With Luv From Lou

With Luv From Lou

By: Elena Ossoski

Leah Jackson is innovative, kind, and making the world a more joyful place one bracelet at a time. As a fourth-year Phi Mu here at the University of Mississippi, Jackson has grown her lockdown pastime of choice into her latest passion project: With Luv From Lou.

“My high school in California had multiple service days a year where they would rotate us in groups to help out at different places around Los Angeles. The first one I went on was to the Skid Row Union Rescue Mission. We were supposed to be making them food in the kitchen, but somehow I was able to talk my way into serving the food. I’ve always been very outgoing, so I would give each person a special greeting as I was serving food. I quickly became friends with the people who were helping us serve and those I was serving. I ended up going to the Union Rescue Mission in my area for every service trip throughout the year. Skid Row Union Rescue Mission helps and encourages in a way that is so inspiring; I’m so thankful to be able to give to a place that touches so many lives.”

Jackson said With Luv From Lou started entirely by accident, “I love the look of beaded bracelets, but none of the ones I would see online were exactly my style or fit my wrists. Originally, when I was making bracelets for fun, I had no clue what I was doing. I had purchased awful beads and somehow did not think about how everyone’s wrist is not the same size as mine. I posted the bracelets I made on my personal Instagram story, and I ended up getting so many messages about them.”

The countless inquiries about her stackable bracelets caught the attention of Jackson’s mom. She initially gave her the idea to sell the bracelets and then donate the proceeds to Skid Row’s Union Rescue Mission because she had observed how much the organization’s work had impacted her daughter. While selling the bracelets for a mere two dollars apiece this summer, Jackson donated over seven hundred dollars to the Skid Row Union Rescue Mission.

As summer came and went, Jackson, revealed that she learned so much about making jewelry and customer service throughout her endeavors. She continues to receive help from her friends and family while sizing the bracelets to ensure that her customers are getting the highest quality pieces possible.

“My style is girly and flirty, which I think is very evident in the bracelets I make. I design pieces that I would love to wear, so it is cool to see so many girls with styles similar to my own. Many customers will even give me creative freedom when making their custom orders, which is so much fun!”

Checkout @withluvfromlou on Instagram to shop Leah’s handcrafted bracelets. Continue to regularly check umsquaremagazine.com as well as our Instagram page for more articles that highlight the creative projects of Ole Miss students. 

Photos provided by Leah Jackson.