A college student living in the world’s longest-running series of Covid blocks in Melbourne created a jewelry brand out of his bedroom using tricks he collected on YouTube and has since grossed $100,000 in six months.
Nina Alston was just 19 when the global pandemic hit Australian shores and had to complete her college education from home.
She began selling these jewels first on Depop and then on her website in 2021 under the name The Messy Store, attracting many female customers from all over Australia looking for unique gold-plated and gold-filled pieces.
In the last six months alone, Nina, now 21, has sold $100,000 of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings, along with influencers like Tammy Hembrow and Isabelle Mathers who wore her dresses for events and photo shoots.
Nina Alston (pictured) was just 19 years old when the global pandemic hit Australian shores and she had to complete her college education from home, using jewelery making as a hobby to “keep her mind busy” during the long, quiet months she spent indoors.
In the last six months alone, Nina, now 21, has made money selling $100,000 in necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings that she has worn at events and photo shoots by influencers like Tammy Hembrow and Isabelle Mathers.
“I started The Messy Archive during the first Covid block and it was something that kept me creative and my brain busy,” he told FEMAIL.
‘I had bought some supplies to make my chains and had a lot of money because I had to buy the chains by the metre. I finally made some extra pieces and sold them at Depop.
‘I sold a few and bought more materials to make more items with that money. I started the business with no money, no packaging or thank you cards.’
All of Nina’s profits from Depop went into buying necklaces and pendants when she noticed a market for her designs.
“I learned all the jewelry making skills I know from YouTube. I was just experimenting with materials and didn’t even know what tools to use,” she said.
All the money Nina (pictured) earned with Depop, seeing that there was a market for her designs, immediately went to buy necklaces and pendants.
Tammy Hembrow (pictured) is a huge fan of The Messy Archive products.
“I used to make necklaces out of yarn I found at home, and because I couldn’t afford to buy more, I started cutting out old necklaces to reuse the beads.
“It was definitely a matter of trial and error for everything I did in the first few months.”
With no job and no college education to focus on, Nina devoted all her free time to The Messy Archive and growing the brand.
He eventually bought the thank-you cards, set up an Instagram page he hid from family and friends “in case it didn’t work,” and even ranked 120th worldwide as a salesperson at Depop at one point.
“I decided to open an Etsy shop in early 2021 to further expand my customer base and target international customers,” he said.
“Then I was able to drop the limited products and advertise them through my Instagram account. At the beginning of July 2021, I had saved enough money to buy all kinds of materials and products and create my own website that I still use today.
While Australia’s jewelery market is full of high-end brands, Nina believes it’s her team’s kindness to her clients that sets them apart.
With no job and no college course to focus on, Nina devoted her free time entirely to The Messy Archive and growing her brand.
“I try to make sure I have new items every week to make sure everyone can find something they love and everyone has the best shopping experience at TMA,” he said.
‘I can’t really sleep at night knowing that someone is mad at the TMA product. My heart hurts and I must do everything possible to fix it.
Nina’s inventory is now huge and she wakes up every day to get ready for business meetings, go to the studio and invent new designs.
“I still do most of the articles by hand with the help of friends or my brother, but as the brand has grown, I have worked closely with some great people from abroad to bring my visions to life.” said.
“We also like to share our prototypes on Instagram and TikTok to see if our customers like the colors and designs and use that information to personalize these products.”
Source: Daily Mail
