Shop.Eat.Know.Find.Enjoy Local.
Gold Coast made
Kee Kee Collection
With the aim of designing and creating stylish jewellery able to withstand being tugged at by little hands, Kat Donaldson set about rolling her own durable yet beautiful polymer clay necklaces and earrings. Her range has since expanded into silicone necklaces and accessories.
With her hands full with 3 young children, Kee Kee Collection simply began as her nightly 'me' time and now has grown into a blossoming business....
About KeeKee Collection
Tell us a little bit about yourself, who is behind KeeKee Collection?
Hi, I’m Kat originally from the UK and now living on the Gold Coast with
my husband (who’s an Aussie) and 3 kids.
How did KeeKee Collection come about?
Well, having 3 kids under 3 I was finding it hard to find anytime to myself
so in the evenings I started designing and making polymer clay jewellery
as a hobby and then silicone jewellery and it has just grown from there really.
What is your inspiration behind KeeKee Collection?
I really wanted to design and create jewellery that is durable yet still stylish.
I wanted pieces that mums could wear without fear of them being tugged
at by little hands and broken.
Tell us about your product range?
Our products range from polymer clay necklaces and earrings to our silicone
necklaces and accessories which are especially perfect for Mums. We have a kids range in both the polymer clay and silicone jewellery. We also stock organic eco beech wood teething toys which are great for little ones.
What does the creative process invlove to make and designing your jewellery?
With the polymer clay jewellery, each bead is individually rolled, baked in the oven and then designed into our necklaces and earrings.
Our silicone jewellery range is carefully designed and made into the perfect combinations.
If you could see your necklace on any celebrity, who would it be?
Ooh... I would have to say Kate Middleton.
You attend some of the markets across the Coast, what do you love about selling at the markets?
I love attending the local markets as everyone there is a small local business. Its great to see such amazing talent all in the one place and to chat to other business owners about their experiences and to meet with our customers face to face.
You work from home, how do you maintain your focus when your working? (especially with three young children)
Yes thats a tough one haha... I can’t really get anything done when the kiddies are up so I do all my work when they have their lunchtime sleep and in the evenings when they’re all in bed and I don’t get disturbed. There have been a lot of late nights/early mornings...
A typical day for you involves?
I normally get woken up by the twins at 5am (way too early!), then get everyone breakfast and head out to the park or somewhere for the morning where I try to check and catch up on emails, social media, messages etc. Back home for lunch, put the kids to bed and then work on my jewellery while they are asleep. Get the kids up and go swimming or for a walk. Cook dinner, bath and put the kids down and then settle in to designing and making jewellery for the evening.
What is the best part about working on KeeKee Collection?
The best part is being able to design and make everything myself aswell as being able to fit it in with my family.
....and the hardest?
Would have to be finding the time (and energy sometimes) to fit it all in with the kids.
What are your dreams for KeeKee Collection? Where would you like to see KeeKee Collection in 12 months/ 5 years?
In 12 months I would like to see my products in a wide range of stores, be getting a lot of regular orders and have a very strong customer base.
In 5 years time I would love for this to be a full time job for me and to hopefully have my own store and for my business to be recognised both within and outside of Australia.
What advice do you have for others who are dreaming about starting their own small business?
Go for it! Just make sure you do the research first and know what is involved in the process and be prepared to put alot of time and effort in to get started. You learn so much along the way and its so worth it!
Most importantly, how can people get their hands on your products?
We are at the Gold Coast Design Collective market in Currumbin which is on every
3rd Saturday of the month and also various other markets around the Gold Coast.
You can order from our website and message us with any questions or enquiries on
facebook, instagram and by email.
How can people connect with you?
Website: www.keekeecollection.bigcartel.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/keekeecollection
Instagram: keekeecollection
Email: keekeecollection@outlook.com
About you
What is your work/life background?
Back in the UK I worked as a real estate agent within my Mums business. I then moved to Whistler in Canada (where i met my husband) for a couple of years where I was working in restaurants and in retail. I moved to Australia about 10 years ago now and did a Beauty Therapy Diploma and was then working as a Beauty Therapist in salons for about 5 years here on the Gold Coast.
My husband and I then decided to travel around Europe in a camper van for 6 months before we started our family which was an amazing experience.
How do you incorporate jewellery into your everyday life?
I love wearing jewellery but stopped when I had the kids as I found everything I wore would get broken as they were always pulling at my necklaces. But now having the silicone and clay jewellery I can wear necklaces again as they are so durable and the silicone range can also be washed which is great.
When your working what music do you love listening to?
I normally just listen to a mix on the pandora app.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I actually never really knew until now. I just always remember wanting to travel.
I love what I do now and have a real passion for it.
Who do you look up to? Who inspires you?
I definatly look up to my parents. They both worked so hard to give my brother
and I the best opportunities growing up and they inspire me to do the same with
my family.
When your not working on KeeKee Collection, where would we find you?
Normally at the park (I think I spend half my life there), at the beach or having a
coffee somewhere.
Where is your favourite place to visit on the Gold Coast?
I love Tallebudgera Creek - it is perfect there and thats where we spend most of our weekends in the Summer.
Favourite place to eat on the Gold Coast?
Would have to be Gemelli in Broadbeach. I love Italian and the food and service there is amazing.
Favourite coffee/juice shop?
We go to Borough in Burleigh a lot for coffee and also BSKT cafe as it has a play area for the kids which is great.
What are your favourite Gold Coast made businesses?
Cocodaydream- they have amazing candles. Bobo&boo- gorgeous bamboo dinnerware for kids.
Favourite quote you live by?
‘Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back and realise they were the big things’.
