Handmade upcycled jewellery and leather goods
I have been making homeware and accessories, repurposing all kinds of materials from vintage fabrics to upcycling furniture, since 2007. I enjoy learning new skills and adapting them to make individual pieces. Designing and making with the materials that I already have.
In the past 18 months I have started to learn leather work. I love working with this new material (for me) as it is more sturdy, the different colours, thicknesses, textures and wow the possibilities! Repurposing offcuts and end of roll pieces from a sustainable UK based supplier I adapt designs, draw up patterns (from scribbles on bits of paper), make samples, then go through my stash of leather and make mainly ( due to my production process) one of a kind pieces or a very limited run of items.
I have always tried to work with a zero to extremely low waste ethic. Even my padded keyrings are filled with small offcuts from my fabric pieces from my Folksy home wares store, Abigail's Room.
My jewellery pieces came about when I started to incorporate some jewellery parts with some leather pieces. Ironically, I haven't had any metal smithing learning, but I trained and worked as a jewellery repair clerk (which I still thank my ex-boss from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity and training).
My jewellery pieces are made using new fixings. I always choose the lead/cadmium/nickel-free option from a UK based company, which provides fixings that align with EU regulations. The beads, natural crystal chip beads/ tiny crystals, leather and some of the chains are either vintage or pieces that would have been thrown away. By re-using them into new designs, I have created beautiful pieces which are individual and sustainable, saving them from landfill. This is why there are maybe only a few pieces in a collection or one of a kind pieces.
The name Magpie and Primrose came about when I was thinking of a name for my leather brand. I always look towards nature, pets and family (Abigail's Room) for ideas. My items are created from the heart, so I feel that the name should.
For the past few years, I have had magpies coming to feed in my garden. It was only when one had a tail feather missing that I noticed that the regular magpies visiting were generations. The "mother" would come and feed, then feed her babies, then bring her "babies" to the garden to show them where there was always a place for them to get food. Every year it is the same cycle.
As I started my leather work journey it was in January and the first sign of better weather is the primroses, a bit of colour, a sign of hope and newness. Magpie and Primrose it is then!
