Do you shop more consciously knowing the impact that fast fashion is having on the environment? But what exactly is the meaning of sustainable fashion?...

‘The sustainable movement looks to combat the large carbon footprint that fast fashion has created by reducing the environment impact of fashion.’

I have seen many businesses make a conscious effort to limit their impact on the environment. I am doing my best to keep sustainability at the forefront of my mind when running my small business, this means the metal I source and use, the packaging I choose and the companies I work with. Following the ethos of ‘slow fashion’, my aim is create trend less pieces which focus on quality and unique design. 

I want all of my jewellery to last a lifetime, when buying a piece to wear/gift it’s a sentiment and I want that to mean quality and durability, along with beauty. Using recycled metal and packaging in my work means that my impact on the environment is minimalised and quality isn’t compromised. Metals for example are traditionally mined, which uses a huge amount of energy and the process also emits greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions. I may only be playing a small part but if we all made these little decisions the impact would be massive.

I use sterling silver that is sometimes referred to as 925 silver, which simply means 92.5% pure silver and 7% other alloys. The silver I use is sourced from recycled metal. The supplier of my silver collects scrap metal which is then refined and recycled into the silver pieces which I then use in my casting process. I love the thought of jewellery having so much history just through the recycling of metal and reducing waste along the way! 

The gold which is used to plate my pieces in is also responsibly sourced, each piece is coated with a thick layer of 24ct gold which is gained from companies that only uphold ethical standards. 

Further to these choices I also hand make the majority of my pieces to order, meaning I hold a small quantity of castings and can keep the quality of each piece at its highest and therefore reduce my own waste. 

I choose to use Recycled FSC certified packaging, this means my jewellery boxes are sustainable and careful managed source. ‘This ensures that we consciously make a lower impact on the environment, helping to ensure the world's forests are not depleted.’

My postal boxes are made from Kraft cardboard and sealed with recycled brown tape or stickers to ensure these can be recycled together. 

The majority of my suppliers are based in the heart of Birminghams Jewellery Quarter which is only a short journey from my home meaning I can keep my carbon footprint low and support other local small businesses, some of whom I’ve used for over 10years.