My commitment to environmental considerations when I work as printmaker, crafter and jeweller.

Inspired by what’s available around me, and concerned by what the impact of my choices are.

Fabrics

Responding to the inspiration in my locality while re-using existing resources rather than newly produced materials is environmentally preferable.

I prefer to use vintage and upcycled fabrics, rather than buy new fabric, for many reasons. These materials bring their own particular style and history to finished pieces. I find them inspiring to use. Actually, there are very few fabric and sewing shops near where I live, compared to thrift and charity shops, which means that pre-used fabric is more readily available than fabric off the roll.

Jeans

When I have a pair of jeans that needs replacing, sometimes I donate them, but sometimes they might be damaged (paint splashes etc.) and so I use the denim for crafting. Here, this printed doll has a nice pair of jeans on. The blue fabric is an old linen shirt. The doll is backed with vintage bed linen, which gives a chic hit of pattern.

Papers and cardstock

Fabulous paper, in form and function

As a printmaker, paper and cardstock is very important to my work, but Oh it’s much more than that, isn’t it?

As a structural medium, I use it to design jewellery forms. As a crafter, I work with card and paper to make ephemera and decorations. I collect glorious pieces of vintage print and packaging.

For my Etsy packaging, I use recycled and recyclable wrappings.

Glues with a potato starch base

Pritt Original packaging declares their commitment to sustainability, and provides clear information about the recycled content, and recyclable packaging, along with information that the glue is made from natural ingredients, including potato starch.

Glorious fragrant Cocoina glue is also a starch based environmentally friendly product, with the delicious scent of almonds.

I also use recycled Kraft packing tape.

I use recycled paper and cardstock.

There are so many to choose from, and the one’s I like work for me aesthetically, practically, and ethically.

One of my complete favourites for printing is 100% greyboard.

A familiar cardboard, from packaging and envelope backs, it is both made from 100% recycled materials, but it also has a recycled appearance. It brings a lovely colour, texture and eco aesthetic to print projects for people who want to buy eco gifts, and who embrace the idiosyncrasies and variations of tone fleck and texture, of this board.

Colourset card is less noticeably recycled, but it’s credentials are excellent.

Comes in a range of colours and weights, and is gloriously versatile. I do use it for print, but in particular, I use this for papercut projects with my Cricut Maker, to bring my illustrations to life as garlands and mobiles. I come back to this card, time and again - it’s gorgeous quality card, deceptively sustainable!

Rather than greeting cards, and post cards, which are single use, I also make notebooks from various recycled and upcycled papers.

Over the years, I have kept several greetings cards, which have important meaning for me, and I thought it would be nice to product a gifting product where the message and the space for writing, could be more the focus of the design, to encourage re-use.

Inks and Paints

I use waterbased inks, paints and dyes, removing the need for solvents during clean-up. Printing can be a messy business, and clean-up can be hazardous for people and the environment.

Caligo safewash inks are great. Oil ink which washes with soap and water.

Caligo Safewash also work for block printing on fabrics.

Household emulsion on recycled Kraft wrapping paper.

Sample pots, dribs and drabs of emulsion in virtually “empty” paint tins, surplus mixed pots etc. Block printing with household emulsion paint has been an experiment for me. As the paint hasn’t been specifically purchased for printing (and it isn’t produced for block printing, of course) I do find it in abundance, and so it made sense to extend it’s use. It has a very different quality to ink, but a pleasing soft transparent finish.

Bijouterie: bits, bobs, and bullion

As a jeweller, I work mostly with vitreous enamels, bullion, waxed threads, and at times lovely “found” elements.

At times, a piece is made to showcase something that I have found and think is beautiful.

In this necklace, the wooden beads are made from a very damaged chair. I have paired the wooden beads with simple enamel panel beads, to keep the finished necklace uncluttered, but also playful and contemporary. It’s tactile and fun to wear.

Silver

As is common with bullion, it’s not readily apparent from the raw material, how silver has been sourced and sold as a commodity.

However, suppliers commonly provide information on their products.

I purchase my silver from CooksonGold, who are based in the Birmingham jewellery quarter, and who sell certified recycled bullion.

Imprint of old things in silver.

Using a rolling mill, I’ve textured this necklace with the imprint of vintage lace and fabrics.

The colouration is from dip oxidising, to create gorgeous charcoal grey. Accented with orange waxed thread.

Copper

I use copper sheet as my vitreous enamelling base.

As bullion, it’s a very commonly recycled material, but not obviously so. However, when I find it in something broken or defunct, I remove it and use myself.

A whole series of spider brooches were inspired by the copper wires I had collected.

These leggy guys were a tricky challenge, with a vintage costume jewellery feel.