Materials & Care
Studio Practices
We aim to maintain an environmental friendly and sustainable approach in all things we do. This is why all the materials we source are either locally sourced, or from trusted producers. Recycling and reusing whenever possible. We take pride in the fact that we do everything ourselves. Everything is done in house, in small batches as a way to reduce waste and resources. This enables us to pay attention to even the smallest details, giving each piece the same amount of love and attention they all deserve. The result is that each piece is unique in it's own way, with subtle variations, that embody the maker himself. We hope you feel this passion and the respect we have for you and for all the materials we use.
Materials & Care
Brass
An alloy of copper and zinc, brass has been used throughout history due to its incredible malleability and similarity in colour to gold.
It's a sensitive metal that has a tendency to patina over time. This is accelerated by exposure to humidity, oils, air and water so try and keep contact to a minimum. Store it away from the elements, preferably in an airtight container. Depending on your unique's skin chemistry brass may even leave a painless and temporary (it's totally washable) stain on you skin.
Some people love the natural ageing process of the metals, us included, however, some people like it shiny and looking new. If you you're not loving the aged look, you can revert it back to shiny with a soft polishing cloth or a mixture of salt and lemon.
Don't forget, the more you use the more polished it will look, as it's naturally rubbing on you're clothes, so just wear it all the time!
Sterling Silver
Considered a precious metal, it’s composed of 92.5% of silver & 7,5% of an alloy metal, usually copper or zinc. The allow allows the metal to be more durable and resistant to general wear. We also use Sterling Silver for all our ear wires and connecting links. It doesn't tarnish as easily as Brass and Copper, especially if you keep using it. The more you use the more it's naturally polished and will keep it's brightness.
It may tarnish if left unused for very long, but this really depends on the climate and environment you live in. If it does tarnish you may clean it just like you would brass and copper, with a soft polishing cloth or a mixture of salt and lemon. You can also use anti-tarnish liquids instead, like Hagerty Silver & Multimetal foam.
Copper
It's a soft and malleable metal, with a brick like colour, and it is one of the first metals ever used by humans.
It's believed to be antimicrobial and to harness healing powers, stimulating energy flow and balance. Just like brass, it may leave a temporarily and harmless greenish stain on your skin, but this is a sign that all of it's benefits and nutrients are being absorbed by your skin. It is most likely to happen in really humid environments but it is easily washed off.
Just like brass, copper will also naturally patina with time, if you're not a fan of the aged look you can clean it with a soft polishing cloth or a mixture of salt and lemon.
Textiles
We mainly work with silk, linen, cotton and wool. Our textiles and fibres are all dyed with natural plant based pigments, please note that they are sensitive and may change tone or even fade over time, especially with exposure to the elements. Try keeping contact with the sun, water, creams and chemicals to a minimum.
If necessary, to clean our necklaces use a little of mild soap with water and spot clean the area, dabbing gently as to avoid removing any of the dye. The same can be done for any fabrics , like our scarves or they can be hand wash, with pH neutral mild soap, be gentle and avoid vigorous rubbing.
Natural Dyes
We believe that all we need is what the earth gives us so we prefer using natural dyes over synthetic dyes any day of the week. Synthetic dyes are toxic to our environment, and a major causer of pollution, and we believe the colours achieved with natural dyes are way more beautiful anyway.
We obtain our dyes from sustainable and trusted sources, dyes like fustic, madder root, indigo and logwood. But we don't forgetting that all around us are wonderful sources of natural dyes. We take advantage of this by gathering pigment filled plant material that would otherwise be disposed, like avocado pits, flowers, plants or onion skins.
All our fibres and textiles are hand dyed with plant based materials and therefore will be subject to slight variations in color and tone. This is part of the reason why we love them so much, each piece has it's own personality.
Rapeseed Wax
We mainly use Rapeseed wax for our candles. It is sourced from a trusted supplier, as to ensure the best possible quality. Why not use paraffin? Because it's made from petroleum, and it's toxic! Rapeseed wax is known for having a cleaner burn, being free from harmful, carcinogenic and pollutant toxins. It is genetically unaltered and comes from a renewable source, grown without the use of pesticides.
Our Rapeseed wax is grown sustainably and in Europe, making it a low carbon footprint. It comes from a flower belonging to the mustard and cabbage family. Whats even more sustainable? The fact that it burns for a lot longer than paraffin candles. It is also kosher and untested on animals. It has an excellent scent throw, which combined with the potency of our 100% pure essential oils is sure to leave your home smelling delicious.
Apart from the unscented candles all the other candles in our collection are scented with 100% pure aromatherapy or food grade essential oils, free from synthetic fragrances, phthalates and other nasties. All our essential oils are either certified organic or wild harvested from trusted sources. They also come with a lead-free cotton wick.
Before each use trim the wick to about 5mm, to avoid the flame getting to big. Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours straight. Never leave a candle unattended.
If accidentally spilled remember, Rapeseed wax is biodegradable and water soluble, and can easily be removed from clothing and furniture with some basic soap and water, or even in the washing machine.
Oils, butters & essential oils
All the raw materials used in our skin care products are of the highest quality. We source them from respected and trusted suppliers, locally whenever possible (sometimes even home grown). We make sure to use 100% certified organic ingredients, cold pressed and virgin, because we know that in it's raw state is where all the healing properties are.
Each recipe is handcrafted and tested by us before reaching your hands. We only sell products that we 100% believe in, and that we use ourselves.
Our skin care products are made with the purest of ingredients and therefore have no preservatives. Please avoid contact with water, and keep out of humid and hot places. Avoid keeping in direct sunlight. Products may harden or melt due to temperature changes. This will not affect the quality of the product.
Please remember that due to the handmade nature of all these products, there will probably be slight variations in shape, size and color. It's what we love the most!