"Manchester City Council has committed to becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038"

Makers at Manchester Craft and Design Centre, where I have my studio / shop, were invited to take part in a group exhibition on this theme. Many took up the challenge and created collections in ways that reflected their practise and aims for the future.

As much as my work included recycling of old and potentially otherwise discarded found materials, there are many areas my work can grow over the next years with this aspect in mind. I do recycle scrap silver, but I could buy already recycled and Fairtrade silver and gold. My packaging is sustainable and I am aware of my day to day workshop decisions.

This collection was based on brass that I had in my drawer for years, and an oval I had cut and pierced with holes, which lives in a drawer, it comes out when I am designing, then returns to the drawer. So this became my starting point. I also have a drawer stuffed to the max with pieces of ruler I have cut for a piece of work, then changed my mind for a different shape or scale. These elements are remain waiting to become something. So this was the time to work freely with materials an ideas unfulfilled. Very satisfying!

The pieces are now in the exhibition at Manchester Craft and Design Centre which runs until Christmas eve. More information can be found here.