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This fashion-forward 4th grader has many passions including art, cooking, and theater classes, roller skating and biking, cuddling Darling (her kitten) and taking care of her hermit crabs, King Tookie and Fub. She also started a business selling bow ties for girls. Eleanor picks out the fabrics and a family friend (who happens to be a seamstress) sews them. The ties are all designed from the original bow tie worn by her great uncle Gene, for whom she has profound admiration. Fun fact: Eleanor seldom wears matching socks—on purpose of course!
How did you come up with the idea to make bow ties?
On the first day of school, I decided it would be cool to wear a bow tie. I wanted to be different, basically unique. The only bow tie that we had was my great uncle Gene’s. After that day, I loved the idea of wearing bow ties, so I wanted other girls to wear bow ties, too.
Have you sold any yet?
We sold them at the Fall Festival and now they are available in the Art Supply Depo (29 S. St. Clair St., Downtown Toledo).
Besides bow ties, do you like to make other things?
Artwork. I like to draw.
You have a very unique sense of style and seem very confident and comfortable in your own skin. What advice would you give to kids your age who are afraid to wear what they want because they're afraid of being criticized by others?
I would say, “Don’t be afraid to be yourself. It’s ok if you’re different. Your attitude is more important than what you look like. It doesn’t matter what you look like; it just matters how you act.”
