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Embracing Sustainable Fashion: The Joy of Choosing Natural Materials

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Embracing Sustainable Fashion: The Joy of Choosing Natural Materials

on Oct 08 2024
Embrace Sustainable Fashion: Choose Natural Materials for Joyful StyleDiscover the importance of sustainable fashion and the impact of choosing natural materials over plastic. Learn how to prioritize comfort and individuality in your wardrobe by wearing what makes you happy, rather than following fleeting trends. Join Pretty Pink in making mindful fashion choices that celebrate both the planet and personal expression.
What is ethical jewellery?

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What is ethical jewellery?

on Mar 22 2023
Ethical Jewellery is jewellery that is made with a conscious decision to respect the environment, the natural and the human resources along the whole process from creation to production. In other words Ethical Jewellery measures responsible sourcing, sustainability and fair-trade It may come in a recycled or bio degradable package as the way of continuing the environmental ethos. Ethical Jewellery embraces local communities and culture Here at Pretty Pink we work closely with our South American partners making sure we embrace their cultures and techniques adapting to our European tastes and trends. We are constantly speaking and swapping skills and feedback to make sure we all grow together and mutually gain valuable skills. It considers the impact on humans and the environment In our business as an example there aren't any big companies or manufactories, we work mainly with small family business and people who depend directly on the conservation and the sustainable trade of tagua seeds. Everyone that participate in the process of making our jewellery are important to us and the environment. From the 'catadores" who collect the seeds from the forest floor respecting the forests to the single parent working from home while looking and providing for their families. Why should you buy ethical jewellery? You are buying a product that is made from renewable materials, sustainably made that are beautiful and that pays workers fairly. It first it may seem expensive but remember you are paying for quality materials that take time to be ready, not mass production. Tagua jewellery making for example we have to collect the seeds on the right time of the year, the seeds have to dry than they are treated, died , cut to shapes, polished and that is before we start to make the jewellery. It goes through the hands of many people, a true slow fashion process. What things to look out for when buying ethical jewellery? Fair-trade certifications such as FairTrade or FairMined, if they can trace the materials or the people that makes the jewellery. Eco-friendly packaging such as recyclable or bio degradable Many ethical companies also give back to the environment either by planting trees, investing in education and more.   Buying ethical jewellery is great, and it's never been easier, the choice it's yours.

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Gifts for Good with Social Bite's The Festival of Kindness

on Dec 03 2022
"Every gift which is given, even though it may be small, is in reality big if it is given with affection." - Pindar During this darkest time of year, when the days are short and the nights long, our hearts and minds have always turned towards the indoors – keeping safe and warm, coming together and brightening our homes with candles, with evergreen garlands, with food and drink, creating much-needed festive cheer, and hoping for brighter days to come. Gift-giving has also become a part of our midwinter tradition – a practice likely as old as humanity itself, now inextricably linked with Christmas, and indeed any kind of celebration. Why do we exchange gifts, at Christmas time, or ever? As social creatures we seem to have an irresistible urge to share and to give – we use gifts to create lasting bonds, to express our feelings, to show love and gratitude, to secure favour or to send a message. As both gift-giver and recipient, we experience feelings of love, of being loved, of being appreciated and valued. And of course, we are not alone in the animal kingdom to carry out this ritual – animals are known to exchange gifts – usually hoping to attract or to keep a mate. Gifting Like the Victorians What the Victorians rather beautifully called ‘tokens of affection’ came to be exchanged on Christmas day, and what initially began as festive offerings of fine foods, has ballooned into a multi-billion-pound industry (over £25 billion a year is estimated to have been spent on Christmas presents in the UK alone in recent years). Gifting from the Heart But of course, we can give in so many different ways – particularly in these disconnected and financially difficult times, when people can feel so isolated from society. Gifts do not need to be material – consider the wonderful benefits to be had from giving what it is in your heart and within your capabilities – whether it be your time or your friendship, your expertise or simply your attention – we can all appreciate the happiness and joy such gifts can bring both the giver and the recipient. Gifting essential items is a great way to sneak extra gifts into the hands of those who need it during the festive period. Considering something like a warm pair of socks or a pair of gloves to cope with the winter months.  Festival of Kindness Gifts With Pretty Pink Eco Jewellery  We are really proud to be supporting Social Bite's Festival of Kindness this Christmas, and will be donating £5 from every £25 spent on our website between 1st to 24th of December to buy a homeless or vulnerable person a Christmas Dinner, emergency winter food pack or temporary emergency accommodation.  How to Participate in the Festival of Kindness with Pretty Pink Eco Jewellery? Find the perfect eco jewellery gift here Place an order between December 1st and 24th 2022 We'll automatically take £5 from every £25 spent and gift it directly to Social Bite's Festival of Kindess What is The Festival of Kindness? The Festival of Kindness launched by Social Bite co- aims to spread festive warmth and cheer across the country as a collective movement of kindness. The festival aims to give as many people as possible, who are experiencing homelessness or food poverty, access to hot meals, safe accommodation, loving company and Christmas presents over the holiday season. What better way could there possibly be to continue the festive tradition of bringing loved ones inside, to share a warm, happy space, filled with light, love and laughter? There is absolutely no doubt that the giving of gifts – whether material or more intangible – is a positive experience for both the giver and the recipient. We hope that the process of giving over this festive season creates a powerful cycle of lasting connections, of positivity and community – an escalating snowball that creates a bond between many individuals in this increasingly disconnected world, drawing us closer and improving our morale as a society. Whether it is, indeed, better to give than to receive, to the people who are reached through the Festival of Kindness, and to those who so generously support it, there is no doubt that the age-old tradition of gift-giving is not only valuable but life-affirming, spreading festive cheer to those who need it most at a time when it is most needed. So while wishing each and every one of you the happiest Christmas and the most wonderful 2023, if you are able we encourage you this year, to give what is in your heart and within your capabilities to this wonderful cause, and to feel the joy, not only as a grateful recipient of fabulous gifts, but as the giver of happiness and light during the darkest nights of the year. Learn more about The Festival of Kindness in Edinburgh here. Social Bite's core efforts go to supporting Homeless People across the country and this campaign alone with help to support thousands of people. So when you're on the hunt to full that perfect gift wish list, give the festival of kindness a thought and make sure your financial donations are makeing the biggest impact while spreading festive goodwill. 
Illuminating Yellow Handmade Jewellery

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Yellow Tagua Jewellery

on May 07 2021
Searching for accessories to align with Pantone's 2021 colour of the year? We have a selection of Illuminating Yellow handmade eco-jewellery that will!
Hand-made Jewellery with an Unexpected Story

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Hand-made Jewellery with an Unexpected Story

on Mar 19 2021
Did you know that when you wear one of our ethically sourced pieces of jewellery, you are wearing a gift from nature that started life decades ago and continues to provide inhabitants of South America a sustainable income today?  The Journey Our jewellery starts life thousands of miles away in the tropical rainforests of South America. The tagua nut is a dried seed from a large fruit palm tree. It can take up to 40 years for these trees to produce fruit, making the tagua nut a precious resource locally. The fruit contains a sweet liquid which can be drunk if harvested within 6 months, but if left on the forest floor, it turns into a hard white substance similar to the consistancy of ivory. Out of respect for the delicate eco-system, Pretty in Pink co-operatives in South America leave the first harvest on the forest floor for the birds. Only nuts which have been on the ground for 2 years are collected and it is done by hand to cause the least disturbance to vegetation and wildlife. Back at the workshop, the seed is removed from the husk and left to dry in the sun for about 3 months. After that, it’s ready for a new life! Members of our co-operatives drill, carve and slice the nuts by hand before adding bright dye. Lush tropical foliage, and the plumage of the birds who had first ‘pick’ of the nut, are the inspiration for our jewellery colours. Recent research from Brazil found that the cultivation and harvesting of the tagua nut prevents loggers from cutting trees to plant soya for biofuels. This humble but mighty nut keeps 35,000 people employed in the Greater Amazonia region. It’s a success story in sourcing natural products and we’re proud to be part of it. Once the coloured tagua beads (also known as vegetable ivory) reach Pretty Pink Jewellery in Scotland, we craft them into quality jewellery by adding Japanese silk cord to create pendants, and sterling silver hooks to create earrings. As well as tagua, we also use seeds from the Açaí tree in our jewellery. Like vegetable ivory, the fruit is sourced in a sustainable and eco-friendly way and cultivation and harvesting provides work to thousands of local people. How to Style Vegetable Ivory Jewellery for Spring/Summer 2021 We think you’ll agree that our jewellery looks best when worn with natural fabrics, such as cotton, silk, linen and wool. For inspiration, we’ve used the latest fabulous collection from ethical clothing brand TOAST to showcase our Spring Collection.
Is Black Friday Ethical? It Depends if You're Buying Ethical Goods

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Is Black Friday Ethical? It Depends if You're Buying Ethical Goods

on Nov 13 2020
Ready for the mayhem of Black Friday? Here at Pretty Pink Eco-Jewellery we thought long and hard about it, however we strongly believe that even you, our conscious consumers deserve a chance to shop more sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly products. The Price of Ethical Fashion and Jewellery We definitely believe that more and more people are trying to buy ethically made items and we encourage people to buy what they absolutely LOVE and will wear for years down the road, however we also recognise that sustainable and ethical fashion comes at a higher price, that price is justified by the quality and craftsmanship of the item, but can be a barrier for some shoppers. It is nice to offer a discount once in a while to reach more people who want to shop ethically. Conscious Consumers Deserve Deals Too We believe that Black Friday can give you the chance to buy innovative options to detox from the traditional Black Friday mass market appeal. We want to connect people to the hidden energy of the raw materials we use in our creations letting our customers slow down and immerse in a shopping experience that care for the planet and people. It is not easy shopping consciously during the holiday season – especially with all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, not to say with the CORONAVIRUS Pandemic, so be sure that this can be a great opportunity for purchasing responsibly on a budget. What Ethical Jewellery Is on Sale and How Do I Find it? On top of the 30% store wide discount we will be offering, we will still donate 10% of our sales to “A Helping Hand Project” that we started in April this year at the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic, in an effort to try and help our supply chain in South America. We know that more than ever that buying ethically is good for people and the planet, but it could actually be good for your own wellbeing too. Together we really can make a difference to our planet and people.
5 Ideas for Finding Ethical Gifts on a Budget

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5 Ideas for Finding Ethical Gifts on a Budget

on Sep 19 2020
Many people enjoy buying gifts for others just as much as they enjoy receiving them. Isn’t it lovely to spend time on carefully choosing an item that’s just right for the intended recipient, wrapping it in beautiful paper and ribbons, and then seeing their excitement as they unwrap the surprise? Something that can make the ritual of gift-giving even better is finding a gift with a story or a special significance. And as most people are surrounded by more things than they could ever need, it is also a good idea to think about how we can make sure that the gifts we choose to give are as ethical as possible. This way our gift will not only benefit the person who receives it, but many others, too.  Intangible and material gifts Ethical gifts fall into two main categories: intangible and material gifts. Intangible gifts are perfect for the person in your life who will always say “oh, I don’t need anything” when you ask them what they’d like.  While that’s probably true – most of us do have more things than is strictly necessary – this is not a helpful statement when we want to show our appreciation to our loved ones. In situations like this, intangible gifts are a good choice. They are a great way to spread joy through a thoughtful gift without the risk that it will eventually just be collecting dust on a shelf or in a cupboard. An intangible gift can also be a great eco-friendly choice. There are, however, also times when we want the gift to be something physical. But just because you want your gift to be something for your loved one to unwrap, that doesn’t mean you have to feel guilty about making an unethical choice! There are plenty of products available that can be both ethical and affordable. Below we have listed a few ideas for ethical, eco-friendly gifts to give your loved ones no matter what the occasion. And what’s even better, all these gifts are available at different price points, so you can find a thoughtful and ethical gift even when you are on a budget.   Charity gifts Charity gifts are a perfect example of a gift that doesn’t only benefit its recipient, but potentially many others, too. And another thing that makes this such a good gift choice is that it truly fits all budgets. These types of ethical gifts range from schoolbooks and mosquito nets to avocado trees, cattle and even a well for a village, and prices go from under ten pounds to over a thousand. You choose the gift, and the recipient receives a card outlining what you have donated on their behalf. No packaging, no unwanted items, just a gift that helps others. Good places to start looking for charity gifts are Unicef Market and Concern Gifts.   Experiences Another great gift that will last way beyond the time it takes to unwrap it is the gift of an experience. These days there are several companies specialising in gift experiences, which makes it easy to filter the numerous options by occasion, recipient, age, area, and price range. Restaurant meals, weekends away, escape rooms, hot air ballooning, white water rafting – you name it!  If you disregard the not so eco-friendly options on these pages (such as the numerous driving experiences on offer), experiences are a great way of giving someone a gift that does not come with lots of plastic packaging or that has required a huge number of resources to produce. There are many sites offering experience gifts, Buy a Gift and Red Letter Days being two examples.   Time Time is something you might not think of as a gift, but it’s a good way to get really creative. Maybe you could organise a day out, like a hike or a picnic? Maybe you can make your own voucher offering yourself as a babysitter or gardener, or to fill their freezer with batch cooked meals? If you’re time-poor yourself but have more of a budget, there is also the option of buying a voucher for a cleaning, gardening, or babysitting service as a gift. Offering time is a gift that is usually particularly appreciated by those of your friends who have young children or who are busy professionals, or anyone else who could use a bit of extra time in their hectic lives. This is a great ethical option as it requires no physical resources at all, and the best part is that it doesn’t have to cost you any money either.   Home-made gifts A home-made gift is a great way to show the recipient that you really care about them. After all, making a gift yourself usually takes much more time and effort than just adding something to your online cart. If you are good at knitting, sewing, woodwork or baking, this could be a great way to give your loved ones thoughtful, ethical gifts, but you can also find many easy options online that require no special skills at all. Anything home-made usually means less plastic packaging than store-bought, but to make sure your gift is particularly eco-friendly, a great idea is to look around you to see what you already have. Use fabric or yarn from old clothes, fruit and berries from your garden, wood offcuts, or shells from the beach. Let your creative side loose and come up with ways of reusing existing materials in all kinds of new ways. Pinterest is especially good for brainstorming easy DIY gifts.   Ethical products We all have busy lives, so despite all the excellent ideas listed above, some of the more time-consuming options might not be realistic for you. Luckily, there is always also the option to buy a gift, and these days there are more and more ethical brands available both online and on the high street. Here at Pretty Pink Eco-Jewellery, we design colourful, unique, hand-made jewellery that makes a perfect gift for stylish, ethically conscious women. Our products are made from sustainable materials, but they are still affordable. When you buy from us, you will know exactly where the products come from, how they have been made, what materials were used, and even who made them.  A gift carries so much more meaning when it comes with a story and the knowledge that it was bought from a company that is trying to make a difference in the word. When you gift someone a piece of our eco-jewellery, you know your gift is not only going to bring your loved one joy for many years to come, but it is also helping a small Edinburgh-based business, our skilled workers in South America, and most importantly, the planet. You can browse our collection for the perfect ethical gift for a loved one – or yourself – here.
Tagua ‘Vegetable Ivory’ The Perfect All Natural Material for Eco Friendly Jewellery

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Tagua ‘Vegetable Ivory’ The Perfect All Natural Material for Eco Friendly Jewellery

on Aug 18 2020
How do You Make Eco Friendly Jewellery with Vegetable Ivory or Tagua?  Tagua fruit is what has provided Pretty Pink with our uniqueness and originality, which is also widely known as Vegetable Ivory, due to its almost identical composition, hardness and colour to animal ivory.
Making Your Own Ethical Jewellery with Natural Materials 

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Making Your Own Ethical Jewellery with Natural Materials 

on Aug 05 2020
These past few months, we have been spending more time than ever with our families because of COVID 19. I don’t know about you, but I have also used this time to pick up old hobbies or spend time learning something new!  Our Kid’s Eco-Necklace Making Kit gives you an opportunity of spend time with your family whilst learning to do something fun and creative at the same time!
A Guide to Ethical UK Based Brands and Completing Your Sustainable Wardrobe

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A Guide to Ethical UK Based Brands and Completing Your Sustainable Wardrobe

on Jul 15 2020
Highlighting some of the ethical shopping brands that are leading the way, we have put together a guide of UK based ethical brands. Our goal is to help shoppers and customers on their journey in completing the ideal sustainable wardrobe
Ethical Jewellery in Scotland

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5 Ethical and Sustainable Jewellery Companies Based in Scotland

on Jun 18 2020
Scottish jewellers are paving the way to ignite an industry and inspire a generation of conscious consumer habits through sustainable and ethical jewellery. We've prepared a list, stacked with some of the leading brands to keep an eye on when buying anything from bijoux to precious metals and gemstones.