In 2015, Weeks had one of her crafts published in an article in Jewelry Affaire.

“My knife-handle birdhouses were their No. 1 pined jewelry that year,” Weeks said. “I put the instructions to make them in the magazine too.”

Weeks has another article appearing in the autumn edition of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

“Do-Overs became the perfect name for my work because I recycle and repurpose,” Weeks said. “I give previously loved things a new life.”

Her repurposed items include silverware, coins, dishes, leather belts, marbles, rocks and more.

“My biggest thing right now are my spoon rings,” Weeks said. “I turn the recycled items into bracelets, earrings, bracelet helpers and more.”

Weeks said she has enjoyed making coin jewelry lately, using buffalo nickels and wheat pennies in her work.

“A few years ago, I went back to working full time, and it was soul-crushing,” Weeks said. “I couldn’t sew a straight line during that time. I knew that wasn’t right for me, so I went full time with my business.”

Weeks doesn’t just make jewelry, she also has made refillable pens out of knife handles, plant pokes, ornaments and wedding cake forks.

“You’re only limited by your table space and imagination,” Weeks said.

Weeks has more work availed on Etsy.

Follow the 605 Made Night Market on Facebook here.

605 Made is co-organized by Knotty Gnome Variety & Salvage and SiouxFalls.Business. It’s sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls and Dakota Business Finance.

Here’s your guide to shopping, food, entertainment at Saturday’s 605 Made Night Market