This artsy campus celeb has turned her talent into some real profit! Meet Kasey Walton, a 19-year-old VCU freshman majoring in Mass Communications who makes her own jewelry.
Kasey says that jewelry-making is the first hobby she ever had. She got her start by making hemp bracelets and necklaces in the summer. She started to try wire-wrapping jewelry after being influenced by her boyfriend who had been doing it for a while. In January of this year, she made her first wire wrapped ring and ever since, she and her boyfriend have been working together and selling their jewelry.
Kasey says that she finds inspiration for her jewelry all around her. She notices other people’s jewelry and likes to incorporate different themes into her own. Growing up in Virginia Beach, her style is heavily influenced by tropical motifs. She often goes by the shore to find shells and sea glass to incorporate into her jewelry.
Outside of making jewelry, Kasey works at Tropical Smoothie and is hoping to work for Red Bull, driving the truck around campus. Kasey’s other interests include camping, hiking, being out in nature and soaking up rays at the beach.
Her goal for the future is to work for Disney. She hopes to get her start by doing the Disney college program and eventually getting an advertising job there. She hopes to one day own a store with her friends and boyfriend, eventually expanding into a company and making different stores. She aspires to broaden her product line to include all natural soaps, tie-dye clothing, dream catchers and treasure boxes. Her biggest goal is to bring happiness to people with her products. She wants to inspire people to do whatever they are passionate about.
Here’s Kasey’s advice for people looking to make their hobby into a business:
“Stay focused and keep it about the hobby. Do it because you love to do it, not because you’re going to make a profit. Dream big, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Make sure you have a back up plan in mind and keep another part-time job. Always look for inspiration and don’t be stingy with your ideas.”
You can check out Kasey’s and her boyfriend’s Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodsDesigns. You can also purchase her jewelry at the Rams Bazaar on April 22nd and at Terra Gypsy by Carytown.