Meet the Local Designer Behind Spring’s Must-Have Statement Earring

There’s no single jewelry piece more impactful than an attention-demanding earring, and Indian Giver designer Margaret Steinmeier’s bold tasseled stunners are turning heads.

February 13, 2018

Brie Thalmann,

PHOTO: AARON K. YOSHINO / LOCATION: THE LAYLOW

After drooling over Indian Giver’s lush tassel earrings on Instagram for weeks I decided that I had to see them up close. And boy, they did not disappoint. In person, the beautiful styles are just as striking and lovely as their maker Margaret Steinmeier, who gave me the scoop on how she started her line, her favorite local designers and what goes into each lovingly handmade piece.

Age: 30

Hometown: Kailua

Launched Line In: 2011

Aesthetic: Fun, bright accessories to spunk up your everyday look

Insta Handle: @indiangiverdesigns

I’ve made jewelry from a young age. If I saw something in a store [I liked] I’d go home and make it. I’m always doing something with my hands or I get restless.

The name Indian Giver is a play off a custom that I came across when traveling throughout Southeast Asia. When you would meet new people you would exchange bracelets as a sign of friendship. And when I first created the line I started out making beaded bracelets.

PHOTOs: COURTESY OF INDIAN GIVER

I tend to do jewelry in spurts. I started the line, did it for a few years, then took a break. I work full-time as a nurse and at one point I was on call a lot. I couldn’t go hiking, I couldn’t go to the beach. So, I got back into jewelry making, this time doing earrings.

The earrings are made with Japanese glass seed beads, 100 percent cotton thread from France and gold-fill wire and hoops. [To make the Jungle Slang style] I start with the beading first, making a crescent moon shape. Then I wrap all of the fringe tassels on the hoops themselves and attach the crescent. I take pride in doing everything from scratch.

I wear my earrings with a strappy dress, an off-the-shoulder top or a little black dress; something clean and simple so that you can see your neck and jawline and can show off the earring.

For local clothing lines, I really like At Dawn. Everything she [Eriko Suzuki] does is some kind of linen and she makes really cute rompers and spaghetti strap dresses. And Gillia, which is casual and beachy but still has a modern look.

I’m also addicted to swimsuits. I really like Boys & Arrows and Tavik.

The next place I want to explore is India. Or Nepal, or Sri Lanka. The color palettes in those countries are off the charts.

Once spring sets in I want to work a little more with raffia—I want to modernize it a bit—and other natural materials. I also want to try adding in some neon accents, like doing the tassel earring with neon beads.

Pick up your own pair of Indian Giver earrings at Olive Boutique, 43 Kihapai St., (808) 263-9919, Roberta Oaks, 19 N. Pauahi St., (808) 526-1111, and select Fighting Eel locations, or online at indiangiverdesigns.com.