p EARLS MADE WITH p URPOSE By Dustin Schandevel In Harding's past, many students spent their free time serving others in unique \l'ays. Sophomore Payton R.ilee HardcasLlc \\·as no exception. Hardcasllc started a Facebook page called '·Purpose Pearls" where she sold pearl necklaces and bracelets she had made. She said it was always just a hobby, but othe1 people \l'Crc interested artcr she made a piece orjewclry for her roommate's birthday. That 1rns when she realized she could do omething special with her talent, so she started her Faccbook page. "Purpose Pearls'· launched in summer 2016 and her buye r aud icncc ranged rrom Harding students to people f'rom back home. "\ \·hen I open d the page up on Facebook, I got a lot orrcplics,·· Hardcastle said. ·'There were replies f'rom Harding people I did not even know." During her past summer vacations in Florida, she saw how expensive pearl necklaces were, and she thought she could make them for a cheaper price. She used rrcshwater pearls. while the more expensi1·e necklaces were made with salt1,vater pearls. She purchased leather and suede materials from a company in her hometown or Springfield, l\lissouri. ·'It is such a good opportunity to give back," H ardcastle said. "Some of'the proc eds will go to either a person in need, a church C\'Cnt or an organization." Hardcastle said she wanted to giw 10-1 .S percent of'thc profit Crom each month to an organization or a person in need, rather than keeping it all for herself. "I want to gi1-c [some of'l the prof'it to God's kingdom:· Hardcastle said. Sophomore Kathryn Forrester was Hardcastlc's suitemate and was impressed by how much Hardcastle could do with the lirtlc free time she had. "She works 20 hours [perJ 11eek and she takes rea ll y ha rd cla.. cs,·' Forrester said. "During her f'rec time, 1 would sec her in her bed making the necklaces." Sophomore Lindsey \\'ebb took pictures of'H ardcastle's merchandise for the Faccbook page.\\'ebb knew Hardcastle was se!Acss when launching her idea. "She doesn't want Lo be glorified for doing it,'' \\'ebb said. '·She wants to giH God the glory." Sophomore R ilee H ardcastle spends her free time making pearl necklaces. After reali;[.ing the opportu ni{y the pearl necklaces p rovided, she began making and selling necklaces and gave th e proceeds to church organi;[.ations and people in need. \ Photos by Macy Pate l'j() )- PLOPI.L
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==