Chic and exquisitely made, some of the earrings glitter and sparkle, while the vibrant colours of the others scream for attention. The floral and geometric patterns in particular, are instantly eye-catching.
FMT Lifestyle recently met up with Irene Ng and Jane Liew, both 49, and the co-founders of “Ring A Rumor”.
“It complements your dressing, and you don’t have to put on many accessories. You don’t need a choker or a bangle if you don’t want to,” Ng said.
Liew meanwhile described their earrings as “conversation pieces”. “When our customers wear it out, it sparks a conversation.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Ng, who said she has received compliments from total strangers when wearing some of the pieces.
Both Liew and Ng design the earrings, and each brings their unique style to their creations: Liew’s designs are more funky and edgy while Ng leans towards the more classic and feminine.
According to Ng, the earrings take 40 minutes to one hour to complete. The duo make the earrings using materials sourced locally and from overseas.
The length of the earrings can seem a tad long for some women, but the duo goes to great lengths (pun intended) to make sure their creations are comfortable to wear.
For example, Liew shared that they use lightweight material so the earrings don’t tug at one’s earlobes. In fact, they said some customers who were not used to wearing longer earrings become instant fans after wearing theirs.
Additionally, they advise customers on how to care for the earrings. These include wiping each piece with a piece of soft tissue after each use and storing it in a bag. This keeps the earrings from becoming tarnished due to exposure to air.
The duo, who are close friends and former partners of an advertising agency, started the business at the end of 2020. Ng, who has been making earrings since her college days, was wearing one of her creations when it caught Liew’s attention.
“I said: ‘Why don’t we test the market?’ That was how it started,” recalled Liew.
They told their friends about their new venture and before they knew it, the orders started streaming in, primarily through word of mouth. Today, they have customers from the US as well.
The name of their business, “Ring A Rumor” is admittedly as catchy as their earrings!
The daring duo said they hoped to inspire women and shared that each pair of earrings also comes with a card bearing an uplifting quote: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
That is why they appreciate the support of Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans (PPA) for helping them widen their customer reach. The NGO assists local artisans to boost their distribution channels by marketing their products via PPA’s online platform, pop-up events and retail stores in the Klang Valley.
And as for the future, the duo is planning a collection made from recycled materials.
“When we first started this, both of us agreed that this must be a happy business. We have to be happy, and we want to make others happy,” said Liew, adding that they also hope to make women feel more confident about themselves and beautiful.
Follow ‘Ring A Rumor’ on Facebook or Instagram. To purchase the earrings, contact 012-283 3188 (Jane Liew) or 019-232 9292 (Irene Ng) or email [email protected].
Read more PPA stories and get to know its artisans here.