Story by Zoe Brown. Photos by Brendan Beck and Zoe Brown

Maddie Walker was searching names for her emerging earring side-hustle when she was struck with inspiration.

“My dad actually wanted to name me Moon, before I was born,” said Walker. 

The play on words, “Moon Walker,” alluding to both Michael Jackson and Neil Armstrong, seemed fitting for Maddie, so she decided to name her business Moonwalker Designs.

Since June, Walker has been selling her handmade clay earrings through an Instagram page, @moon.walker.designs. 

Her earrings range in style from bold, geometric and colorful to earthy, neutral and round.

Typically, Walker releases earrings in batches of similar styles and colors.

A batch of 20 earrings takes about six to seven hours, Walker said. Although the process can be lengthy, she said the experience is therapeutic. 

Walker chooses the clay, molds and marbelizes it, rolls it out and uses cutters to create various shapes. 

“It brings me back to art class when you’re a kid,” Walker said. “Clay day is the best day.”

Walker said making earrings keeps her hands busy, allows her to have fun, create something wearable, and also make money. 

Walker has to balance creating what she would want to wear with the demands and desires of her customers. 

“Sometimes it’s hit or miss,” Walker said. “Sometimes I’ll put something out thinking it isn’t going to sell and there’s tons of people who are like, ‘I want more of this.’”

To help gauge what her audience wants, Walker does Instagram polls for colors, styles, and shapes. 

The seasons play a big part in how Walker selects colors and shapes and styles. Her most recent batches have been warm, and neutral, using colors like cream, beige, mustard, brown and maroon. Since the beginning of football season, she’s released a Kansas City Chiefs line or dangly earrings. 

Because of her use of variety in style, color, and shape, Walker has been able to reach a wide age demographic. 

“I have a lot of my mom’s friends that are in their 40s and 50s that buy them but then I also have young girls that are in college or even high school buy them,” Walker said. “Everyone can wear them.”