“We are really lucky because we get to spend so much time running the business together. That is probably the best part of our job. We have experienced so many amazing memories and experiences together on our journey as entrepreneurs. It is nice to have a company that reflects who we are and our relationship as sisters.”

Liss Dawson & Phoebe Dawson

Founders of Daisy Lily

Our Urban Explorer

Could you please introduce yourself to our guests?

Hello! We are Liss Dawson and Phoebe Dawson, the founders of Daisy Lily – a company we started during lockdown that specialises in jewelry making. In our studio space located in Wandsworth, we host our “Beading & Boozing” jewelry-making workshops where friends can connect and gather to craft handmade treasures over drinks and great music.

Did you both always have an interest in jewelry-making?

We were very creative growing up and I think that had a lot to do with our mum being a creative person. Whilst growing up, we were very interested in crafting, so we had a natural knack for experimenting with different materials, being creative, and using our hands. Hence, it is really comforting to return to it as an adult now with new ideas and be able to build a business out of our passion.

Where did you come up with the inspiration for Daisy Lily?

During that time, we noticed the beaded jewelry trend was making a comeback and we were instantly drawn by how fun and colourful it was. Being two girls with an affinity for fashion and jewelry but without the disposable income to purchase luxury high-end jewelry, we knew we wanted to create our own brand that was affordable and accessible for those wanting to express themselves through fashion but without the hefty price tag attached to it. Hence, this was really the driving force behind our inspiration for Daisy Lily.

If you could collaborate with any brand, who would it be?

We loved working with beauty brands like The INKEY List in the past because it was always really interesting to see what kind of jewelry they were going to make to pair with their products. The ideal brand we would love to work with is Charlotte Tilbury because we love their creativity and their products.

What does a day in the life of Liss and Phoebe look like?

Honestly, every week is so different but most of the time, we are in the studio prepping for an event. Some weeks, we can have up to five events, and some weeks we can have none, so we are always doing different things. So, whether we are composing an event for a specific brand or fulfilling an online order, there is always something that keeps us busy!

What does” Urban Explorer” mean to you and how do you think you both fit into this term?

To us, urban exploration is all about connection and community. And since our brand is quite niche and what we do is quite rare, we believe we can provide an opportunity for people to try out something entirely new like Beading & Boozing together and connect with other creatives and like-minded individuals within the community.

Mastering The Art of Play

What does the brand Daisy Lily stand for? Is there any significance to the name?

Our middle names are Daisy and Lily. Our mum named us after flowers, so we wanted our business to reflect who we are. Hence, the name Daisy Lily just seemed fitting!

Where did the concept of “Beading & Boozing” come from? It is so creative!

We were making a lot of jewelry at the time since we had many orders coming through, and so our friends would come over and we would all just sit around the kitchen table together to make jewelry. They expressed to us how much fun they had and so we decided to put on an event for just our friends and family. They all loved it and really encouraged us to start hosting public workshops, so we promoted it on our social media, and it quickly gained traction. We were lucky to have a few brands and communities pick up on what we were doing, and it just naturally grew from there.

Through your workshops, what do you hope your participants will take away from it?

Through our workshops, we want our guests to feel a sense of community. Our workshops are such a community-led activity, and everyone builds this encouraging relationship as they let their creativity roam free in our space for a few hours. We want them to feel like they can escape from the hustle and bustle of London to come and relax, then leave feeling like they are a part of something. A lot of guests tell us that our workshops are very healing for their inner child, providing them a real chance to strip back and be within themselves again. We just don’t spend enough time doing activities away from screens anymore, so it is comforting to have an alternative and healthy way to unwind from the day. It brings us a lot of satisfaction to see people engaging in a passion they love and engaging with other people. It’s just lovely to watch.

Could you tell us more about the Daisy Lily workshops at Page8?

We think people will be surprised by how our workshops will make them feel. They can expect to feel grounded, and perhaps put them in touch with themselves. A lot of people are surprised by how much expression they can put into their jewelry. It is essentially a creative expression that I think for a lot of people, they don’t think they have it and label themselves as not a creative person. However, when push comes to shove and they have to sit there and create something, you will be surprised by how pleased they are with themselves and the art they have created.

Is there any piece of jewelry that holds significance or meaning to you?

When we first started Daisy Lily, we made some charity bracelets for a dear friend who got into a bad accident. To show our support and solidarity, all our friends and family wore them. Hence, in terms of a piece jewelry that held great significance for us, we would have to say those.

What is the single best piece of advice you can give someone who is looking to follow in your footsteps in starting their own business?

Starting your own business can be extremely difficult. You will fail numerous times and face many setbacks, but you simply cannot let it get you down. I wish someone said to us that we are not going to do everything perfectly but that it will all work out in the end. If there was one piece of advice we could give to other aspiring entrepreneurs, it is to never let the setbacks get you down; rather, use them as a way to improve yourself and your business and move forward.

What do you both love most about your job?

We are really lucky because we get to spend so much time running the business together. That is probably the best part of our job. We have experienced so many amazing memories and experiences together on our journey as entrepreneurs. It is nice to have a company that reflects who we are and our relationship as sisters. Also, when we work together, we can be fully transparent and tell each other what is exactly on our minds without having that formality, which can actually be helpful in running a business.

Travel Inspiration

Where does your inspiration for travel come from?

We are quite lucky to have a friendship group that is really interested in understanding other cultures and places. Plus, we are also huge foodies so our love for trying many different cuisines fuels our travel inspiration.

What other destinations are on your bucket list?

India and Peru would be at the top of our list. Liss will be visiting Peru next year, but we would love to visit India to try some authentic Indian cuisine.

In 3 words, how would you describe London?

Chaotic, vibrant, passionate

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