Friday Freebie with Swagger Accessories

Cape Town is unbelievably unique and I’m loving it here, but I’ll admit there are a few things I miss about Pretoria. I miss ordering a double brandy and coke without getting a strange look, I miss wearing 'plakkies' (flip-flops) in winter and I miss Swagger Accessories. 

Swagger Accessories is a quirky brand specialising in Perspex and wooden accessories.  Tharien Lotz, the creator, is a Pretoria born girl whose love for brooches brought about the idea to design her own accessories.  Inspiration, an artistic eye and great friends helped Tharien produce some gorgeous creations which now include earrings, pendants, rings, brooches and even home ware.

Tharien was nice enough to sit down with me for an interview and even give one lucky reader some great Swagger Accessories!  Read the interview with Tharien after the jump and don’t forget to enter the awesome giveaway!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I studied Interior Design at Design School South Africa and got my degree in 2008.  I started working at an architectual firm in Pretoria the following year and started Swagger Accessories in January 2010.  I have a passion for creating unique and quirky things and just love one-of-a-kind items.

How did Swagger start?

I’ve loved brooches since I can remember and wanted to create unique ones for myself out of Perspex and wood.  My friends fell in love with my designs and became my marketing tool.  Once people started to become aware of the brand orders started pouring in.  I set up a website, found a few stores where I sell Swagger Accessories and now I have a small, established side-business.

I love the name, where’d it come from?

I just loved the meaning of the word swagger, which is: “to walk with a lofty proud step, often in an attempt to impress others.”  It perfectly described the brand and stuck with me ever since.

What inspires you and your designs?

The urge to create unique and fresh products is my main inspiration.  I also get my inspiration for my designs from silhouettes, cameo brooches (giving them a modern twist), my friends and everything around me.   One of my proudest moments is the idea that people I don’t know love my designs, that always inspires me to keep on designing.

Click image to enlarge.

What do you do when you’re not making beautiful accessories?

I work full-time at an architectual firm in Pretoria as an interior designer.  When I'm not in the office, I work on Swagger products – new ideas, new designs and lots of dreaming.  I also love photography, especially lomography, baking and making my flat homier.

Swagger Accessories is Pretoria based but happily posts orders anywhere in South Africa.  Their product range includes:

Accessories: Brooches | Earrings | Rings | Pendants | Necklaces

Home ware: Placemats | Serviette Holders | Coasters | Fridge Magnets | Pot Placers | Key Rings

Weddings: Thank You Gifts | Brooches

Animals: Dog Tags


Swagger Accessories make great gifts for people you adore and work even better as a gift for yourself.  I'll admit to owning quite a few Swagger earrings and brooches.  Tharien also does custom designs, so feel free to share your thoughts with her. 

Click image to enlarge.

Want to win this gorgeous perspex origami swan brooch and set of bunny earrings from Swagger Accessories? It’s too easy! All you have to do is visit Swagger’s new facebook page, like it and leave a comment.  For an extra entry, tweet about the giveaway with the link and include the hash tags #SugarSolidTush and #Swagger. Tweet  

The giveaway closes on Sunday the 12^th of June and the winner will be notified by Monday the 13^th.  The giveaway is only open to entrants residing in South Africa.

For orders and contact details, visit Swagger Accessories' website here.