Inspired by her dad’s work, welding student junior Tabitha Hostetler has spent the last four years creating and selling her own jewelry. Her greatest tool? Broken and used bike parts.

Hostetler began making jewelry in seventh grade as gifts for friends and family members. She said that she enjoys the creative process behind every single one of her pieces.

“I like it because I can come up with new configurations,” Hostetler said. “I can create new things and come up with new ways that are diverse.”

It was in ninth grade that she started selling her jewelry at the same place her dad sells his creations at FrankenBike, a free event held every month in Austin where people can sell bikes and anything related to bike gear. As often as they can, Hostetler said that she and her dad set up and advertise their displays at FrankenBike. She said that she does not get discouraged on slow business days and keeps in mind that her success is a result of practice and continually doing what she loves.

“Don’t get discouraged when you don’t sell or you don’t get results right away,” Hostetler said. “Keep practicing, keep trying, and keep going. Keep doing it [because] it’s unique to you, even if other people are doing [something] similar.”

One of Hostetler’s other interest is Anime, something she was introduced to by a friend a few years ago. Hostetler joined the Anime club four weeks ago, and said that she enjoys the environment and meeting people who have the same interests as her.

“I [enjoy] getting to talk to people who love anime like I do and learning about new ones,” Hostetler said. “It is just all around fun.”

Hostetler said that she hopes to continue making jewelry throughout high school and college while pursuing a career focused on animals.