Mike had proposed to me with a chunky gold signet adorned with a kraken intaglio and wanted something to mirror my rings weighty design and symbolism.
When I created this ring last year, Mike immediately decided that he wanted it to be his wedding ring. One of my favourite films for its esoteric imagery is Alejandro Jodorowskys 'Holy Mountain'. Funnily enough it's even been my username for the past 17 years, so naturally a signet with a mountain on, Mike felt, was a subtle nod to symbolise me which I thought was really sweet. I crafted this in solid 9k yellow gold and detailed the mountain peaks with a diamond hammer tool to make them gently glitter when they hit the light.
I had planned to make my own wedding band but decided against it at the last minute. Sadly last year Mikes grandmother passed and whilst organising her belongings, her (previously thought to be lost) wedding ring was found. My mother in law was kind enough to offer me the option to wear the ring as my wedding band and to my complete surprise, it fit me perfectly. As someone who's a sucker for a piece of jewellery with a history, this ring felt meant to be.
On a brisk February morning in York, we wed in an intimate ceremony with close family. We celebrated with champagne at the historic Greys Court, a medieval walled garden tucked away behind the Cathedral and later on, dined in a 1920's speakeasy themed restaurant. It was no fuss or stress, just as we always wanted.
Ring: Thou Shalt Conquer Signet Ring with Sun Rise Mountain
Ring box: Ceremonial Hexagon Ring Box in Black Velvet
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After a decade of making jewellery, there's only a handful of times I can recall my nerves being completely shaken during the customs process. These moments are always when I have been entrusted with the precious remains of a loved one, or when I'm working with family heirlooms passed down through the generations.
For my first completed custom project of 2024, I was tasked with creating a very special reliquary. Over time, my customer Rachel had collected various pieces of jewellery handed down through the family. This included two gold wedding bands and a statement ring littered with antique diamonds. The brief was to create a pendant reusing these pieces of jewellery and for it to hold the ashes of her late mother.
I learnt very quickly that, unlike modern gemstones, each diamond was unique and cut ever so slightly unsymmetrically and in varying sizes so each setting had to be cut to match. This pendant was made of various components, one of which was a panel to hide away the secret ashes chamber inside, so making sure everything was a tight fit was key.
Seven months, three samples and one extremely patient customer later, here it is. The central panel is adorned with her mothers favourite flower, a bluebell. Around the edge is a halo made up of over a hundred bright-cut engraved lines which gently shimmer and sparkle when the light hits. The pendant is finished with orbiting antique diamonds held in classic bezel settings.
One of my favourite mourning commissions to date! I think hidden chambers may have to become a reoccurring design feature in 2024 as working out how everything fit together, though arduous at times, was really interesting and satisfying once completed.
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Author: Paul Toner
Creative: SEVENSTORE
Photography: Jacob Johnson
Sound: Robert Wingfield
Videography: Percy Dean
Original link: https://www.sevenstore.com/editorial/thom-browne/
We recently spotted a recent custom in Seven Stores Thom Browne editorial, worn by it's owner Graham Sayle. We love this buttery gold Old English ring, adorned with inky Black Spinel and a timeless gothic type. Shop the design here.
Watch the full video here:
Thom Browne: High-Vis and The Homecoming of Hardcore from SEVENSTORE on Vimeo.
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I had been holding some gorgeous one of kind portrait cut stones that I had procured from the USA, saving them for designs that would make the most of their window like appearance. When Bekah saw the marquise shaped one she instinctively knew that was the one.
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This one was personalised with a sweet note engraved inside the band that reads "For evermore'.
All of my bespoke or gold engagement and wedding pieces include a Ceremonial velvet ring box that doubles as a presentation box for the engagement and a ceremony box for the wedding.
I love including these protective vessels to hold sentimental jewels, they become an extra keepsake for the couple, for their journey from betrothal to the aisle.
]]>Customs are always welcome, if you'd like to get your own personalised Zippo case, get in touch via the contact form.
]]>From 2024, The Serpents Club will be going through some changes.
The store has come a long way from starting in a shared student flat at the age of 22 and I'm so thankful for all the support everyone has given it. The Serpents Club is my firstborn and I will always love and be proud of the many forms it has taken over the years.
Next year TSC will turn 10 years old and to be honest, my style and what I want for this project have evolved a lot since launching in 2014. Although it feels like the end of an era, it feels like the right time to let the business reflect the growth it's gone through over the last decade.
When I transitioned to The Serpents Club becoming my full time job in 2020, the name i'd spent so many years building began to feel really impersonal. I'm sure people who stumble across my website would probably assume the business is a collective effort or a company, but the truth of it is that the store is run by a single person who designs and makes every single piece by hand. Because of this, being known as a 'brand' felt really at odds with the reality of being an independent artist.
From next year, The Serpents Club will be rebranded—a new name for the next chapter. We will be launching our new branding, web url (www.emilyproudfoot.co.uk), packaging and collection next Spring.
Rest assured, it is still business as usual here. Our website platform will remain with Shopify - this means customers can continue to access accounts, place orders, collect loyalty points and spend points, before and after our rebrand.
Some products will be discontinued to make space for our new collection, which you can shop in our sale section. A selection of made-to-order designs, like our charm chains, will stay on the website and become part of our heritage collection.
Watch this space or follow us on our new Instagram handle for more updates.
Love and appreciation always,
Emily x
]]>The brief was a classic and simple engagement ring with her favourite stone: Black Opal. We chose this inky stone with fiery orange and green inclusions and set it in this dainty stone studded design. The band and surrounding settings are finished with twinkling Salt and Pepper Diamonds throughout, creating a unique modern heirloom that can be cherished for years to come.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
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If you'd like to create a unique wedding or engagement ring, my books are now open for Autumn 2023 and from January 2024 onwards. Get more information on our custom design service here.
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A special custom ring for our client to honour the life of her late mother Dinah. This chunky reliquary ring is made from solid 9k White Gold and holds the ashes of her mother, which are sealed behind the centre dark Amethyst hexagon stone. Hand engraved bright cuts surround the centre stone like a halo, glittering gently in the light.
We finished the band with lighter Amethyst stones on the outside and sentimental engraving on the inside.
Thank you to Laura for her trust with this piece. If you would like to create a sentimental piece to honour the life and memory of a loved one, see our custom service guide here.
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Listen to their latest release Society Exists / Stationhouse Demos on Spotify.
]]>Choose from classic and specialist fonts on all made to order products.
Our engraving guide is located at the bottom of all product pages.
Let us know what you want to see restocked and be the first to know when it returns.
To save an item to wish list, click the 'ADD TO WISHLIST' button, located below the add to basket button on each product page.
You can browse your saved products by clicking on the HEART icon located at the top of the page
Missed out on a design? You can now tell us to notify you if an item becomes available on a sold out product page.
This feature also helps us know which styles you really want to see again.
Our at home sizing service can now be added on all custom made ring listings.
When added on to your purchase, we'll send you a ring sizer the next working day and make your ring once you've told us your ring size.
Perfect for if you don't know your ring size and want to measure your finger at home.
We've updated our website with Sprout, a new planting app that donates 10 trees for every order placed.
Shop responsibly and get rewarded. There's now new ways to earn, spend and gift your loyalty points with a customer account. You'll find a summary of your points on the home page of your customer account page.
Have any issues with our new features? Let us know and we'll be happy to assist you.
What is Brasso?
Brasso® Metal Cleaner & Polish is an ideal cleaning solution for a variety of metals. Provides long-lasting smooth, polished surfaces and brilliant shine. Ideal for use on brass, copper, stainless steel, chrome, aluminum, pewter, and bronze.
How do I use it?
Using a microfibre cloth, add a small amount of brasso solution and buff your piece gently until the tarnish is removed and shine restored. To ensure the solution is fully removed from pieces before wearing, I always like to get some dish soap, wash the piece gently with a soft cloth and dry/buff with a paper towel. Make sure before using that you read and follow the safety instructions listed on the bottle as this is a chemical solution and can cause irritation if not handled correctly.
What is Renaissance Wax?
Renaissance Wax is a brand of microcrystalline wax polish used in antique restoration and museum conservation around the world. It was developed by the British Museum in the 1950's to preserve the surfaces of artefacts.
How do I use it?
Easy to apply, Renaissance Wax needs only to be lightly and evenly applied to a surface and then gently buffed to full lustre with either the use of a soft, lint-free cloth or a soft wax polishing brush. As it has a chemically smell, I like to only use a little bit of this on the outside or front of objects like rings and pendants. I avoid using on the inside of bands or back of the pendants where it will have contact with the warm skin. Although it is said to be safe for jewellery, I always like to be extra cautious with any chemical. To get the best finish, I like to use a dry microfibre cloth after the application of the wax to make sure the product is fully buffed in and the surface is nice and uniform.
What is Silvo?
How do I use it?
Using a microfibre cloth, add a small amount of Silvo solution and buff your piece gently until the tarnish is removed and shine restored. To ensure the solution is fully removed from pieces before wearing, I always like to get some dish soap, wash the piece gently with a soft cloth and dry/buff with a paper towel. Make sure before using that you read and follow the safety instructions listed on the bottle as this is a chemical solution and can cause irritation if not handled correctly.
What is an Ultrasonic Cleaner?
Ultrasonic cleaners use high frequency sound waves (produced by an ultrasonic transducer) to create cavitation bubbles in a cleaning liquid. When the ultrasonic cavitation bubbles collapse, they create a cleaning action that can remove debris, dirt, grease, and other deposits from surfaces.
How do I use it?
Most ultrasonic cleaners will come with their own manufacturer instructions, however generally you will fill the tank with water and a cleaning solution (I've found a little drop of dish soap works) and you will put the machine on it's warm up cycle. When your water is warmed, add your jewellery in (making sure the items are spaced out and do not touch) and put the machine on its cleaning cycle. This will usually be anything from 30 seconds to 2 mins.
Warning: Do not put Opals, Moonstones, Labradorite or Emeralds in an ultrasonic cleaner. These stones are soft and delicate and require gentle cleaning. They also absorb water easily which dulls the appearance of the stone. For these stones we recommend dish soap, warm water and a very soft toothbrush to gently clean. Rise and dry with a microfibre cloth and a paper towel.
Safety Warning: Do not put your hands into the ultrasonic cleaner whilst it's on a clean cycle. Please also do not directly hold items into the ultrasonic cleaner when on. The vibrations inside the units are extremely powerful and if jewellery is left inside for an extended period, it can damage the surface of jewellery - imagine what this will do to the tissue and muscles in your hands. I see a lot of people making this mistake online when posting videos to TikTok using ultrasonic cleaners now that they've become more commercially available. Always use a soft basket or a jewellery rack for your ultrasonic cleaner so pieces to not touch the sides, metal basket or base (which will damage your jewellery). Wait for the clean cycle to finish and stop before retrieving items from the unit.
Disclaimer: These tips are for solid brass, silver or gold jewellery only. We do not recommend these methods for costume jewellery that has plating over a base metal, as they will likely cause the plating to fade or degrade faster.
We will always recommend buying pieces made of pure metals as they are much easier to maintain.
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What We Do In The Shadows (Film and TV Series)
This mockumentary comedy horror film and the follow up tv series of the same name will forever be in my top 10. Hilarious and heartwarming, the story centres around a group of lovable arseholes who also happen to be ancient vampires.
Next up is our bespoke text rings; these are custom made with outside and inside ring band engraving so you can immortalise sentimental names or dates. We offer these with birthstone bands and metal, so it’s easy to have the perfect sentimental ring made that fits your personal taste.
One of our newest designs is our Sacred Serpent Ring which features a rhombus precious gemstone centre held up by gemstone eyed snakes. This is a great alternaive to the classic solitare engagement ring and can be customised with sentimental stones and metals upon request.
What makes this ring unique is it is available to purchase with a matching wedding band; the Ceremonial Serpent! Wear together as a bridal set or mix and match with our other designs.
These 1/1 necklaces feature antique inspired enamel pendants decorated with silver symbols and hidden mottos engraved on the back.
Choose from an open book, anatomical human heart, bee and hive or sun with mountain scape.
Shop the designs here
]]>The ring is inspired by heavy estate jewellery of the past and features a large octagonal cut stone. The centre is held by a matching Opal halo and thick split band.
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The rings have been personalised with secret engravings of the couples initials inside and have been crafted from recycled silver.
Shop the style here or get in touch to have our signet customised to with a unique motto or sentimental stones.
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The ring was wax carved to have two facets all the way around and features "time is dancing, we're only passing through" engraved in olde english type face. We cast the ring in recycled silver and finished it with tiny Black Diamond stars and an engraving of ogham writing system; a medieval alphabet from the 4th-6th centuries. Thanks for trusting me with this commission Rachel!
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Shot by The Costa Sisters, see more behind the scenes here.
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This dish is an all round heavy hitter - perfect to cook for big family dinners or busy work weeks where you need something prepped that’s delicious and quick. It’s packed with healthy ingredients and tastes incredible even after being refrigerated and reheated.
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This dish is an all round heavy hitter - perfect to cook for big family dinners or busy work weeks where you need something prepped that’s delicious and quick. It’s packed with healthy ingredients and tastes incredible even after being refrigerated and reheated.
Veggie takes on the classics were taught to me at university by my best friend Kia (thanks!) The beauty of this recipe is you can exchange the veggies in the filling for whatever you like. If there’s one or two here you don’t like, I recommend experimenting to see what works for you. A personal twist that I love, is using goats cheese for the crust with broccoli and asparagus in the filling - it’s really delish.
Comforting in all seasons - serve alongside with a leafy green salad in spring and summer, or a filling garlic bread in the autumn/winter.
For this recipe I’ve included my pumpkin linseed and pine nut side salad. I got all the ingredients at Aldi (not a brand plug but hey, sponsor me) and it was less than £15. That works out at 10 portions for £1.50 each, which is great for feeding a big family on a budget. This is also freezable: Freeze portions in a sealed container and consume within 2 months, being sure to defrost prior to reheating. Lasts for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
✹ COOKING STUFF ✹
1 large cooking pot or wok
1 large lasagne tray
Chopping board
Cutting knife
Large spoon
Foil
✹ LASAGNE INGREDIENTS & PREP ✹
1 x butternut squash (prepare by putting in an oven proof dish and baking until a knife easily goes through). 1 hour at 200c usually does the trick)
1 x bell pepper (deseeded and chopped)
6 x mushrooms (chopped into slices)
2tsp of chopped garlic (I like to use Aldi’s pre chopped tubes)
2tsp of chopped chilli (I use the pre chopped aldi tubes)
1 x onion (chopped), I like to use a red onion or two small shallots, depending on what I have in.
1 x small bag of grated mozzarella
2 x tins of chopped tomatoes with herbs
Large jar of white sauce
1 x box of lasagne sheets
Black pepper
Dried parsley
Salt
Mixed Italian herbs
Olive or coconut oil for cooking
Red wine (optional)
Balsamic vinegar (optional)
1 x egg (optional)
✹ SALAD INGREDIENTS ✹
Pine nuts
Linseed (I use a pumpkin and goji Berry one)
Baby spinach (Handful per serving)
Salt & pepper to taste
Ranch dressing (optional)
✦ DIRECTIONS ✦
✦ TO SERVE ✦
Toss the spinach, linseed, pine nuts and seasoning (salt/pepper) together. Add to the plates and serve alongside your squash. I love a little bit of ranch dressing alongside this to give it an extra kick.
Enjoy!
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A lot of people are claiming this to be similar to Stranger Things, but honestly this is much darker and explores some really heavy themes. I don't want to give to much away but all i can say is i watched the whole series back to back in one day (that's 10 hours straight) and it had me asking WTF aloud at least once an episode. If you're into gritty dramas, science fiction and horror - this is well worth a watch. (Netflix)
The Sinner
I stumbled upon this by accident but I was utterly gripped from start to finish! The story is about a young mother who randomly murders a stranger during a visit to the beach with her family. The mystery doesn’t revolve around who did it, but more so why. I honestly didn’t see the ending coming and I’m preying for season 2. This is now on Netflix for those wanting to watch it in the UK.
The Disappearance
Currently still watching this but I’m thoroughly enjoying it! This limited run Canadian series follow a family torn apart after their youngest member disappears whilst doing his annual birthday treasure hunt. Long buried secrets are brought to the surface as the family desperately tries to uncover the mystery surrounding that the disappearance.
Mindhunter
I'm a self confessed serial killer obsessive (but not in a ‘writes to murderers asking them to marry me’ kinda way). I've always been interested in what drives a person to commit such horrific acts of violence, and this was really the perfect show for me.
The series is based on the early career of John E Douglas - the OG criminal profiler who created the system in which law enforcement now use to understand (and categorise) the behaviour of violent criminals. He talked to some of the worst in history; including Ted Bundy and Dennis Rader, so you can expect some pretty twisted conversations throughout. If you’re into the macabre and a great 70s soundtrack - look no further.
Stranger Things 2
I binged this within a day and my only complaint about this season is it ended far too soon. Good soundtrack and a classic fight between good and evil.
(Also just date me Steve, I promise I’ll always appreciate you and your 80s haircut.)
Liar
I don’t usually watch ITV because it tends to be tack, but I really enjoyed this series and I’m glad it will be back. It follows the story of a woman who wakes up after a date with a seemingly nice successful guy only to accuse him of sexual assault. The story twists and turns and will have you not sure who to believe until the very end. A really great thriller.
The Killing Season
This came out a year ago but I really enjoyed it and I’ve been waiting on season 2 to come along (fingers crossed) since. Two documentary film makers travel along inner sections and state lines to investigate a string of disappearances and killings, theorising there could be more active serial killers than originally thought. This is really dark but a totally gripping watch.
Real Detective
A re-enactment show that isn’t tacky; it’s basically investigation discovery meets True Detective (season 1). Each episode interviews retired detectives who talk about the worst cases they ever worked on and it’s true what they say; reality really is stranger than fiction. They have an array of decent actors in the stories, including Michael Madsen from Kill Bill. My boyfriend and I watched season 1 and 2 together (and we both cried at the last episodes of both seasons). They save the absolute worst for last and still to this day it makes me (a hardened horror and true crime obsessive) feel uneasy.
Mr. Robot
Oh Elliot, how I’ve missed you. If you’ve not seen this series, then stop what you are doing. Get season 1 up immediately and binge up to where we are now (season 3). It’s so spectacularly shot, the characters are complex and as a whole, it has more twists than a 90s M. Night Shyamalan blockbuster. You won’t be disappointed.
Vice Principles
Okay I’ve been getting all dark so it’s time to lighten it up - I don’t want anyone getting seasonal depression because of this list.
Vice Principles is that beautiful balance between making you want to hit your own head against a wall because it’s so unbearably cringeworthy and just straight up hilarious. It follows two vice principles and their power struggle to become top dog at North Jackson High. It's got great plot twists and writing throughout. I promise you’ll enjoy it if you liked Eastbound & Down.
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The environmental crisis is one of (if not) the biggest our generation will face. Species are dying off at a rapid rate, oceans are overfished and polluted, poisonous gases are pumped into our air whilst our green spaces (which turn carbon dioxide into oxygen) are being destroyed.
There's so much to fix and it can feel seriously overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin. But big changes start with small steps; start 2018 off right with 10 simple ways to reduce your environmental impact.
Did you know a single plastic bag can take anywhere between 10-1000 years to decompose in the environment? You can’t recycle plastic bags and when left, animals can consume or get tangled in them - often resulting in death.
A great way to cut plastic bags out is to buy cotton or calico tote bags. They’re super strong, washable and reusable. An added bonus is they’re comfortable to carry when heavy and rip free!
I used to forget mine all the time, so now I keep one folded up in the pocket of each of my go to bags and jackets. I think I’ve had to get one plastic bag in the past 2 months, so it’s deffo a trick that works.
If you don't already have one, why not grab one of ours (with our snake emblem; designed by the amazing Mercedes Bellido, here).
I only got onto this one recently, but I was shocked when I saw how long it takes for sanitary products to break down.
A single tampon can take 6 months (not including plastic applicators), whilst sanitary pads can take 500 years due to their use of crude oil plastics. Women have approximately 456 periods a lifetime according to a study - which can cost over £18,000. So not only are periods wrecking the environment (and great knickers everywhere), but they’re wreaking havoc on our bank accounts too.
I think I speak for earth and women everywhere when I say, fuck you Aunt Flow. But fear not, there are alternatives! THINX is an underwear brand that offers period proof pants (they hold 2 tampons worth!)
Image from www.shethinx.com
Sure spending $30+ on a single pair of pants seems steep (especially when you’ll need a few to see you through the period). But long term you’ll be saving a ton of cash. You’ll also be able to sleep better at night knowing hundreds of used pads aren’t hanging out in a landfill somewhere until 2517 (ewww).
Second up, is a period cup; these bad boys are literally cups you put inside which you can rinse, clean and re-use. I’ll admit, this one doesn’t seem like something I’ll try just yet but I’ve heard a lot of excellent reviews. I think once you get past the initial hesitance, they’re actually great. Have you tried any of these or even something not mentioned? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Use rechargeable batteries for anything that requires them, as batteries take 100 years to biodegrade in the environment.
Another thing to do is use timer plugs. I was absolutely criminal at leaving my iPhone plugged in and falling asleep with the tv on when I got my first flats - which definitely resulted in some savage bills and major guilt about wasting energy. For the low price of £3, you can buy a timer which turns everything that should be off at a certain time. You’ll find your energy usage will drastically drop - resulting in lower bills and all around less self hatred.
Got clothes you don't want to wear anymore? Donate them to your local charity shop or eBay them. It's true what they say - one mans trash is another mans treasure. I've actually found some of my favourite pieces on eBay and in charity and thrift shops.
For any clothing not suitable for the charity shop or resale; textile waste can be recycled locally. Check online for drop off points or pick up services.
As well as buying second hand, do your homework on brands you shop with. 'Eco friendly' and 'conscious' are buzz words that have been thrown around a lot this year, even by huge high street stores. But what they don't tell you is that although their fabric may be slightly more environmentally sound, their production methods certainly are not. This includes using labour in countries where workers are not fairly compensated and factory regulations are relaxed.
There's a lot of great pioneers for the sustainability movement, like Reformation and Stella McCartney. But those brands aren't accessible to everyone. Ultimately, investing in well made pieces of clothing will save you money and cut down on waste.
A great way I realised this was with my denim. When I was younger I would go through at least 5 pairs of jeans a year; bought for about £30 a pair on the high street. They would always be misshapen on the knees or be coming apart at the seams within a couple of months. Eventually I started investing in a good pair of Levis (new and vintage). It's now been 2 and a half years and you know how many pairs i've bought? 2. They set me back £80 a pair (£160 total). Had I continued my previous buying pattern over those 2.5 years, I would have spent £375 on over 10 pairs of substandard jeans. In the long run i've saved £215 and a lot of trips to the charity shop!
When you realise how long things take to break down, you’ll definitely think twice about tossing your trash in any old place. I have also sworn off tinfoil since finding out it does not biodegrade at all, which is a shame but I mean, who can justify it.
Paper, cans, glass, fabrics and most plastics can all be recycled. If you go through a lot of packaging (I know I do as I have a business), pay for extra recycling bins on your local councils website. We have 2 brown bins and 2 blue bins because my studio is at my house, it takes up garden space but honestly it’s worth it.
How long does it take to break down:
Cigarette Butts - 10-12 years;
Monofilament Fishing Line - 600 years;
Rubber-Boot Sole - 50-80 years;
Foamed Plastic Cups - 50 years;
Leather shoes - 25-40 years;
Milk Cartons - 5 years;
Plywood - 1-3 years;
Painted board - 13 years;
Cotton Glove - 3 months;
Cardboard - 2 months;
Styrofoam- It does not biodegrade;
Nylon Fabric- 30-40 years;
Tin can- 50 years;
Ropes - 3-14 months;
Waxed milk carton- 3 months;
Aluminum cans- 200-250 years;
Train tickets - two weeks,
Canvas products - 1 year;
Batteries – 100 years;
Lumber- 10-15 years,
Sanitary Pads - 500-800 years;
Wool Clothing- 1-5 years;
Jacket: Born Native
Jeans: Topshop
Star Necklace: The Serpents Club
All photos courtesy of Sara Waiste and Hannah Mae Clark
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All photographs courtesy of Alice Wint © 2016
www.shecriedwolf.com
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