Hartford mom brings bling, style to the comfort of Crocs
A mom who loves the “cloud nine” comfort of Crocs has made a hobby/side business of adding “bling” to the popular summer shoes made of foam.
That’s “bling” in the form of rhinestones, designer charms, fabric and even bows.
“It’s a fun thing for me to do. It’s a little hobby, money on the side,” she said. “They want me to bling them out.”
It all started about a year ago when Jenkins’ teenage daughter showed her a TikTok video of “blinged out” Crocs selling for $225.
Jenkins, a creative person, watched the video and told her daughter she could decorate them even better for much less money and made her a pair.
Jenkins put a photograph of her creation on Facebook and people quickly wanted to get their Crocs and knockoff brands “blinged out” by Jenkins.
Jenkins, a certified nursing assistant, decided to give it a try — and now her creations are crazy in demand.
“I tell people, ‘Get your Crocs and bring them to me,” Jenkins said.
She said her price is right compared to others who decorate the shoes. She charges $100 if the customer provides the foam shoes and $150 if she provides the footwear.
Jenkins designs them for women, children and men, and can incorporate any theme. She recently made a Peppa Pig-themed pair for a child.
Pastor Rosa Smith-Hill, CEO and founder of the nonprofit Reality Outreach Inc., said Jenkins kindly did a workshop on blinging out crocs with a group of children after having the shoes and supplies donated.
“They were able to create something beautiful for themselves,” Smith-Hill said. “She made me a pair of crocs as gratitude (for allowing Jenkins to serve) and blinged them all out — they’re beautiful.”
Jenkins’ teenage daughter, La-Mya McDonald, 15, said she always gets compliments when she wears the yellow Crocs her mom blinged out for her.
“When I’m walking to school, they say, ‘Your Crocs are so cute,’” La-Mya said. “They’re really flashy, and it makes them fun.”
Jenkins said “everybody loves” Crocs because they’re comfortable. They are also generally noted for not retaining smells.
“It feels like you’re on cloud nine,” Jenkins said.
Using a special glue, Jenkins jazzes up the otherwise plain-looking shoes with colorful rhinestones, designer charms with names that include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, MCM and various fabrics, even bows.
Aside from being CNA and Croc blinger extraordinaire, Jenkins is president of the PTO and School Governance Council at Betances STEM Magnet School, where one of her daughters attends.
Principal Anthony Brooks, who doesn’t own a pair of Jenkins’ blinged out Crocs, describes her as “a valued member of our school community,” who is a huge help in raising funds for student and family activities such as school dances and family luncheons.
Jenkins can be reached by email at junejenks81@gmail.com or through Facebook messenger.
