About
WHY ME, WHY WILDLIFE?
Humans are not separate from nature, but an intrinsic part of it - which is why I believe we feel the benefits of being among nature, and its successes and struggles, so deeply.
Like most lifelong nature lovers, I try my best to help it out - and be close to it - as often as I can. My allotment has wildlife specifically in mind; I visit wild spaces regularly; I read lots of natural history books; I regularly advocate for protections for our natural world, through marches and petitions. But it's never quite felt enough: it's all too easy to feel overwhelmed as a wildlife lover - now more than ever. Especially when it comes to red listed species.
WHY RED LISTS?
Red listed species are those which are under the greatest threat of extinction: their numbers are simply too low to sustain populations, either through habitat loss or persecution. In short, they are dying out.
So whilst building a brand new jewellery collection around Red Listed UK wildlife might create endless creative inspiration, you could be forgiven for thinking I've chosen a pretty tough 'sell'. Every piece of jewellery that leaves my workshop might twinkle like a star - but it also represents another species fighting for its survival.
As UK red lists continue to grow, so too does a frustrating general apathy among many of my fellow Brits. This apathy is partly a vicious cycle - as wild spaces and species diminish, so do our opportunities for interactions with them. Humans have done unfathomable damage to our ecosystems - but folks cannot reasonably be expected to protect what they do not know.
Losing faith in human kindness though, is something I will never do. If people know what's out there to be saved, I feel sure they will want to save it, regardless of whether or not they've seen it at first hand. And for anyone who doesn't feel up to holding protest signs and shouting, there's still a quiet revolution to be had on behalf of our voiceless, endangered, fellow earthlings - a revolution that can easily include what we choose to buy and wear.
So my jewellery collection is designed with this 'quiet revolution' in mind - a gentle, accessible klaxon call to wildlife and jewellery lovers just like you, to come together and open up those crucial conservation conversations in new and unexpected places!
I could have made jewellery of any ole thing - but I chose the UK's Red Listed species as my inspiration because they need to be seen. And I chose jewellery as my medium, because many people prefer their activism to be subtle, elegant - and transportable!
Most of these species will have no idea they are endangered - they're just snaking and hedgehogging around just as they always did. But the more broadly we can share their stories, the less need there'll be for them to ever find out.
Fancy joining the quiet revolution? Then this is the jewellery collection for you!
VEGAN-FRIENDLY, ETHICAL MATERIALS
When I began making jewellery, I quickly noticed that many (albeit lovely and gifted!) 'smiths use beeswax, hides, cuttlefish powders, etc... in their jewellery making - and industry suppliers often promote these items to jewellers too. Animal-based gemstones like pearl or coral are also commonplace, with plastic-based inserts and sleeves showing up all too often.
But I never use harmful, unsustainable products at home - and I don't intend to start in the workplace either - especially as an advocate for red listed wildlife!
As a committed vegan, I don’t use any animal-based clothing, tools, adhesives, materials, or finishes in my work, ever. Everything I make, buy and use is completely vegan.
My packaging is eco-friendly and responsibly sourced; I reuse materials and repurpose tools wherever possible. All my metals come from trusted sources - my silver is 100% recycled - and any supporting businesses are carefully vetted to ensure they are planet- and people-friendly too. And of course, these practices actively support the species in the collection by being low- to no-impact.
ABOUT YOU!
If you've found your way here, you obviously feel as strongly about these things as I do, so on behalf of all our wonderful wildlife and wild spaces I’ll say a huge ‘thank you’ for caring! You're ace!
And if you're planning on making a purchase from my female-owned, small business, then please feel warm and fuzzy inside, knowing that it's fabulous people like you who keep businesses like mine, and the message of kindness I'm hoping to send, going - and for that I'll be forever grateful.
Fi Barham
