my story
About Chelsey
My name’s Chelsey, and I’m the woman behind Cotton Candy Caboodle! I’m an American expat living in Brighton (Newhaven actually, but close enough!) with a massive sweet tooth and obsession with colour.
As a child of the 90s, I grew up surrounded by the vibrancy and garishness of Lisa Frank and Nickelodeon, pining for sparkly jelly sandals and shiny stick-on earrings, killing off my Tamagotchi, and wishing I was the pink Power Ranger. When I moved into my angsty preteen years, colour became cringe, so I didn’t own a single item of non-black clothing until I hit my late 20s. Now I’m making up for lost time and embracing my inner child by being a living, walking rainbow 
Fun facts:
- I have a BA in Studio Art, an MA in Photography, a beauty school certificate, and almost had a degree in graphic design, but I’ve never taken a jewellery class
- I didn’t get my ears pierced until after I was already making and selling earrings
- I’m a massive Harry Potter fan and credit it with sparking my love for the UK (but not at all a supporter of the author and what she stands for)
- I love lifestyle games like Stardew Valley and the Sims, as well as MMORPGs like Runescape and World of Warcraft
the whole kit and caboodle
About Cotton Candy Caboodle
Like many other small businesses, I opened my doors when most of the world was shut down during the first Covid lockdown in 2020. I was on furlough from my marketing job and finally had time to be creative again, so I started crocheting from sun up til sun down.
I started off selling amigurumi earrings as Cotton Candy Crochet Co. I’ve always been a sucker for alliteration, and cotton candy brought to mind good childhood memories of going to the county fair and riding the ferris wheel and winning little consolation prizes at those rigged fair games. (Since naming it, I’ve had people ask if I make my jewellery with candy floss, or if I can cater candy floss for their parties! Sorry to disappoint!)
When I had to go back to work in the autumn, I didn’t want to quit my business, but I didn’t have as much time to create, and crochet was time-consuming. So I got a Cricut machine and started making faux leather jewellery, which was quicker and easier to make batches with.
From there, I started doing punch needle, and then resin – all fun ways to make different colourful things without letting myself get bored! So I changed my name to Cotton Candy Caboodle, which symbolised fun without limitations.
I’ve been very lucky to be able to make this my full time job since 2022! I’m so excited for what the future holds. Seeing people’s eyes light up when they see my display at markets, or reading reviews about how my parcel made their day, or seeing people wearing my things around town, is such a surreal, uplifting experience. I’m so grateful. Thank you for all your support and love. You are what makes this all worth it ♥
