When Nicki Minaj said, “Barbs, stay in school and stay super freaky!” I took it literally. As a senior preparing to enter the workforce, pursuing my weird passions and education has always been something I hold close to my heart. I’ve always been a creative soul, bringing to life anything I set my mind to. One day, I came across these hand-shaped pillows online, but then I saw the price… Fortunately, I’ve always lived by the motto, “Pfff, I could make that.” Unfortunately, I had never sewn before. But doubt is the killer of creativity, so I got to work. Creating this pattern was no simple task—it was full of trial and error. First, the palm was too big. Then, the fingers were too far apart. Back to the drawing board. I traced my own hand onto paper, noting the proportions—the pointer finger longer than the ring, the way my thumb rested when I showed off a fresh manicure. With the help of a calculator, I used ratios to create an accurate representation of a human hand and arm. Amazing! Next, fabric. My first attempt with a beautiful velvet failed—too stretchy, too lumpy. Back to Joann’s! I landed on the perfect material: soft leather with minimal stretch. I was in business. After sewing it together, I had a lovely silhouette. Now for the next mountain to climb: stuffing. I didn’t know much about stuffing before, but oh, I do now. I spent the next eight hours (yes, eight) carefully filling the delicate fingers, the palms, the arms. Finally, the fun part—adding a manicure and jewelry! After I finished, I promptly sent an email to the original creator telling him to raise his prices. This project taught me so much about critical thinking, problem-solving, and grit. Just keep swimming!