Meet the Maker: Melissa Camilleri of Compliment (Giveaway included!)

I met Melissa Camilleri – a fellow Sacramento native – through Instagram (I’m telling you, I love that app) when I was organizing a fundraiser. I asked her to vend at the event but she couldn’t attend, so she donated a beautiful pair of earrings. Though the fundraiser didn’t work out, we kept in contact and since she her business and philanthropic spirit are so inspiring, I wanted to share her story with you.

Melissa started Compliment – her stationery and jewelry line that is just as precious as the words that are written on each and every package – when she was a high school English and AVID teacher. She had been making jewelry since she was in elementary school and when one of her students asked her to make ring to match her Homecoming dress, Melissa realized that people were digging her stuff.

Compliment was officially founded over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2011, and since then she was taken the leap into full small business ownership.

Image from Compliment’s Instagram Feed

I love your story and how you got started with Compliment. Do you feel like your writing plays a big part in your business?

Writing plays a huge part in what I do.  I never set out to be a jewelry designer.  I just kind of went with where I was called.  My road has been a winding one, but each stage has definitely informed the next.  So although I went to grad school for writing to publish for magazines, and write a book, I’m finding that it’s still a HUGE part of my marketing for my business to be blogging right now.  I’m going to write a book someday, though. 🙂

How would you describe Sacramento in terms of a small business owner? Do you feel it’s a good city for your business to thrive in?

Sacramento is on the verge of so many cool things.  I think there are a lot of young people here who want to see their hometown thrive and support local growth.  Old neighborhoods are being revitalized and there is a definite sense of community here among artisans and people who believe in shopping local to support their community.  

I feel like Compliment is definitely able to thrive here.  I have a lot of local customers who stop by my studio and that I’ve met while having a booth at an event.  There’s a nice momentum.

Can you tell me more about the Scholarship Fund? When, how and why did you start it? How do you hope it will better the community?

YES!  This is where my heart is.  I started Compliment when I was still teaching full time as a high school English and AVID teacher.  I thought it would be a fun, artistic way to help some of my most needy students out who had so much potential but not the means to go to college.  I believe education is the only way to break the generational cycles of poverty, abuse and addiction.  So whatever I can do to help facilitate that for young people with a dream, but with little other support?

 

My scholarship has, for the last two years, been donations out of my own pocket.  We’ve been able to give over $1000, which is an amazing blessing for me to even say.  As my company grows, the scholarship grows.  This October, we are having our first ever benefit dinner and dance at Silverado Design Center and I get giddy just thinking about how much more we will be able to give because of it!

 

Melissa with this year’s scholarship winners. Image from Compliment’s Instagram Feed

What is the Soul Care Series about?

Because my natural inclination is to teach, I wanted my blog to be of service to my readers.  I noticed that there were some pretty amazing women around me doing some pretty amazing things in the world, living whole-hearted lives, and learning how to take care of themselves.  I started the Soul Care Series because I wanted to talk to women I admire and by whom I’m inspired.  And I like to share!  Thus, the Soul Care Series was born!

 

How do you feel about the philanthropy in Sacramento? Do you feel it could use some more? What are some of your favorite Organizations?

I think there is some amazing philanthropy happening in Sacramento, but YES there could definitely be more.  Having worked in the schools so long, I know that so many kids go without.  So many teachers are spending out of their own pockets to help get kids through their formative years.  So I’m always excited about those organizations–ones that help kids rise up and make good choices with their lives and learn to be civically engaged.  

 

Why do you think it’s good to donate and be a part of the giving?

A close friend just reminded me of this Roberto Clemente quote today:  “If you have an opportunity to make things better and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on earth.

 

I agree with that sentiment.  I feel like I am blessed in many ways.  What good is it if I keep those blessings to myself?  Joy multiplies when it is shared.  I was raised that way– if you can be of service, do that.  It’s the whole basis of my company.

 

Gratitude earrings. Image from Compliment’s Instagram Feed (PS – the blue ones are offered in a giveaway today!)

How do you hope to empower young women with an entrepreneurial spirit?

I employ young women to learn the behind-the-scenes of running a small business.  Like I said before, it’s in my nature to teach, so I see my business as an extension of that even though it’s out of the classroom now.  

 

What do you enjoy doing on your downtime?

People are often surprised that even though I’m social and I’m comfortable talking in front of people,  I’m very introverted, so I like to be quiet during my downtime!  I like to read, go for walks, meditate, try out new restaurants with my friends.  Hang out with my family.  Float in the pool when the weather allows it.  

 

What do you have planned for the future?

Oh gosh… During these past two years, if I’ve learned anything it is that even if I make plans, often God has other ideas of where I’m headed.  Compliment was never “planned,” and come to think of it, anything that I’ve actually planned out, has just been a stepping stone, not the be-all, end-all.  So I guess my plans are to stay open to this wonderful, exciting, abundant journey, wherever it may lead.

 

Image from Compliment’s Instagram Feed

Favorite places you frequent in Sacramento?

I live pretty close to McKinley Park, which I LOVE.  So I like to head there to walk.  I also love seeing live music at Harlow’s and Marilyn’s on K.  And I’m a big fat sucker for the burgers at The Hideaway in Curtis Park.  Oh and I go to Cafe Bernardo probably like once a week.  That mushroom salad is off the hook (and I never even liked mushrooms!)

 

Melissa is so awesome that she agreed to do a Giveaway for the pair of gratitude earrings (valued at $32) that she originally donated to the fundraiser! In order to enter, leave a compliment for Melissa on the post in the comment section or through any of my social media sites!

 

You can find out more about Melissa and Compliment by visiting the website and you can click here to donate to her scholarship foundation. Know someone who would be a perfect fit for this series? Leave a comment and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google + and Pinterest!

Thrifty Thursdays

I love thrifting. I love the feeling I get when I find something amazing that you just don’t really see anymore. I love getting old clothes and thinking about all of the ways I can transform them into something new (actually doing it is another story) and I love finding out stories behind antiquated items. And I love the word antiquated. But what always creeps me out is old silverware.

I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about eating off something that has been around the block that I don’t like. Sure, I go to restaurants and eat off that silverware, but for some reason…I just can’t bring myself to buy old, beautiful silverware.

Luckily, there is something I can do with all that wonderful silverware. Turn it into jewelry, yo!

Image belongs to Kristen Danielle Design

Spoon Ring Tutorial by Through the Front Door: I found this image while perusing the Pinterest. It took a little tracking down, but I was finally able to find the source of this tutorial, Through the Front Door/ Kristen Danielle Design! Hooray! She has a bunch of DIY and craft stuff on her blog, and it’s truly inspiring to look at. This tutorial was found through More Design Please, one of my favorites.

Image belongs to Stars for Streetlights

How to Make a Fork Bracelet by Stars for Streetlights – When I started blogging, and following blogs, this was one of the very first blogs that I followed. I fell in love with it, and then almost completely forgot about it until I saw this tutorial on Pinterest. Thank you, Pinterest, for bringing the love back to me! This post also offers a video tutorial on how to do them, and you can check out her super cute style, to boot.

And as an added little bonus for you, remember those super sweet free e-books I posted about a while back? Well, Tiffany Warble from Cloth Paper Scissors contacted me and wanted me to share two free e-books with y’all!

Image belongs to Cloth Paper Scissors

Relief and Block Printing Techniques from Cloth Paper Scissors – I never got into relief and block printing, but this looks awesome! I absolutely cannot wait to try it and see what I cool little blocks I can make with these! They would be a perfect addition to Cecilia’s room, and if I get really good at it, I could make some little building blocks for her. Cool!

Image belongs to Sew Daily

Children’s Sewing Patterns from Sew Daily – This free e-book includes four free sewing patterns for kids, and they’re all so very cute! Looks like I have some sewing to practice….

This is totally getting me all jazzed up for crafty day on Saturday! If you have some silverware jewelry to share, please post in the comments or share your photo or link on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #silverwarejewelry. Find more thrifty inspiration on Pinterest page. And happy thrifting!