National Marine Week is The Wildlife Trusts’ nationwide celebration of all things marine. Despite the name, it lasts 15 fun-filled days to allow for the variation in tide times around the country. The marine environment around the UK is incredibly diverse, populated with corals, seahorses, whales, dolphins, seals and sharks! Marine habitats include undersea cliffs, caves, chasms, mountains, dunes and plains. Our seas are home to thousands of creatures and plants but in many areas they are threatened by damaging activities. These include building, fishing and plastic pollution. National Marine Week aims to educate the public, calling for action so that our wonderful marine environment is given the proper protection it deserves! To celebrate this special week, we've put together a collection of some of our favourite ocean inspired products that remind us of the beauty of our natural world...
Block Printed Coral Textiles
Coral reefs provide a vital ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing the power of waves hitting the coast, and provide a crucial source of income for over 50 million people worldwide. Our love for coral as well as the Margate coastline was the inspiration behind this bright and refreshing print. Our textiles are all hand block printed in Jaipur by a small team of talented artisans in a family-owned workshop. Our quilts are genuine Kantha quilts and are hand-stitched with an outstanding amount of effort and time. It is an ancient technique mastered throughout the generations, originating from India and dated back to the pre-Vedic age (pre-1500 BCE). Our coral eye masks are also perfect for Summer; we never travel without one now as they are especially useful in hotels or when you want a lie-in!
Beaded Sea Creatures
The ocean is full of diverse species, each one just as important as the next for balancing our delicate eco-system. Hand made in Zimbabwe by the talented Jones and his brother Bernard, our beaded sea creatures are perfect for adding a little nautical whimsy to your home. Bee met Jones in 1996 in Hackney when he and his brother travelled there to set up a stall to sell their beaded products. The pair always enjoy being challenged to make new animals, some of which they hadn't even heard of until we sent them a photo to work from! Each of our beaded sea creatures has a wire loop attached to the top, making them ideal for hanging up. We love hanging them in windows as they really catch the light! Perfect for children's rooms, bathrooms and even a sea-themed Christmas tree! We have fish, lobsters, starfish, seahorses, octopus' and jellyfish to choose from. PLUS, to celebrate National Marine Week, we are offering 20% off our beaded sea creatures with the code SAVEOURSEAS so you can bring a little piece of the seaside home.
Anchor Charm Jewellery
Humans have a complex relationship with the ocean. The ocean affects every human life. It supplies freshwater and oxygen, moderates the climate, influences our weather, and affects human health. In the past, we relied heavily on the oceans for food and transportation. However, humanity often acts in ways that are harmful to our seas, including overfishing and polluting. We believe that it is our duty to protect our oceans in order to protect ourselves. The anchor is often used to symbolise safety and security as well as having obvious nautical links, which we think makes it the perfect statement for National Marine Week. Our anchor charm jewellery is made from premium quality recycled brass by a family-run workshop in Kenya. Necklaces, rings and earrings are available so you can complete the set or mix and match!
You can shop our entire Ocean Inspired Edit here.