About

When the rest of the world is going a million miles an hour, filled with constant noise and chaos, Antarctica stays so beautifully calm and still and secluded. There is such a diverse range of wildlife that thrives in Antarctica, and I have been so privileged to experience the wonder of many of these stunning creatures. We must remember that these creatures are something that should be protected at all costs. As Frida Kahlo said, ‘I paint flowers so they will not die,” and if my work can preserve the beauty and portray the love that I have found for Antarctica, I will be forever grateful.

I want people to be able to experience this feeling, but with a sense of excitement through the bright and bold colours in my works. I would love for people to not just have a memento from this remote and gorgeous part of the world, but for these pieces to bring people a realisation and sense gratitude for the fact that we are able to exist at the same time as this incredible natural wonder.

Every choice has been closely considered in the making of my art pieces and their packaging. All of us have an impact on the environment and even if my footprint is small, I want to consciously be making choices for the planet. When crafting packaging, I have made sustainable choices and I will be using absolutely no plastics in any element of Elle & Esse Design.

Environmental sustainability is always at the forefront of my mind. I take every step to ensure that I minimise the environmental impact that I produce, especially when working in and with such a fragile and pristine environment. My designs utilise soy ink, which is a renewable resource, and I’m proud to say that absolutely no plastic is used in my artwork, or the packaging of it. Minimising my contribution of micro and nano plastics in our oceans and in our wildlife is something that I’m proud to say is a core value of both myself, as well as Elle & Esse design.

I’ve taken measures to ensure that the packaging of my art remains conscientious of our environment, while ensuring that it is delivered to you in a safe and secure manner.

Tissue paper

All tissue paper used in the packaging of any of my products is eco-friendly and compostable. In the spirit of everything I want my work to stand for, all designs on the tissue paper are printed with renewable soy-based inks and acid free paper. Each time I place an order for this paper, the amount I spend equates to trees being planted across the globe. I believe that this helps me give back to what I am using from the Earth.

FSC Certified

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certifies that the paper products that make up our printed tissue paper are sourced from forest and supply chain that is managed responsibly and sustainably. FSC forest management standards are developed at an international level, and are then adapted to individual countries’ legal, social, and geographical settings through national standards.

Acid Free Paper

Our personalised tissue is made from cellulose fibre where the active acid pulp is eliminated during processing. It is also lignin and sulphur free, meaning that our ink won’t transfer from the tissue and the paper won’t leave behind any of these chemicals when decomposing.

Soy-based Inks 

Soy inks are an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based inks, and are made from the renewable source of soybeans. While soy inks are slower to dry than many other inks, the process produces more vibrant colours, as well as having the added benefit of not leaving behind petroleum-based residue when decomposing. Soy inks also have low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), reducing air pollution throughout the drying process.

Ribbons

The ribbon used in wrapping is New Life Recycled ribbon that has been crafted from plastic bottles that are fished from the oceans in Europe and then recycled. The selected material is cleaned, cut and converted into a polymer made from 100% recycled PET bottles via mechanical process. This mechanical process is significantly less harmful than a chemical one. When this polymer is joined together, it creates a polyester material.

The process in making this requires less stages compared to making other materials and this means less carbon emissions overall in production. Compared to Virgin PET Fibre, Recycled PET Fibre (New Life Ribbons) has a 60% decrease in consumption of energy resources, 32% decrease in global warming potential and a 94% saving of water consumption. These ribbons are incredibly environmentally friendly and have been tested by the ICEA (Institute for Ethics and Environmental Certification).

After unwrapping the ribbon you can use it again yourself, or alternatively safely deposit it for recycling, helping keep our beautiful planet free of waste.