Costume jewelry can (and should) be economically sustainable too

Most of the girls I know wear more jewelry than pieces of jewelry; however, they tend to have the idea that they are disposable items. They buy the accessories that are in fashion at that time in places like Pri**** or Ali******* and, once the trend ends, they throw it away, period. The current economy is set up like this, but that doesn't mean that we should keep it going. If something that should be significant turns into garbage after two days, then all we do is create more and more garbage, right? "But it costs just 2€ and it's pretty enough" they say. I know!, but it sooo not worth it. How can we trade our planet for this sh**? It just doesn't make sense.

We already generate huge amounts of garbage every day, waste that (for the most part) ends up in the ocean. We know that plastic is lethal to the ecosystem, but what about metals? If you think that that ring you threw away because it left green marks on your fingers doesn't pollute, you are very wrong.

Most of the jewelery that we buy for two euros would not pass a quality control -if there were any. Many of them not only contain components that cause allergies to most mortals; they are also highly polluting (such as lead, for example).

So I can't help but wonder: why do we still think it's worth it? Is it the low price of these products that makes them so addictive? Is it the quantity that we can acquire thanks to their prices? The only thing I do know is why they are so cheap. Apart from the low quality of the materials, it's due to cheap labor.

Chain production already lowers costs, if you add the low wages of the workers to the mix -which are mainly women BTW- you have the perfect tandem. And this applies to, well, EVERYTHING we consume.

"It's impossible to compete with them," people used to say to me. I already know this, but even if it takes more time and money, I want to do it right. I'm not saying China is at fault or trying to boicot them in any way, I myself purchase some materials from them... The whole system is the problem, that's why is so difficult to change it. We have to try though, don't we?

My goal is to make quality products that convey a deep meaning, a message that matters. I don't want my jewelry to just be pretty, I want it to mean something. Because only when an object has a deep meaning can it become precious. 

Only when you consider that something gives you good luck, or reminds you of a special moment, or you consider that it favors you and that improves your self-esteem... or simply because someone you love gave it to you... then you take care of it.

If it's also something that you know is unique and that few people wear it, then it has an additional value. Because, let's face it, we all like to wear something exclusive from time to time. And nowadays the exclusive is not reserved only to the big luxury brands, but rather to the artisan; who can't scape small-scale production.

And precisely because I want to change this conception of costume jewelery as objects to be used twice and then thrown away, it's that I've dared to create this store and start this blog. And precisely because I'm confident that this vision of a sustainable and environmentally friendly economy is here to stay, I've based my marketing strategy on this principle.

I don't know if there's still hope but, even if there weren't any... I want to at least be able to say to myself and the next generations that I tried my best.

Thanks you for reading me and until the next time!

Maca ^^