About Empayah Jewellery

Empayah is an online store of beautiful quality costume and fashion jewellery and accessories from Brisbane, Australia.  Karen opened her first retail store in 2020 and had moved into James Street Fortitude Valley. However, the James Street shop closed its doors on the 1st January 2022.

Karen has been took a break from mid 2022 until early 2024, working full time for an e-commerce Brisbane business, although still running Empayah and Glitterarti quietly in the background.  Although all seems quiet at Empayah, it has been a well needed break as we all know running a small business is all encompassing and can take over your life.  Time is what is needed to clear your thoughts, clear some stock and start thinking about what is next.

You can find some Empayah and Glitterarti pieces at SFH Designs in New Farm.

Established in 2011 Empayah has been providing jewellery loving ladies everywhere with stunning and affordable fashion jewellery and accessories.  Her brand and following keep going from strength to strength.

Empayah’s exquisite jewellery includes both statement pieces and jewellery for daily wear.

The Empayah label also produces handcrafted commission items for women who enjoy the look and feel of handmade jewellery and desire an unrivaled jewellery collection.

Karen has a second successful label called Glitterarti, which are bright and bold acrylic earrings, brooches, key rings and necklaces. She hand designs, laser cuts and makes each piece individually.  She does small batch runs and 98% of her earrings are all completely unique and one off pieces. She also takes on custom orders for this label.

For all enquiries please click here

Now a little bit about Me

Hi I am Karen and I am known around town as the lady with pink hair and beautiful earrings. I loved having a shop and miss it but retail is a super hard slog and got lonely working all by myself.

I began making jewellery in 2008, firstly as a hobby which grew into friends and family wanting my pieces.  Truth be told, I actually started in the 80’s making those super huge beaded clip on earrings.  Synonymous with the era of big hair, big ruffles and big jewellery.  I loved it! I mean, who didn’t? (I realise I am showing my age with that statement.)

Studying Fashion which feels like a 100 years ago, I am actually a qualified dress maker.  I also studied Fashion at the Gold Coast before proceeding to Mt Gravatt.  I started using the techniques I learnt, to transform basic materials into pieces of jewellery and then came the natural progression into Fashion jewellery.

In 2017, I began my venture into acrylic jewellery with my label Glitterarti.  I design and now laser cut all my own pieces and my style is varied and fun.  I have classics right through to novelty and usually there is a fair bit of glitter involved.

I take commissions for both the Empayah and Glitterarti labels.

Want your very own Empayah or Glitterarti creation? Then click here

My mission is to push stereotypical and ageist ideas about what women should wear and when.  To help give confidence to all women with one pair of earrings at a time. To spread colour, sparkle and happiness.