There’s been no hotter topic on the internet this past week than the Tarte Dubai trip — but if less screen time was one of your 2023 resolutions, we’ve got you with the basics. The U.S. cosmetic company flew 50 influencers + their plus ones overseas for an extravagant three-day U.A.E. getaway. Social media mavens already know that A-List TikTokers like Alix Earle, Monet McMichael, Xandra Pohl, and others were on the trip’s guest list. But as it would turn out, Hoboken-based jewelry company Electric Picks also secured a spot at the event as a brand partner to Tarte.
Despite Electric Picks’ now global status, the jewelry shop remains true to its Hoboken roots — so much so, that the brand recently moved into a *gorg* new office space in the Monroe Center. Think pink-and-gold decor, high ceilings, and big windows. The space is also home to the only Electric Picks showroom, where locals can book an appointment to privately browse + shop the store’s offerings. We chatted with this Hobooken-based brand to catch up on all of the exciting things it’s been up to.
(Photo Credit: Sara Kalish)
Electric Picks is #TrippinWithTarte
Electric Picks’ owner + founder MJ Carlson told HG that Tarte first approached the jewelry boutique about a year ago, expressing interest in partnering for an upcoming influencer trip. Since then, Electric Picks has, in some capacity, been involved in every trip Tarte Cosmetics has planned. The two even teamed up to host an in-person “charm bar” for the Tarte Loves Teachers event, where the Hoboken jeweler made custom charm bracelets for teachers in NYC.
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On the famed Dubai trip, Electric Picks treated each attendee with a number of jewels, which were on display in the girls’ private villas, along with a number of other goodies. We did a little digging (don’t lie, you did too), and it looks like quite a few of the influencers showed off their Electric Picks pieces on their Instagram photo roundups from the trip.
Moving into The Monroe Center
Since its launch in 2011, Electric Picks has grown into a (now literally) global sensation, with “it girls” Gabrielle Union, Sofia Vergara, and Olivia Munn all rockin’ the brand’s Cast Vintage. Yet, the Hoboken-based jeweler still calls The Mile Square home — and recently moved into a new office space at The Monroe Center. Designed by Victoria Balson Interiors (another Hoboken business worth checking out) the Electric Picks’ headquarters are exactly what you’d expect, in the very best way: pink-and-gold everything, floor-to-ceiling floral arrangements, and lounge areas abound. It’s chic and classy, just like the brand’s jewelry.
(Photo Credit: Sara Kalish)
The Monroe Center space is also home to the only Electric Picks showroom. While MJ + the brand plan on expanding the showroom, locals can still make an appointment and shop in person for some influencer-grade accessories. The office and showroom are located at 720 Monroe Street Suite C511, and you can book an appointment here.
(Photo Credit: Sara Kalish)
About Electric Picks
Co-Owner and CEO, MJ Carlson, always had an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. As a young girl in the 90s, MJ would make friendship bracelets for her friends and started taking orders at school. Fast forward 20 years, MJ started an event planning company in Miami.
“I thought it was my dream job,” MJ explained. “But then one night I had this super vivid dream about jewelry. In the dream, I punched holes in a guitar pic, and made a bracelet with the guitar pick and beads.”
From then on, a fire was lit inside MJ. She started watching YouTube videos and taught herself how to make jewelry. She continued to do this while running her event company, but slowly, she spent more time doing jewelry. MJ eventually moved to New York, started taking night classes at FIT, and in 2011, Electric Picks was founded. Now MJ lives in Hoboken and opened her Hoboken location of Electric Picks in June 2020.
(Photo Credit: Sara Kalish)
Chantel, MJ’s business partner, and best friend was a part of Electric Picks from the beginning. The two met through mutual friends while in Miami. “She would help with the design, and was always involved, so after about a year and a half, she came to me and wanted to be a part of it,” MJ explains.
Now, the two entrepreneurs run their companies from opposite sides of the country. Chantel is the creative director and lives in LA, while MJ runs the business with her small team from Hoboken and NYC. “It is incredibly important to us to be locally made here in the US,” MJ explains.
The Jewelry
The Electric Picks assortment includes necklaces, cast vintage coins, earrings, bracelets, and anklets. All of the gold pieces are either gold-filled, gold-plated, or gold vermeil, and those that are plated are coated five times the average level. Electric Picks also has a lifetime guarantee on its jewelry, to ensure ultimate satisfaction.
Quality and customer service are MJ and Chantel’s top priorities. The team also works with a metalsmith in New York City to make many of the metals and chains which are then sent to the Hoboken Studio. Each piece of jewelry is hand-assembled, packed, and shipped from Hoboken.
At Electric Picks, it’s not just another gold chain. MJ and Chantel love sourcing vintage coins from shops and flea markets around the world, then casting them for necklaces. The two best friends built the brand with the idea that jewelry holds stories, and lives our experiences with us.
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Each piece is curated with thought and crafted with love. With every piece of cast vintage jewelry, a special paper tag is included that explains the story behind the coin, what century it is from, where it has traveled, and what it symbolizes.
Prices for necklaces range from $68 to $198. Bracelets and anklets are $58 to $218, and earrings are $58 to $98.
Where to Shop Electric Picks
In addition to the Monroe Center showroom, customers can find more information and shop online at Electric Picks’ website. Locals can also shop Electric Picks in person at Brooke and Bel, Margo Market, and Drip Studio.
