Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
EXCITING SLIME OF THE TIMES
DETERMINED to let nothing stop her, including a pandemic and her own chronic health issues, inventor Anna Watkins, 27, from Penrith, has created a wacky alternative to leather and plastics from seaweed, all brewed in her kitchen.
And now, armed with a national award and a grant from Innovator UK and the Prince’s Trust, Anna is launching her own business called Uncommon Alchemy.
What is your magic seaweed concoction?
It all happens on the stove and in the oven. I initially make seaweed slime from powder, heat it up, pour in some natural plasticiser, stir in some ethically sourced mineral powder for colour and shine, and hey presto – I have a sustainable, attractive alternative to leather and plastic.
That makes it sound so easy, but it has taken months and months and an awful lot of messy experiments to get to this point. I’m now designing and creating my products which include notebooks, wallets, tech cases and lampshades, all from seaweed leather.
How did you come up with the idea?
I’m in the final year of a degree in Fashion Brand Marketing at Huddersfield. Last year I took advantage of their Enterprise Placement Year which helped me research and explore new business ideas. I was looking at creating something with sustainable fabrics but realised it was so difficult to source them that I should look at creating my own.
How did you settle on seaweed?
The internet had loads of inspiration. For a while I lived with dozens of dodgy looking science experiments. I tried to grow mushroom mycelium in Tupperware under my bed, but that didn’t quite work out.
I discovered that seaweed was relatively easy, without needing a lab. It’s a really interesting material in the way it behaves and transforms over time. I found some recipes online, then I became a bit of a mad scientist. In one week I made 100 samples – my flat was covered in jellies and slimes that were drying in moulds. I fell in love with biomaterials.
Where does this all take place?
For the past year, because of lockdown, I have been back at my very understanding parents’ home in the Lake District where I have
taken over the kitchen. They are extremely tolerant.
Did you always see yourself as a mad scientist?
I’d always wanted to work for myself – I have suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome – and saw self-employment as a way to help me manage my condition. I had always loved fashion too which took me towards the degree I am doing. I was certainly never a scientist but I love solving problems.
How are you surviving?
At the end of last year I won a £5,000 grant from Young Innovators plus one-to-one business coaching and a living wage for two days a week for the next year.
I was one of 64 winners. The aim is to give me the support I need to help me to push my business and myself so much further than I could alone.
I’m now looking at how to find a way that’s scalable to an industrial way of production, less me in my kitchen making small samples in a mad way.
Seaweed is a fascinating material, but I am also keeping my options open about where to go next with the raw materials that
Contacts
AWARD Anna won funding for her idea
the plastic comes from. I am so excited by material innovation, it can go in so many directions.
Anna can be followed on Instagram @Uncommonalchemy
Innovators UK ktn-uk.org/ programme/young-innovators/
GOING IT ALONE
If you have a great idea there’s lots of help to be had out there to make it a reality.
To follow in Anna’s footsteps, research what grants and support there are to set you on your way.
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme (princes-trust.org.uk) supports unemployed 18 to 30 year olds with their sights set on being their own boss. They have grants and advice on offer.
Shell LIVEWIRE (livewire.shell) offers similar guidance.
Even if you are not making or inventing your own product and have spotted a hole in the market you just need to log on to ebay. co.uk and start selling.
If online selling doesn’t suit your idea check out gov.uk/starting-upa-business where you can get advice on everything from business plans to recruiting staff.
Local councils also offer small business grants which may be of use and some banks offer free services too.