The brand has taken off since its launch 18 months ago, with some 26k followers of the creations on Instagram alone, writes Marijke Hall

There’s a little piece of seaside - and love for Margate - in every piece of Grace Gummer’s colourful earrings.

The graphic designer, the creative behind Margate Bound (@margatebound), makes sure of that.

Baking Margate sand into all her clay designs means wherever you are, if you’re wearing a pair, you’ll be connected to the beach.

The 29-year-old, who grew up in the town, says it’s a special part of her bold jewellery collection.

“Margate has been my home all my life, it's a beautiful place and I feel very lucky to live here,” she says. “I've always loved the seaside and feel a strong connection to Margate and wanted to share my love for my hometown in my jewellery.

“I bake Margate sand into my earrings so other people can have a little bit of the seaside wherever they may be. It has become a staple to my brand.”

And that brand has taken off massively since she launched 18 months ago, with some 26k followers of the creations on Instagram alone.

“This year has been a whirlwind for Margate Bound,” she says. “I got my first two stockists, one being Turner Contemporary in Margate which was always a big dream of mine, and a second one in Hong Kong which is incredible.”

It wasn’t something she’d initially imagined when she first started designing and making her own earrings after struggling to find bold and colourful accessories to match her eclectic wardrobe.

But after doing her first market and building up a small amount of stock, she set up an Instagram and etsy account to “give it a go”.

“I never expected this little business to grow as quickly as it has,” she admits. “I think with the combined fact that people were at home more and shopping online, gave my shop the boost it needed at the beginning.

“Since then, I've built a really lovely and loyal customer base that often come back every restock, so I'm super grateful for everyone who has supported me this past year and a half. “It's so great seeing new names on my order list and recognising previous ones, too.”

Grace, a self-confessed enthusiast for dinosaurs and cups of tea, designs and makes all the clay jewellery herself.

“All earrings go through several different processes before they are sold,” she explains. “I often draw out designs to begin with; it's a way I can play with different shapes and colour combos without wasting materials.

“Only after this do I start playing with and improving the design.”

Each is made from polymer clay, which is bakeable and can be mixed with colours and textures.

“You then bake your design in the oven,” she says. “After this the pieces need to be sanded. Each piece is then glossed and assembled into their final earrings.”

We’re not sure how she finds time between working her full time day job and running Margate Bound, but she’s already got plans for the future.

“Ideally I'd love to share my jewellery with other stockists around the UK, and spread some Margate joy a little further afield,” she says.

“I'm also working on adding some new products to my shop that will coincide nicely with my jewellery, as well as some Margate prints and of course new designs inspired by the seaside itself - think shells, waves and textures.

“So keep your eyes peeled!”