Country Living (UK)

MEET THE MAKER

- KATE WAINWRIGHT katewainwr­ight.com

For a Mother’s Day gift that’s kind to Mother Nature, look no further than Kate Wainwright’s delicate jewellery, crafted from 100 per cent recycled silver and beautifull­y giftwrappe­d in biodegrada­ble packaging. Shown left is the La Lune Crescent Moon Necklace, £25, with £5 from each sale donated to Tommy’s, the baby charity.

MY STORY Ten years ago, I was a neonatal nurse craving a creative escape from work. I began making jewellery to de-stress and, slowly, my hobby became a business – although it still feels more like play than work!

TO-DO LIST During lockdown, I found the time to learn a new aspect of my craft – wax carving. Designs are carved into wax, then cast in silver or gold. I’ve used this to create new floral designs for spring.

WORDS TO THE WISE I believe in community over competitio­n and would advise other crafters to form a support group with like-minded creatives. And never compare yourself to others

– what works for one business might not work for yours.

GREATEST CHALLENGE It’s difficult to compete with cheaper mass-produced alternativ­es. People often question my price points without realising that each piece is handmade, using artisanal skills and techniques passed down through generation­s.

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