Gingers

Gingers are an online boutique that sell cheap handmade jewellery and best of all they are based in my hometown Newcastle. They're jewellery is simple and understated, yet completely fashionable. All the stuff they sell is in limited numbers giving it that exclusive feel, you know that if you're wearing a Gingers item you won't see someone else in exactly the same thing.


I had the pleasure of doing an interview with the beauty and brains behind Gingers...


First of all, the obvious question: tell me about Gingers, when did it start, the idea behind it?
Well...I wanted to get my friend some jewellery for her birthday but I couldn't for the life of me find anything in the shops that I instantly loved and that I knew she would love. So I decided to go trawling the internet for online boutiques and small craft shops to see if I could find anything better, I found some amazing things but decided that I'd have a bash of making my own. So I bought some bits and pieces of my own taste, and made a few items which I fell in love with myself. And then I thought that I'd see if I could sell them online, because I'd had a lot of people I know buy them for themselves and/or for girlfriends.

And then Gingers just happened!

Also, I'm very intrigued to know why your called Gingers? 
I am totally and utterly ginger, and the friend who i created my first pieces for is also a ginge. I seem to just collect ginger people.

Your jewellery is handmade, does that make the process more personal? 
I think it does, I mean I know how well the jewellery has been made and exactly how it holds up against daily wear. When I make new products I, as well as my lovely ladies, test out all products to see if they are life proof - theres nothing worse than getting a lush piece of jewellery, and then it falling apart on a night out!!
I like that when people buy my jewellery, it's because they like it and want to wear it or give it to someone special, it's a nice compliment.

Your jewellery is in limited numbers, which makes items feel exclusive, yet they're cheap, is that what you aim to do? do you feel this sets you apart from other competitors? 
There are a lot of little boutiques and creatives that do this as well, I love it! I definitely think that that makes my jewellery different from some high street brands. I don't see the point in charging ridiculous prices for costume and "junk" jewellery because its not accessible to everyone. I wanted to be able to sell things completely to my own taste at prices that I wouldn't at all mind paying myself. I am a total accessories fiend and sometimes my habit can get expensive, and as I know there are a lot of ladies like me out there, I just seemed sense to offer limited pieces at pretty good prices.

Could you tell me a bit about the process of your jewellery, from the idea to the design to finishing touches of the product?
At the minute I'm going through a floral phase, as you can probably tell by the site and its products. For my ideas, I have a HUGE sketchpad (on my overflowing desk) and whenever I have a thought or a spark, I either draw it or write it down, I am a crazy doodler and I work best in organised chaos. When I've worked out the idea - it takes me ages to find just the "right" parts for it to fit together how I imagine.
For finishing touches, I make sure everything is clean, neat and sturdy. I make sure that the items are completely perfect, then I pack them up with all sorts or pretty things so that even the packaging is lovely.

What would you say defines your site?
I think that my site is more kitsch than anything else, most of the jewellery is cute and lovely - in my own opinion! A lot of the things that we sell could potentially be found in any high street shop because they are the sort of pieces that go with anything.

Could you pick 3 of your items and tell me a bit about them? 
I actually love all of the jewellery and have cheekily stolen a few bits for myself!! Obviously everyone is different but at the minute my Top 3 would have to be:


Lilac Blossom Floral Earrings - I love the colour mainly, its so summery!! They are a lovely dainty shape, and they're just the right size.

The Ginger Bread Man Ring is also a favourite - I've been wearing it constantly for the last 2 weeks. I love it because its just the right size and because of the colours on it you can wear it with almost everything. Its just the perfect day ring.

My third would have to be the Strawberry Smoothie Ice Creams - Who doesn't want ice creams in their ears? They just make me feel better!

And, finally, could you give us an insight of what products to expect in the future? We have loads of new products currently being planned, made and tested. A lot will be available at the end of May/early June. Watch this space because I can guarantee there will be something for everyone.

http://gingers.bigcartel.com/