How a Pile of Rhinestones Turned Into a Children’s Book

What once sat in a drawer for 15 years is now a self-published children’s book. Princess Anna & the Twinkling Jewels began as a project in a children’s book elective while I was attending Ringling College of Art & Design.

I had no idea the class had a prerequisite—most students came in with stories they’d already written in a creative writing course. We were given just one week to write or tweak a story. Sitting in my dorm room, I rummaged through leftover supplies for inspiration. That’s when I saw a pile of rhinestones—and found my spark.

Since I’ve always been someone who loves to express myself with glitter, sequins, and rhinestones, the question naturally followed: What if a princess had to search for something sparkling and magical? That one idea became the heart of a story about kindness, caring, and discovery.

One of my favorite childhood books was The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. I loved the shimmering fish scales that glittered on every page. I wanted to recreate that same sense of magic. My first prototype of Princess Anna & the Twinkling Jewels actually included real rhinestones, but they made the book too bulky to close properly.

So when it came time to self-publish and figure out how to package my books, I pivoted—and added a twist.

Today’s version includes glittery stickers so kids can decorate the pages themselves. It becomes their own decorating activity—watching the story sparkle in their own unique way.

When it came time to storyboard each page, I was eager to explore storytelling in a new way. I challenged myself to illustrate the entire book using vector art in Adobe Illustrator—blending my painting roots with my graphic design studies, and working within a limited color palette. I also wanted the book to carry a moral—something that would encourage meaningful lessons as children read, not just offer a story.

Now, Princess Anna & the Twinkling Jewels is out in the world. It’s a heartwarming tale of curiosity, choice, and the magic that lives within us all—especially when we choose to share. With bold, vibrant illustrations and an interactive twist, it invites children to not only read the story, but to make it their own.

Final Thoughts
Creativity doesn’t always start with a perfect plan—sometimes, it begins with what’s right in front of you. A forgotten art supply, a deadline you didn’t see coming, or a challenge that pushes you to try something new. For me, a pile of rhinestones became the key to unlocking a story I didn’t know I had in me.

Fifteen years later, I’m proud to say this sparkly idea turned into something real. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: creative ideas are worth chasing—and you don’t need approval from a publisher to bring your story to life.

Never underestimate where your imagination can take you.

Ready to sparkle?
Grab your copy of Princess Anna & the Twinkling Jewels —complete with glitter stickers and a magical message for little readers.




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When I revisited the project 15 years later, I updated the writing to be more reader-friendly for young audiences. With indie publishing more accessible than ever, I taught myself how to publish through Amazon—and finally took the leap. Now available on my own website.

My mom believed in the story long before it became a published book. She read my handmade prototype to her classroom every year. That support stayed with me and made this moment even more meaningful when it became available online.

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