Designers We Love: Ghost Goods

INTERVIEWED BY Michaela Stehr

By day, designer and creator Nicole Dalton works on beautiful packaging and branding at Jane Says, and by night she runs Ghost Goods, a small accessories shop specialising in fun patches, pins and illustrations. We decided to catch up with her to find out more. 

How did you come up with the name Ghost Goods?

Simply put, I’m a huge Jack White/The White Stripes fan. When I originally started releasing design work in college, I did it under the moniker Little Ghost, named after a song by them. That then morphed into Ghost Stories, my online design portfolio, which morphed into Ghost Goods – because the Instagram handle was free! I also do happen to be obsessed with the imagery and symbolism of ghosts.

How did you end up making pins?

I’ve been a pin collector for a long while, and the opportunity came along at my day job at Jane Says to create a pin for a client. After I saw how manageable and satisfying the process was from initial design to finished physical product I knew I had to create some of my own. I’m really lucky because I started making pins near the beginning of their popular resurgence so I had enough people ordering them by mail to encourage me to give it a proper go.

What is the process behind creating a pin?

I draw the design up in Illustrator and send it off to my local manufacturer, where the pins get moulded, stamped, soldered, plated and filled with soft enamel. A lot of handiwork and effort goes into each individual piece of flair.

How many pins are usually in a series?

I usually do a limited edition run of 100 per pin, as it keeps things fresh! I do variable editions of existing pins though, as I get many requests to restock certain designs.

Where do you get inspiration for your cute drawings and characters?

I absorb bits and pieces of inspiration all over, from design, fashion, pop culture, and even memes. I recently travelled to Japan and the experience connected the dots for me in terms of things I love. I admire honesty and vulnerability, and want my work to be unabashedly sweet and cute, but real as can be. 

Do you have a favourite pin?

Ooh, that’s a toughie! I have quite an extensive collection. I love my pins from City of Industry and ADAMJK as they were among the first and best I came across. They have in turn inspired my business greatly.

Do you make anything else besides pins?

I also make patches, which go hand in hand with pins. These are actually so much fun to make and sew on to jackets/bags/you name it. Then, when I have time, I make prints, greeting cards and button badges too.

Any exciting plans for the future?

Just to make more cool things! I’ve recently completed my first artist collaboration pin with my workmate Emma Philip, and have another collaboration coming up with the endlessly talented Jade Klara, just in time for Halloween. Then I have plans to make T-shirts, scarves, candles, pendants – basically any small goods that catch my fancy. All I need then is to find a local manufacturer to partner with.

Get hold of these adorable pins at the Ghost Goods Etsy store or at Fabricate in the Gardens Centre. You can also place direct orders via email. To keep up with the latest news and pin releases, follow Nicole on Instagram.