The Year Of The Diamond Spuds

Now, that’s a brekkie…

n the age of social media, all it takes is one small spark for the world to suddenly catch on to something wonderful.

One such spark was near-celebrity Maia Dunphy stepping out at the recent VIP Style Awards wearing some Tayto earrings, crafty Greystones jeweller Eleanor Jordan O’Farrell suddenly finding herself a household name.

Eleanor O’Farrell

Well, at least in the houses where people really love quirky, handcrafted earrings.

It means that spare room is suddenly hopping, as orders for RainbowRegalia came pouring in.

But, hey, where did all this groovy madness start? Over to Eleanor…

It all started because I couldn’t bear to see beautiful, broken things thrown away. RainbowRegalia was born out of a slightly obsessive love for upcycling vintage treasure and a desire to create sustainable jewellery that actually has a bit of soul.

Operating out of my studio right here in Greystones, I take everything from forgotten vintage fragments to bits of classic Irish cultural nostalgia and give them a completely new lease on life. Using plant-based resin and a lot of patience, I meticulously hand craft colourful, statement pieces that are meant to be worn, loved, and talked about.

My collections are a bit of a love letter to the quirks of growing up in Ireland — think pieces inspired by everything from old lucky Punts to the absolute sanctity of a crisp sandwich. Every single item is designed and made by my own two hands, using ethical packaging and a Slow Craft ethos.

It’s hard work, and my ‘studio’ (spare room) is permanently covered in beads and resin, but there is an incredible joy in turning something that was destined for the bin into a piece of wearable art.

At the end of the day, RainbowRegalia is about celebrating individuality with a wink and a nod. I love that Greystones has such a vibrant, supportive community of people who appreciate the time it takes to make things by hand. Whether you’re looking for a bold splash of colour to brighten up a grey Wicklow morning or a nostalgic piece that triggers a core memory, each design is completely unique.

It’s jewellery with a past, made for the present, and designed to make people smile—or at least spark a proper conversation over a cup of tea.

Boom! You can find out more about RainbowRegalia right here, follow on Instagram here, Facebook here, Threads here or TikTok here, get in touch on email here, and follow Eleanor’s blog here.