Leslie Dicken, novelist and mother of three, was finding that she had lost her steam. In an effort to revamp her creativity, Dicken decided, three years ago, to focus her energies through another creative outlet. 

With this in mind, she found herself stopping in the jewelry section at Michaels. There, she found her inspiration browsing among the buttons and beads. Between the jewelry-making book she bought, and YouTube tutorials, she began to experiment. She now has over 100 rings and 70 bracelets, among other pieces, that she sells at art shows, online and even through Facebook and Twitter. 

A member of the Art League of Germantown, Dicken said she has acquired a greater appreciation for handmade art. While other artists may view her work as amateur, Dicken said, "It's just a question of having a different visual eye." Because of her love of experimentation, her jewelry takes on many different styles and materials from twisted wire, buttons, leather and beading. 

She works to keep her pieces affordable, none priced more than $35. 

"I'd rather have something nice that people are going to buy instead of something expensive and super fancy," Dicken said. While her jewelry doesn't serve as a significant form of income, Dicken said she is satisfied to have found another way to foster her creativity, outside of her writing. Unlike the drawn-out process of writing and publishing a book, jewelry-making offers Dicken a much more immediate satisfaction. And she has regained her creative edge, recently releasing her latest book, The Tarnished Heart.