Kate began her working life as a seamstress, specialising in bespoke bridal gowns. After four years in college and 5 years teaching Art & Design, a career change was brought about by a discovery of metal. Starting with aluminium, copper and brass, Kate soon discovered a new material to make jewellery from - recycled and reclaimed biscuit tins. Now officially a biscuit tin expert, Kate designs most of the jewellery on this site and makes the Antique range to order, and is developing a gallery range of one-off pieces. Kate is part of the Kate Hamilton-Hunter Studio based in Wales.
1. Favourite green/ethical activity?
Walking in my favourite woodland with my children and retriever puppy. I find the smell of the forest and the feeling of earth under my feet very grounding. The changing seasons remind me that no matter what 'problems' I'm turning over in my mind as I walk, life goes on just the same. It puts everything in perspective and I feel so much better when I go home and put the kettle on.
2. Fairtrade or organic or local?
This is like trying to juggle three balls in the air! I try to do a bit of each, and I've definitely turned away from the large supermarkets in favour of my local butcher and corner shop. I also shop at Co-Op, because they have built their business from a strong ethical base and have a good choice of fair-trade products. I choose organic when I find it, especially milk and dairy products.
3. Best ethical buy?
Ecoballs from Natural Collection, a natural alternative to conventional washing powders reduce water pollution and last for 150 washes!
4. What green/ethical products are you waiting to be designed?
Mobile phones that don't pose any threats to our health and don't contain the metals, the mining of which is destroying parts of Africa, threatening wildlife and funding the war in Congo.
5. What is your personal ethical/green dilemma
Driving my car every day. I cannot manage my life without it, but I know I'm damaging the earth every day.
6. Where/ who do you get your inspiration from?
I take inspiration from shapes and textures I see every day in nature, but also in things like rusty gates, church spires. Once I start designing jewellery though, I let these influences start the process and then one idea follows the next and the next and it's surprising where I end up!
7. What do you think the future is for ethical fashion?
Every one of us who stops and thinks about how we spend our money and starts to make ethical choices will be using People Power to force designers, manufacturers and retailers to change the way they work to meet the consumer demand so it's up to us. If we don't support ethical fashion, it won't flourish.
8. What was the last green thing you did?
Half an hour of Yoga. I truly believe that if everyone in the world practised yoga, there would be no wars!
Yoga helps to keep you centred and self-aware. You soon find that this awareness feeds into every aspect of your life from the way you speak, treat others and respect your own body.
9. What would be your once piece of ethical/green advice to give ethics girls?
Make a difference by leading by example! Make an effort to buy all your birthday and Christmas presents from green/ethical companies. Buy a tree for a christening present, a fair-trade teddy for your niece, organic chocolate for your Dad.
People don't like being preached so be a leading light instead!
You can find a selection of Kate Hamilton-Hunter jewellery in our shop
We have some news of The Kate Hamilton-Hunter collections this Christmas
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