Sustainability & Ethics

​I exclusively use 100% recycled silver and gold. Some of the silver can be traced and is extracted from medical equipment and x-rays, but it isn't industry-standard to indicate where the recycled silver has come from. Traceability is important and something I continue to advocate for.​

I purchase materials and products I use in my other products, such as cards, notebooks, and pins from other sustainably-minded businesses as close to me as possible. For instance, Klee Paper in Dublin or Zap Creatives in England.  

Plastic-free, obvs. But also, my goal is to never burden a customer with unnecessary packaging or leave them wondering how to responsibly recycle any of it. 

Therefore, by default I minimally package all of my products. My giftboxes are made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. I created my own template and hand-cut and fold the inserts for my ring boxes from heavy cardstock because even "eco-foam," aka foam made from plants, still behaves as any other plastic in the environment.

I use bagasse labels and paper tape on my packages, neither of which interefere with the recycling process. 

Where applicable, I provide instructions on how to best dispose or reuse each part of the packaging. For instance, I shred void paper I receive in packages from suppliers to then pack and cushion my own parcels. These "shreddies" cannot be put in the recycling bin as they do clog up the machinery and instead should be put into the compost bin. 

ENERGY USE

I work out of a home-based studio, so many of our efforts to live a more sustainable lifestyle feed into the business, as well. We use 100% renewable energy for electricity. We use all LED lightbulbs and upon the replacement of our boiler, will be looking to install a "smart" thermostat system to help make our home heating as efficient as possible. In 2024, I took on my biggest DIY project yet and renovated our metal-frame detached garage into a purpose built studio. I invested in the best insulation I possibly could to reduce the need for heating or cooling the space. 

​I do use butane to fuel my torch. There are other fuels available but to my knowledge, none are significantly better than others in regards to environmental impact.

My home studio is a current collection point for Terracycle. Basically, it is a way of recycling many items that local councils do not accept. Anyone can particpate and you can drop off items at any time day or night without any prior permission. This programme is now nationwide thanks to the volunteer efforts of the amazing Vicky Seviour and her partner, George. You can learn more about what items are accepted here.