The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Teen makes earrings to support Ukraine
14-year-old jewelry designer donates her profits
GUILFORD — As Eva Solarski carefully arranged her handcrafted earrings in the display at Vera Wolf jewelry store, co-owner Wolf Guibbory talked about supporting this local student’s project that benefits Ukraine.
Last month, the 14-year-old began selling one-of-a-kind earrings, in subtle tones of blue and yellow, to raise money for war-torn Ukraine “I feel like our whole purpose in being on this earth is to aid each other,” Guibbory said. “So, it’s not something that we’re doing that’s great, it’s something that we’re doing that should be expected of all of us.”
Eva Solarski has been creating earrings for herself and friends for about a year. It was this past March that this eighth grader at E.C. Adams Middle School started crafting the baubles to sell.
“I really enjoy making earrings, so I thought of making earrings to sell and then have all the money donated towards Ukraine,” she said.
The young jewelry designer chose four different styles to focus on. They are all dangle earrings, some created with seed beads and glass beads and others designed with semi-precious agate stones.
The initial $150 investment for this endeavor came from Eva Solarski’s birthday money and gift cards. The sterling silver earring wires were donated by Guibbory. They are $10 and $15, depending on the design.
In addition to Vera Wolf, the earrings can be found at The Bird Nest Salon & Gallery and An Artistic Touch both in Guilford.
On the weekends, Eva Solarski can also be found manning a folding table, filled with her jewels, downtown Guilford.
The earrings are so popular that the young philanthropist is busy creating, while also keeping up with her school work.
Colleen Saffo-Hunt, co-owner of An Artistic Touch, said she has people coming to the new shop specifically requesting Eva Solarski’s designs.
“She’s very popular,” she said. “She has a big heart. She’s a very sweet girl.”
Both Guibbory and Saffo-Hunt said some customers have not only purchased earrings, but, in addition, they have made monetary donations.
To date more than $1,250 has been raised.
This money will be divided, evenly, between three nonprofit organizations supporting Ukraine.
These include Razom, meaning “together” in Ukrainian, a New York-based organization that provides humanitarian, medical and military aid; National Bank of Ukraine, which gives assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine; and United4Ukraine, a nonprofit, started by Yale medical professionals with Ukrainian roots, organized to raise awareness and money for the country.
While her parents, Stan and Sarah Solarski, have helped with a bit of financial support to keep the business afloat, they are quick to add that their main contribution is driving her to buy supplies and deliver the finished product.
“She has been doing it all on her own,” said Sarah Solarski.
“We drove to Vera Wolf and The Bird Nest, but we had said to her, ‘You need to do the talking,’” she added.
Sarah Solarski talked about raising a compassionate child.
“I would say that what we really instilled her with is an independence of thinking and being true to herself and caring for others in general and being empathetic towards others,” she said.
“I think this is part of the result of those things,” she added.
Saffo-Hunt said she is happy to be supporting this project.
“For a 14-year-old girl to be doing this, I think, is just wonderful,” she said. “We are so proud to have her in the store.”
Steven Uccello, owner The Bird Nest Salon & Gallery, is also thrilled to have Eva Solarski’s work in his gallery and to support her philanthropy.
“I think it’s awesome, amazing,” he said. “She’s very talented, very ambitious. She’s the sweetest kid.”
“She’s a great kid and I’m very happy to do it, of course,” he added. “To see how talented and to see how generous her heart is, is definitely inspiring for everybody, but especially for other kids. It’s just so cool.”