There’s something undeniably magical about a carousel. Maybe it’s the music or the brightly painted animals. Maybe it’s the feeling of stepping back in time, even if just for a few minutes. Whatever it is, we’ve always been drawn to that sense of wonder. So when we heard that a hand-carved carousel was being built right here in Franklin, we couldn’t wait to learn more.

We’re proud to share that Walton’s Jewelry is a sponsor of the upcoming Carousel of Dreams by Ken Means, opening soon at The Factory at Franklin.

This is the result of decades of dedication by master carver Ken Means, who has spent over 30 years bringing this dream to life. His journey started with a single rocking horse carved for his daughters one Christmas, which sparked a lifelong love for woodcarving. That passion grew into something much bigger: a full carousel made entirely by hand.

A dream in progress: Ken Means with one of his finished carousel figures, surrounded by sketches that helped bring the Carousel of Dreams to life.

What makes this even more special to us is that Ken isn’t a stranger. In fact, many of us remember when he had a workshop right inside The Factory. After moving to Tennessee in 2019 to be closer to his grandchildren, he set up his studio there and quietly continued carving each figure, one by one. We admired his dedication from afar and always knew something incredible was in the works.

Now, that vision is coming to life. The Carousel of Dreams will feature 32 hand-carved animals and two beautifully detailed chariots, each with its own sponsor and story. Walton’s Jewelry is thrilled to sponsor one of the carousel’s horses, a stunning white figure named Wind Walker.

Three generations of the Walton family with Wind Walker, the hand-carved horse we proudly sponsored for the Carousel of Dreams at The Factory.

We felt an immediate connection to the project. At Walton’s, we spend our days restoring antique jewelry and honoring time-honored techniques. So much of what we do is about preserving beauty and craftsmanship from the past. Supporting a project that celebrates the art of hand carving in such a thoughtful way felt like the perfect fit.

Carousels like this are rare. There are only a handful of historic, hand-carved carousels still operating in the United States. Ken’s work is a continuation of that tradition—an effort to keep a disappearing art form alive for future generations. It’s the kind of passion project we admire deeply.

But the carousel isn’t just about artistry. It’s also about giving back. Operated by The Circle of Giving, a local nonprofit, all proceeds from the carousel will support charities in Williamson County. This year’s beneficiaries include Franktown Open Hearts, Friends of Franklin Parks’, Ellie G’s Dreamworld, Hard Bargain Association, and The N.O.O.K. Each ride on the carousel helps support these incredible organizations and the work they’re doing in our community.

We’re honored to play a small part in this larger story—one that blends community, craft, and a whole lot of heart. We hope you’ll come out and meet Wind Walker for yourself. She’s a reminder of what’s possible when someone pours their soul into their work.

And around here, we believe that’s always worth celebrating.

The Walton's Jewelry Family