North-East couple turn washed-up rubbish into jewellery

Ben Gilbert, 32, and Kirsty Wood, 31, make up North Sea Rejects, a newly-launched business selling bracelets made of discarded fishing materials, or 'ghost gear', with 75 per cent of profits going to conservation groups.

The couple, who met a few years ago on beach cleans, litter picked the region's coastline every day of the first lockdown but became frustrated with the number of fishing nets they were removing.

• READ MORE: Meet the man cleaning North-East beaches in his spare time

They decided to make bracelets out of the material.

"We wanted to do something that would start a conversation. Bracelets do that because they are wearable," Miss Wood said.

The Whitley Bay-based couple said living by the beach means they see first-hand the impact of litter and feel more connected to marine life, such as dolphins, which are often spotted off the east coast.

Kirsty Wood, 31, says living by the coast really cements her connection to the environment

They have spent the last year putting together North Sea Rejects, with bracelets selling out a week and a half after the website launched on April 5.

Mr Gilbert said: "We've spent a year wondering if anyone would be interested, but it's been really amazing and really well received."

Miss Wood says a highlight of the launch so far is seeing how many like-minded people there are.

She added: "It's been great, not just the North-East but all over the place. We have sent bracelets to Europe and America."

Every batch of bracelets will be different, they say, as the colour and condition of fishing materials found on the beach changes.

• READ MORE: Decades-old glass Lucozade bottle found in Darlington ditch

This means the accessories, which are made by hand as they watch tv, often in front of documentaries like Our Planet, My Octopus Teacher and Seaspiracy, should always be unique.

But bracelets are not the end-game for Miss Wood and Mr Gilbert, who are planning to use their new platform as a place for community organising.

The couple use fishing materials found on the beach to make bracelets

Mr Gilbert first began exploring environmental issues some five years ago. This drove him to find a more active role in conservation and saving the planet.

He said: "It's so fulfilling."

The couple hopes North Sea Rejects will encourage others to do the same.

They are also concerned about conservation charities which have, due to the pandemic, have lost income and volunteers.

Some 75 per cent of their profits will be donated to conservation groups every quarter.

To find one more, visit northsearejects.co.uk