Sparkle, Create, Celebrate: Adorn by Alexandra Riley Brings the Ultimate Charm Bar Experience to Santa Barbara
When it comes to creative celebrations that spark connection and leave lasting memories, Adorn by Alexandra Riley truly shines.
Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara, Adorn by Alexandra Riley is a boutique accessory brand that masterfully blends playful charm with timeless sophistication. Founded in 2018 by Alexandra Riley, the brand emerged from her desire to bridge the gap between unique, one-of-a-kind accessories and accessibility, and a dream to bring people together through meaningful accessories that feel as personal as they are beautiful. From gold-plated charms beautifully crafted in the USA to artfully curated events, everything about Adorn is designed with quality, creativity, and heart. Drawing inspiration from the casual elegance of her hometown and her own eclectic tastes, Alexandra curates collections that resonate with both the minimalist and the ultra-feminine.
Alex was gracious enough to give us a few minutes of her time to answer some pressing questions we had for her!
Read on to discover more about this beautiful and busy Mom of two!
Can you tell us a little about how Adorn by Alexandra Riley got started? What inspired you to turn your love of jewelry into a business?
My inspiration behind Adorn really came from realizing that there was a large gap between the consumer and affordable, unique pieces that people actually wanted to wear. I spent my 20’s wearing jewelry from forever21 (RIP) for a fun night out with friends and it served its purpose but, as I started to mature, I really noticed that there weren’t very many options for jewelry pieces that I wanted to hang on to. It was then that I realized that I probably wasn’t the only one who felt this way and started curating and designing my own collections and here we are 7 years later!
What made you decide to offer custom charm experiences for kids?
I think that children are often put into a box when it comes to accessories and jewelry because they are kids, but they are truly more innovative than we give them credit for; It only seemed fitting that I would offer an option for parties for those who draw inspiration from crafting and expressing their personalities through beautiful and one-of-a-kind keepsakes. It’s such a fun way for them to shine and I love being a part of the joy they get from making personal keepsakes that reflect who they are as people.
As a mom and a small business owner, how do you balance creativity, family life, and entrepreneurship?
I don’t think there’s ever a perfect balance. I feel that it is more like learning as you go, figuring out what deserves your energy at the moment, and learning to adjust when things shift. Some weeks I’m all in with the business and other times, I need to slow down and focus on being a mama to my two kids. I’ve learned to take it day by day and not be hard on myself when everything isn’t perfectly balanced. That, to me, is the most important thing to remember in the journey of entrepreneurship: don’t be hard on yourself! There’s no playbook and the fact that you’re even trying is worth applauding.
What has been the most surprising or joyful part of having your own business? Any memorable stories you'd love to share?
There has been so much joy in Adorn and I am always so grateful for the opportunities that it has afforded me. Just recently I was able to collaborate with Magnolia, where I made a custom charm design, and both runs sold out. I used to watch fixer upper religiously, so to work with Magnolia was truly a dream come true!
What values or experiences from motherhood have influenced the way you run your business or design your products?
Motherhood has taught me to work with heart, to be intentional with my time, and to create with meaning. I always try to think about the little moments, and how something like our keepsakes can hold big and dear memories and sentiment. As a mom, I’m always thinking about how to make things more personal, thoughtful and FUN—whether it’s designing something a child will treasure or something a mother would love to receive. Again, children are always at the forefront of our minds and I know that if I design or implement from the lens of a child, that 99% of the time, we will have great success with that product or design.
How do you keep your events feeling personal and special—even when you’re hosting a big group of excited kiddos?
I find that children are always SO excited and appreciative of the experience; it’s really difficult not create a special event for our kids. We aim to offer an array of charms that will excite the kiddos while designing their special pieces. It is truly so fun to watch them beam with pride and excitement while they pick out their pieces and finalize their designs. Their excitement inspires me to make every party better than the last!
What advice would you give to other parents who are dreaming about starting their own creative business?
Start before you’re ready! There is never the “perfect time” to do anything in this life, but your creativity matters and it deserves space to grow! You’ll learn as you go and that is totally ok. If you have trouble starting, ignore the voices in your head telling you to be cautious. I’ve started adopting the idea that starting imperfectly is a million times better than not starting at all.
Your designs are so playful and timeless—does your daughter ever inspire your work or help you test out ideas?
She is my inspiration! Actually, she and her classmates. They keep me up to speed on trends and when I see the sparkle in her eyes, I know I’m on to something. And usually, I will really know I’m on to something when I find a stash of our charms in her room haha! She is definitely my guinea pig; I will send her off to school with a design and she will usually report back that so-and-so wants one, too. It’s so convenient to have a 6 year old, let me tell you!
What’s one thing you hope every child takes away from their Adorn charm party—besides the jewelry, of course?
I hope that every child takes inspiration, happiness and a sense of pride with them when they walk away from our charm bar experience. They deserve to feel accomplished and seen, and our charm party experience is perfect for that! And of course, the memories! I hope that any of them will look back and remember how cool their parents were for throwing them such an epic party.
How can families work with you to plan the perfect party? And what’s coming up next for Adorn?
We are always planning our next charm party event and experience, so if this sounds like something you’d be interested in just reach out to us at hi@adornbyalexandrariley.com and we are so happy to help you plan yours!
Adorn is currently working on designing our own charms that will be exclusive to Adorn and hopefully you’ll be seeing us in some of our favorite retailers soon. We are also working on a build-your-own charm kit complete with beads and bases for the kids to enjoy from the comfort of home!
One of the standout features of Adorn by Alexandra Riley is the mobile charm-making experience! If you're looking to plan a magical and memorable party for your child, look no further than Adorn!
From birthday parties to Girl Scout celebrations, Adorn’s Charm Party is where creativity, connection, and keepsakes come together in the most sparkly way possible. Imagine your little one and their friends gathered around a beautifully styled charm bar, picking out gold-plated treasures to create their own personalized necklaces, bracelets, and keychains… it’s every accessory-loving kid’s dream!
Perfect for children ages 8 and up, this event is centered around a beautifully styled charm bar, where each guest selects from a sparkling collection of gold-plated charms to create their own custom necklace, bracelet, or keychain. It’s hands-on, joyful, and full of keepsake moments.
The Kids Charm Party Package Includes:
A curated charm selection (both gold-plated & kid-friendly options available!)
One free specialty charm for the birthday boy or girl
Adorn-branded keepsake pouch & polishing cloth for each guest
Themed goody bags to match your celebration
Full setup and cleanup
1.5 hours of hosted fun and charm-making
While the Kids Charm Party is a major hit, Adorn also hosts larger and more luxurious charm events for bridal showers, sweet 16s, quinceañeras, girl’s night in, team building, fundraisers, markets, and holiday parties!
