If there’s someone who knows how to make a statement but also make it fun, it’s Kristy Dickinson. Her brand Haus of Dizzy has all sorts of handmade jewellery, from painted artworks to social justice statements.
Art therapy
Making jewellery was originally just a fun creative outlet for Dickinson, a proud Wiradjuri woman. It was her own art therapy, but it quickly drew the attention of others. “I also made pieces to match my outfits when I went out to the club, and people started noticing my jewellery,” says Dickinson. “They loved it! So, I began selling at markets, and it just took off from there.”
Soon she was selling at markets, making everything out of her living room. One day, when she was in between jobs, she decided to take the plunge, and Haus of Dizzy was born. “I felt like there was a gap in the market for First Nations-designed jewellery,” says Dickinson. “There weren’t many options that truly represented our culture, and I wanted to change that.”
The stories behind the designs
Each Haus of Dizzy piece is now designed, laser-cut, hand-painted and assembled in the company’s studio in Fitzroy, Melbourne/Naarm. With a firm base in its Indigenous Pride collection, you can get Aboriginal flag earrings, statement pieces that say “always was always will be Aboriginal land”, and hand painted hoop earrings. They even let you know which pieces are safe for allies to wear, and which are for the ‘Mob’ only.
But the brand’s statements go beyond just First Nations celebrations and slogans – Dickinson is using her platform to stand in solidarity for what she believes in. “It’s about making a statement and encouraging others to express their values through the accessories they wear,” she says.
I have a platform, and I believe it’s important to use it to raise awareness about social and political issues that matter. These are conversations that don’t always get enough attention, and I want to help bring them to the forefront.”
Kristy Dickinson → Owner
Staying on top of multiple locations
Along with their physical store and being stocked in venues across Australia, Haus of Dizzy continue to do markets and pop-ups, now with a team supporting Dickinson. For 2024’s NAIDOC Week they had pop-ups at the Lush Melbourne Central flagship store, Melbourne Museum, and the Koorie Heritage Trust NAIDOC Market at Federation Square.
The team uses different Square hardware at different locations to keep on top of it all. For their week-long pop-up at Lush (as well as at their home base), Square Register makes it transparent for customers with its dedicated customer display. “Our customers love it! Especially the paperless receipt option,” says Dickinson. “Sometimes they’re pleasantly surprised when their details pop up for receipts, thinking we might be mind readers!”
At some of the markets, the team uses the portable Square Terminal, giving them their point of sale software directly integrated into their payments hardware. “The different Readers and Terminals, plus the ability to use it directly from my phone, make it super convenient and easy to use,” says Dickinson. And when they’re in a pinch, Tap to Pay on iPhone lets them take payments with just their phone.
We rely heavily on the reporting features. They give us valuable insights into our sales performance, popular products, and help us stay on track with our KPI’s. It’s super helpful for making informed business decisions and planning for the future.”
Kristy Dickinson → Owner
Leading with values
Not only do they sell handmade jewellery, but the team also host jewellery making workshops (‘Sip & Bling’). But Dickinson is still focussed on bringing social, political, and environmental issues she cares about to the forefront of her work.
My brand is an extension of who I am and what I stand for. I’ve always stayed true to my values and beliefs, and I want my brand to reflect that. Haus of Dizzy is exactly what I want it to be: a bright, colourful representation of my vision, carrying messages that are important to me in a bold and vibrant way.”
Kristy Dickinson → Owner
