Elon’s Student-Made Store & Their Artists

Elon’s Student-Made Store is the perfect place to find holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Whether you are looking for handmade mugs or beautifully crafted artwork, the Student-Made store has a little bit of everything, including a Holiday Favorites Collection for the winter season. The Edge sat down with nine artists to learn more about them and showcase their work.

Sarah Bellinger

Bellinger is a senior strategic communications major with a minor in marketing, from Chevy Chase, Maryland. Bellinger digitally designs posters, with her recent favorites including a Balloon Animals poster and her Mom, I Am A Rich Man poster. When Bellinger isn’t designing posters, she likes to play around with graphite, ink, and acrylic paints.

“I draw inspiration for my artwork from everything around me – nature, fashion, movies, my own life experiences, past and current artists – seriously, everything,” she says.

Check out Bellinger’s Mom, I Am A Rich Man post here. It would make the perfect gift for any fan of Cher! Check out her Instagram @sarahreeddesigns

Faith Panciello

Panciello, a sophomore from New Jersey, specializes in photography. Currently a communication design major with a minor in marketing, Panciello has been creating artwork since her sophomore year of high school. Her favorite piece of art from her collection is the shot of Elon’s Alamance building through the trees. Along with featuring her artwork in the Student-Made store, Panciello is also a member of the Tri Sigma sorority on campus.

“My artwork is just inspired by what makes me happy,” says Panciello. “I am happy to be able to share my work with others.”

Panciello’s photographs of Elon are the perfect gift for any Elon parent and fan. Check out her photo, The Perfect Day at Elon, here and see more on her Instagram, @fp__photos

Sarah Kitslaar

Kitslaar, a senior sociology major with a communications minor, makes beautiful macrame designs. Originally from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Kitslaar has been an art enthusiast for years. She really began working on macrame art, however, when quarantine started in March. After her semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark was cut short, Kitslaar used her time to start focusing on art. Her favorite piece from her collection is her coasters. Kitslaar is a part of the Student-Made Store and is involved in Elon Yoga Club, Periclean Scholars, Tour Guides, and Alpha Xi Delta.

“Creating art helps me slow down and focus on the present moment while also helping me,” says Kitslaar.

Unfortunately, Kitslaar’s macrame just sold out, but she plans on restocking soon! For updates, follow @studentmadestore on Instagram and check out Kitslaar’s Instagram @saraahkits

Lauren (Lo) Siedlecki

Siedlecki, a senior human service studies major, is originally from Ellicott City, Maryland. Siedlecki makes prints of her original paintings to sell in the Student-Made Store. Art has been very important to Siedlecki from a young age. She grew up learning how to draw and paint with her grandma, who was a professional artist. Her favorite piece of artwork for her collection is the portrait Narcissus and Lilies.

“The inspiration for my artwork stems from my passions for social justice and creative expression,” says Lo. “Many of my pieces reflect ideals that I have for equity, positive social change, and representation for marginalized groups and experiences.”

Check out Siedlecki’s portrait of RBG here and see more on her Instagram @morethancolorz

Thomas Cadman

Cadman, a senior majoring in international & global studies, is from the Boston area. He loves the outdoors, music, and pottery. He began working with clay in 2015, but began taking his art seriously in 2017 when he came to Elon. Cadman’s favorite art piece is a little vase he made when he started his journey as an artist. He says it is a friendly reminder of where he began.

“I take a lot of inspiration from traditional forms,” says Cadman. “I like the pottery styles of Ancient Greece and Rome. But I also enjoy contemporary ceramics like Peter Voulkos or Tortus Copenhagen. I try to blend the old styles and modern ones in my artwork.”

Check out Cadman’s beautiful Vermont Mug here and his Instagram @cadtom98

Andrew Jackson

Jackson is a senior Finance major with a political science minor from Greensboro, North Carolina. He began creating engraved artwork as a first-year student when he discovered Elon’s Makerhub. His favorite piece of artwork is the Alamance Fountain shadowbox. He enjoys being outdoors and tries to reflect his love for nature in his painting. His inspiration comes from spending time working on his projects.

“My artwork has largely been inspired by the ideas built upon hundreds of hours spent working on laser engraved creations,” says Jackson.

Find Jackson’s Santa Holiday shadowbox here, for the perfect piece of artwork for anyone in your family. See more on Jackson’s Instagram @old_hickory9

Leigha Dear

Dear, a sophomore majoring in strategic communications with a business minor, is from Westport, Connecticut. Dear started making gorgeous beaded jewelry when she was a sophomore in high school. Her current favorite pieces are her huggie earrings with the Hamsa and lightning bolt charms. When she’s not beading, she is bound to be found doing something creative like photography, film, crafts, or something with her sorority. Dear finds inspiration through experimenting with new colors and combinations.

“My inspiration comes from a variety of different places,” says Dear. “Mostly, I like to stay updated on what are the most popular jewelry looks trending and create similar designs.”

Check out Dear’s moon earrings here and her Instagram @busy.beadss

Leah Schneider

Schneider, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, is a first-year communications design major with minors in entrepreneurship and multimedia authoring. Schneider designs custom Vans, both low-top and high-tops. She began by making custom shirts but has now found a love for custom shoes. Her favorite shoes were a recent pair of Toy Story inspired shoes because of their creativity and reminiscence. When Schneider isn’t designing shoes, she is busy with Elonthon or playing for the Women’s Club Lacrosse Team.

“I am inspired by the idea that one piece of an outfit can make someone feel significantly more confident when they go somewhere, so I thought why not feel like that at a tailgate, sports game, or walking around campus,” says Schneider.

Check out Schneider’s custom Elon low tops, perfect for any tailgate, here, and see more on her Instagram @customspiritbyleah

Emma Clarke

Clarke, a junior from Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, is majoring in public health and minoring in psychology and Spanish. Her shop, LovinglyKind, started in quarantine this past year as an escape. Clarke makes jewelry out of coins. Her favorite pieces are her coin rings, which she hammers into a ring shape. Aside from the Student-Made Store, Clarke is also involved in the acapella group Shirley Tempos.

“I have a drive to create,” says Clarke. “I love expressing myself and finding comfort in the things that I create. Even though art is very vulnerable, sharing it with others and finding passion in it is freeing.”

Clarke’s State Coin ring is the perfect reminder of home and can be found here, along with her Instagram @lovinglykind_jewelry

Make sure to check out these artists and their work when you are purchasing gifts this holiday season. Shopping through the store is the perfect way to give unique, handmade gifts while supporting local Elon artists.

If you purchase anything from the Student-Made Store, tag us @theedgemag and @studentmadestore on Instagram!