Q&A with Olivia Chau of Limerick’s CupCake Pirate Jewellery
Where did the name Cupcake Pirate come from?
I actually came up with the name because of my tattoos that I got about four years ago. It’s a cupcake with a skull and pirate swords behind it.
Plus who doesn’t like cupcakes or pirates? Both are just as fun as each other and what a great idea – a pirate that steals cupcakes.
When did you start the range?
I’ve been making jewellry in one form or another since I was a teenager. I used to make stuff using hemp and beads. I was going through a huge hippie phase. I was in New Orleans last year and one of my friends was making pendants with resin (a casting agent) and I just took my ideas from there. I only started the range last year around Christmas but I was only making presents for people. I couldn’t afford to buy presents so why not make them.
Do you make it all yourself?
I make everything myself by hand. Some stuff takes longer than others but all worth it in the end. Everything is one of a kind even if it looks similar to others, it never will be.
The pieces are very quirky, where does the inspiration for them come from?
I couldn’t tell you how I come up with the pieces I make. I guess it comes from just liking everything different in fashion. I love everything Japanese, and Hello Kitty is huge over there. Plus the fashion is unreal. I like one of a kind. I can get over if people have the same shoes or bag as me but I like to have some stuff that no-one else would have. I’ve always had quirky taste and all my friends do as well. So I bounce most of my ideas off them too.
Where do you sell it from?
I used to sell them on ebay or esty (a hippie version of ebay) but I found that my range wasn’t getting a lot of notice. My friend Maria sells a lot of clothes through facebook, and I thought I should start a page too. I find I can reach a wider market through facebook and people can contact me if they want custom pieces.
Can people see the range online?
It would just be facebook for now http://www.facebook.com/CupCakePirate I update it nearly everyday and keep people in the know of what I am doing. I find even though facebook can be a bit cold, I can be casual and friendly with people.
What’s the best way to contact you about it?
The best way to contact me is either through facebook or through my gmail which is [email protected] or even on the page itself.
[Olivia wears a dress by Mia Designs]
