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This text initially appeared on Business Insider.
Proudly owning a single Stanley cup has turn into the final word cool-girl standing image.
Ashley Kosko has a set of a minimum of 80.
The 37-year-old is a die-hard fan, collector, and bedazzler of the coveted, cult-favorite drinkware.
She acquired her first Stanley in 2022, coated it in rhinestones as a present for a good friend, and has been obsessive about adorning the cups ever since.
Kosko now sells her creations for upwards of $400 each, and she or he has a loyal buyer base that repeatedly returns to have their stylish cups become glowing, personalised equipment.
She’s additionally grown her private stash and makes use of the cups day by day.
Talking with Enterprise Insider, the Tennessee native defined why she loves Stanleys a lot, her ideas on criticism geared toward followers, and the way she feels about spending greater than $30,000 on her passion.
Among the Stanley cups owned by Ashley Kosko. Ashley Kosko
Love at first Stanley cup
In 2022, Kosko was bedridden, dealing with medical points, and in want of a passion. So she turned to YouTube and discovered how you can rhinestone.
She loved the craft a lot that she even opened a web based storefront to promote bedazzled objects and provides for individuals to make their very own.
However enterprise was gradual, and Kosko was prepared to surrender — till she started bedazzling Stanley cups and posting movies of the method on TikTok.
“It occurred at midnight on New Yr’s Day, and the orders simply began rolling in,” she advised BI. “It was insane. I needed to begin elevating my costs as a result of I could not sustain with the orders.”
A Stanley cup bedazzled by Ashley Kosko. Ashley Kosko
Kosko at present expenses between $400 and $1,100 per cup, relying on which design her purchasers select.
These costs replicate the supplies wanted to rhinestone the cups and the time she spends crafting every one, which might take between eight and 50 hours.
The costs of the cups themselves can even influence her costs. As demand for Stanleys has risen, followers have discovered it practically not possible to buy some designs — one thing Stanley is now working to combat online.
A lot of Kosko’s orders are from repeat prospects, she advised BI, and she or he’s even been approached by main corporations to bedazzle Stanley cups for occasions just like the Tremendous Bowl.
Two Stanley cups bedazzled by Ashley Kosko. Ashley Kosko
A surplus of Stanleys
Naturally, Kosko’s enterprise of bedazzling Stanley cups has morphed into a private affection for the drinkware.
“At one level, I had over 140 of them,” she advised BI. “However I’ve honed down which of them I actually love, and I’ve offered some that I do not actually look after. I imply, I nonetheless have 80-something — my assortment is not small.”
She mentioned she tries to purchase the cups at retail costs, however has splurged on cups in limited-edition colours and designs that had been solely offered in different nations.
She recollects spending $180 on a cup from Thailand and $230 on one other limited-edition design from abroad.
“It is mainly a transferring stock,” she mentioned.
Ashley Kosko and certainly one of her Stanley cups. Ashley Kosko
She mentioned she prefers Stanley’s 30-ounce cups whereas on the go however makes use of the bigger 40-ounce model at dwelling.
“I fill it with pineapple-cranberry juice and ice, which is definitely a fake pas within the Stanley world,” she mentioned, noting that some followers are afraid of staining their cups and solely drink water from them. “However it’s my cup. I will put juice.”
A 30-ounce Stanley cup bedazzled by Ashley Kosko. Ashley Kosko
And the passion is an costly one. Whereas Kosko mentioned she’s made tens of hundreds promoting her rhinestone artwork, she’s additionally spent greater than $30,000 on Stanley cups between her enterprise, items for buddies, and her private assortment.
However she would not thoughts if individuals criticize the worth tag that comes with amassing them.
“Do you get your nails executed, lashes executed, put on make-up, or get your hair executed? These issues are extremely costly, and so they final three weeks,” she mentioned. “A Stanley cup, it’ll final ceaselessly.”
She additionally stands by her determination to personal dozens of the cups — even when individuals say collectors are selling overconsumption and waste.
“Does anyone have one glass cup of their cabinet, or have they got a number of?” she mentioned. “I’ve 5 Stanley cups on my counter as a result of I hate doing dishes. So I do not want just one; I would like a number of. And I prefer to match my cup to my footwear or outfit. It is an adjunct — not only a cup.”
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Group is one other huge a part of what attracts followers like Kosko to the cups.
“In my on a regular basis life, individuals will cease me and say, ‘Oh, I like your Stanley cup,'” she mentioned. “We even have Stanley Fb teams the place we present our cups of the day. In a world that is turn into so disconnected, it is a method of connecting.”
However most significantly to Kosko, she is aware of her passion is not that severe. And he or she loves it anyway.
“In all actuality, it is only a cup,” she advised BI. “It is simply enjoyable. It is a passion. It is not do-or-die craziness.”
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