New Year, New studio . . . . and lots of exciting NEW joyful jewellery plans
What’s NEW in 2022?
A rather delayed HAPPY NEW YEAR to YOU! It’s been a while so I thought i’d share some news and let you know what you can expect from dAKOTA rAE dUST in the coming months. I handed in the keys for my old workspace on the 5th Jan and spent a week+ over Christmas and New Year packing up and moving into the new studio. It’s not feeling quite like home just yet but i’m back to business and already making some colourful plans for 2022. Read on to hear more.
The NEW STUDIO . . . and a little bit about my old one
This latest re-location is actually my SECOND move in the last 9 months. Spurred on by a lonely lockdown working full time from one end of my living room, in May 2021 I moved my business out of the flat and into my first studio space. Working from home (WFH) served me very well while I was running my business along side other work and money was tight when i first went full time but started to feel VERY tough when all other social interactions were removed due to covid restrictions. When the world felt bleak the business was a welcome, colourful escape but trying to keep a healthy work / life balance when there was so little else to do was hard. When a group of small business buddies announced they were looking to rent somewhere it finally felt like the right time to give my business a space of it’s own. . . Which was VERY EXCITING.
The photo below shows the space I moved into at the beginning of last Summer. I took on an eighth of a giant room which was part of an old Victorian Library building and shared with three other creative, small business owners and friends. Gaining a place to go everyday, creative colleagues AND reclaiming a large section of my living room has been a treat. I’m not sure I could go back to my old ways and now thoroughly enjoy NOT WFH.
By Autumn with a January rent increase looming we all agreed to move out of the library. Lots of gumtree searches and a handful of viewings later Jodie (my lovely friend and the talented illustrator behind Sunshine for Breakfast) and I found our new well lit space at Pithay Studios in the centre of Bristol. I spent much of my Christmas “break” lugging boxes, scrubbing floors and painting walls but things are finally STARTING to feel slightly more sorted. (Shout out to John, our man with a van / moving day hero!)
The photos below show my new studio. WALLS are quite a novelty after my previous studio set up. The space in The Old Library was in a listed building so nothing was allowed to be attached to the walls and the room was so big that my allocated area only had a small section of wall at one end. I’m planning to add patterned fabric blinds to the lower third of that giant window, a rug for warmth and some COLOUR to that fresh white paint. Do you enjoy having a nosey round other people’s creative spaces? Follow me on instagram for studio updates, decorating progress . . . (and LOTS of jOY bringing jewellery obviously).
If you live in Bristol and opt to collect your Statement Jewellery order from BS1 this is where you will find me most week days.
It’s that time of year again . . . Are you ready for a JANUARY SALE?
I’ve filed my tax return and am now able to focus on the other activity this month has become synonymous with . . . running a SALE.
The process of designing, making and selling products inevitably creates some prototypes, experimental pieces, ex shop stock and slight seconds. These quieter months at the start of the year have established themselves as a time that many makers choose to clear out older stock and make way for new designs, and after experiencing that studio move I desperately need a clear out!
I am passionate about reducing the waste created by my small business so am currently obsessively collecting up all my experimental / spare shapes, prints and components, and turning them into jewellery. If you’re after a serious bargain or something completely unique this is an excellent opportunity. Sign up to my VIP mailing list to receive an email reminder and more details about this year’s Sale.
and finally . . .
Some plans for 2022 . . .
Good News . . . These best selling Statement earrings will be making a return.
Back in October I launched a collection of lilac and light blue JEWELLED Statement jewellery. The vinyl prints, jewels and surgical steel studs were new but every fabric used in this collection of laser cut jewellery was secondhand. A mix of vintage fabric and repurposed donated clothing all found in my local charity shops. The pastel colours proved very popular but my plans for a restock were solidified when I received these stunning photos from a wedding shoot by Peach Portman Photography which featured a pair of these Statement Jewel earrings. I want to share more about my design process and passion for using secondhand fabrics this year. I think relaunching this pair could provide a great opportunity to talk about why I choose to recycle/repurpose where possible.
Where I hope to be selling my Statement jewellery this Summer
The bright colours, silky fringe, glittery prints and attention grabbing nature of my adornments mean they are perfect festival accessories. Whether you want to team some tassels with a full sequin catsuit and cape or simply add a POP of colour to an every day outfit, I LOVE the idea that my colourful jewellery can help people dress up, have fun and express themselves. Is there ANYWHERE ON EARTH where this is encouraged more than in the festival fields? If all goes to plan I will be back trading at my absolute fancy dress favourite, Shambala Festival in August 2022.
I hope to see you there X
HAPPY NEW YEAR + LOTS of LOVe to you!
bec X