Running a sustainable business isn't always easy but I try to achieve with:

  • 100% Recycled Silver- every  piece I make uses recycled silver which arrives ground down into tiny particles as silver clay. If I am not happy with my design at the clay stage then I grind up the piece and turn it back into silver clay so nothing is wasted.  Any silver chains, earring hooks, jump rings etc that I buy are from Cooksongold, based in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter and are 100% recycled silver. 

  • Eco-friendly Packaging - My gift boxes are made from FSC®-certified cardboard and water-based glue.. I then post these in recycled card mailers or a reused box/envelope. Everything I send in a parcel -apart from the foam inserts- can be put in your household recycling. However it is even better for the environment if you can reuse your boxes & envelopes. 

    The foam in the gift boxes is made from a waste product created during the paper making process - called tall oil. I couldn't find a UK firm that used this, so they come from Denmark.  .Read more about it here.

  • Sustainable Website Hosting- this website is hosted on carbon neutral servers (through a small UK based firm called Create), my website should load quickly as you use it - to reduce the power needed by you. How sustainable is your website? Check here! I use a 100% renewable, green energy tariff for all the workshop and office’s energy needs.
  • Other Small UK Businesses- although it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option when buying supplies but I try to avoid the big, faceless online retailers and instead choose to support other small, UK businesses wherever possible.  I am part of the Handmade & Well Paid Campaign - designed by the Jewellers Academy to help ensure makers are well paid for the work they do whilst helping customers to make good decisions about which makers to buy from.  Makers need a sustainable income in order to keep running their businesses and making their crafts. Customers value and admire the work of handmade artists and want to support them fairly to ensure they are making a good living wage for themselves.' So I also make sure I pay a fair price for my goods.
  • Ethical Products - when possible I opt for vegan friendly and fair-trade products, even if this costs me more. I feel that the customers who support me will be happy to pay a fair price to all those incolved in the supply chain.  

 

A campaign to ensure makers are paid fairly for their work and to allow customers to make good decisions about who to buy from.