Handmade jewellery lovingly crafted from unloved wood.
Every item is unique as every piece of wood is different and special. I take scraps of wood that might otherwise be burnt or thrown away and craft them into pendants. Some follow a rough template, some just appear based on the piece of wood. Each piece has a story of where it came from; some are a little mundane like off-cut bins or while walking but others have had a more adventurous life like a canal lock gate or a church pew.
The eco theme is important to me and I not only like to re-use wood for jewellery but all the packing is from recycled materials too. I try to use any waste material I can find. That includes the spare bits of kitchen worktop from our kitchen for pendants or an old pallet for display shelves.
Highlights
![Acrylic - Rectangular copper pearl acrylic pendant with a raw edge - I used to be a kitchen worktop [046-0096]](https://images.sumup.com/img_0HRCZ9MW57996BNQ0WP93FKNRW)
![Oak - Fun oak and pencil pendant and earrings set - I used to be a church pew [001-0065]](https://images.sumup.com/img_0JM5FFG12T8WZ85YKFFPSK5YQR)
![Bamboo - Round bamboo pendant - I was once a chopping board [012-0022]](https://images.sumup.com/img_6R4NW0PEWP88AVGJSQRRHXA7YK)
Who is Progress Crafts?
I’m Colin, the maker behind Progress Crafts.
I started making pendants when I saw a wooden, heart shaped pendant in a shop which my wife liked. I was going to buy it but then decided I could make one myself as I had some old oak at home. After all, how hard could it be? The answer was much harder than I thought, especially with a poor set of tools at hand but the result was lovely and my wife still wears it regularly. That pendant is the basis of the heart logo.
I had some floor board samples and oak from an old church pew so I started making more pendants for my family. As I bought new tools and spoke with people I became more proficient and also found that I was given wood donations from friends. Once I’d built up some stock I eventually found the courage to do a local craft fair and I actually sold 2 pieces.
Now I actively hunt out scraps of wood especially when walking. I always try to carry my trusty 6” pruning saw and a bag to collect dead wood. I never take live wood apart from garden prunings.
There is a source gallery of the more interesting pieces of wood which I’ve acquired so you can see where some of the jewellery comes from.
I have had so much support from friends, family and other crafters for which I am very grateful. I am constantly learning and evolving what I do which is why I called the business Progress Crafts.
I hope you find something you like.