When it comes to connecting you with our brands, there's nothing better than getting to show you the faces behind the pieces we stock in store. Welcome, Studio Adorn! Our newest jewellery brand to join the family is proudly based in the UK, and all made by hand. Bonnie Doonan, the founder, maker and all round wonder woman behind the brand, draws inspiration from her two passions - pieces of jewellery seen from her travels around the world and interior architecture. The results speak for themselves. Sculptural, yet minimal (read: wearable yet special!) and all the styles we stock in store are made by Bonnie and her fellow maker, Morgan, using eco sterling silver, brass or recycled gold. And appealing to all tastes this is our kind of jewellery brand.
After racking up some deserved design awards and being stocked globally at some incredible locations including the Barbican and Kettles Yard Gallery, Studio Adorn made the move into their own studio in the heart of Norwich last year along with a collective of other female creatives - we're all about that. We caught up with Bonnie to chat about her design process, and how she got started from her kitchen table.
How and why did you get started with Studio Adorn?
I started Studio Adorn when I was pregnant with my daughter, 3 and a half years ago. I wanted to combine my love of making with the flexibility of working around our family. I'd previously been studying Interior Architecture but knew this wasn't the career path for me - although I still loved the subject and found modern architecture incredibly inspiring. I'd always had a love for silver jewellery so wanted to combine the two to create contemporary pieces of jewellery with an architectural aesthetic. 
What does a normal working day look like for you?
Everyday is different! Running your own business means you have to wear a lot of hats; be it social media management, customer service, and of course jewellery maker amongst many others. I generally prioritise the most important tasks and go from there although I'm now lucky enough to have the wonderful Morgan working with me in the studio helping me get orders made but it still often feels like there's not enough hours in the day! It's a constant juggle running a business with two small children!
"I love the relationship I've built with customers and stockists, its really important to me to maintain this as the business grows."
What sets you apart from other brands?
I'd like to think it's being transparent and personable whilst also creating interesting pieces of jewellery that are a little different to what else is out there. I love the relationship I've built with customers and stockists, its really important to me to maintain this as the business grows. Ive toyed with the idea of handing over my social media as its such a big task to manage but it's the one thing that connects me directly with my customers and I never want to lose that.
If you had to choose, which are your favourite pieces right now?
My everyday go to earrings are the Mini Organic Shapes Studs in silver, I wear them all the time as they go with everything! The perfect combination of simple yet statement and I just love the matte finish. Im also a huge fan of combing silver with gold at the moment, be it gold studs next to silver or gold and silver stacking rings.
"I'm a huge supporter of small business so try and use them as much as possible when it comes to my printing, photography and general running of a business needs."
Biggest struggle as a sustainable, ethical, vegan business?
I haven't really come across many difficulties, having been a vegetarian my whole life and always being conscious of the environment has naturally guided my choices. I'm a huge supporter of small business so try and use them as much as possible when it comes to my printing/photography and general running of a business needs. And the best thing about working with silver and gold is that there's no wastage! Everything can be melted down and reused so it's a win-win.
What in your view is an ideal future for the world's shopping habits?
For everybody to be shopping indie or pre loved of course! Theres no better feeling than purchasing a lovingly made item direct from the maker or a beautifully curated independent store. I feel we are spoilt for choice with the wonderful ethical brands now, it's easier than ever to make sustainable choices.
What does the future hold for your brand?
We have big plans as a brand but also with my creative studio where I work from. As a brand we are getting busier each month and gaining new stockists which is wonderful, and as a studio we are looking for new premises to allow us more space to build a creative hub for local designers and makers to come and work from.
Can you share one takeaway from running an ethical brand?
The like-minded people it's connected me with is by far the best part!
The new arrivals from Studio Adorn are already our reach for daily pieces. Check out our pick of Bonnie's hand crafted, recycled and all round happy fashion creations here - and don't forget free UK shipping on all orders! Here if you need us, as always.
