A university student who learned to make jewellery from YouTube during the COVID shutdown is now making $40,000 a month and planning a collection for New York Fashion Week.

When the worldwide pandemic struck Australia, 19-year-old Nina Alston had to finish her university degree from home, utilising jewellery crafting to keep her “brain active” during the long, silent months.

In 2021, she began selling these gems under the moniker The Messy Archive on Depop and later on her own website, attracting Australian ladies searching for unique gold-plated and gold-filled items.

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In July, 22-year-old Nina earned $75,000 selling necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings to celebrities like Tammy Hembrow and Isabelle Mathers.

She told FEMAIL that sales increased from $10,000 to $15,000 per month to $40,000 per month.

Our Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales were $28,000.

Nina wanted to test whether her firm could walk at NYFW after seeing Aussie labels like South St. at Paris Fashion Week.