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

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. He’s only 8 years old

3 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. 

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.