Emeldo

Handmade necklaces by Emily Dornbusch aka Emeldo.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

I first noticed Emeldo at the launch of super cute Hawthorn store The Woodsfolk earlier this year, and was excited to learn that these sweet handcrafted necklaces are created here in Melbourne by local maker Emily Dornbusch (who just turned 23!). Emily studied Visual Merchandising and Store Design at RMIT, graduating at the end of 2011.  She started making her necklaces in January last year, using cotton rope, brightly coloured polyester cords, strings and other found materials. Though she's currently freelancing in visual merchandising for Myer, Emily says at the moment Emeldo takes up most of her time!  'I made one style for myself, and instantly saw a market for them after friends and family requested more' she says of her creations. 'Now I have a bunch of stockists in Australia and New Zealand. It's been hard to really keep up with demand as I had NO idea of the interest Emeldo would receive.  It was all a bit of a fluke and I'm learning along the way.  I do love it, all I need now is a cute little studio space as I'm still working from my parents' house!' You can buy Emeldo jewellery at The Woodsfolk in Hawthorn, and also from Emily's online shop!  Necklaces start at $39.95.

Handmade necklaces by Emily Dornbusch aka Emeldo.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.