If you're a long-time customer, you know what I’m talking about but if you’re new around here, you might be wondering: What the heck are interchangeable studs?
They’re exactly what they sound like: stud earrings with removable charms that you can swap out to create different looks. The stud bases are hypoallergenic stainless steel, and the center is made from cork fabric scraps, making them eco and vegan-friendly and water-tolerant. So yes, you can shower, swim, sweat, and generally live your life in them without worrying about discoloration.
But the real story starts with me losing an earring.
About five years ago, I lost one of my favorite pairs of studs. They were little gold sunbursts, and I wore them constantly, well, whenever I wasn’t wearing a pair of dangly earrings I had made myself.
I couldn’t recall where I got them, and even if I could, they were several years old, so finding a replacement seemed unlikely.
But I did have a similar little sunburst charm that I used to make one of my dangle styles. And, conveniently, I had just ordered some new stud bases.
So I thought: Why not make my own?
I added a piece of cork fabric to the bezel of the stud for a little pop of color and glued the sunburst charm to the back of the stud base.
They looked great.
The glue, however, did not.
It was messy. It was stinky. And I had approximately zero confidence that my beautifully recreated earrings would stay together.
So I started playing around with the pieces, and then…
You know in cartoons when a lightbulb appears when someone has an idea? That basically happened.
What if I didn’t glue the charm on at all?
The sunburst already had a hole in it. What if I just slid it onto the post and let the earring backing hold it in place?
That meant I could take the charm off.
And swap it for another charm.
And wear the stud by itself.
One pair of studs. Multiple looks. No glue required.
I was obsessed.
I started making stud bases in different colors and collecting all sorts of charms to go with them. People loved the concept, too. Eventually, I created an entire Earring Bar for my markets where customers could mix and match their own colors and charms and create a pair that was completely their own.
And honestly? Watching people stand there debating their combinations is still one of my favorite parts of doing markets.
Over the years, I’ve added silver stud bases, new charm options, and even a smaller stud size for younger customers and anyone with smaller lobes.
I also started taking the Earring Bar on the road, doing pop-ups at shops and private parties where people can create their own custom pairs.
When I tell this story at markets, I always joke that this will probably be the best idea I ever have, so I better milk it for as long as possible.
Five years later, it is still going strong
Interchangeable studs are still one of my top-selling products and now, for the first time, you can customize your own pair online!
Choose your stud color. Choose your charms. Mix. Match. Change your mind. Make a pair that works with your wardrobe.
And the best part? Two sets of studs can create six different looks.
Head the Interchangeable Stud page to try out the new customization tool and make your own.
Prefer to play with all the pieces in person? Check out my market schedule, or if you’re interested in bringing the Earring Bar to your shop or event, fill out this form.
Five years ago, all of this started because I lost an earring.
Turns out, losing that earring was a pretty good thing.