Tarball Jewelry

When you see tarballs, you probably don't think they would make a pretty necklace or earrings. But, a Mobile teenager does. Eighteen year old Jessica Boykin got the idea of turning tarballs into jewelry last month, after walking the beaches on Dauphin Island.

She took the tarballs home and with the help of her father, heated them to separate out the sand from the oil. She then used the oil to paint acryllic pieces, and inserted little sea charms like sea turtles, dolphins, and sea shells. She says the jewelry is a way to remember the coastal crisis.

Jessica says she sees beauty, even in tarballs. "God made something ugly for us to figure out how to make something pretty out of them."

Each piece runs around $25. Jessica is using her profits to help pay for college. To learn more about her jewelry, click here.