Sustainability
From products to packaging, from materials to the creating process and recycling products. Sustainability is part of every step in a business. And it's something I’m passionate about.
As a designer and maker it's important to be aware of constant changes in the creating process and materials that are more sustainable. There may be more environmentally friendly options to what I currently use or do, and I need to find those and keep up with them. Often they are easy and simple to do. Sometimes, especially when it comes to materials they may be the more expensive option, but the more people use them, the more affordable they will become.
One of the changes I have made is fading out regular silver and using eco-friendly silver instead. It is exactly the same but a bit more expensive than regular Sterling silver. It's made of 100% recycled silver products and the range of products is expanding too. I use eco-silver wire, sheet and solder and all eco-silver products come with a certificate of authenticity from my supplier Cooksongold. I have recently started to use Fair-trade gold in selected designs from the same supplier. I hope chains will be available in eco-silver soon too.
Of course I try to be as economical as possible using all my metals, but there will always be little bits of scrap left over. Some of it can be used to create small bails to attach to a pendant and loop the chain through. And I use it to create little balls to add to designs too. The bits I can't use are gathered in a scrap pot and sent off. My supplier offers a service where scrap silver is sent to the assay office to be melted to be reused.
The gemstones I use are from the same supplier as well as Kernowcraft and The Curious Gem. They sell ethically sourced gemstones from trusted suppliers.
Obviously when you spend time picking the perfect piece of jewellery you expect it to look the part when it arrives. That's why I have chosen eco-friendly boxes and eco-friendly tissue paper. My supplier Westpack uses this umbrella term for all eco-friendly, organic, recycled, Fairtrade®, and FSC®-certified products.
My postal boxes and envelopes are made from recyclable materials as well and come from different suppliers. For any new materials and products I order I take the time to investigate the most eco-friendly options available. So you can always be sure if this option is available it is the one I choose.
I try to be as transparent as possible. So if you have any questions please get in touch. You can contact me directly at klaar@klaarsmithdesign.com or fill in the contact form and I will get back to you as soon as possible.