It’s everyone’s dream to one day find a job that allows them to make a profit doing what they love. At the ripe old age of 18, Emma Shawcross has turned that ambition into a reality.
It’s everyone’s dream to one day find a job that allows them to make a profit doing what they love. At the ripe old age of 18, Emma Shawcross has turned that ambition into a reality.
Shawcross turned her love of art into a business selling handmade jewelry. Her work ranges from rings, earrings and necklaces of classic simplicity to that of intricate detail, all while keeping the price within five to $25 each.
The weight of an empty pocket was a major reason she decided to start making her own jewelry.
“I would look online and see all of this cool jewelry from places like Urban Outfitters and Free People, but it would be 70 or 80 bucks just for one necklace,”said Shawcross. “That’s when I realized I could make these things myself and it would be much more fun and affordable.”
As any graduating high school student might be, Shawcross found herself looking for a way to relieve the stress of schoolwork, babysitting, and the looming transition from the comforts of her hometown to the unfamiliarity of a new city, new school and new friends. Making jewelry became her outlet. It’s also a great way to make some extra spending money as well, according to Shawcross who has been saving most of her profits for a rainy day fund for college.
“My mom keeps saying I’m really going to want that,” she joked.
Shawcross never had the intention of selling her designs. She began ordering her materials online from etsy to make and wear for herself, but her work quickly stood out. “People would compliment me and when I would say I made it myself they would always ask to buy pieces,” she said.
It all escalated from there, according to Shawcross. It’s been four months since she first had the idea to make her own designs and in that time her clientele has gone from her sister’s friends and her close friends, to people from all over the East Coast.
All of her work is a reflection of her personal style.
“I really like using teal, gold, and turquoise,” said Shawcross. “I probably don’t have to tell you that since you can see it in most of my work,” she laughed. In fact, she puts so much of herself into each piece, Shawcross often has a hard time letting go of them.
“A lot of times I’ll be making a piece and say, ‘I can see myself wearing this,’ then keep it and make a replica.”
This can be a daunting task depending on how long the item took to make.
“The time I put into each piece ranges anywhere from five minutes to an hour depending on how intricate the design is,” she said.
Her friends and family are more than happy to support her jewelry startup. Her sister and friends can all be seen sporting her designs in their everyday lives and as models for her Instagram account.
“I don’t know what I am going to do when I go to school and don’t have them to model anymore,” said Shawcross.
Shawcross will be attending the University of Arizona in the fall, where she will be studying physiology. While both medicine and design has peaked her interest, she sided with the practicality behind studying physiology rather than the lure of creative freedom.
“Plus I can always make jewelry on the side for fun,” she added.
She is definitely going to need a fun-filled break during her college career. According to Shawcross, physiology is the second most claimed major at her new school since it is one of 12 schools in the country that offer it, but according to Shawcross, only 2 percent of kids who claim it freshman year graduate with it.
She currently sells her work at Westwood Pharmacy in Richmond and through her Instagram account, ek_jewelry.
“I like to sell the pieces myself because it just makes the experience more personable both for the buyer and myself,” said Shawcross.
