Wishing for an Indian Summer

Hi followers of Green Beach,
For those who have been requesting, there is a limited supply of the current Indian Summer collection now on sale at Pebble, both Mumbles and Cowbridge branches. There will be more designs and colours to be launched shortly. Check here for details in the next couple of weeks!

Also, for the ones who love the beaches, but hate all the rubbish that gets washed up , especially at this time of year with the Autumn tides, there is an organised beach clean up, on surfer's favourite, Llangennith Beach , Gower, this Sunday at 11 am. Hope you all can make it!

Happy wombling!
Chris and Ella

Sweet news

My rest from the weekly Green Beach blog was brief - due to overwhelming public demand (and some nagging) I thought I'd better pass on some exciting news.

The Green Beach team welcome Ceri at Cake Gallery, Dunns lane, Mumbles, to join the band of retailers that have been inspired to opt for a more ethical jewellery range (i.e. us!). As well as a superb beach theme gallery, cake offers a range of coffees + snacks at the rear of the premises. Avid collectors of Green Beach may be interested to know that items on sale at Cake gallery are slightly different to those at Pebble at Mumbles and Cowbridge, so pay a visit to check out the different styles (including 'Seaweed Mermaid' Anklets and 'Penclawdd Pearl' earrings). There is something for all!

Keep reading for news of the exciting autumn/winter range soon to be launched,

Calmness to all
Chris + Ella

P.s. Pop over to Organic Jac for the latest natural beauty and recycling news, plus read about the new eco-stars in our midst.

Cleaning up and blogging on

Whilst I was bogged down by the Llandeilo mud at last weekend's agricultural show, the summer rain was also having a great impact upon on our coastline. The BBC reports today that according to the Marine Conservation Society, the recent storms have swept pollutants, such as farm waste, into our seas. I'm will be taking positive action by helping clean up our beaches (not just of the pretty treasures for jewellery making!) - see the MCS's adopt a beach campaign and join Beachwatch this September.

***Please note that I will be having a rest from blogging on this site during the coming weeks. The site will however be updated with new jewellery/business news soon. Please follow my blogging adventure on my original Welsh green site Organic Jac. Cheers, Ella***

Show update

Just an update to say that this weekend's Llandeilo show admission costs £5 for adult and a mere £1 for children. We are also entering the best craft display competition - come and see what you think of our beachy theme!

Ella

'Big Drop' necklace pictured, with fair trade recycled glass, shells and semi precious chips, now only £15.

Old bags

When you start obsessing about green living like me (although I am so very far from perfect), you notice little things like how many black bags versus green bags that your neighbours use or what packaging consumables come in. Today I admired the many Sainsburys customers at the checkouts with their various forms of reusable bags etc. One guy had several big blue IKEA bags and another had a well organised system of plastic boxes. I was so proud of them! What annoys me is when I go out and invariably buy something (the forever consumer) but forget my bag. That means I either have to struggle to carry the said purchases without a bag and receive strange looks from the shop assistant or take the plastic option and be wracked with guilt. Luckily these occasions are reducing now I take my little emergency shopper with me. Neatly tucked up into a pocket, the onelessbag transforms into a beautiful and useful bag made from recycled sari's by homeworkers in the UK. I can now be a little bit smug and guilt free. In addition to our designs we are currently selling the onelessbag at fairs/shows.

For more info visit the onelessbag website.

From the old bag,

Ella

Beach news

My life as a green blogger was featured in my local press today (link to be added soon)so welcome to any Evening Post readers who have logged on. I am closely following the Post's reporting on the sand dredging off the Gower coast and notice reported today that the local conservatives have launched an anti-dredging petition to stop over a million of tonnes of sand to be removed over the next seven years (read more at Gower SOS blog).

Please come and see us this saturday at:

**Llandeilo Show - Saturday 18th August**

Gates open at 9.30 am

Caeau Cawdor Fields
Fairfach
Llandeilo

Green Beach will be in the craft marquee

Berry good

Determined not to let the Gower Show cancellation get us down, Christine and I had a productive weekend. I took my family to the Maize Maze in Scurlage, Gower (see http://www.amazeingower.com/) and was impressed by the enormousity of the adventure - a great green way to have lots of fun! Meanwhile Christine called into the Organic Pantry, Ammanford run by the same creaters of Glo4Life organic t-shirts. They have a large selection of organic groceries and will by adding to their eco-enterprise - possibly with our jewellery - watch this space. We met up for the Mumbles raft race which hopefully raised loads of dosh for the Lifeboat crew and found a use for lots of old rubbish too. Not as many sinkers this year I think - well done to the many 'pirates' and other shipmates.

New news is that we will be at the **Llandeilo agricultural show** on Saturday 18th August - more details to follow. Thankfully many shows have been able to carry on without livestock - the farmers need as much support as we can muster. Hope to see you at Llandeilo.

As you can see I also found time for a spot of blackberry picking - the scrams and purple fingers are totally worth it! Peace, Ella.

Show cancelled

Unfortunately due to a foot & mouth outbreak in Surrey, The Gower Show has been cancelled. This is because the show is predominantly agricultural and all movement of livestock is banned. Hopefully it will be rescheduled - watch this space!

In the mean time, if you would like to purchase Green Beach jewellery, email me on greenbeachinfo@aol.com for an e-catalogue and up to date sale prices. I also hope to list a selection on my ebay page by tommorrow night.

Daytripper

I'm back from a little jaunt where my family traded the beach for a lake; I was happy to have a change of scenery whilst beading but even happier to return to our sunny coastline this week. The Gower Show is now forefront in our minds and if you are planning a daytrip, I just wanted to let you know about the greener and probably less stressful way to get to the show this Sunday (5th August) at Penrice Castle Park, Reynoldston, Gower (8:30am onwards ).

There is a 'Special Bus Service' from Swansea with additional Gower Explorer bus services (route 118) which will run from Swansea Quadrant Bus Station to the Showground (main public entrance-east).
According to the show website, these will leave Swansea at 09.00, 10.10, 11.20, 12.30 & 14.20. They will call on request at all stops in Walter Road, Uplands, Sketty, Killay and Upper Killay then non-stop.

Special return buses will leave the Showground from the same stop at 13.05, 14.50, 16.00, 17.10 & 18.20. This will mean passengers for Killay, Sketty, Uplands and Swansea will leave in a westbound direction and return via Reynoldston and Cefn Bryn.

See you there

Ella

Oh and we'd love to see you at the Gower Show

This blog was supposed to be about how we'll be featuring at the Gower Show on Sunday 5th August. There will be the last chance to keep the summer feeling going (has it started?) with the last of our summer collection at greatly reduced prices. See you in the craft tent - we'll be there bright and early in the morning...............

Now onto what's exciting me at the moment. I popped into Pebble (you know where we sell our jewellery locally) and was gobsmacked to see a new beautiful range of 'climate neutral' clothing produced using solar power in Byron Bay, Australia - Bird. Now I'm guessing the journey of the products have been offset; Jane at Pebble said that they arrived in super compostable packaging. Shipping aside, the range is beautiful, as is the website. Bird is the brainchild of a local girl now living the dream it seems. Jealous, me? I've got my wellies ready for the Gower show and well Rachel from Bird's got, endless sunshine, I guess. Whose got the best coastline though??????

Ella
(P.s. I think Bird may be exclusive to Pebble in the UK.)

From Accra to Swansea

Whilst Accra, Ghana was sadly on the news with regards to an attempted drug smuggling by two 16 year old British girls, I was opening my box of beads from that very place - which looked like they that had also been checked for any abnormalities by customs. A fragile star pendant came a cropper but otherwise, the new stock is exciting and we have ordered some UK beads to compliment them.

A farmer from Organics-to-go contacted me this week asking if I wanted to take a bag of produce, as he had a surplus. Of course I could not refuse and for a change from the usual nuisance calls, it was nice to be asked.

A writer for Swansea Life and Swansea Business Life magazine is looking to interview Green Beach as part of a feature about Swansea being on the 'crest of an eco wave'. I'm looking forward to rabbiting on about my favourite subject. This has renewed my idea of opening an ethical boutique locally. Cardiff have one (Oyster clothing) - would enough Swansea folk be interested - leave your comments please. Opening a shop is a big ask, so perhaps the web shop can be developed first.

Peace
Ella

[Pic:- starfish beachcomber necklace - available in a frosty version in the new collection]

Collecting ideas naturally

You may have noticed that our web-shop is still not up and running. That's because making and designing is so much fun (time consuming too) - so we are focusing on that, our next collection, plus running up extra hemp beachcomber necklaces for our local boutiques (Pebble) because they have sold out. As well as approaching Howies, I decided to see if a bigger fish would be interested in selling our jewellery online, so I sent some stuff to Natural Collection, via my old mate Al (previous known as City Hippy). I am looking forward to getting some feedback from these well-experienced ethical retailler's. Our idea is to concentrate on one-off pieces for boutiques and through our own mail order service, but also to produce, for a wider audience, a more marketable 'natural' collection using hemp.

Ella
[Pic - sorting out our orders for Pebble]

The worry lines are gone

I had been a little worried lately about the lack of communication from our Fair Trade bead suppliers in Africa. However Christine assured me that they had come through for us fine in the past and we needed to have faith. Finally this week I had the email I had been waiting for - the beads are being shipped. They have had power problems again and were very apologetic, I even felt a bit guilty for doubting them. So now I can get the focus back on the next collection. Will have news shortly on a show we will be attending in August, which I'm really excited about.

Check out my skincare review at New Consumer, after I received some lovely products from award winning green e-department store - Natural Collection. I wrote this review awhile ago but I'm still loving the Skincare cafe range, especially the moisturiser [See pic]

Ella

Turn your TV off

Treat yourself this Friday & Saturday to a night of music, comedy and drama courtesy of the 'Ostreme Players' based in Mumbles, South Wales. Featuring one of our assistant Green Beachers, turn your TV off and lend your support.

The Summer Repertoire starts at 7.30pm both Friday 29th and Sat 30th June at the Ostreme Centre. Tickets £5. For further information see local press or read Mumbles village diary here.

[Pic: Oystermouth Castle - the Ostreme Centre is located at the foot of the hill of this historic castle]

Party on

Apologies for the lateness of my weekly blog - there's been quite a lot of midsummer madness during these past long evenings. On Thursday - Midsummer Day - we held a long awaited girlie party for our family and friends to chill out and of course, check out our current stock. It goes without saying that we really appreciate their support and encouragement during the beginnings of Green Beach. Last night my street had a Midsummer party too, which is pretty unusual these days. It was great to chat to the neighbours, rather than just pass anonymously in our cars. I love the feeling that I could pop over to borrow a 'cup of sugar' or just pass the time of day. One lady had even found a link to my blog! Hello J!

Funky festival offer to jazz up the Midsummer blues

Midsummer is almost upon us, the night's are long and I can hear the faint echoes of a music festival in my local park. If you need to brighten up your festival slogan tee and wellie ensemble, then look no further than a Green Beach necklace.

I love blue. I love it in every shade from sea green to stormy sky and I didn't think I could ever get sick of it but in the learning curve that is stock ordering I went overboard with blue beads. Luckily the new beads are on the way from Africa but this still leaves me with the Midsummer blues. Until the end of June we are offering a generous 30% discount on all blue beaded necklaces.

If you are still yet to email for your copy of our summer catalogue, now might be a good time!

a long shot?

Christine and I thought it was about time I stopped blathering about how much I love Howies clothing and took some action. Inspired by Howies' 10 stunts for summer, we did our own little fashion shoot of Howies clothes and Green Beach jewellery and sent them to the founders of Howies. Here's the email:-

Dear David & Clare

Head South East for 60 miles and you'll find two believers in a better way of living. We believe in the simple life - shopping local, growing veggies, breathing plenty of fresh air - both enjoying and respecting our beautiful planet. Unsuprisingly, we are believers in Howies too.

The two of us like nothing more than sitting in our seaside gardens creating ethical jewellery, using recycled and fairly traded beads with organic hemp twine. We are inspired by our awesome Gower coastline and have sourced recycled glass pendants that evoke 'washed-up sea jewels'. Our style is relaxed and suits Howies clothing well - we know, we wear it.

Its a bit of a long shot, but we thought you might be interested in using our range on your models in the next Howies catalogue. To give you a quick idea, we have done our own fashion shoot (using an over 40, size 14 model - yes they love Howies too) combining Howies clothing with Green Beach (that's us) jewellery.

Check it out for yourselves, read our blog and let us know if we're in range of the target.

Peace
Ella & Christine

Since sending this, I hear that Howies is going to open its first shop in London. Here's hoping that the second one is in Wales.

Pic top: Unisex Beachcomber choker; T-shirt by Howies (censored to wear at the school gates)

Pic below: Pink Beachcomber necklaces, layered up; Dress by Howies

Ready for summer (and Autumn)

Some say that when the sun's out, the style is out - I disagree. Its great to see people out in their bright tee's and flirty skirts. Dresses (which are totally underrated as a fashion staple) are everywhere and I love my Howies Blossom dress, which is keeping me cool in the hot weather. I'm still not tired of jewellery making and we have placed our second order to Africa, as the Summer range is selling well and our bead stock is depleting. Despite being in the midst of sun, Christine is encouraging me to think of Autumn but then conceeded we could do a few 'Indian Summer' pieces. This suits me because you really have to force me out of summer clothes and Birkenstocks in Autumn - I love to keep that summer feeling going as long as I can. I'm sure I'm not the only one?

I was really chuffed this week to see someone out in Mumbles in one of our hemp necklaces - the starfish, in particular, is a hit and we are considering using that as our logo. Christine sent me some information on the use of the starfish symbol in Ancient Eqypt and the powerful mythology surrounding it.


Also this week we met Jake who represents Green Dragon, he is currently helping us with our environmental policy and actions and we hope to achieve the Green Dragon Environmental Standard, Level 2. More on this soon.

Ella

Recycled treasures

Had a lucky break this week. I was taking my unwanted plastic to recycle at my local amenity site and spotted two guys starting to unload a boot full of fabric samples into the landfill container - Designers Guild, Osbourne & Little - in great big sheets. I zoomed over and politely scooped them up. I have lots of potential uses for the bright fabric - some a bit gawdy, some quite funky - gift bags, big bags, fabric jewellery. Perhaps I will mix it up with some plain organic calico. The only trouble is I now have to find the space to store it, along with my growing collection of reusable packaging for mail order.

The happiest necklace in the world

When we started designing a jewellery range, our main aim was to make planet friendly jewellery. Different to anything else we had seen. It would be low impact in environmental terms and combine fair trade and recycled beads. We made beautiful necklaces but were conscious that the wires and the fixings that we used did not meet our ultimate green goal. So we created the beachcomber necklace using hemp to hold the beads in place. Hemp has huge environmental benefits; it can be grown anywhere, requires no irrigation or pesticides, is gentle on the land and is one of the most effective converters of CO2 to oxygen. Its a strong material but is also biodegradable. Our new hemp necklace looks as good as it sounds - wear it low with your bikini or kaftan or wear it short with an organic tee. Take it to the beach, in the surf - it looks even better when its wet.

Ella

For more info about hemp, check out the Hemp for Victory blogspot.

We all live downstream

Tomorrow there will be festivals held around the country to mark the lowest tide of the year. Not-for-profit environmental organisation - River Ocean based in Brighton, will be organising a fantastic educational festival on their coastline and there will be lots of other similar festivals going on around the UK. In Wales the National Wetlands Centre in Llanelli is encouraging people to don their wellies and walk out onto the marsh. There's nothing official going on in Swansea as far as I'm aware, which is a shame given our great tidal range but I don't think it will go unnoticed. Christine has already braved the drizzle this morning to cycle along the bay and reports that the tide is pretty high (I have only my tidal clock to verify this at the moment). She's spotted a few campers and camper vans who have come to watch the low tide of Swansea Bay.

River Ocean exclaim that we should....

"Celebrate One Tide

on One Day

around One World

because...We All Live Downstream".

They have also marked the occasion by producing a 'fish and tips' guide to buying and eating fish sustainably. As well as being our inspiration, the protection of coast and ocean for us at Green Beach is important. Ultimately, we hope to get more involved in the promotion and support of coastal charity work - even run our own low tide festival next year!

love from the coast

Ella

Green Beach and the Green Dragon

Green Dragon helps companies commit to environmental management and meet recognised standards. In order for me to check out our environmental policy and see if we are doing the right things, I emailed the local representative today.

Hi Jake

I am launching a small business; making and selling accessories and gifts, both online and through independent retailers. I heard about your standard when I completed a Waste Management course through Swansea Uni and now recognise the Green Dragon Environmental Standard logo throughout Wales. Being environmentally aware and taking the relevant steps is key to the business - we make jewellery using recycled materials (such as recycled glass beads and vintage pearls), the gift bags are reused material and the packaging is of course recycled too. I would like to know how I can achieve the Green Dragon Environmental Standard and understand that there is various steps I will need to take to get there.

Hope you can help
Ella

Jake emailed me back before I could upload this blog, to arrange a meeting - will keep you up to date on the results.

Pictured: The Green Dragon Standard logo - we hope to be able to display this symbol permanently when we complete the review.

Worth a read

The eagerly anticipated Summer 2007 catalogue is now available. Its pretty basic but shows all our sea inspired jewellery - including a men's hemp necklace. Email me for your electronic copy. The web-shop will follow, but for now we are going the old fashioned mail order way - a cheque in the post or alternatively, the satisfyingly easy Paypal. I am also going to pop a few things on Ebay.

Feedback is of course welcome; the majority of the range is sea tones but more colours and designs are sure to follow.

I'm off now to check out the Friends of the Earth competitions - telling your green story through words or film. Of course, this blog is my green story and thanks for reading.

Ella

Pictured: A selection of our summer 2007 range; From Left – ‘Beachcomber’ necklace, ‘Drop in the ocean’ necklaces in cobalt blue, frothy blue, turquoise seaweed, surf blue, frothy green and stormy blue, ‘Pearl Mermaid’ necklace, ‘Big Drop’ necklace and ‘Beachcomber’ bracelet/anklet. Bottom from left – ‘Seaweed Mermaid’ anklet, ‘Drop in the ocean’ bracelet in surf blue with charm, ‘Drop in the ocean’ green bracelet and ‘Big Drop’ bracelet.

The Global Journey reaches Swansea

The Fair Trade Fashion Show was a sell out! The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea was packed with people to see models adorned in Namaste, Ipsuis, Bishopston Trading and everyone's favourite, Keedo children's wear. There was also a collection by a local college of printed Fair Trade & organic t-shirts plus a rainbow of Doybags. Green Beach jewellery pieces were also used in the catwalk show, as modelled by friend Saskia (pictured in Cobalt blue 'drop in the ocean necklace').

Aside from the fashion and accessories, the message of the show was reinforced by 'The Global Journey' through the presence of IFAT's Fair Trade Organization Mark (FTO Mark) on a banner flown from the museum balcony! The Global Journey is the procession of the official FTO banner and message read around the world. The Journey was launched at the World Social Fo­rum in Mumbai and to date has travelled through Asia, South America, North America, Africa and Australasia, reached Europe last June. In each country IFAT members and Fair Trade supporters have organ­ized events to publicly announce and celebrate Fair Trade Organizations, Fair trade and the Fair Trade Organization Mark. It was great to have it at the show - still in one piece!

To all those who have contacted about mail order, now that the show is over I will be able to focus on this after the bank holiday.

That's it for now
Ella

Having vision and not being afraid to use it

We're having fun getting ready for the fashion show. I'm a bit of a wannabe eco-entrepreneur and decided to contact Visionary Soap and sell some of their products on the stand. I think I have been watching too much of 'the apprentice' - just hope at the end of Friday I have been more successful than last night's effort. Alan Sugar gave them a list of the best organic farmers produce to sell in France and what do they do - buy slabs of mass produced cheese instead from Macro! Anyway, Christine tells me that even if we don't sell much, it's a good chance to network and get our name out there. That was one of the reasons I thought I would bring Visionary stuff too because I don't think they have an outlet in Wales. They are based in Hastings (which I should point out was recently recommended by Alistair Sawday as one of a handful of seaside gems, including my dear Mumbles)and will soon be selling through selected Oxfam stores. We have gone for the popular, luxurious bath melts and fruity lip balms in frosted glass jars - organic, fair trade and handmade. Monica at Visionary is good to work with and sent me a whole load of information about the fair trade producers, as well as bags and postcards.

We pooled all our stock yesterday to practice our display for the show. Christine's clever husband made a necklace stand out of driftwood and it looks fab. All the items (except earrings) we will be selling will have fair trade recycled glass (and I have been told that proof of fair trade status may be checked); these include 'drop in the ocean' pendants and bracelets in a variety of sea tones, the 'beachcomber' low impact range on hemp, 'Penclawdd pearl' earrings and a 'seaweed mermaid' anklet with a mermaid clasp. Anyone who fancies a visit to South West Wales - this is the weekend to come - Friday - 7pm, the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. Campers should try the Three Cliffs camping site with panoramic views.

See you Friday
Ella

Organic Jac's Welsh links
Okay, so my blogging is in fear of turning into a Howies fan site but David never ceases to impress me - now he's got lots of vision. His latest offer is to the First Minister (whoever that may be, after today's polls) - make Wales's produce 100% organic. Makes sense, eh?

Ethical fashion (with Green Beach accessories)

The anti-consumerist has quashed my disappointment about the fact that local Sainsbury's sold out of Anya Hindmarch 'I'm not a plastic bag' bags within minutes this week and I did not get one (if you don't know what I'm blathering about see this New Consumer article). Anyway I'm looking forward to seeing them paraded by the lucky few at the Fair Trade Fashion Show being held next Friday (4th May 2007, 7pm, at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea*). Following from the huge success of the fashion show last year, once again the Swansea Fair Trade Forum are organising the fashion show to showcase the exciting range of fair trade fashion and accessories available in South Wales. I can announce (drum rolls, please) that Green Beach will have a stand there, with all our summer range. As a result of our launch, we are holding off on mail order for another week (unless you are absolutely desperate - email me).

Hope to see you at the show!
Ella

*Tickets are available through the Environment Centre on 01792 480200 (£2 in advance & £3 on the door - last year was a sell out!)

Green Beach Website of the Week:-
Regular readers will know I love Howies clothing and the new summer stuff is now available on their website. I would like to point you in the direction of the 'seventh wave' boardshorts (available for both men and women) made ingeniously from recycled polyester and stripy vests made using recycled cotton (pictured). May I suggest, unashamedly, that Green Beach jewellery would look fab with such an outfit. By the way, has anyone checked out Howies' Little Big Voice lectures, guidance for anyone who wants to start a business or make a noise in a socially and ethically responsible way?

Treading more lightly in Wales

I'm on the publicity treadmill at the moment and had a long conversation with Welsh based WM magazine about Green Beach and my ethical(ish) life (article to feature in their Summer edition). The WM chat steered towards the green revolution in Wales - the organic farmers, the crafters and the trend towards ethical consumerism. Did I think that Wales was at the forefront of change for the greener good? I certainly did/do. We have the Centre for Alternative Technology, great organic producers such as Graig Farm, Rachel's Organic dairy* and of course, Howies - that's just for starters.

As well as continuing to make the summer stock (available to Mail Order in the next few days), I enjoyed crafting a bespoke jewellery order for a beach wedding. Its great to get to know a customer and make something they really want and will (hopefully) cherish. We welcome bespoke orders, especially if you have old beads or pearls that are crying out to be redesigned.

Ella

Green Beach website of the week:

Its amazing how many new green and ethical retailers are springing up all over the place but you can't beat Natural Collection for a vast array of "inspiring products for a better world" (I couldn't say it better myself). Beach worthy fashion that caught my eye include tropical print organic bikini's and wear-with-everything sandals (or flip-flops - pictured) made from recycled tyres and hemp for men and women. Decorate your beach house (or bathroom) with fair traded seaside hooks and entertain the family with idea's book 'Nature's Playground'.

Organic Jac's Welsh links:

* Rachels Organic Dairy is promoting an organic yoghurt diet (10lbs in 2 weeks!) - the website is worth a peek in any case.

Also, belated congratulations to Pitstop, carwash & valet service, based in Swansea. They scooped a top Environment Agency award for recycling their water through a closed loop reed-bed recycling. Pitstop have achieved Green Dragon level 4 environmental standard - (note to self - must explore these standards for Green Beach).

Read all about it!

Surprised to see my face in the Western Mail today (story link here). Helen Nelson, executive director of Cynnal Cymru, has written a great article on the 'rise of the eco-blog' and has described my progress through writing for Hippyshopper, New Consumer and my own popular blog, Organic Jac. Green Beach is given a mention to, so welcome to Western Mail readers! Cynnal Cymru is an independent not-for-profit company, promoting sustainable development in Wales (check out their SustainWales website).

I have more good news. From next week, a selection of Green Beach jewellery will be available to buy through mail order (as well as at Pebble, Mumbles & Cowbridge). Designs will be limited and perfect for summer!

Ella

(Pic - Langland Bay, off season)

Travelling up the coast

Popped into Pebble yesterday and am most pleased to her that the jewellery has already had a good response. Bracelets have been selling well, a feel good purchase, also good as presents.

I read in the Guardian over the weekend that cornflower blue is the summer colour and I'm hoping that our sea tone range will compliment this summer's blue clothing.

The good news is that some of our jewellery is also going to be available at the Pebble shop in Cowbridge (5 Town Hall Square), not far West from Cardiff.


Ella

On a roll

Exciting news! Pebble in Mumbles will be the first to stock our jewellery and our new collection is already on sale. So when you're visiting the farmers market this Saturday, pop up to the shop (top of Newton Road) and have a peek. We chose to approach Pebble because we love this clothing boutique which sells fab recycled bags and Seasalt organic clothing in amongst more mainstream brands. I remember chatting to Ade from Howies last summer about the importance of seeing ethical fashion/accessories as stylish in their own right. Jane at Pebble loved our jewellery for its beachy look and the fact that its a bit greener than mainstream jewellery is just a bonus!

Now for the arty bit -
Our particular inspiration for Summer 2007 has been the ebb and flow of the tide. The lapping sea edge and white froth on the beach which rolls over pebbles and shells. The smoothness of the driftwood and the rare jewels of washed up ‘sea glass’ in turquoise, amber and pale green. Yes, really!

Our first jewellery collection includes fair-trade, recycled glass in blue tones evoking beautiful sea glass. Each glass bead and pendant has been handmade by artisans from Ghana, Africa. These are complimented with vintage faux pearls and natural elements such as wood and shells.

Thanks to Pebble, we are on a 'roll'. Will report back soon, Ella.

P.s. we haven't forgotten about website - its on the way.

Another first for Mumbles

The sun is glorious and the visitors have started pouring into our little village of Mumbles, Swansea. Mumbles has been a popular tourist destination for hundreds of years, thanks to the Mumbles Railway (which sadly closed in 1960). The 200th anniversary of the railway was recently celebrated - on 25 March 1807, the very same day that the British Parliament passed a Bill to outlaw the transatlantic trade in slaves, Swansea took its place in history with the inauguration of the world's first passenger railway. It is sad however to think that 200 years later, there is still slavery in the form of child trafficking, child labour and unfair working practices in some countries. Christine and I value Fair Trade principles will try to continue to purchase as many of our non-recycled materials as ethically as possible.

Continuing on the Mumbles theme, we have decided that it makes sense to test our creations out in a local gallery or boutique. The website will be run, albeit a little later than first hoped. More details on retaillers to follow.
Thanks for reading, Ella

Green Beach Websites of the Week

• Read more about the Mumbles Railway at the BBC mini site.


• Read local news and events (including the local produce market - next week) at the Mumbles Online Newspaper


• Learn more about the fight for freedom at the Anti Slavery International website

Five ways to reuse our little jewellery bags

I have already noted that our creations will be presented in recycled material bags. We have come up with 5 ideas to reuse the bags -

1. Fill with lavender & hang amongst your clothes


2. Fill with (fairtrade) chocolates & give as a gift


3. Pop in your phone/ipod/sunglasses instead of having them rattle around your bag


4. A make up bag


5. Collect a few and reuse as children's party bags

Limited time, limited editions

The trouble when you immerse yourself in a new project, whether ethical or not, is that everything else becomes at risk of falling by the way side - relationships, you usual leisure activities and for me, my house. I'm living in a bit of a mess at the moment, my husband would call it a pigsty, I on the other hand see it as our 'nest'. I'm surrounded by magazines & books, scraps of fabric, shells, driftwood - all for inspiration of course. The cleaning has been overlooked in favour of jewellery making but at least we still make time for cooking - you've got to eat! I fear Christine is worse (she really needs help for her increasing driftwood collection) but we are finally unleashing all those creative ideas we've been harbouring.

I have been working on earrings - recycled glass & vintage pearls with a starfish (pictured). Its going to be a limited edition, in fact most of our designs will be limited because its gets boring making the same thing over and over. We are also trying to come up with a philosophy, about our ethical and green principles etc. I'll let you know what we've come up with next week.

Oh and we also had a mention in New Consumer again, in their ethical blog round up.

Happy Easter

Ella

Breathe some fresh air

I have been busy making necklaces this week, using fairtrade glass beads, recycled faux pearls (luckily in plentiful supply at charity shops) and even beads from broken jewellery. Christine however has been under the weather, so I cheered her up with a walk around Swansea Marina for inspiration and fresh sea air. We popped into the Environment Centre, to browse their fantastic range of fairtrade, recycled and organic goods, as well as read through literature, magazines and notices.

Please note that instead of blogging at Organic Jac too, I am now putting my ramblings here, including local interest stuff too (see below).

Ella

Website of the week - Clever recycled and organic calico bags from Carry-a-Bag - check out the beach bags for summer (see picture). Sally Walton. the bag designer is very inspiring too! Also read my article on the Top Ten Hottest Ethical Beauty Brands in New Consumer.

Organic Jac's Welsh news - Food tasting will be actively encouraged at the new Waterfront local produce market at Swansea's Waterfront Museum this Sunday 1st April 10-4pm (first sunday each month).

Good news from Ghana

The Fairtrade recycled glass beads have arrived and we are ever so impressed. I even loved the packaging of Ghana newspaper (pictured). The delivery includes some striking sea themed pendants perfect for Green Beach and we will get straight onto handmaking necklaces and bracelets. Some beads are a bit chunkier than we expected but we will have fun creating a design to suit - they may not even become jewellery but added to our eventual accessories and eco-living range. Pop back soon for pics of our first designs.

Ella

New* Green Beach Website of the Week - www.swanturbines.co.uk . Tidal energy on my doorstep? Swansea bay has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world. Could this be the predictable and reliable answer to our energy crisis?

Delayed order, but we're not grumpy.

There's a nice write up about us at New Consumer today - it's spot on, thanks Cathy.

Christine and I met up today for a 'meeting' - a cup of Grumpy Mule coffee (Peruvian Fairtrade & Organic 'Titicaca') and an update on progress. The Fairtrade beads, the real focus of our collection, are delayed due to the 50th Anniversary of Ghana's independence. The artisans have been busy celebrating at festivals and our contact has also had power difficulties. It would be great to get out there and have a better understanding of the makers and their community - one day we'll do it.

We switched our attention to recycled materials and Christine has hand made over a hundred fabric pouches. The material is old cotton gingham curtains, which we have personalised with a name tag. We will be putting each piece of jewellery inside the resusable bag as a practical yet pretty finishing touch.

Our aim is to blog about our progress at least every Friday. Thanks for reading - Ella.

[Pic -'limited edition mermaid bracelets' made from vintage faux pearls and locally bought glass beads, tumblechips and jade)

Designed by Christine at Green Beach

The nearly new sale wasn't up to much (no beads at all), so we headed to a local bead shop to buy a few bits and pieces to go with our large collection of old beads. Still waiting for more Fair trade beads to arrive but we are going to make up bracelets this week whatever the weather.

Ella

[Pic - Necklaces and matching bracelets hand made using mixture of old and new (rock crystal). Designed by Christine who likes the feel and natural style of wooden and glass beads.]

Something old, something new, something blue (and green)

Ethical consumer blog Hippyshopper gave us a mention yesterday which was great! Soon after had a lovely email from a girl who is looking for sea themed jewellery in time for her beach wedding - she is hoping that we could come up with an anklet or bracelet to be her 'something blue'. I love a challenge and am enjoying the encouragement as a result of our 'coming soon' blog.

Tommorrow Christine and I will be trawling a nearly new sale in aid of the local branch of the National Coastwatch Institute (so quite apt). We will be on the lookout for old beads and fabrics to mix with the new fairtrade glass beads. There is a group of retired ladies in Gower who have also taken to beading - so I guess we will be in competition for the best junk! - should be fun!

Ella

[Pic - Necklace made using a recycled glass heart, pale green and lemon fairtrade glass beads and vintage pearls. Although most pieces will be sea-inspired - colours other than blue will be available - pics of bracelets and new designs to be revealed soon.]

'The Manic Green Beachers'

I can't think of a better way to spend St David's Day (or any day really) than on the Gower beaches. It was fresh and breezy and Christine and my eager son were on a mission - driftwood. We examined every piece and rated on shape, feel and size. There was so much to choose from, washed up by the high tides and only the best made the bag. It's for one of Christine's mad projects but let's just see where the creativity takes her this time. I'll publish the end result.

Ella

Someone's scrap, our treasure

Scrap fabric necklace, covering ugly recycled beads. Not all the necklaces will be blue! Driftwood not included.

More designs to follow; the website will hopefully be up and running by April 2007. For further information, keep up to date with the blog or email me.

Inspired by sea glass

The majority of our first collection will include fair trade, recycled glass beads and pendants in sea tones, not unlike the glass jewels washed up on the beach. Perfect for surfers and mermaids (but not exclusively so!), the glass looks even better when it's wet and glossy. Many of the designs will be unisex - yes, a range for men too!!

Making use of fair trade, recycled glass beads

A sea inspired necklace made with fair trade, recycled glass beads and other charity shop finds (including the beautiful sea horse).

The blog by the sea

A new blog is born; my blog by the sea. There's only so long you can write about green and ethical entrepreneurs without jumping in yourself. My great friend and green guru, Christine and I, love all things inspired by the sea. Indeed our homes are full of washed up treasures - we can't get enough of it! We try to buy fairtrade and eco-friendly stuff where possible, but of course, are by no means perfectly green.

We have been making our own jewellery for sometime now and it is often commented upon, so we have decided to 'take the plunge' and make our own jewellery range, inspired by the sea. The materials will be recycled, fairtrade, ethically sourced wherever possible. We aim to be low impact because we are aware more than ever that there is no planet b.

You are welcome to follow us on our journey to create ethical treasures. We may sell online and locally by Summer 2007.

Ella (and Christine) x

[Pic taken today at Rotherslade bay, Swansea. We began to take some pics of our jewellery, but Christine couldn't resist leaving with a handful of driftwood, some pebbles and of course, washed up glass.]