An entrepreneurial spirit and a fiery creative streak have defined Gretchen Hollingsworth’s career and sparked the creation of INK+ALLOY. After two decades building a successful candle business, Paddywax, she was ready for a new adventure. A life-changing trip to India shifted her path forever, trading wax and wicks for beads and brass.
Founded in 2016, INK+ALLOY is Gretchen’s love letter to vibrant design and handmade artistry. Every piece begins in our Atlanta studio and is brought to life by skilled artisans in India using centuries-old techniques like hand-beading, weaving, and metalwork. Together, we push boundaries in design while keeping the soul of handmade alive. The result? Accessories that aren’t just accents, they’re conversation starters.
From seed bead earrings and brass bangles to clutches, kaftans, and beyond, INK+ALLOY inspires the spirit of exploration. Our design team draws from global travel, vintage treasures, and everyday obsessions to create collections that feel modern, joyful, and effortlessly cool.
But INK+ALLOY is more than accessories; it’s a community. As a 100% women-owned brand powered entirely by women, our studio buzzes with color, creativity, hearty laughs, and the occasional pet cameo. We believe in individuality, self-expression, and a little playful rebellion.
Giving back has always been at the heart of Gretchen’s vision. Inspired by the region that helped bring her dream to life, INK+ALLOY proudly supports Commit2Change, a nonprofit dedicated to providing education for underserved girls in India. To learn more about C2C, please visit https://www.commit2change.org.
