The Story Behind The Vision

'Jewellery with Purpose'

Eden Design Creative Company sprang out of a long-time desire to use my creativity to build not only a business to support my children, and have something perhaps to pass on to them, but to use my gifts and business ideas to support the disadvantaged and marginalised in our society and world.  It all began in January 2014 when we found out whilst pregnant that our little boy would have Down Syndrome and related health problems.  It was an uncertain time for the remainder of the pregnancy, but when he was born, he turned our world upside down- for the better! We started appreciating life more as a family, and all his little milestones are big achievements. Our 3 girls are the most amazing sisters ever, and he wouldn’t be doing as well as he is without them in his life.

Life is not easy for Alexander though. Due to various connected conditions, he has to work very hard at the normal, everyday things we take for granted, like walking and talking. He may be only 7, but I have been wondering at his job prospects for the future for a long while. And this is how my dream came to be born.

My vision for the future is, that one day, I’d like to create a community for people with disabilities and disadvantages to learn a creative craft, with an outlet where it can be sold, at real prices, to people who appreciate the work, and not just because they feel pity. So many people with disabilities have amazing talents but don’t have the chance to develop them.

Realistically, this vision is a way off. My kids are all still school/college age and they are my priority. But Alexander’s determination at life gave me the confidence to start my own business, doing something I love, creating unique pieces of handmade jewellery.

As I started to develop my business, around about the same time I became involved with a charity called The CRED Foundation.  They support projects in Africa, and a particular one in Uganda caught my attention, in the Acholi District of Kampala.  The women make beautiful beads from recycled paper which they string into pieces of jewellery.  They then sell these locally and to tourists (of which the current COVID-19 situation means there are none) for the equivalent of about 25p, which, put into context, is the same as what they earn in a day working in the local quarry bashing up the rock into gravel. 

I started to incorporate these unique and beautiful beads into my jewellery designs, and in doing so the idea for a more permanent fair-trading relationship was born.  I am now building a relationship with the artisans in Uganda and am using their creations to create a collection of Jewellery. Each piece of jewellery will be unique as no two beads are the same.  I am proud of the fact that this jewellery will have a story and a purpose behind it, and for you, the customer who is making the purchase, you will become one of the most important parts of that story.  Thank you for your support.