St George Woman Builds Ammo Jewelry Business Using Hand-Cut Bullet Casings – St George News
st. George —When a 13-year-old girl started a jewelry making business out of recycled bullet casings, she had no idea that it would become her career and her dream funding.
Taylor Meserve, owner of Country Strong Ammo Jewelry, says, “It’s crazy. It’s stressful. It’s challenging. It’s sad. It’s happy–it’s a group of good words. I’ve been doing it for 10 years. If that 13-year-old Taylor could see me now, I think that would be the craziest thing. ”
Handmade items from Country Strong Ammo Jewelry include 5 different styles including bracelets, earrings, rings, wine stoppers, bottle openers, resin coasters, valve stem covers, money clips, golf ball markers and divot tools.
Each item is made from recycled ammunition. Meserve said he picks up cartridges from an outdoor shooting range, gets them from customers, and shoots them himself. The stone found on the item is a Savaorski crystal. She focuses on providing the highest quality products at affordable prices to the public.
“And then I hand-cut all the casing from the wall,” she said. “This takes a lot of time, but after 10 years of doing this she’s come to some pretty good science-based conclusions.
But how does a 23-year-old have a 10-year-old business?
Washington native Meserve said it all started with a desire to give a unique gift to a friend graduating from high school. She asked her friend’s father to send her the bullet casings for her friend. She used it to make earrings.
“My father used to say, ‘I can do this, but don’t cut my fingers,'” Mesaab said. “Well, ten years later, I still have ten of his fingers, so I must be doing something right.”
After she made the earrings herself and people started asking about them, she decided to make them bigger. I asked my mother to take me to the local market. Her first booth was at her 4th of July event and consisted of a small card her table, her rack of necklaces and earrings. Business quickly took off.
Choir throughout school, she had the opportunity to travel to Europe and sing in the Jeonju Choir. The money she earns from her business has allowed her to travel, including to her 30 countries.
By working hard and reaching his goals, Meserve was able to buy himself his first car. Around age 18, she signed a contract with the National Rifle Association, and her 1,300 handmade bracelets were displayed at banquets in all 50 states. When it came time for college, she was able to attend school on her own.
“And now here I am. I was lucky enough to buy myself a house,” she said of her recent move to St. George. “A lot of hard work has gone into this house over the last ten years of her life. Lots of projects. This is the first big girl move in my life.”
Meserve said the best part is being able to include her parents. Country Strong Ammo Jewelry travels across the United States in an average of 10 states per year for rodeos, festivals, fairs and other events. Her parents travel with her and her family runs her booth at events together.
“I can make mini-vacations wherever I go,” she said. And we always have a good time.”
After all the hard work and success, Meserve says she’s proud to give back. He is heavily involved with the NRA and has donated to many outdoor causes, including Behind the Badge and youth hunting organizations.
“I’m so grateful that this all happened this way,” she said. And I have such high expectations of myself that I feel like I should be doing more, but technically not yet. Baby.”
For more information on Country Strong Ammo Jewelry, including booth locations, please visit us on Instagram and Facebook. Items can be purchased online from his Etsy shop here.
Photo gallery
Country Strong Ammo jewelry rings are on sale April 19, 2023 at the Washington County Fair in Hurricane, Utah. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Charm bracelets by Country Strong Ammo Jewelry feature recycled bullet casings with Swarovski crystals and other charms. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Rings by Country Strong Ammo jewelry features recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals. The location and date have not been specified. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
The Country Strong Ammo Jewelry bottle opener features recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals in an unspecified location and date. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo Jewelry sells its products in markets, locations and dates not specified. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo Jewelry money clips are made with recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals. Place and date unknown. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Rings by Country Strong Ammo jewelry features recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals. The location and date have not been specified. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo jewelry rings are on sale April 19, 2023 at the Washington County Fair in Hurricane, Utah. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
The Country Strong Ammo Jewelry divot tool features recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals. Place and date unknown. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo Jewelry sells its products in markets, locations and dates not specified. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo Jewelry will showcase items for sale through its booth at the Washington County Fair on April 19, 2023 in Hurricane, Utah. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo Jewelry rings feature recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals. The location and date have not been specified. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo Jewelry necklaces feature recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals of unspecified skull, location and date. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Country Strong Ammo jewelry earrings feature recycled bullet casings and Swarovski crystals with unspecified location and date skulls. Photo courtesy of Taylor Meserve, St. George News
Taylor Meserve, owner of Country Strong Ammo Jewelry, smiles for a photo at her home in St. George, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo by Jesse Bunn, St. George News
Taylor Meserve, owner of Country Strong Ammo Jewelry, showcases her jewelry line at her home in St. George, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo Credit: Jessi Bang, St. George News
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