About the Collection
WHY ME, WHY WILDLIFE?
Loving wildlife probably accounts for about 80% of my raison d'être. If ever you want me to stop chattering, take me to a green space and leave me there for an hour or two: works like a charm!
I believe humans are not separate from nature but part of the entire ecosystem - which is why we feel the benefits of being out among nature, and its struggles, so deeply.
So I try my best to help wildlife out - and be close to it as often as I can. My allotment has wildlife specifically in mind; I visit wild spaces regularly; I stay educated by reading lots of natural history books; I march for nature, and sign every petition going. But it's never quite felt enough: it's all too easy to feel up against it as a wildlife lover, now more than ever.
WHY RED LISTS?
Building a jewellery collection around Red Listed UK wildlife certainly adds extra gravitas to setting up a small business. From an artistic perspective, having endless creative inspiration would be amazing, if it wasn't for the desperate state my muses are in. Each piece is obviously great fun to make - but is, let's face it, yet another species fighting for its survival.
UK red lists grow longer, and the general apathy with which many fellow Brits regard this gets more gut-wrenching to me every day - especially since human beings have caused most of the decline. Plus access to natural spaces (or knowledge about them) isn't always readily available to everyone - so knowing what we are supposed to even be protecting is harder for some than others, often through no fault of their own. Some species have literally never been heard of, let alone seen before, by most of us.
As a single species, humans have done unbelievable damage to our ecosystems - but the plants and animals themselves, even - especially - in their depleted numbers, remain fabulous and deserve to be revered as the precious, wondrous beings they are; those under threat of extinction obviously acquire a desperate beauty on a whole new level.
We all leave footprints - of course we do. But I'm determined that whatever I leave behind will cost nature as little as possible - and that it's our duty, as an integral part of the natural world - to open up conversations about our fellow earthlings, especially those who cannot speak for themselves, however we can. And the best way I can do this, is through my jewellery.
That's why my collection is designed to be a gentle klaxon call to wildlife and jewellery lovers just like you - so together we can open up those crucial conversations about our native species in new and unexpected places!
I could have made jewellery of any old animal - but I chose the UK's Red Listed species as my inspiration because they deserve to be seen, and because their needs are greatest.
VEGAN-FRIENDLY, ETHICAL MATERIALS
When I started 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. 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!
As a committed, long standing 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.
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
