My friend Georgie has set up a fantastic handmade jewellery business called Dinkydeaks. If you’re looking to effortlessly spruce up any everyday outfit, I can’t recommend enough picking up some of the beautiful mix-and-match earrings and charms from her Etsy shop.
What is your business and what makes it unique?
I have set up a handmade jewellery business which specialises in affordable fun pieces most of which can be interchangeable to hang off huggies or charms. I have also evolved into making larger statement pieces using feathers and tassels and coordinating bracelets and necklaces. I would like to expand my products as the mood takes me – when I spot something that inspires me – I don’t seem to be able to resist combining colours and making original pieces that I would like to wear.
How did it all begin?
On hitting the big 40, I took the plunge and headed to London with friends to get the — seemingly obligatory — additional piercings in the ear. Being on the fence, I ended up getting two additional ones in my left ear much to my friends’ surprise. From there I spent some time seeking the perfect look to dress my ears. I wanted to track dainty elegant drops up the ear lobe but couldn’t find any anywhere… so I began to tinker.
What inspired you?
So much has inspired me! I teach part-time in learning support which I adore and have two busy boys to run around after. I have found that tucking myself away listening to ultra-chilled tunes while tinkering away, gave me some headspace and it allowed me to explore my interest in colour, style and femininity in an otherwise male-dominant household, bar Tiggy the dog!
1. Handmade power pop tassel and bead earrings, £20
2. Handmade tassel and bead earrings, £18
What is the meaning behind the business name?
Ha, Dinkydeaks was my nickname from when I was at school: a combination of my maiden name and the fact that I was vertically challenged for the whole of my education! I took it as an endearment but perhaps it wasn’t…?
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Who is your ideal customer?
My ideal customer would be someone who likes to mix and match their look: someone who enjoys popping a bit of colour, either an elegant dainty drop or smashing it with a fistful of a statement with my beaded tassels. My products are affordable and so my clients are gently encouraged to start with a set of huggies and hoops then they can pick and mix a selection of charms and drops to compliment any number of piercings.
1. Sterling silver huggies sold individually for hanging my charms off, from £6
2. Handmade tassel and bead earrings, £20
What are your hero products?
My hero products are the charms that hang off huggies and hoops. These are great and can be interchangeable to match any outfit or occasion. I can custom make these charms to be put on hoops or posts. My favourite is to wear a huggie and charm in the first piercing, followed by two drops on posts up the ear in the second two piercings; this makes them track up the ear which I just love!
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What is your top parenting tip?
Pick your battles and stick by your guns. Also, try and allow them to follow their own paths even if it’s not yours — I’m working on this one.
Handmade earrings with optional complementing drop for additional piercing, £6
Georgie’s favourites
Shop: My high-street favourites are Zara and H&M but I would say my best kind of shop would be the ones that aren’t ‘out there’. I love to find an item that no one else has got their hands on yet. I was recently in London in the bucketing-down rain, walking through Covent Garden and came across an epic vintage, second-hand shop, Pop Boutique, where I found the most beautiful Indian dress. We were a match made in heaven!
Website: A tricky one but I would say Etsy is a good contender as not only have I managed to navigate it to use as a platform to sell my jewellery but it’s also full of unique creations that have been made with love by small sellers like me. I so often find an original gift for friends that fits the bill perfectly.
Holiday destination: My all-time favourite would be the south-west of Portugal, waking up and pondering on which piece of perfect beach to lie on between Zavial and Ingrina. My dream holiday destination, however, would be Mauritius. My friends laugh as I cherry-pick beautiful items for my capsule wardrobe – not to be worn until that obviously inevitable dream trip.
Restaurant: Anything Asian in particular Pho. Oh, I’m missing that from living in London!
Hotel: Anywhere with wall-to-wall sunshine, heat and access to a picture-perfect swimming pool. Actually I’d take a pool with slight imperfections at this rate as we had to cancel our plans this year, like most of the world. I’d go back here to this AirBnB in Ouarzazate, Morocco, any day though.
Handmade earrings with optional complementing drop for additional piercing, from £6
Visit Dinkydeaks on Etsy.com
Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the best parent, baby and business recommendations.
2 Comments
I love them – all the different colours that can be coordinated with the particular colour outfit is my favourite part of the charms and drops – which is why I have about 12 and looking to add more as it’s addictive ! Well done Dinkydeaks – no one does these !
You are def a VIP jo!!! xx