Well, hello Mary Lou

THE GIRL who stole singer Ricky Nelson’s heart back in 1961 in his hit single “Hello Mary Lou” has been busy capturing plenty of Thai hearts over the last four years through her namesake – a selection of jewellery designed by Silpakorn University graduate Siraporn Pongphetbundit and her pal Thanawat Boonwat.

Siraporn started selling her cute designs in 2009 from a stall in Chatuchak Weekend Market and did so well that she soon expanded to a proper shop, calling it Mary Lou and bringing in her friend Thanawat to lend a hand.

Once again, business boomed and soon the pair was settling in to a new branch at trendy shopping mall Terminal 21 in the heart of Bangkok. Designed as the kind of bedroom where the teenage Mary Lou would have been happy to while away the hours, the shop offers a range of rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and necklaces fashioned from brass and coated in gold, silver, pink gold and black rhodium. 

“We want customers to have fun, so we add playful details to our jewellery. One of our necklaces comes with a detachable rocket that can double as a ring, the rocket itself is inspired by the traditional Russian matryoshka doll while other pieces are adorned with cubic zirconia, pearl and quartz,” Siraporn says. 

Already popular with the young professionals who work in the area, Mary Lou jewellery has also 

 found its way to selected markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Sweden, the UK and China. 

Siriporn’s designs are often inspired by animals and flowers, though she also has series featuring bows and even cupcakes. The latest addition to the catalogue is a set of three enamelled rings shaped to resemble a leopard, fox, cat and owl and there’s also a set of two enamelled rings showing a squirrel munching a walnut.

Thanawat designs attractive robot-style rings with an animal flavour as well as glittering enamelled rings with tile motifs and skulls. 

The Chatuchak Weekend Market branch of Mary Lou is in Section 4, Soi 48/2.

 

 

RINGS ON THE FINGERS

>>Mary Lou is located at Room 3033 on the third floor of Terminal 21. It’s open daily from 10am to 10pm. Call (084) 721 9888, (086) 732 7386 or visit Facebook.com/MaryLouJewelry