Time for a Tree Change

Have you ever been one of those people who say ‘one day i will…..’ fill in the blank! This was me for a long time. I would always say that one day i will move to the country. Being someone who was born and raised in Sydneys outskirt suburbs, i was never close enough to the country or the city to be in either. After living in the inner west for over 10 years with my studio that i love for the last 6 years, Covid hit and i really started to think, is this where i want to be right now and the answer became no.

So i am going to tell you a little bit of my story over the past few months and how i came to pack up and move to the Southern Highlands.

I have been teaching at Sturt Craft Centre in Mittagong for the last 5 years and have been commuting from Sydney (1 hour 10 min drive) a couple of days a week. Some people gawk at that amount of driving, but i actually enjoyed putting on an audiobook and cruising down the highway. Getting out of the car, i was always greeted with a big breathe of fresh air that you never get in Sydney.

My dream life has always had the image of rolling hills in the background so this move is one step closer to me realising this vision and also a big test as to if i will be missing the inner west and all the culture i have so loved for so long.

When Covid hit, everyone in small business were freaking out. So much of our livelihood has been to be at markets to sell our wears. Once all the markets shut down, then my teaching stopped too, it was a bleak time for my business. But i was not freaking out like some of my friends. I thought, this is meant to be what it will be and relaxed into the flow of the next few months.

As i had to move back in with my Father for a couple of months to find out what that next move would be, I was still relaxed as to what the future would hold for me. This big shake up gave me the perspective that, i shouldn’t just say ‘one day…’ i should just go and do it.

Things all fell into place and i found a cute house in Mittagong (now a 2 min drive to teaching!!) and i have enough space to do all the things i love. I now have a reading room! And i have a beautiful sunroom studio which is where i am currently sitting writing this blog.

There are bird noises all around, there are flowers sprouting in the garden and the air is fresh. It is the calm i was searching for and i am so looking forward to the next adventure in this place and i hope you are all ready to go on this journey with me.

We never know how our lives can change and do so quite quickly. One thing i have really learnt over the years is that the tighter you try to hold on to something, the quicker it falls through your hands. Relax and let it flow and know that the universe gives only gives you what you can handle.

I would love to hear your transformative stories so please email me at asilvercircledesign@gmail.com

xx Corinne

Sustainability at ASC

Here at A Silver Circle, we are extremely conscious of the impact that our business has on the environment. Even though we are not perfect, we’d like to share with you some everyday things we do in the studio to reduce our impact. We believe a thousand people doing an imperfect job is better than one person doing it alone.

We’ve broken down our eco-friendly practices into a few categories so you can learn more about what sustainable actions we are taking and how you can also contribute.

MATERIALS

Not many people are aware of the lack of sustainability around silver jewellery products. Like the mining of any other metal, silver mining is having a destructive impact on our environment through greenhouse gas emission; not to mention the large amount of metals being thrown away each year through old mobile phones. We are working hard to combat this waste of precious resources to create more sustainable jewellery through every step of our creative process.
We start by using recycled sterling silver for ALL of our pieces. Unused silver is melted down and remade into wire or sheet metal that can then used to construct new forms and designs. Any offcuts from our new designs are again recycled by being melted down again to be reused. So there is virtually no wastage of this beautiful precious material.

Here at ASC we love to experiment with recycled materials as seen through our Branch Collection (Check out our Branch Pendant) and former Computer Chip collection. We also love adding sustainably sourced stones in our collection like in our Amazonite Ring. As much as we love our colourful Resin Collection, we have unfortunately had to discontinue this as unfortunately this is not a sustainable material. We look forward to finding other colourful sustainable materials for our future pieces.

STUDIO PRACTICES
In the studio we are all about reduce, reuse and recycle.

Reduce: We have been taking steps to reduce the amount of plastic and other materials that come into the studio as much as possible: through buying bulk and staying clear of plastic foods, asking suppliers for less packaging and picking up things instead of shipping. Every year, 6.5 million tonnes of business waste is going to landfill across Australia, so it’s really important that we all take little steps every day to make a bigger impact in the long run.

Reuse: While Australia have made some steps towards reducing single-use plastic, we still use around 3.3 billion plastic bags a year. We don’t want to contribute to this statistic, therefore we reuse absolutely everything we can! Firstly we start within our studio- seeing a lot of our materials still come in plastic sealed bags, we reuse them for holding stock or Corinne’s students’ work to prevent tarnished. Lastly, we ensure that all boxes we receive are repurposed by using them to ship new orders to you.

Recycling: The bags mentioned above are reused over and over until they are no longer useful- then they get recycled in our Recycle bin in the studio and dropped off to our local supermarket for recycling. While plastic and packaging recycling in Australia is well established, still only 14% of plastic is recovered for recycling. Clearly we would love this number to increase, so all of our business practices will be carried out with this goal in mind.

Composting: Our studio is in an industrial area, so there is no outdoor space for us to use as a lovely worm farm, however we have an Urban Composter, which means we can compost all of our food scraps in the studio and drop it off to an established worm farm in the local area (you could find some in your area through Sharewaste) to then be broken down fully and reused. Composting is such a simple and rewarding process that we care a lot about as it keeps as much as 30% of waste from going into the bin. If you ever stumble into our workshop, you’ll probably notice the incredible amounts of tea consumed on a daily basis. That’s why we strive to use loose leaf teas and faze out all use of tea bags. Although these are small decisions, they are also important ones.

ONE TREE PLANTED

We are taking the initiative to give back to the planet by planting one tree for every sale made in person or online. We are inspired by One Tree Planted: an initiative that is planting trees in areas of deforestation around the globe to combat this increasingly severe problem. As we’ve seen with the Amazon Rainforest fires, drastic amounts of land and vegetation are being burnt as a result of climate change and deforestation.

We look forward to being able to contribute to helping our environment recover from years of damage and hope you are eager to get on board too! If you want to further support this cause, you can check our their website here: https://onetreeplanted.org

SHIPPING

Setting goals to reduce our carbon footprint is critical for us to become the business we have always aspired to be! Being environmentally conscious though our shipping of orders is very important to us and something we are continually striving to do better in.

All of our regular post orders use compostable bags or cardboard boxes as they are easily reused or recycled. Some boxes or packing material are recycled from other deliveries we have recieved. All our jewellery and other accessories are stored in previously used boxes to ensure we get the most use out of them as possible. We are continually working on a means of express-posting orders plastic free, so bear with us in the meantime!

Packaging: Our boxes, paper bags and carry bags are all cardboard so that they can be recycled or composted (ripped up into small pieces). They do however have a foam insert which are not currently recyclable but we are looking into a better alternative. This is where we would love to hear from you! If you have any great ideas please let us know as we are always welcoming suggestions to make our business more environmentally conscious everyday.

We are doing everything we can to work towards being completely zero-waste and we hope others will follow our lead. By shopping with us, you can be sure your purchases are sustainable and are in fact having a positive impact on the environment.
We would love to hear from you! What sustainable brands do you love? Do you have any tips on achieving more everyday sustainability? Please get in touch with us through Facebook or Instagram via the links below:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

All About Me

Hi Everyone,

This is Corinne; I wanted to personally write this blog post to tell you more about me and why I love to do what I do as well as how I came to run this small business.

Creative expression is always something that i’ve loved, I always found that conventional ways of being creative wasn’t my thing. I would do a collage instead of drawing or use clay instead of painting, then finally using metal instead of anything else. This love of using metal lead me to a Bachelor of Visual Arts majoring in Jewellery and Object design.

A Silver Circle was started quite serendipitously as I always loved making but had no idea how I could make this my job. A chance visit to a career adviser stated that this was the best move for me and threw me into a business course and the next thing I knew I was a small business owner.

Over the years this business has grown to be one that combines a love of creating, interacting with people and being conscious of the impact on the planet. The addition of teaching to my business was something that also happened without planning it and is now something that I enjoy and cherish.

A bit of an urban bohemian, you will see me floating around the studio in my long skirts and boots with a stack of books ready to read on my lunch break (i love philosophical fiction, personal development and fantasy books – if you want any recommendations just ask!).

I hope you have enjoyed this delve into A Silver Circle. Stay connected and to see more of me and what i am up to, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

xx Corinne

Shopping with a Conscience

Supporting sustainable brands has a bigger impact than you may think. They have a powerful purpose to reduce environmental impact, giving you the opportunity to put your money towards an ethical cause. Here at A Silver Circle, we love supporting local brands that are keeping things sustainable. We’ve selected a few of our personal favourite responsible brands, giving you an insight to what they’re all about and what we love about them.

Eva Cassis

Eva Cassis Label is an ethical Sydney-based boutique, crafting sustainable considered and timeliness garments and accessories with rich, natural materials. All luxurious linen clothing and accessories are handmade with love, including the sterling silver hooks of their earrings which are custom designed by A Silver Circle. This separates the label from the fast fashion market and throwaway consumer culture that is threatening our world today.

“I have a couple of Eva’s pieces and they are always perfect for the humid Sydney summers. I particularly love my Tie-dye print dress as it’s elegant while being cool and comfortable. You will catch me wearing this at least a couple of times at The Rocks Markets during the summer.”
– Corinne

Website: https://www.evacassis.com.au/
Instagram: @evacassis

Hayden Youlley
Hayden Youlley is a local designer and maker of porcelain tableware and décor. His ceramics are based upon functionality and can be personalised with engravings of your name. Each reusable piece is a beautiful sustainable alternative with a minimal environmental footprint.

“I have known Hayden for many years now and find our design aesthetic very similar so I instantly loved his pieces. The studio is full of his work and we often use different pieces when we photograph our jewellery as well as in our market stall set up so keep an eye out on our social media pages to spot the Hayden Youlley pieces.” – Corinne

Website: http://www.haydenyoulley.com/

Instagram: @haydenyoulley

Lush Cosmetics


Lush is well-known for using fresh ingredients and fighting against animal testing to create handmade products which support a sustainable lifestyle. They help reduce the amount of plastic consumers buy and discard with their innovative shampoo bars and stop microplastics making their way into the ocean with biodegradable glitter. Lush follow a strict ethical buying policy to support small environmentally conscious farms and get the best ingredients for their huge range of cosmetics.

“I love that I can buy products without plastic! I use Lush Shampoo and Conditioner bars that come without packaging and I store them in reusable tins. They last longer and take up less room so for me its a win win win situation” – Corinne



Website: https://au.lush.com

Instagram: @lush_ausnz

Aulieude

‘Au lieu de’ is inspired by the French ‘in place of’ as an alternative to fast fashion. The brand is inspired to create change in the contemporary world of fashion with their effortless, sustainable and 100% Linen clothes. Based out of Sydney, they use only plant-based materials and fabrics for a vegan and plastic-free brand.

“I have just recently discovered this brand and I love my Marnie Pants. They are comfy, they look good and are in natural fabrics so they breathe well.” – Corinne



Website: https://aulieude.com

Instagram: @aulieude 


Ever Eco

Ever Eco provides a wide range of stylish, practical and affordable ecofriendly homewares. They are family owned and operated in Australia. Their reusable solutions replace thousands of single-use products which reduces negative impact upon our environment. Their most popular products include stainless steel straws, organic cotton net bags and their round containers.

“I love my little stack of 3 containers. I use these at every market i do as they hold all my snacks ready to last me through the day. They keep cool and they are super easy to clean” – Corinne

Website: https://evereco.com.au/

Instagram: @ever.eco

The Mister Brand


The Mister Brand is a Sydney-based business focused on natural men’s grooming, creating quality, handcrafted products that are gentle on the skin and easy on the earth. They source top quality ingredients that are 100% natural with numerous benefits. The Mister Brand offers shaving products, skincare, tattoo wax and soaps.

“This is a great local brand! Although most of their products are mens based, i use and love their Tattoo Wax for my new tattoo. It makes it look and feel smooth and shiny.” – Corinne

Website: https://www.themisterbrand.com/

Instagram: @themisterbrand

These sustainable brands are setting important ethical examples within their industries. They need your support to continue their mission of creating an environmentally friendly world. So next time you are looking for something for yourself or a loved one, think about where is came from and how you can help support these local businesses who are taking the right steps for a more sustainable future.

Put some Spring in your step!

This year has flown by us so fast and Spring is well and truly upon us, so we are inspired by the sunshine and longer days and come up with four gorgeous looks to inspire your own outfits for all your Spring activities. So here we go: 4 looks to spice up your outfits and bring the heat this Spring/Summer.



A Picnic by the Lake

What better way to spend the Spring Season than a picnic on the weekend, with a spacious spread and a beautiful view overlooking the lake. For this look we’ve gone with a bohemian feel, with an emphasis on comfort and effortless elegance.

This outfit features two statement piece necklaces, the Navajo Diamond Pendant and the Islamic Stone Pendant, broken up by the minimalistic Curved Bar Necklace to achieve balance. The Navajo Diamond Pendant immediately draws attention with its bright, textured, silver finish and unique combination of geometric shapes. Whilst the Islamic Stone Pendant, featuring a turquoise stone, provides a vibrant pop of colour to match flowy/ patterned Spring skirts. The Curved Bar Necklace is the finishing touch, acting as a perfect complimentary piece and softening out the statement pieces. Our necklaces are perfect to layer on flowy Spring wear to elevate any simple look. 


We’ve also gone with the Geometric Earrings to tie in the strong lines and symmetrical shapes that the Navajo Diamond Pendant provides. These earrings add a trace of complexity to the look with the skilful way the shapes interact and intertwine together.

In order to leave the spotlight on these beautiful pieces, we’ve kept it simple on the hands. The Plain Rings are incredibly versatile. These were paired with the Silver Hexagon Ring, Textured Medium Ring, Amazonite and Rhodonite Rings. These rings bring together the whole outfit, with the brighter colours you’ll be wearing this Spring.

Walk in the Park

For those days that you just want to go outdoors and enjoy the sun, we’ve put together a look that encapsulates a playful, whimsical aura that doesn’t get in the way of enjoying the outdoors.

For this look, we’ve layered more statement rings with simple Hammered Rings and Twisted Rings that draw the eye by reflecting the Spring sunlight beautifully. For some added interest, we’ve included the Bar Ring Single. It adds depth and shine in its textured designs and appears to floats on the hand. Additionally, we’ve included some playful statement pieces, including the Silver Triangle Ring and the Roller Ring to add both style and entertainment to your outfit.

For the centre piece, we’ve chosen the Oval Pendant with Figure. The Pendant swings gracefully at the end of a fine closed cable chain giving the impression of a figure sitting on a swing. This quaint piece adds extra quirkiness to vibrant outdoor outfits.

The Curve Bar Necklace is back at it again but this time using the shorter length. It’s a staple piece that’s perfect for off the shoulder tops, to sublimely contrast against any skin tone. It draws the eye upwards, towards the Islamic Stone Earrings, another statement piece for this look.

The Islamic Stone Earrings are perfect for Spring as they reflect the light, to highlight the embellished decorative patterns. The semi-precious stones hang beautifully at the base of the piece, allowing movement and flow.

For those especially humid days, we’ve added the Small 2 Piece Hair Pin, available in tear drop or diamond, to keep your flowing locks out of your face. This accessory is a perfect addition to any Spring hairstyle, long or short, as it adds texture and thickness to your hair.

A Day at the Office


It’s hard to concentrate when the weather outside is so lovely while you’re stuck in the office. Instead, you can concentrate on your hands typing furiously away or just being hard at work with this gold or silver accessory set up.


Gold

For this look we’ve made the 9ct Gold Roller Ring the statement piece. This fun accessory is your perfect companion when you need to be hard at work but can’t keep still, as the ring will glide back and forth with the movement of your finger. For added interest we’ve included the 9ct Gold Thin Hammered Ring and the Gold Layering Rings to create a sophisticated style that’s convenient for the office.

We’ve layered two simple reversible necklaces to this Spring office look, the Small Diamond Reversible Pendant and the Large Circle Reversible Pendant. The 18ct Yellow Gold side of these pieces are perfect against light neutral tones of office wear. 

To keep it practical in the office we’ve styled this look with two of our gold studs. The Square Gold Studs and the Small Round Gold Studs keep the warm feel of the look consistent, while the domed shapes capture the natural light from your office window. 


Silver

If you’re more of a lover of silver this Spring we’ve created an office look just for you! 

The look shines with statement rings to create a dainty yet elegant feel but won’t get in the way of your productivity in the office. The Rhodonite Ring adds a warm pink tone to compliment the rosier work wear this Spring.

A Night Out

On nights out we’ve created a look that draws attention to your outfit but is practical and light so you can be ready for any spontaneous activities that you’ll embark on through the night.

The statement piece for this look features the Geometric Pendant. With the two different shapes hanging independently on opposite angles, their gentle movement will really catch the eye. Coupled with the Domed Patterned Earrings Long which incorporates great depth to capture and reflect the night light.

On the hands, we’ve kept it simple: Layering Plain Silver Rings, with Thin Hammered Ring Bands to add a lustrous shine and change up the thickness of the bands. Paired with the Oval Ring with Domes which floats effortlessly in an oval frame to complete the modern yet unique look.

And that completes the final look we have for you guys. Feeling inspired? We hope you are! Tag us #asilvercircle so we can see all the incredible looks you’ll be rocking this Spring. To see any more information or snag some of these pieces yourself, head over to our online shop and make these pieces your own.