About my Earrings

For my earrings, I use polymer clay. The colors I use are hand mixed and/or pigmented. To create specific effects/looks I use a variety of different techniques. I get my inspiration from many different things, from nature to culture & art to architecture.

When I've decided on the colors and techniques, I pick out the shapes I want to work with. I then put the clay in a designated oven and bake the separate pieces. After baking I use a hand drill to drill the holes for the hardware. When the holes have been drilled, I sand, buff and, occasionally, glaze the clay pieces by hand. The final step is assembling the pieces & turn them into wearable earrings by adding or gluing on the hardware.

About my Scrunchies

The first step of making scrunchies is finding the right fabrics and cutting them into the right sizes. This is different for all sizes.

After that, I assemble my scrunchies using my sewing machine. I then put the elastic in by hand and use different techniques to finish the scrunchies depending on the size of the scrunchie.

All products are made in my home studio.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in our brain that plays an important role in the creative process and creative thinking. The short version of how I came up the name would be that creating makes me happy. I handmake my products from my home studio, that’s where the ‘House’ part of the name comes from.

Is it really that simple? In a way, yes. However, I wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t also a slightly more elaborate version of the story. If you know a thing or two about the brain, another association you would have with the word dopamine could be it's connection to ADHD. As a person with ADHD, as well as some health issues, for me that means being mindful throughout my creative process by not overproducing or working at the speed of light. I enjoy putting care into each unique item.

Of course, I care about your expectations too, that's why my product pages will always offer accurate information on availability & delivery- and (when applicable) production times.

No, we don't offer next day delivery.

I visit the post office three times a week. By combining orders before shipping them out, I try to put less pressure on the postal system. It's more sustainable this way too.

Another reason for working this way is that some of our products are pre-made, in stock & ready to be shipped out right after you place an order. Other products, I'll make after they've been ordered. Since our products are handmade, not having big stock available at all times helps create less waste too, it's a win-win.

Of course, accurate delivery and/or production times are always stated on the product pages.

Do you have something special planned and can't wait? Send an e-mail to info@houseofdopamine.com. I'm happy to help! Does your request involve a personalized order? Click here.

In the process of making my products there'll always be some left-over material that doesn't get used. However, I don't want to create more unnecessary waste. Want to know what happens to the left-over materials? Click here.

Business

Where I can, I purchase my materials from local stores and suppliers. For example; my marketing products are produced by a Dutch company and/or made in the Netherlands & out of locally sourced recycled materials.

Products

The hardware on my earrings is made of stainless steel, approved by my Dutch supplier. Stainless steel gives the earrings a long lifespan.

Additionally, I try to use fabrics with the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification and/or OEKOtex certification. As we are a small business, this isn't possible for all fabrics yet.

When it comes to our pre-loved materials, I don't always know the exact origin of the materials, e.g. when I've found them at the thrift store or when they've been donated. However, reusing the materials to create something new on it's own is better for our environment. Lastly, I wash pre-loved fabrics before assembly and use vegan, eco friendly laundry sheets to do so.

Shipping

Our shipping boxes & protective materials are made from recycled materials. We've picked them carefully, based on their FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. By recycling or re-using these items, you can help too!

We use PostNL for our shipments. Click here to read about their sustainability policy in English. Click here to read about their sustainability policy in Dutch.

Besides that, instead of offering next day delivery, I visit the post office to drop of your packages three times a week. This puts less pressure on the postal service.

After all, the goal is to make the world a little more beautiful and colorful while creating.

If you've read the answers to other questions here, you know I try to create my items while not creating unnecessary waste in the process. This means I use left-over clay and materials from gifted, thrifted or recycled (pre-loved) items for some of my products! Don't like this? Don't worry!

Products made from these materials can be found under the 'No Waste & Mystery Items' and will not be used in my regular collections. This way, it's up to you if you want to go for something new or something more sustainable. No matter what you choose, all items are handmade by me, unique and assembled mindfully.

If you've ordered multiple products, you'll receive your items in one package when the final item is ready to be shipped out. As with all orders, you will be notified once your order has been shipped.

Due to municipal regulations, it is not possible to pick up your order in person.

I handmake my products from my homestudio and don't have a physical store. Due to municipal regulations it unfortunately is not possible to come shop in person.

Yes! Please click here for more information.

You sure can! Click here for more information.

All orders can be cancelled within 4 hours after ordering. Read more about our cancellation policy here.

You can return your items within 14 days after receiving it. If you'd like to return an item, make sure to read more about our return policy and learn about the exceptions here.