Trash to treasure: Vancouver jeweller makes earrings out of beer bottles
Is your jewelry fair?
It's a question Vancouver designer Jennifer Cheung is hoping to help people answer affirmatively, with confidence.
The founder and designer of Fair. Jewelry creates affordable and fine jewelry pieces that feature recycled and upcycled metals and materials for an “eco-friendly” approach to accessories. We caught up with Cheung to learn more.
Q. For those who aren't familiar, what is Fair. Jewelry?
A. Fair. is an eco-friendly jewelry brand based in Vancouver. Our focus is on creating affordable slow fashion accessories to complete your everyday look and we also create artisan, handcrafted fine jewelry — think: wedding bands and custom engagement rings.
Q. What makes it different from other jewelry lines?
A. We're committed to incorporating recycled and/or upcycled materials in our collections, making our jewelry a unique and eco-friendly accessory option. Our passion for sustainability and doing our part to minimize our footprint means we're also committed to doing what we can to give back to our community. As such, we donate five per cent of all orders over $100 to the David Suzuki Foundation to help protect biodiversity and conserve wildlife.
Q. Is there a story behind the name?
A. I was actually living in the French countryside on a street named Route de la Montagne — the literal translation is `Road to the Mountains' — when I first became inspired to make jewelry for a living. Fair. was actually first known as La Montagnette as an homage to my time spent in France. However, upon returning to Canada, my clients here really struggled with the pronunciation of La Montagnette and I realized it wasn't a true reflection of how my brand had evolved, which led to our rebranding.
When deciding on a new name, it was important to me that our name reflected and incorporated the values that are important to me and that make up the foundation of my business, which includes the ethical-sourcing of materials and a commitment to sustainability. Fair. was the perfect word to convey this — honesty, simplicity, beauty — all things that I want my business to represent.
Now, the name Fair. is a constant reminder to myself of my priorities as a maker and a business owner, i.e. running an ethical and eco-conscious business on all levels, and I hope that people who wear our jewelry also know our commitment to minimizing our footprint on our planet wherever possible, and that fair and ethical practices are what we stand for.
Q. Who is the target customer?
A. Fair. is for anybody who appreciates timeless, quality jewelry that lasts, but that won't compromise on sustainability. Our customers are like-minded in the sense that they thoughtfully curate and purchase products and accessories that are eco-conscious, as well as ethically-sourced and made.
Q.
Where are the products designed/made?
A. All of our products are designed locally in Vancouver. Wherever possible, we try to make our jewelry, everyday and ceremony, by hand in Vancouver. This includes our stacking rings, pearl necklaces, and engagement/wedding rings. Our hand-blown glass pieces like our popular Amber Hoops are also handcrafted in Vancouver with the glass gems being handblown in Canada.
Q, Is there a `hero' in the lineup? If so, which one and what makes it so popular?
A . Definitely our Amber Hoops! What makes them so popular — other than the fact they go with literally any outfit — is how they are made. Each of the glass gems are handblown in Canada and made from recycled beer bottles that were cleaned, melted down, and upcycled into a new piece of wearable art. There is something extremely remarkable to me about turning trash into treasure and giving something a second, beautiful life, and I think our customers also resonate with this sentiment.
Q. What is the price range for Fair designs?
A. We strive to be as accessible as possible and as such, we create jewelry for every budget. Our demi-fine and fine jewelry ranges from $30$400. Ceremony and custom jewelry for engagement and weddings generally starts at around $1,200.
Q. Lastly, where can people check them out?
A. You can shop online at Fairjewelry.ca and follow us on Instagram at @fair.jewelry. You can also find our pieces at select retailers in B.C.