ROCKLAND-Jessica Nicholson has always wanted to be a mother.

Her patience shines in her ever-present smile, and she strives to involve her two children in everything she does. She has a spirit of drifting along with the crowd, which fits well with a full-time mother. But even if the dreams of her healthy children come true, nothing is perfect. 

"I feel lost, like I lost all my interest," Rockland's Nicholson said of her life after the birth of her second child. "It's nice to find things I can do. These things don't exclude my children, but they still suit me. It's like I have found myself again and regained that sense of balance and stability." 

What brought Nicholson back to earth was her new small business J. Lobes, through which she made the increasingly popular polymer clay earrings. During the children’s nap and midnight, she does all the work on a small table in the corner of the bedroom-mixing her own colors in the kitchen aid blender by the bed, cutting each shape by hand and baking them on her It's stuck in the toaster under the table. 

Writing material: Weymouth pensmiths are passionate about wood and ink

"It's a bit unorganized, but it has always worked for me, and it reduces stress," she said. "I really took time and invested a lot. I like to keep small batches. It feels special and accommodating."

Nicholson just founded J. Lobes last year, but through her booth at the Rockland Farmers Market, she has established a considerable following in the local area. Her work was immediately recognized for its warm colors, unpretentious design and her iconic style. They even match the decoration of her home.

Nicholson said: “If it’s not something I really like, I won’t like success or results.” “It’s better for me to stick to my own personal style. The influence of the retro era in the 60s and 70s." 

When two kids are running around, running a business on one desktop is not for the faint-hearted. Nicholson said she was often pulled in 10 different directions, and when she was able to find 45 minutes to actually sit down and work, it was pure luck. She woke up in the middle of the night with the idea of ​​earrings and began to create works that she sometimes did not know how they would end. 

"It is reminiscent of the colonial era": Hanover weaver Claire Hassett's art meets history

It’s getting hot here: The Story of Halifax Sweet Mom Sauce

"I have to do a brain dump. There is always something pouring out of my mind. I have a lot of lists, notebooks everywhere, and my thoughts have just appeared," she said. "I always have to be involved in creative things. This is more important to me than to others. I just like to do it."

Nicholson said J. Lobes has just begun. She is still trying to find what customers like, trying new technologies and taking feedback seriously. She is building a website and opening an Etsy store, currently focusing on creating earrings and Christmas design collections from the 70s. 

Currently, her earrings are priced between US$8 and US$15 and can be purchased on Facebook or email to j.lobes.jewelry@gmail.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, they helped us realize this report. If you are not a subscriber, please consider subscribing to Patriot Ledger to support high-quality local news. This is our latest offer. 

Uniquely Local is a series of stories by Mary Whitfill, focusing on farmers, bakers and manufacturers on the South Bank. Do you have an idea for a story? Contact Mary at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.