Kerry G. Stephens 
Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Affair of the Heart returned to Tulsa on Friday.
A young entrepreneur who usually has a booth at the event won’t attend this weekend because her parents don’t want her to catch COVID-19.
Emma Shelton, 12, is the face of “Earrings By Emma”, a jewelry business she started three years ago. Shelton’s company is one of some 200 suppliers attending the River Spirit Expo this weekend.
“It’s a bummer because she’s the face of the business,” said Emma’s mother Sarah Shelton.
Shelton said it was the first time she and her husband would attend the event without their daughter.
Shelton said Emma sells plastic earrings for sensitive ears.
“She talks to all the customers and tells them why they need the earrings,” Shelton said.
Emma said she trusts her product and hates not showing it off.
“It’s so much fun meeting all the sellers and watching all the buyers and honestly doing a little shopping myself,” said Emma Shelton.
According to the event coordinators, disinfection stations and spacing mandates were implemented during the event to ensure the safety of people.
The event continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Expo Square.
While Affair of the Heart returns to Tulsa in November, Emma said she is not sure if she will attend.
