Hi Everyone!
Whether you’ve shopped with me at a market, followed along on Instagram, or you’ve just discovered Charcol Accessories during a late-night scroll… I thought it was about time I properly introduced myself.
Because when you’re shopping small, you need to know the person behind the parcel.
I’m 28 — And I’ve Always Been The Girl That…
Had her head buried in the dressing-up box!
The one layering every necklace she owned and forcing her family to watch her catwalk.
The one clip-clopping round in plastic high heels.
The one going shopping every Saturday as soon as I turned 13.
I’ve been pretty fashion obsessed for as long as I can remember, though this outfit was maybe not my best haha.
As a teenager, I’d spend hours making styling mood boards on Pinterest (before I even realised that trend forecasting was an actual job). And I started to love how jewellery could completely change how you felt in something.
Creativity + Business (Balancing Both)
At sixth form I studied Art Textiles and Business Studies at A-Level, and I loved the balance of creativity, maths (basic lol) and entrepreneurial spirit.
That’s what led me to study Fashion Buying at the University of Manchester. It felt like the perfect mix - creativity, strategy, trends, numbers and instinct.
After graduating, I went into Buying professionally. I forecasted trends and developed products from initial concept and sampling, all the way through to seeing them in store.
I loved it, but there was always a small voice in my head that wanted something of my own. Something where every decision and every detail was mine!
Why I Started Charcol Accessories
So I started Charcol on the side.
It began as a creative outlet. A way to make the pieces I was constantly imagining and a way to have full creative control.
And somewhere along the way, it became so much more than that.
Making jewellery is genuinely therapeutic for me. There’s something about working with your hands - focusing on something small and detailed - that quietens mental noise a bit. It’s actually scientifically proven that keeping your hands busy can help soothe anxiety and regulate your nervous system, and I definitely find that this has helped me!
For me, it’s my calm, and as a naturally introverted person, it’s the perfect excuse for some re-charge time.
What You’re Really Buying
When you order from Charcol, it’s not coming from a warehouse, it’s coming directly from my home to yours.
I’ll be making and packing your order, probably while re-watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for the 100th time.
You’re buying from someone who has studied fashion, works full time in product development, and genuinely obsesses over quality and detail - but who also still gets excited every time a new order comes through.
And if you’ve ever chatted to me at a market, you’ll know how much I love talking about the pieces and helping you choose something that feels right for you.
Online, we don’t get that same face-to-face moment. So this is my way of recreating it.
From Me To You
I know buying online can feel impersonal sometimes and it can be hard to trust who you’re purchasing from so here’s what I want you to know...
- Every order is packed with care, by myself
- If I wouldn't wear it myself, I won't sell it
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If something isn’t right, just let me know. I’ll do everything I can to fix it (including free postage for jewellery returns if a piece needs fixing)
Charcol isn’t fast fashion – it’s a higher quality than highstreet pieces, but maintains the highstreet retail price.
It’s me - now 28 years old, still fashion obsessed, still building mood boards in my head, and still believing the right accessories can completely change how you feel about yourself!
So that's me! Hope this gave you a bit more insight into my background and why I do what I do.
Love, Charlotte x