Suppliers: Handmade by Hayley

I am VERY excited about our newest products, which arrived today and are already in the shop!

Handmade by Hayley, is, as the name suggests, lovely eclectic jewellery handmade by Hayley Malcolm in the UK. She has worked in the fashion industry both here and in the US before deciding to set up on her own.

Each piece is made by Hayley herself and only a few of each are made, guaranteeing you that satisfying level of exclusivity. Every one is a mini work of art in itself, a strong statement and just the thing to brighten up an outfit. And as if that weren’t enough, the prices are very recession friendly – between £10 and £16! I’d advise you to start stocking up for Christmas now – sister, mum, best friend – who isn’t going to love these?! I can tell you they are even more gorgeous in the flesh and beautifully made as well.

Reckon this Turquoise Fun Bracelet‘ll be a bestseller…

This Indian Festival Necklace is my personal favourite.

Red and Brown Eclectic String Necklace

If you’re looking for an affordable gift for a friend, what about combining one of Hayley’s pieces with a jewellery roll

or a purse?

I’ve just thought of another Good Thing about this jewellery – it’s all slip on – no tricky clasps. Just fling over your head or onto your wrist and you’re off!

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Suppliers: A Short Walk

A Short Walk tick a lot of ethical boxes. They are a UK based company making clocks for home and garden out of recycled vending machine coffee cups, by hand. Local, handmade, recycled products, tick tick tick (tock).

The cups come from the Save-A-Cup scheme, which collects millions of coffee cups every week for recycling. More than a billion cups have been saved so far, and when you see what can be produced from something not traditionally known for its inherent beauty, it really is very satisfying.

A Short Walk have spent a lot of time working out how to make recycled coffee cups NOT look and feel like recycled plastic, and I think they’ve done a jolly good job. The clocks are perhaps surprisingly quite heavy and solid, and look very much like slate. Plus, the clock/thermometers can be kept outside as they are frost resistant, and the white digits mean they can be easily read from several metres away at the bottom of the garden.We stock the clocks and thermometers shown here, priced £24.95 and £26.95. They have proved extremely popular as wedding gifts and feelgood purchases for homes and gardens. Check them out on our website.

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That Little Bit Greener

I have just discovered a new blog, set up by two keen bloggers Rachel Lyddon and Emma Castle, which aims to encourage people to find new ways of being ‘that little bit greener’.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“We decided to create this blog as a place to share information, stories, links, tips and tutorials that will, hopefully, inspire you to make some of those changes. We know that we don’t need to tell you about recycling, shopping locally or changing your lightbulbs! We know that many of you do lots of these things already. And we know that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of “green” websites and blogs already out there. We are not experts and we are far from perfect! But we wanted to add our contribution, to try and be “that little bit greener”, and we want you to get involved too.”

The girls welcome contributions, simply contact them on thatlittlebitgreener@hotmail.co.uk.  A good opportunity to get on your soap box or simply share a cunning tip you discovered last week involving recycled loo rolls.

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New find – Bibico!

I always want to buy ethically produced clothing if I can, and there is definitely more and more out there, but often it’s just out of my price range so I end up lusting after it but not buying it.  Not any more! I just found Bibico, which sells fair trade clothing at high street prices.

Boho Blouse: Was £31, Now £23

It was started by Nieves Ruiz, who used to design for Zara and Corte Ingles in Spain.  Her clothes are manufactured in Nepal and India, and I have already got my beady little eye on the items pictured. And best of all – they have a sale on!

Sailor Tank Top: Was £27, Now £20

Sun Dress: Was £39, Now £27

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Suppliers: Made

Made jewellery unites hot designers with the distinctive materials and exceptional craftsmanship of Africa, to create a unique range of inspirational accessories with a conscience. Set up in 2005, Made now has over forty dedicated workers in its specially built production facility in Kenya. All Made employees have bank accounts, allowing them to plan for the future, transfer money to loved ones and send their children to school for the first time.

All Made jewellery is handmade by local artisans using sustainable local resources, helping to break the cycle of poverty with the company’s ‘trade not aid’ ethos.

Prices range between £8.50 and £25.00 – excellent value and beautifully Made.

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