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20 + WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, May 7, 2008 New local jewelry company helps people ‘sweeten up‘ their outfits Sugar Accessories "Anywhere I could do something or creâ€" ate something and it was my own was always really exciting for me," said the 27â€" yearâ€"old entrepreneur. So it was natural for her to eventually start her own jewelryâ€"making company, Sugar Accessories. Initially, however, her career went in a different direction. The longtime Waterloo resident worked as a hairstylist for seven years until a back injury made it impossible for her to continue in this line of work. "I still wanted to work with my creative side, so I just started to play around and came up with this jewelry," she said. "I just fell in love with it." She didn‘t want to jump into a new venâ€" ture too quickly though, so she continued to perfect her craft on the side while working at Manulife Financial. In October 2007, she "got brave enough to start her business" â€" named Sugar Accesâ€" sories because some of the pieces look like lollipops â€" which sells pendants and earâ€" rings, for now. The pieces are handcrafted out of a resinâ€" based product, decorated with beads, glitter and more. "I ’just get intrigued by making something new that‘s unique and different," she said. _ She started out by holding parties to sell the jewelry to friends and family, which led to more parties as word of her work _spread. But her goal was to become a wholesaler who sold to boutiques, in particular. Eventuâ€" ally, she began approaching retailers about selling her goods. "It took off," she said. "I haven‘t had a store say no yet, so I‘m pretty happy with that." Since leaving Manulife, her focus has been on her "passion." "I love it. I love fashion. I love creating something," she said. "I haven‘t had a store say no And her hard work seems to be paying yet, so I‘m pretty happy with that." By Jennirer Ormsron Chronicle Staff _ â€" Amanda Duggan Local jewelry maker Waterloo resident Amanda Duggan‘s handmade jewelry, including pendants and earrings, popular among people of all ages. BUSINESS Jenurer orMston pmoto _ araccessortes.coOm 1$ off. Especially since Canada‘s Next Top Model donned her jewelry on the show. _ Now, her pendén[s are sold around the province, in such cities as Toronto, Stratford and Collingwood. In Waterloo, Sugar Accessories can be purchased at Fab and Ar_\_die's. "It‘s funny because I‘ve sold it to skateâ€" board shops and to really, really classy bouâ€" tiques, and it‘s neat because I do have a selection that can go from one end to the other," Duggan said. Her inspiration comes from things she sees in her everyday travels. And she loves brightly coloured jewelry, which picks up an allâ€"black outfit. sell to sixâ€"yearâ€"olds." â€" ‘;My logo is ‘sweeten up your style,‘ so it‘s just something that‘s going to give that added little sweetness to your outfit," she "I hear (from clients) that it‘s a fun accesâ€" sory that you can put on and wear with anyâ€" thing." _ _ s _ She has lots of colourful pieces for the summer that are decorated with fun patâ€" tems and beaded flowers. â€" In addition to the seasonal pieces and regular lines Duggan creates, she also does custom work. o For instance, she can create pendants using a small piece of a bride‘s wedding gown or invitation. Mementos from a vacaâ€" tion can also be incorporated into a piece. _ "The specialty line is really exciting for me because it‘s a keepsake but it‘s pretty and you can wear it all the time." _ _ Pendants cost $30 each, or $50 for cusâ€" tomâ€"made pieces. Earrings are $25. _ Down the road, Dugg?m plans to expand her operations to include bracelets, "bling" for dogs and cufflinks. _ â€" So far, her business has taken off in a way she never expected. "It‘s been unreal. It really is," she said. "I wasn‘t expecting it to boom so fast." For more information on Sugar Accesâ€" sories, go to Duggan‘s website at www.sugâ€" "My logo is ‘sweeten up your style, so it‘s just something that‘s going to give that added little sweetness to your outfit." . "My grandma wears a piece, and I can â€" Amanda Duggan Owner of Sugar Accessories