12-Year-Old’s Jewelry Business Featured At River Spirit Expo

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Affair of the Heart returned to Tulsa on Friday.  

A young entrepreneur who usually has a booth at the event will not attend this weekend because her parents don’t want her to catch COVID-19.

12-year-old Emma Shelton is the face of “Earrings By Emma,” a jewelry business she started three years ago. Shelton’s business is one of nearly 200 vendors at the River Spirit Expo this weekend.

“It’s a bummer because she is the face of the business,” Emma’s mother, Sarah Shelton, said.

Shelton said it’s the first time she and her husband will attend the event without their daughter.

Shelton said Emma sells plastic earrings for sensitive ears.

“She talks to all the customers and tells them why they need the earrings,” Shelton said.

Emma said she’s confident in her product and hates to miss out on showing it off.

“It’s so fun to meet all the vendors and watch all the shoppers and, honestly, do a little shopping myself,” Emma Shelton said.

According to event coordinators, sanitizing stations and spacing mandates have been implemented at the event to help keep people safe.

The event continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Expo Square.

While Affair of the Heart will return to Tulsa in November, Emma said she doesn't know if she will attend.