Lust for Life: RKT Candy

Describe the girl behind the label in 5 words:
Bubbly, Kooky, Drama-queen, Sentimental and Creative

Pink-world hearts RKT Candy. Tell us all about it, what is it? What’s with the name? When did you start?
RTKcandy is all about getting creative and being you! It’s a totally cute rocking line of quirky, fun and original jewellery and accessories hand made by me Candy! A lot of customers tell me they buy from RTK because it’s a place to find unique goodies that they can wear and be totally original to everyone else and that’s what I aim for. I also create one of a kind pieces. It’s hard to find individuality in fashion so I think its nice to say you own something that no one else does. RTK stands for rip.tear.kiss, which I came up with when I first started ripping, and cutting up t-shirts of my own.
I started RTK about 19months ago and I never thought it would have developed as much as it has☺

When and how did you realise you were a creative girl able to make fabulous-o treats that people would buy?
As you’ll hear most designers say, I’ve always had a little creative side to me! I always liked to create something of my own and stand out a little bit even if it made me a bit ‘weird’. When I got to the age of about 15 I knew I wanted to do something arty as apposed to something more academic! I took photography for two years in college and I now study Graphic Design in University so RTK fits in quite well!

What was the first product you ever made?
Well I actually started off doing T-shirts, as I wanted to design clothing more than jewellery. The shirts were cut apart at the back and knotted back up. I’m hoping I can set up the t-shirt line again soon! My fist pieces of jewellery I did were bracelets put together with safety pins and ribbons and I sold them for £3 each.

Tell us about your product range, what you got to offer? What are your current favourite items? What inspires your too-cute designs?
I have a very wide product range appealing to lots of people because I make so much stuff I simply can’t decide what to sell or not so I stick it all up! The newest line I have is a range of acrylic cut necklaces that id designed myself and sent to a laser cutter. This includes the ‘oh so cute’ robot lover necklaces, cloudy days and rockin’ boom box necklaces. I also sell a lot of charm bracelets and necklaces made up of loads of super things I find in my box of wonders!

One of my most popular lines is my love locket necklaces with are clear heart lockets with totally awesome inserts such as Marvel comic book heroes or pop art style design. I’m inspired by absolutely everything! Fashion, Travelling, Vintage, even high street shops. Whatever my head thinks up next really, some work and some don’t. My favourite item at the moment has to be the Robot lover necklace and everything with charms!

What’s the secret to your success?
Perseverance has got to be a main one. You can’t guarantee how much you will sell a week or a month and sometimes you don’t sell as much as you would like and sometimes it seems like no one wants to hear anymore but like any business it has ups and downs and the ups are most definitely worth it! The best feeling ever is knowing somebody out there wants to wear something you’ve made and show all their friends it too! I also think being friendly to your customers is important! I always chat to my customers and thank them, without them I would be nothing.

Do you have to be all business-y too?
Ha-ha yeah a little bit. I try and know what my market is and base my prices on costs and work time. I have to stop my self from buying jewellery supplies all the time! I’m always on the look out for new stuff but if I keep buying I don’t make any profit so I try and limit myself. Its rewarding taking control of everything including all things business and creating your own company is a good way to learn the skills.

What’s a typical day in the life of you…
Well I’m a bit of a morning girl; I don’t like to lie in too late so I’m usually up at about 9am ish. I always check for post and the Internet to see if I have any new orders or customer questions. If I’m not in Uni or at my boyfriends in the day I usually give in to my weakness- shopping! I love shopping for clothing, jewellery and accessories and I have a huge ever-expanding wardrobe but what can I say I’m addicted! I also get all RTK orders sent out during the day at my local post office. At about 2-3 I usually get making any jewellery I’ve designed or catch up ..ting tags. In the evening you’ll find my glued in front of my laptop for most of the night promoting and selling all things RTK! This is when I get to talk to customers and post new photos and blogs.

Most nights I’m trying to sell RTK but I’m not a total workaholic. I also spend hours looking for places to travel too and making cakes with my boyfriend. I retire to my super comfy bed between 11pm and 1am.

How do you promote your products?
Mainly I promote using Myspace, I post a lot of bulletins! Sorry! I get the most replies from bulletins because a lot of people check out the bulletin boards especially in the evening. I also post all my items in blogs so people who have subscriptions can see everything right away. I depend a lot on word of mouth. My customers are fantastic and always tell their mates about me and post banners on their site. I’m hoping to design some new flyers, which I can give out when I go to V-festival this weekend!

What’s been the best experience since setting up?
Hmmm that’s a hard one! Theres been many. A cool experience was when my mum ran into my room with 2 envelopes addresses to RTKcandy which were my first two payments, that’s was awesome! Another was when one of my customers wearing Rtkcandy told me she bumped into another person wearing an RTKcandy necklace at a gig and they had a conversation about it. Oh and how can I forget, being interviewed for Pink World! I actually did a little dance.

As an official style-ista, what’s your ‘must-have’ accessory?
A style-ista! Wow thank you☺ ummm I absolutely love bags, they definitely make an outfit. If you add a cool bag to just a pair of jeans and a vest it totally transforms it. I think Paul’s Boutique bags are fab! Headbands and neckscarfs are also a good thing to add to an outfit, I mix and match a lot of the time. And of course your very own piece of RTK is a must have!

What would your RKT Candy soundtrack sound like?
Well I’m not a one-style kind of lady. I listen to almost everything. At the moment I have a soft spot for Paolo Nutini so I guess he would definitely be part of it. I love all feel good music like Morcheeba. Festival Music is the best.

Do you have a style bible – a magazine, book that you completely dig?
I’m a magazine junkie because I study Graphic Design I’m always looking at the ads in there and the fashion ones are brilliant. My favourite at the moment is Elle and Vogue. We have some really cool ones in Uni but they are quite expensive.

What makes you jump-in-the-air-happy?
Ohhhh! I love love love travelling. I always want to go somewhere new and try something different. I just got back from a 3-week trip around Europe where I did a bungee jump and the feeling afterwards was amazing. Also my fab boyfriend Ellis, eating lots of pizza and chilling out at music festivals.

What’s next in the world of you?
Well for me- I have two more years in Uni then hopefully I’m off to experience life in Australia! And for RTK- By the end of the year you can expect a brand new sparkly website for RTKcandy and hopefully in 3 years a little boutique shop down under - hehe we can but dream! Lots of travelling, lots of work and lots of fun!

What advice would you have for would-be design girls – any words of wisdom would be fabulous-o lovely lady!
Well if you’ve already thought about doing it your half way there. Don’t give up and keep at it. You’ll amaze yourself with what you can do! Try and do something different and you’ll be loved for it. Just get creative and have fun with it!

To get your hands on some fabulous-o RKT Candy prods click here, pronto: http://www.myspace.com/rtkcandy