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Toronto teen’s hobby is a hidden gem

Contributed NEW VENTURE — Fifteen-year-old Amari Wilson of Toronto has parlayed his crafting hobby into a new venture with the formation of Amari’s Gems. He has created bead necklaces and bracelets that he has sold online and at local events. He is joined by his mother, Sara Ghenne, and some of his jewelry.

TORONTO — A simple hobby has turned into a new venture for a Toronto teen with the formation of Amari’s Gems.

Fifteen-year-old Amari Wilson, the son of Sara Ghenne of Toronto and Mike Wilson of Myrtle Beach, S.C., began stringing beads into necklaces and bracelets as a pastime last year, but since then he has been selling his creations to family, friends and the general public. Each piece has a personal touch from school colors and charms to names and sells for $5.

“He’s always loved crafts and we’d get him kits,” she said. “Some had beads in them and he made bracelets for the family.”

Amari, a young man with autism, found his calling as an entrepreneur when he started making more at the suggestion of Ghenne’s boyfriend, Roger Collins, and began selling his wares online.

“We set up a Facebook group and invited people, and now there are almost 400 people.”

Amari spends a few hours a day producing colorful jewelry with his mother’s help and has sold them to customers in his hometown as well as at the School of Bright Promise, which he attended for six years and where his younger sister, Carmen, is now a student. He has also crafted items befitting Toronto High School, where he is presently enrolled with his other sister, Gianna. THS Intervention Specialist Tim Fisher said Amari has thrived in his multi-handicapped class with teacher Richie Crowe and it also has grown his customer base.

“He’s transitioning really well,” Fisher noted. “His classmates are getting to know him, and he is adapting to his new learning environment.”

That interaction also parlayed into an appearance at this year’s Toronto Arts Festival, where he acted as a vendor and sold more items.

“They asked us to participate and a lot of people came to see him,” Ghenne commented. He also took part in the Special Summer Bash in Richmond this past July and in the Trunk-or-Treat at JCBDD in October.

And work is nothing new to him since he has been active in the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Summer Youth Program.

“They stay in contact with him and continue to help him transition into society,” she noted. “He has the potential to do something and they have remained involved, which I appreciate. Kids can be successful, but you need supportive people behind you.”

Amari said he enjoys sharing his talents, and while some proceeds have helped maintain his inventory, other funds have been used to give back to the community.

This summer, he hosted a pool party for special needs kids and his family has ideas to do more in the future.

“I like it,” he said as he thanked his patrons. “It makes people happy.”

“It’s more of a hobby, but it definitely makes other people happy,” Ghenne agreed. “He knows a lot of people and they love him.”

To make an order, go to the Amari’s Gems Facebook page.

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