Bead by bead, Nancy Mariani strings together another handmade piece of jewelry in her home workshop. It is a passion that has become her full-time job for nearly 20 years.

“I feel so happy,” Mariani said. “People ask me, ‘How can you do this? It’s so tedious.’ To me, it’s like therapy. I love it. Sometimes I’ll wake up at three in the morning with an idea, and I’ll come in here and just create something.”

That was not always the case. After moving to Westchester County from New York City and starting a family, Mariani wanted to leave her publishing job and pursue something more creative.

“I was born with a crayon in my hand,” she said. “I loved making things, and my parents were so supportive. They would buy me the little looms and all the crayons and markers. Every kind of gadget that came out art-wise was my birthday present and I loved it. I’ve always loved arts and crafts, so I started working at a couple of preschools teaching art to the 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds.”

In addition to teaching, Mariani channeled her creative side by taking a jewelry-making class at Scarsdale Adult School.

“That’s when I just fell in love with it,” she said. “I found it to be so creative in terms of the different types of jewelry. I can make different styles like boho and classic. There were so many options and so many different materials that I wasn’t aware of. I’ve learned so much about gemstones and beads and mixing them. It’s just been very interesting and fun for me.”

Little did she know, the class would lead to a new career.

“The first thing I made was an eyeglass necklace,” Mariani explained. “I wore it, and somebody on the train saw it and said, ‘I love that. Where did you buy it?’ I told her I made it. So she bought it off my neck, and I started making more of them and selling them. People said, ‘You really should open up a storefront or sell online,’ and that’s what I started doing.”

From there, Unique Beaded Jewelry by Nancy was born, and nearly two decades later, Mariani says it was the right path for her.

“I have a lot of repeat customers,” she said. “I have some customers that say to me, ‘I get so many compliments on what I wear of your pieces, and it lasts so long. They last forever.’ I’ve met amazing people through it, and it’s just been a great career change for me.”

Mariani’s pieces are available online and at markets throughout the region.

Upcoming appearances include:

105-Ten Bar & Grill's Mother's Day Sip-n-Shop on April 30

Hudson River Spring Festival at Windrose on Hudson on May 9 and 10

To learn about Mariani's future appearances, follow her Instagram page

Mariani Also does custom orders and jewelry repairs. For more information, contact her by phone at (917) 860-5144 or by email at ubjbnancy@gmail.com.