As an artist, I try to stay highly conscious and aware of my personal environmental impact. I know that I am not perfect, but in all that I do, I am constantly seeking ways to create in a more sustainable fashion. When I can and where I can, I am seeking out options that are eco-conscious and sustainable. Below, I will outline some of the steps I have taken towards making my business and my creative practice, a more sustainable one.
Hemp Fiber Jewelry
In my jewelry craft, I have always used and will continue to use, hemp fiber as the base of my bead work. According to the CFDA, hemp is one of the most sustainable fibers you can work with. Hemp is a natural plant fiber with a less harmful environmental impact than other synthetic fibers.
Some of the wonderful qualities of hemp:
One of the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers.
Hemp gets softer with use and wear.
Resistant to UV light, mold and mildew.
Hemp is inelastic and does not stretch over time.
Biodegradable.
Craft Boxes made from 100% Recycled Material
My jewelry comes in craft cardboard boxes that are made of 100% recycled materials. Each box is hand stamped by myself with a non-toxic ink. Each box is filled with a sustainable, biodegradable and renewable cotton liner to keep your jewelry safe during travel.
Eco-Enclose and Recycled Box Mailers
All of my jewelry is shipped in EcoEnclose 100% recycled padded mailers. These mailers are fully recyclable with mixed paper, naturally biodegradable and have tamper evident seals.
For larger orders, we collect as many boxes from our incoming shipments as possible for repurpose whenever possible. At this time, large orders are infrequent enough that we can use repurposed boxes. As we expand into larger shipments, such as shipping out pottery in the future, we plan to order sustainable packaging from EcoEnclose to suit these needs as well.
Avoiding Plastics and Synthetics
Whenever possible, in all my daily life, I avoid purchasing plastics when it is possible. Of course this is not always an option, and no one is perfect, but if I can find a suitable alternative to plastic, I more often then not choose the alternative. I stay aware and vigilant of micro-plastics. A note that might make an entire blog post later, please do not use glitter in your work. Glitter is the definition of a micro-plastic, it is unsustainable and wreaks havoc on the natural environment.
Fossilized Shark Teeth Only
Ethical sourcing: 25% of sharks are endangered due to human activity. I only use fossilized teeth in my work. Modern (white) shark teeth encourage poaching. Even if you are able to somehow guarantee that your white tooth is sourced from a shark that died of natural causes, interest creates demand. Demand leads to an increase in prices, and higher prices lead to poaching.
Upcycling and Repurposing Daily Materials
I previously made a post about How To Upcycle Glass Jars for Art Supply Storage, and this is a prime example of what I mean when I say repurposing daily materials. I look for ways to give new life in my artistic practice and daily life to items that would have otherwise become a waste product. As I find more clear examples, I will continue to share them with you in my blog and journey.
Reclaiming Clay
Every scrap of clay that can be recycled and reclaimed in my studio is saved. You can check out this video to learn more about the process of recycling clay.
Sources and Resources:
"Great to see such a strong commitment to sustainability – keep up the good work! Check out Mindful Official for eco-friendly packaging solutions!"
I appreciate to you dedication and hard work... and hope you will get height soon