Cecilia Lockhart: Creating Her Own Style

At Jenks Middle School, seventh grader Cecilia Lockhart brings a creative eye to her personal style—and the handmade details that often go with it. Whether she’s layering colorful accessories or planning her next outfit, she approaches style as a form of self-expression.

Cecilia creates bracelets in bold colors and patterns. What started as something she saw friends making quickly became her own creative outlet. Now, she spends hours designing and building pieces by hand, from intricate cuffs to more ambitious projects like a beaded tie.

When she’s not creating, Cecilia stays busy with orchestra, including the Jenks Middle School Honor Orchestra and private lessons with Karen Naifeh Harmon She has also competed at the regional and state level and is involved in Girl Scouts and the Jenks swim team. But making things remains her favorite way to express herself—and she’s already thinking about what to try next.

TK: How did you first get into making bracelets?

Cecilia: I first started making them because some of my friends were making them and I thought they looked really cool. When I tried it, it came naturally to me and I loved it!

TK: Where do your ideas come from when you’re designing something new?

Cecilia: Sometimes I find things online, like YouTube tutorials, that I want to try. Other times there’s just an idea in my head that I think would be fun to make.

TK: What’s your favorite thing you’ve made so far?

Cecilia: Definitely my tie! It took me about four hours over a few days, and it’s one of my biggest projects.

TK: What’s something you want to learn how to make next?

Cecilia: I really want to make a bag.

TK: You have such a great fashion sense. How would you describe your style?

Cecilia: I would describe my style as scene or maybe even decora sometimes. The types of bracelets I make and wear are called Kandi.

TK: What do you like to do while you’re making bracelets?

Cecilia: I like listening to music, especially Billie Eilish or Olivia Rodrigo, and sometimes The Flaming Lips. Or I’ll watch a show on my phone as I create my bracelets.

TK: Do you like making bracelets for your friends?

Cecilia: Yes. I’ve made quite a few for friends. I’d also love to have an Etsy shop someday so other people could buy them.

TK: What hobbies and activities do you have besides bracelet making?

Cecilia: I do orchestra at Jenks, Girl Scouts and the Jenks swim team. I’m also interested in acting in drama and I love to draw.

TK: What are your favorite subjects in school?

Cecilia: My favorite core subject is science. I also like art and drama.

TK: When you think about the future, what would you like to be when you grow up?

Cecilia: I really haven’t thought about it too much, but I may like to own a business or be a nurse.

TK: Do you have a fun fact about yourself?

Cecilia: I have this thing called brachydactyly, where some of my fingers are shorter than normal because the knuckle is basically nonexistent. It’s genetic—I got it from my mom, who has a short pinky.