The back story..
I, Shauna, created 'Between Mountains and Sea', previously 'Lethaea Jewellery' in 2020 when I made the decision to leave my role as an aircraft mechanic. I combined my metalworking skills with my artistry, and self-taught silversmithing. Since then, it has been a nonstop learning curve to get to the work you see today.
My work is heavily inspired by my own life. I grew up in the countryside of North Wales, where I spent last few years living semi nomadically in my converted campervan. Living simply and closer to nature has inspired my work, and I try to capture these snippets in the pieces I create.
Most recently, I have made the move to beautiful North Uist, where I now live with my partner and our dog on my Dads croft. Living in such a beautiful place is just further inspiration behind my work. I now work from my little studio by the sea, and if you see me at a market on the mainland, it is likely I will be working from my campervan.
I believe in creating unique jewellery that has been lovingly handmade, making sure to pour my heart and soul into every piece. This means that every bird, every mountain, has been hand drawn, then hand sawn, before going through the many processes to becoming a piece of jewellery.
'Eco' Silver and Gold
I believe in sustainable and ethical fashion. This means that I only use recycled silver and gold in my jewellery - this has the same properties as normal silver and gold, it simply has a smaller environmental impact. All 'new' metals I buy are from a supplier who sells recycled silver and gold as standard. I keep all offcuts, and these are then melted down to be milled into sheet or wire in my rolling mill, or used in other fun and creative ways in my pieces. I also try to source my own silver to recycle. This is sometimes in the form of silver cutlery, which gets reused into jewellery. I'm also always happy to take your unwanted silver and gold and turn it into new pieces in your own design or mine, see the bespoke page to learn more.
My jewellery is made to last, I offer free polishing of any
pieces made by me to keep your jewellery looking its best.
Environmental Impact
Across all aspects of the business, I aim to maintain an environmental approach. I do this in a few ways, the first being to reduce my use of waste and single use plastics. I will always be transparent about where I source materials and packaging from so that you can have peace of mind knowing my products are as environmentally friendly as possible. I use UK based companies wherever possible, making sure the ones I choose prioritise eco conscious approaches. New metals are sourced from Cooksongold, where all their silver and gold is recycled and their packaging is plastic free. I source my packaging from the Tiny Box Company, who specialise in eco packaging. My jewellery boxes are made from 100% recycled material, with cotton inserts that can be composted, inside a cardboard box. Some of the rings come in recycled cotton bags, which can be composted or kept to keep your treasures safe. As well as these, tools are sourced second hand wherever possible, and repaired instead of replaced. I also use limited chemicals in the creative process, using natural replacements wherever possible.
Hallmarking
When hallmarking silver and gold, it is only legally required to hallmark items over a certain weight limit. For silver, this is items over 7.78g and for gold, this is items over 1g. Therefore, any piece of jewellery I make and sell above these weight limits, I will get hallmarked, with my makers mark and the precious metal marks. I am not able to hallmark items myself, I must send items off to the Assay Office for items to be hallmarked. If I make a higher priced item that is below the weight limit, I will get this piece hallmarked as well, to give you the extra piece of mind.
As it costs me to hallmark my pieces, I therefore don't get all of my pieces hallmarked, I only send those that are required to be or the higher priced items. If there is an item you are purchasing, or a custom order, that you would specifically like hallmarking that hasn't been, I am more than happy to arrange this, however it will incur a charge to cover the expenses of sending this piece off.