Ethics & Values

I want to create beauty with substance and live in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. My ethics and values run through my creative work as well as my relationships and everyday life.

  • I care about the work I do and the materials I use. I make thoughtful choices about everything, from which papers and inks I use, to how I sell things. These choices affect the experience of end user, myself and all of those I contact along the way.

    I want my work to be good - good to create, good for those I buy from, good for those I sell to and good for the planet.

    In Practice, This Means…

    • I hand make many resources (far more than is economically sound!)

    • I take pride in championing local and British crafts, for example, the incredible Pink Pig Journals in my Journalling Kits.

    • I use high quality resources including:

      • S925 sterling silver for all of metal components in my jewellery (unless otherwise stated)

      • Bristol Extra Smooth Paper and Archival Inks for LimiVara Art.

    • I am drawn to things with history and meaning, so I reclaim some of my beads and some of the content in my journalling kits. This re-use connects the new with a previous life whilst also being kind to the planet.

  • I see stories as fundamental to the human experience, from ancient cave paintings and folk tales to mythology, fine art and social media. Storytelling is an integral part of being human.

    I believe that we value things for their meaning and our connection as well as their beauty.

    In Practice This Means…

    • I like to connect my work to stories from people and nature so that it is meaningful to the person who owns it.

    • I appreciate symbolism, personal narratives and bespoke details.

    • I believe ordinary objects and scenery can hold extraordinary personal significance (for example, an art work that captures the fabric of your Nan’s favourite sweater or the plant in her window).

    • I believe that traditional meanings we attribute to colours and materials can help us connect to something we are seeking.

  • For me, creativity is more than a hobby or job. It is a way of processing experience, finding calm, meaning and making connections.

    In Practice this Means…

    ·       I value experimentation, space, individuality and self-expression.

    ·       I appreciate transformation without demanding constant improvement or perfection.

    ·       I want creative spaces or moments that feel welcoming and enabling for all people to explore their creativity, not just those who were ‘arty’ in school.

  • I value the natural world and the understanding that different seasons have different purposes, and I believe as it is in nature so it is in life.

    I respect cycles of growth, blooming, change and quietening. I resist the idea that life should always be about growth, productivity or constant improvement, as Bilbo Baggins said, “it is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life”.

    In Practice This Means

    • I celebrate all of life’s and natures seasons as equally valuable. My journal kits give others the chance to explore seasons to rest and let go, seasons to renew, seasons for gratitude and seasons for acceptance.

    • My jewellery collections strongly resonate with nature’s seasons. I love telling these stories through colour, shape and materials in jewellery.

    • I take joy in nature daily as one of my most indefatigable source of ‘glimmers’ of beauty and hope.

    • I respect my own natural rhythms, acknowledging a need for quiet and rest without pressure or self judgement.

Sustainability & The Environment

LimiVara has been created at time when we must all take our environmental responsibilities seriously.

I have described some of the ways this happens in LimiVara now and some of the areas where I know I need to do more. Although this feels to admit exposing to admit, I believe that it is only through such transparency people can learn and improve. I welcome comments and ideas about how I can do better so if you have any thoughts on this please contact me!

Across LimiVara I work hard to make thoughtful choices about all of the resources used in line with the ethics and values above; for me, things being ‘good’ includes being good for the environment. Where I can I:

  • Use quality products that last longer

  • Use recycled materials

  • Use plastic free materials

  • Reduce materials used in production and reduce waste

  • Reclaim and reuse existing materials and waste (i.e printed media and beads)

  • Reuse and recycle waste from the my home studio

  • Promote these values in our products

  • Contribute to carbon offsetting schemes to counteract our impact.

You can read more about how each part of LimiVara tries to help the environment in the information below:

    • LimiVara Art is produced from digital images rather than print outs as far as possible, reducing waste.

    • LimiVara Art is produced using high quality, acid free, paper usually sourced from Germany and high-quality precision pens which use archival inks, they are produced in Japan. To offset this I use small quantities and take very good care of my pens. For each piece of LimiVara Art purchased I make a donation to the Woodland Trust (as a small business I’m not eligible for their business carbon capture and offsetting scheme).

    • LimiVara Art is framed in Somerset and usually hand delivered and collected to cut down on miles and support local artisans.

    • LimiVara Art is hand delivered where possible and otherwise posted in primarily recycled packaging with minimal plastic - which is reused rather than purchased new wherever possible.

    • LimiVara Jewellery is made at home by hand.

    • the metal components of LimiVara Jewellery are S925 sterling silver (unless otherwise stated), meaning they are high- quality, repairable and recyclable.

    • I continue to work with suppliers to identify a reliable, high-quality source of recycled or reclaimed silver or a one which is provably ethically sourced.

    • Every LimiVara Jewellery Collection includes reclaimed and recycled beads collected on my regular visits to local charity shops- supporting charities and sustainability whilst giving greater individuality and character to my jewellery.

    • Recycled Kraft Paper packaging and information leaflets- I use UK recycled kraft paper extensively in my materials and packaging reducing demand for virgin paper and reducing the need for bleaching of paper. This paper is plastic free and can be reused and recycled.

    • Journals: All our journals are made by Pink Pig in Yorkshire. They use high quality acid free paper, always made from sustainably sourced materials that can be fully recycled.

    • Papers: (New) I carefully select coloured and textured papers which are sustainable, tree-free and where possible, naturally dyed, this includes papers like Khadi Lokta Paper which typically comes from Nepal and is produced with fibres of the Lokta shrub. Lokta is an ethical, sustainable and renewable source of paper material. I purchase these papers from Shepherd’s Arts which is a highly acclaimed supplier based in London.

    • Recycled & Reclaimed: LimiVara Artisan Journalling Kits include a range of reclaimed and recycled media including old wall paper samples and reclaimed words from printed media.

    • Hand Made: Rather than feeding mass production I hand produce lots of the content for my LimiVara Artisan Journalling Kits in my home workshop including stamps and stencils.

    • Small batch production: because I control the design and production of the stickers and prompts there is very limited waste!

    • Using Others Waste: I buy ‘waste off-cuts’ from other creators and providers to reduce waste, these are small pieces which can’t be used for their original purpose but are perfect for journalling.

    • Pens & Glue: These are imported, single use products, this is an area where I need to do more. I’ll be looking at this more closely over the next year to find alternative sustainable products.

    • Packaging: I use recycled, plastic free and recyclable packaging as far as possible. I will finish using the brown plastic packaging tape supply and other products that I already have before I switch to eco- friendly products.