Where my passion for ethical handmade jewellery began…

I'm Angela (or Ange, as I prefer to be called) ethical jewellery designer and maker behind Ange B designs.

Despite being a very creative child I ended up studying physiotherapy, and it has been my career for most of my adult life. After a brief sabbatical in Tanzania in 2009, I returned home to the UK and embarked on a journey that lead me to my current incarnation, as founder of my own sustainable ethical jewellery brand.

I would describe my work as architectural, bold and timeless. My influences are as eclectic as the jewellery I create: from the structured fashion of McQueen, Miyake and Yamamoto, to Modernist Art and sculpture (Kandinsky and Henry Moore), through to Brutalist and Bahaus architecture, as well as naturally-occurring geometric forms (like the Giant’s Causeway)! I love to take photos when I’m out and about - these images and how I see the world will also inform my jewellery designs process.

My Sustainable Style: Secondhand, not second best!

As someone who has always been concerned about the over-consumption and waste in our society, my evolution into an ethical jewellery maker was natural one. Over the past 3 years I have tried to put sustainability at the heart of my brand, I now exclusively use traceable and recycled materials in my designs.

I don’t use gold-plating or gold vermeil in my jewellery. This is a conscious ethical choice which, although I know might limit the reach of my business, in the long run it’s one which aligns best with my sustainable business ethos.

I try to live my life with the same ethical values with which I run my business - being mindful of waste and shunning fast fashion. My eclectic jewellery is designed with versatility in mind, with my vision for my brand being to encourage people to make considered purchases that they will value.

Whilst I appreciate that ‘sustainability’ is a word widely (and sometimes incorrectly) used, my aim is to keep true to the definition. I want to make pieces that can be worn in different ways, by people who have their own unique sense of style.

Beautifully handmade ethical jewellery

All of the jewellery is handmade by me in West London, in my little garden workshop - affectionately known as ‘The She Cave’. This is also where I run my bangle and ring making workshops.

As an independent jewellery designer, making one piece can take hours or days and I believe the price of my unique jewellery fairly reflects the love, time and experience I put into each item.

*****

“I am thrilled with this ring, which is even more beautiful in real life. I was looking for a modern, minimalist design: this combination of amethyst and hand-crafted silver setting is perfect. Ange dispatched the ring very quickly, but only after thoughtfully checking if it needed to be re-sized. I’m really pleased and will keep an eye out for new designs!”

— CLAIRE T