Spool Jewellery
It's a Tribal thing
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Something Old Something New Handmade & Vintage Market 26th May 2013
Monday, 26 November 2012
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Oxjam Takeover Manchester 2012 Lost & Found
This Weekend Oxjam Boutique will be running alongside a great music line-up at Antwerp Mansion as part of the Takeover 27th October.
Featuring an eclectic mix of original hand-made , re-worked and vintage clothing, unique jewelry and accessories, scrumptious cup-cakes and kitschy craft items. High street – eat your heart out!
Featuring an eclectic mix of original hand-made , re-worked and vintage clothing, unique jewelry and accessories, scrumptious cup-cakes and kitschy craft items. High street – eat your heart out!
Here’s just a taste of who will be showcasing their wares on the day :_______________________________________________________
Mustard Tree aims to improve and rebuild the lives of homeless and marginalised people in Manchester through the provision of furniture, clothes, emergency food, training, mentoring, friendship and social enterprise.
Second hand vinyl records and books donated from people around Manchester,will be on sale at their stall at Oxjam, cheap as chips!
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Oxfam Originals need no introduction
If you’re into retro, this terrific stall has high-quality gear from the 1960s and ’70s. Shop in the knowledge that it’s for a good cause.
_______________________________________________________
If you’re into retro, this terrific stall has high-quality gear from the 1960s and ’70s. Shop in the knowledge that it’s for a good cause.
_______________________________________________________
Chezzie Le Choux
A wide range of cup cakes from the crazy peanut butter and jelly to the good old British Jammie Dodger
_______________________________________________________
A wide range of cup cakes from the crazy peanut butter and jelly to the good old British Jammie Dodger
_______________________________________________________
Dirty Work
Graffiti art specialists; art supplies, t-shirts, caps and much more!
_______________________________________________________
Graffiti art specialists; art supplies, t-shirts, caps and much more!
_______________________________________________________
Junk
Unique and imaginative clothing, art and accessories that transcend the everyday expectations and scream of individuality.
_______________________________________________________
Unique and imaginative clothing, art and accessories that transcend the everyday expectations and scream of individuality.
_______________________________________________________
Saddleworth Vintage and Handmade
Lost and found pop-up shop, vintage style accessories, clothing for the party season. For that unique Christmas gift made from found objects by Samantha Mills. On The Lost & Found stand you may have a Brief Encounter with Laura Norey from Memory Lane calendar, the vintage model & dancer will be signing selling the Calenders through this event.
_______________________________________________________
Memory Lane is a vintage pin-up calendar project, helping to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
http://www.facebook.com/MemoryLaneCalendar
_______________________________________________________
Lost and found pop-up shop, vintage style accessories, clothing for the party season. For that unique Christmas gift made from found objects by Samantha Mills. On The Lost & Found stand you may have a Brief Encounter with Laura Norey from Memory Lane calendar, the vintage model & dancer will be signing selling the Calenders through this event.
_______________________________________________________
Memory Lane is a vintage pin-up calendar project, helping to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
http://www.facebook.com/MemoryLaneCalendar
_______________________________________________________
Elly Page
Unique garments handmade using vintage lace and other gorgeous fabrics
_______________________________________________________
Unique garments handmade using vintage lace and other gorgeous fabrics
_______________________________________________________
TOMS Live Art Installation
http://www.toms.co.uk/
TOMS give a pair of new shoes to a child in need for every pair of TOMS purchased
_______________________________________________________
http://www.toms.co.uk/
TOMS give a pair of new shoes to a child in need for every pair of TOMS purchased
_______________________________________________________
0% Dinosaur
A range of laser-cut acrylic necklaces – perfect festival accessories
_______________________________________________________
A range of laser-cut acrylic necklaces – perfect festival accessories
_______________________________________________________
Helena Dennison
Handmade crafts – Colourful hanging birds, Owl hats, Crochet blankets and more
_______________________________________________________
Handmade crafts – Colourful hanging birds, Owl hats, Crochet blankets and more
_______________________________________________________
Not Now
An award winning, Manchester based creative studio with recent exhibitions in Font Bar and Cord. They produce effective client-based work balanced alongside self-set experimental projects and will be selling off some of their work at Oxjam.
_______________________________________________________
An award winning, Manchester based creative studio with recent exhibitions in Font Bar and Cord. They produce effective client-based work balanced alongside self-set experimental projects and will be selling off some of their work at Oxjam.
_______________________________________________________
Peggie Mae Vintage by Sarah Crawford
Lovely vintage for ladies and fellas from the 50’s-90’s
_______________________________________________________
Lovely vintage for ladies and fellas from the 50’s-90’s
_______________________________________________________
Kitty’s Vintage Closet by Kate Frain
Step back into time and and into a fabulous frock from Kitty’s Vintage Closet. From the 1950s to 1980s, whatever the occasion and wherever you’re going we’ve got something to make your wardrobe pop!
_______________________________________________________
Step back into time and and into a fabulous frock from Kitty’s Vintage Closet. From the 1950s to 1980s, whatever the occasion and wherever you’re going we’ve got something to make your wardrobe pop!
_______________________________________________________
Crafty Ginge Designs by Kelly Joseph
Hand-made cards, cushions, brooches and more with an ongoing aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Hand-made cards, cushions, brooches and more with an ongoing aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The Boutique Market will run from 2pm to 8pm in the ballroom upstairs at Antwerp Mansion
Entry is £5 for a wristband which ALSO gains you access to the live music at…
Entry is £5 for a wristband which ALSO gains you access to the live music at…
// Trof Fallowfield
// FUEL Cafe Withington
// Red Rum Fallowfield
// Antwerp Mansion
// FUEL Cafe Withington
// Red Rum Fallowfield
// Antwerp Mansion
Therefore, if you have already bought one for the music you DON’T need to purchase a second one for the market, and vice versa!
Wrist bands are available at the door on the day or online here; with all proceeds going to Oxfam
http://www.wegottickets.com/oxjam/event/187510
http://www.wegottickets.com/oxjam/event/187510
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Ethical Metalsmith needs you!
September 19, 2012
We need your help.
The Alliance for Responsible Mining and Fairtrade International have put forth proposed standards that call for selling Fairtrade and Fairmined gold that is mixed with gold coming from other “responsible” sources. You can review the proposal on pages 86 to 89 via this link.
In sum, the document calls for gold that is Fairtrade and Fairmined to be “mass balanced” or in the words of the consultation paper ‘diluted’ with other gold from “responsible” sources. The gold in jewelry products would be only 85% traceable to a Fairtrade mine. The proposal also creates two new product categories. “Made with Fairtrade and Fairmined gold” would be 50% from certified mines, and “contains Fairtrade and Fairmined gold,” which would be at least 10% certified fine gold content.
At Fair Jewelry Action and Ethical Metalsmiths, we see Fairtrade gold, the most precious gold in the world, as a transformational product. The power of this gold lies in its story, and its purity.
If you agree with our views, sign the letter below and email it to us by September, 26 at action@ethicalmetalsmiths.org The official ARM/FLO comment period ends on Oct. 7, 2012 and we will compile your signatures and forward the letter by the deadline.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Christina Miller, Ethical Metalsmiths
Marc Choyt, Fair Jewelry Action, USA
Greg Valerio, Fair Jewellery Action, UK
The Alliance for Responsible Mining and Fairtrade International have put forth proposed standards that call for selling Fairtrade and Fairmined gold that is mixed with gold coming from other “responsible” sources. You can review the proposal on pages 86 to 89 via this link.
In sum, the document calls for gold that is Fairtrade and Fairmined to be “mass balanced” or in the words of the consultation paper ‘diluted’ with other gold from “responsible” sources. The gold in jewelry products would be only 85% traceable to a Fairtrade mine. The proposal also creates two new product categories. “Made with Fairtrade and Fairmined gold” would be 50% from certified mines, and “contains Fairtrade and Fairmined gold,” which would be at least 10% certified fine gold content.
At Fair Jewelry Action and Ethical Metalsmiths, we see Fairtrade gold, the most precious gold in the world, as a transformational product. The power of this gold lies in its story, and its purity.
If you agree with our views, sign the letter below and email it to us by September, 26 at action@ethicalmetalsmiths.org The official ARM/FLO comment period ends on Oct. 7, 2012 and we will compile your signatures and forward the letter by the deadline.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Christina Miller, Ethical Metalsmiths
Marc Choyt, Fair Jewelry Action, USA
Greg Valerio, Fair Jewellery Action, UK
PS: If you are interested, read Marc’s editorial response to the response to our first letters from ARM and the Responsible Jewellery Council.
An Open Letter to The Alliance For Responsible Mining and Fairtrade International
Dear Alliance For Responsible Mining and Fairtrade International,
As jewelers and other members of civil society, we strongly oppose one aspect of the current proposed standards, which changes the product composition component to allow mass balancing or dilution to take place. These proposed changes to the standard are described in Section 6, put forth July 2012, in the Fairtrade and Fairmined Standard for Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Document.
The proposed standard to mix Fairtrade and Fairmined gold with other gold will severely damage the FT&FM gold brand and create confusion in the marketplace. It will also undermine the confidence in the product. We are also concerned with how the mass balancing might negatively impact the FT&FM brand as it develops not only with gold, but with other mined products emerging into the market. As jewelers, who deal with customers every day of the week, we understand the market better than anyone else. At this juncture, we urge in the strongest possible terms that Fairtrade gold be kept pure.
We urge ARM and FLO to direct more efforts toward supporting jewelers and strengthening a consumer campaign to build on the great success in the existing market. The certified FT&FM Sotrami miners in Peru received £75,000 ($120,00 USD) of premium from gold purchases by jewelers in 2011 alone. Our greatest continued success will only be achieved if we all work united, in a concerted effort to support FT&FM small scale miners to bring pure, traceable Fairtrade and Fairmined gold to a vibrant market.
Sincerely,
Name
Company
Country of Origin
As jewelers and other members of civil society, we strongly oppose one aspect of the current proposed standards, which changes the product composition component to allow mass balancing or dilution to take place. These proposed changes to the standard are described in Section 6, put forth July 2012, in the Fairtrade and Fairmined Standard for Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Document.
The proposed standard to mix Fairtrade and Fairmined gold with other gold will severely damage the FT&FM gold brand and create confusion in the marketplace. It will also undermine the confidence in the product. We are also concerned with how the mass balancing might negatively impact the FT&FM brand as it develops not only with gold, but with other mined products emerging into the market. As jewelers, who deal with customers every day of the week, we understand the market better than anyone else. At this juncture, we urge in the strongest possible terms that Fairtrade gold be kept pure.
We urge ARM and FLO to direct more efforts toward supporting jewelers and strengthening a consumer campaign to build on the great success in the existing market. The certified FT&FM Sotrami miners in Peru received £75,000 ($120,00 USD) of premium from gold purchases by jewelers in 2011 alone. Our greatest continued success will only be achieved if we all work united, in a concerted effort to support FT&FM small scale miners to bring pure, traceable Fairtrade and Fairmined gold to a vibrant market.
Sincerely,
Name
Company
Country of Origin
NOTE: Ethical Metalsmiths and Fair Jewelry Action are working together to bring certified Fairtrade and Fairmined gold to the US.
Monday, 30 July 2012
Mini Makers Faire MOSI
For the first time ever, Mini Maker Faire comes to Manchester at the Heritage venue at MOSI on the 28th & 29th July 2012.
Makers Faire is a celebration of the things people create themselves, from electronics gizmos to homemade clothes and inventions built in the garden shed. It is a place where technology meets art, science meets fashion. Engineering meets crafting. With activities for all ages and abilities, where people show what they are are learning and making.
Saddleworth Vintage will have a stand posing the question what is vintage? looking at vintage gadgets and favourites within the make do and mend lifestyle. Women were the driving force of the consumer revolution in the 1930′s. They at last had a vote, on equal terms with men and would even be the main earner in alot of house holds, this was a time of empowerment from domestic service into the office role! The appetite to spend earnings was inhanced by a influx of new womens magazines and sections of newspapers which instilled that the decor was changeable and so was your fashion. The women wanted to be seen and heard.
Play time
Thread of Society was created by my love for the readymade and the creative act, looking into mixing textile and metal techniques. Using spools and playing around with using them as a component within jewellery.
I use various old tools and gadgets within my metal work, and also references iconic objects and textile methods within my jewellery. The recreation of these iconic pieces, pays homage to the inventor or the memory that the piece gives to the wearer, such as “Thread of Society” or spool jewellery. How this little part of a machine plays such an importantant part in textile history. So many can relate to this object and recognise its place in history. I still have a wealth of tradional tools, handed down from my Grandma & Grandad. I use gadgets such as the spool to create jewellery fit for any maker who can relate to that object. Within my game playing the Jack and ball create childhood memories for so many, and also creates a balanced decorative piece of jewellery. I love to re-purpose things and gadgets, so that people can view them, as the iconic objects that they are.
Monday, 4 June 2012
Diamond Concept
Looking at the Diamond part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, I started to research where people or companies source a Diamond, and what information is given on the history of that Diamond. My first port of call was Ethical Metalsmiths to start gathering their thought's on sourcing a diamond.
"Ethical Metalsmiths recommends that jewellers interested in using diamonds in their jewellery carefully consider the sourcing of these stones. There are a variety of diamond sourcing options available from conventional to lab grown and every jeweler needs to decide which sourcing option suits their needs best." Christine Miller
1. Conventionally sourced diamonds: these are newly mined and have no traceability structure in place. In the U.S. "Diamond Certificates" have nothing to do with traceability, but are designed as a "blueprint" to describe the stone (size, carat, cut, color and clarity). As a generally policy, not know the provenance of a diamond not good practice.
2. Kimberley Process certified: The Kimberly process was established with the intention to prevent conflict minerals from entering the supply chain, but Kimberley certification has recently come under scrutiny and is no longer a trusted certification.
- http://www.globalwitness.org/campaigns/conflict/conflict-diamonds/kimberley-process (Global Witness is located in London and Washington, D.C.)
- http://www.globalwitness.org/library/global-witness-leaves-kimberley-process-calls-diamond-trade-be-held-accountable
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10307046
- http://www.fairjewelry.org/archives/5079
3. Forevermark Diamonds: These diamonds are part of an elite line of DeBeers diamonds and have only been recently introduced to the market. "Beautiful, Rare, Responsibly Sourced, Inscribed" http://www.forevermarkdiamond.com/us/discover/forevermark-promise http://www.forevermarkdiamond.com/us/discover/responsible-sourcing
- Certified by: http://www.mining.sgs.com/en
4. Vintage, Used, "Post-consumer" Diamonds: In many ways sourcing diamonds that have already had a life with someone offer a great alternative to buying conventionally sourced diamonds, of which is my prefered method of reuse, revamp, recycle. At this time however no studies have been done to determine whether or not using recycled diamonds is affecting the demand for newly mined diamonds. Another thing to consider is that in some parts of the world diamond mining provides a critical source of income for poor communities, of which is their only source of income. Jewelers can use stones that clients provide, especially if the original certificate for the stone was kept (to assure that it really is a diamond). The Jeweller or dealer can also assist by offering buying services to clients for vintage or post-consumer rings available that include diamonds (again with proper paperwork) and then re-sell these pieces of jewelry. Some suppliers are beginning to offer loose "post-consumer" diamonds for purchase to be incorporated into new designs. In the US, Hoover and Strong has started offering this service: http://www.hooverandstrong.com/category/Hoover+&+Strong%27s+Loose+Diamond+Program/
Ethical Metalsmiths has not investigated Hoover and Strong's "HARMONY Diamonds" and is therefore unable to comment on their product or process.
5. Synthetic Diamonds: These are diamonds that are manufactured in a laboratory from carbon and other minerals and is being described by companies such as "Diamond Nexus" (http://www.diamondnexus.com/) as "a diamond simulant is a revolutionary coated crystal that near to perfectly recreates the optical and physical properties of an earth-mined diamond."
Synthetic diamonds to provide ultimate traceability. While this process essentially creates a diamond without mining it does require energy use in the form of heat to produce the crystals and it relies on raw materials mining to source the ingredients in the first place. And so the process of tracing needs to be in-place for working conditions of the raw materials.
Diamond simulants have not yet been evaluated in ways that would facilitate a comparison between simulant creation energy expenditure and related "costs" in the mining process. More jewelers are excited about this diamond option, because they appreciate that the resulting product hasn't been mined.
Other companies include:
http://www.diamondhybrid.com/
http://www.lab-diamonds.com/
6. Fair trade Diamonds: Currently there are no sources of "fair trade certified" diamonds available. There are initiatives in place that are exploring these options and a lable that consumers recognise. Fair trade could become an ethical model for sourcing diamonds from various diamond rich areas of the world. Fair trade as an economic and development concept, that aims to improve the lives of miners and their communities. The fair trade concept is typically reserved for miners working on the artisanal and small-scale. Fair trade products cost more because a percentage of the price goes directly back to the communities for development programs of their choice. Diamond miners who would meet fair trade standards would have to comply with and guarantee that certain social and environmental safeguards are in place.
Current Fair trade initiatives:
Rapaport Fair Trade: http://www.diamonds.net/fairtrade/About.aspx
Fairtrade International: http://www.fairtrade.net/
Ask your jeweller if buying a diamond, on what method of sourcing they use. Or even revamp your vintage family treasures if it is not to your taste. This will hold a value other diamonds cannot compare to due to the sentimental value of its history personal to you.
"Ethical Metalsmiths recommends that jewellers interested in using diamonds in their jewellery carefully consider the sourcing of these stones. There are a variety of diamond sourcing options available from conventional to lab grown and every jeweler needs to decide which sourcing option suits their needs best." Christine Miller
1. Conventionally sourced diamonds: these are newly mined and have no traceability structure in place. In the U.S. "Diamond Certificates" have nothing to do with traceability, but are designed as a "blueprint" to describe the stone (size, carat, cut, color and clarity). As a generally policy, not know the provenance of a diamond not good practice.
2. Kimberley Process certified: The Kimberly process was established with the intention to prevent conflict minerals from entering the supply chain, but Kimberley certification has recently come under scrutiny and is no longer a trusted certification.
- http://www.globalwitness.org/campaigns/conflict/conflict-diamonds/kimberley-process (Global Witness is located in London and Washington, D.C.)
- http://www.globalwitness.org/library/global-witness-leaves-kimberley-process-calls-diamond-trade-be-held-accountable
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10307046
- http://www.fairjewelry.org/archives/5079
3. Forevermark Diamonds: These diamonds are part of an elite line of DeBeers diamonds and have only been recently introduced to the market. "Beautiful, Rare, Responsibly Sourced, Inscribed" http://www.forevermarkdiamond.com/us/discover/forevermark-promise http://www.forevermarkdiamond.com/us/discover/responsible-sourcing
- Certified by: http://www.mining.sgs.com/en
4. Vintage, Used, "Post-consumer" Diamonds: In many ways sourcing diamonds that have already had a life with someone offer a great alternative to buying conventionally sourced diamonds, of which is my prefered method of reuse, revamp, recycle. At this time however no studies have been done to determine whether or not using recycled diamonds is affecting the demand for newly mined diamonds. Another thing to consider is that in some parts of the world diamond mining provides a critical source of income for poor communities, of which is their only source of income. Jewelers can use stones that clients provide, especially if the original certificate for the stone was kept (to assure that it really is a diamond). The Jeweller or dealer can also assist by offering buying services to clients for vintage or post-consumer rings available that include diamonds (again with proper paperwork) and then re-sell these pieces of jewelry. Some suppliers are beginning to offer loose "post-consumer" diamonds for purchase to be incorporated into new designs. In the US, Hoover and Strong has started offering this service: http://www.hooverandstrong.com/category/Hoover+&+Strong%27s+Loose+Diamond+Program/
Ethical Metalsmiths has not investigated Hoover and Strong's "HARMONY Diamonds" and is therefore unable to comment on their product or process.
5. Synthetic Diamonds: These are diamonds that are manufactured in a laboratory from carbon and other minerals and is being described by companies such as "Diamond Nexus" (http://www.diamondnexus.com/) as "a diamond simulant is a revolutionary coated crystal that near to perfectly recreates the optical and physical properties of an earth-mined diamond."
Synthetic diamonds to provide ultimate traceability. While this process essentially creates a diamond without mining it does require energy use in the form of heat to produce the crystals and it relies on raw materials mining to source the ingredients in the first place. And so the process of tracing needs to be in-place for working conditions of the raw materials.
Diamond simulants have not yet been evaluated in ways that would facilitate a comparison between simulant creation energy expenditure and related "costs" in the mining process. More jewelers are excited about this diamond option, because they appreciate that the resulting product hasn't been mined.
Other companies include:
http://www.diamondhybrid.com/
http://www.lab-diamonds.com/
6. Fair trade Diamonds: Currently there are no sources of "fair trade certified" diamonds available. There are initiatives in place that are exploring these options and a lable that consumers recognise. Fair trade could become an ethical model for sourcing diamonds from various diamond rich areas of the world. Fair trade as an economic and development concept, that aims to improve the lives of miners and their communities. The fair trade concept is typically reserved for miners working on the artisanal and small-scale. Fair trade products cost more because a percentage of the price goes directly back to the communities for development programs of their choice. Diamond miners who would meet fair trade standards would have to comply with and guarantee that certain social and environmental safeguards are in place.
Current Fair trade initiatives:
Rapaport Fair Trade: http://www.diamonds.net/fairtrade/About.aspx
Fairtrade International: http://www.fairtrade.net/
Ask your jeweller if buying a diamond, on what method of sourcing they use. Or even revamp your vintage family treasures if it is not to your taste. This will hold a value other diamonds cannot compare to due to the sentimental value of its history personal to you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)