ATHENS — Nicole Ballard was a 16-year-old girl dating a guitar player when her desire to have a keepsake of their relationship spurred a business idea.

Ballard said she took a guitar string and pick and made a bracelet. When her friends saw it, they wanted one, too.

“I asked my dad how much I should sell them for,” Ballard said. “We talked about how this was a good idea, and we started marketing them.”

Ballard, who is from Flora, Miss., marketed her guitar jewelry in the Jackson, Miss., area and found stores wanting to carry her line. That led to the creation of her business, StrummWear.

Ballard, now 18, sells her jewelry online and in stores across the United States. At her booth at the 43rd annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention at Athens State University, she talked of her creative history.

“I’ve always loved painting,” she said. “Now we design our picks and have them printed.”

The picks can have pink leopard print, blue paisley or zebra stripes.

She also has a line of Fender picks. The bracelets with interchangeable picks are packaged in a compact disc case.

Ballard, a senior who is home-schooled, wants to go to college and study to be an art teacher.

“That’s where my heart is,” she said. “Teaching art to kids.”

Those interested in her jewelry can go online at www.strummwear.com. Crawford’s Gifts in downtown Athens is the exclusive dealer in the area.