who or what is a DOODLE DADDLE? 

During a period of reflection and decision in 2009, Annette Coleman (former fashion designer and business woman) happened upon the concept of Doodle Daddles whilst discovering the delights of rural Asia.  A wearer of sterling silver charms or tokens on a chain or leather for many years, Annette decided to re-enter the world of fashion through jewellery instead of clothing after innumerable compliments on her neck adornments. The rest, as they say, is history...  the chance meeting with a kindly silversmith made the first samples to take home, a nod in the right direction to a more sophisticated silversmith in another country enabled greater scope with design and perfection. And, Doodle Daddles were upon us. 

WHAT NEXT?

Being a fabric girl, Annette just knew when she saw the intricate hand embroidery from a village in Vietnam that she had to have more... and more!  Once bedded under the delicious cotton sheets, it was only natural that Annette wanted to share this discovery with the world and included serviettes, hand towels and cushion covers in the GATE uniques Manchester collection. Then there was the issue of all the sterling silver bracelets always Annette wore that the customers also wanted...  so, a whole new project started, sourcing sterling silver, semi-precious and shell beads from around the globe and assembling them by hand with her innate style and flair.  The box of beads followed her everywhere making new stock...  on holiday at the beach, waiting for choir practice to finish, coffee mornings and some hilarious evenings with friends.  

AND THEN?

Well, the story isn't yet complete...  there was the holiday in Bali when it seemed the right time to sample up a belt design that had floated in Annette's mind for months, that just had to be made... and she couldn't  stop at one - the designs kept tumbling out!...  then there was the time, when during Pilates, another idea came to develop scented soy based candles...  Luck?  Planning?  Knowing what a Customer really wants and needs to be treated?...  all of these are contributors to the success of GATE uniques.