This 8-year-old entrepreneur is carrying on his family's crafting tradition - Action News
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This 8-year-old entrepreneur is carrying on his family's crafting tradition

A young earring crafter almost sold out at the Rigolet Salmon Festival.

Grayson Rich almost sold out of his earrings on 1st day of Rigolet Salmon Festival

A young boy with traditional Inuit tattoos holds up earrings showing sealskin mittens.
Grayson Rich made more than $600 in one afternoon from selling his handmade earrings to his community in Rigolet. (Heidi Atter/CBC)

A young crafter was swarmed by customers on his first day selling modern and traditional earrings in the northern Labrador community of Rigolet.

Grayson Rich was inspired by his grandmother Susan Dyson to start creating earrings. Dyson sent him a number of earring supplies, and he began learning how to make them online. Grayson's aunt Jane Shiwak, a renowned Rigolet crafter, then taught him how to work with sealskin.

"I like to show them and make money," Grayson said.

Grayson's mother said the young boy quickly took to his work, and her kitchen table was a mess while he learned everything he could about sealskin, earrings and beading. He calls his crafting booth "Grayson's Creations."

WATCH | Grayson Rich has a new small business that's turning heads in northern Labrador:

Grayson Rich has swarms of customers for his hand-crafted earrings. Hes only 8 years old

2 months ago
Duration 1:31
Grayson Rich took inspiration from his grandmother when he got into making his own earrings to sell. At the recent Salmon Festival in Rigolet, he completely sold out. His next project is working with caribou antlers and expanding his business to other northern Labrador communities.

"He was obsessed," said Sherri Wolfrey said. "He loves it and I'm glad he do, like I'm glad he's not into the video games and stuff like that. At least he's doing something productive."

Grayson sold 36 of his 38 pairs in a couple of hours. He was recently given some caribou antler to create earrings with next, continuing his education in traditional materials.

Grayson said he hopes to have more earrings to sell soon, as people from other north coast communities have already expressed an interest in him expanding to their towns.

A clear tub has earrings placed inside. Each set of earrings is on a paper that says 'Handmade with love.'
Grayson makes sealskin, beaded and modern earrings with different symbols he has bought or was given. (Heidi Atter/CBC)

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