Spotlight on The Simple Latte Jewellery (plus WIN a stunning piece of your own)

Sharon Harris is the very talented maker behind The Simple Latte, an online jewellery shop which has recently been given a brand new online home. Sharon's handmade jewellery is the very essence of timeless and as when I discovered her range I knew immediately that we shared a similar ethos for minimal pieces in terms of both style and quantity!  

I featured her chevron necklace in a Wishlist Wednesday post a while ago, and was delighted when she not only sent me one of my very own, but also to agreed be featured in a spotlight post and support a giveaway! There's more on that at the end of the post, but first, it's over to Sharon as we discuss how a 'non-crafty' person ended up running a small business as a maker and how jewellery making can be the perfect end to a long week. 

1: Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?

My name is Sharon, I'm a wife and soon to be Mama based in the Midlands, UK. My shop is The Simple Latte where I make and sell minimal, simple jewellery pieces for people who want something personal and timeless.

2: How did your life as a maker begin?

I don’t actually consider myself a particularly creative person! I was brought up by a Mum who is into anything and everything crafty: papercraft, needlecraft, knitting – you name it.  Our house was always full of glitter glue, embossing powders and glue guns, yet I never really took to any of it as a kid, and often declared myself ‘not a crafty person.’ 

I have always loved jewellery though and had enormous collection of necklaces and the like when growing up. However I was always frustrated with the quality of the more simple pieces which looked so perfect and timeless in the shops but would quickly tarnish, turn my skin green, and sometimes red as I have rather sensitive skin!  

So, I delved into research online about metals and jewellery making and starting making some pieces for myself to wear. Very soon I was getting compliments on the pieces I had made from people, and questions about where they could buy something similar. I found I was more than happy to make items for them, as I really enjoyed the process of making even with the patience it requires. I had obviously found my creative streak!   

3: You're jewellery is beautiful and everything in your range is very minimal and well considered. Where do you find your inspiration? 

I consider myself a fairly minimalist person, not in the extreme sense, but in owning fewer pieces that are of better quality. This concept made it's was through my wardrobe and into my jewellery collection which was downsized dramatically! I then began creating the pieces which, quite simply, I would like to wear! Everything you see on my website are things which I wear myself, I often get (well meant) suggestions from people about pieces I could make or types of jewellery I could go into, but I'm quite specific in my choices and want people to see the charm in the simplicity. I really enjoy making items which can be subtly worn on their own to add a little shine to the day or layered and mixed with other pieces to make more of a statement. 

4: What is your favourite item of jewellery to make and to wear?

Anything with a hammered finish! I cannot tell you how joyful it is to get the hammer out after a long week and get to it! It's also my favourite type to wear, the Hammered Gold Bar Necklace was the first piece I made and is still my favourite. I love how each hammered piece is unique to the person who it's made for; there are never the same hammer markings on any two pieces.

5: You like to buy all your materials from the UK. Why do you think it's important to support local businesses and makers? 

I think its really important to support local makers where you can, it's these people who are real inspirations to others. To show that the hard work and imagination they put into their work really can pay off gives them the ability not to be eaten up by the cheap and cheerful larger companies. I think of it like doing your bit for the environment; it's not always easy to buy small or UK based, but where you have the option, no matter how small, I think it's important to make the right decision. You might not be able to do it every time, but every time you do it makes a difference to that persons life! 

6: You've recently launched a beautiful new website. What are your future plans for The Simple Latte?  

Moving from Etsy to my own website was a huge leap for me and has really tested my technical ability but, all wrinkles smoothed out, I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.  With a little one due in January, I'm realistic in just hoping to keep my current rate of orders ticking over, however deep down I'm hoping to grow the business to a point where it might mean I can do what I love for a full time living, which would be amazing!

***

Thank you so much Sharon for a wonderful interview, I think we would all agree that supporting small, UK businesses where we can is so important! 

If you would like the chance to bring a little sunshine into your day with one of Sharon's beautiful handmade necklaces, she has very kindly offered the chance for one lucky reader to choose any necklace from her collection! 

There are several ways you can enter, with a total of five entries possible:

1. Head over to The Simple Latte and choose which necklace you would love to win, then come back here and comment below with you choice. 

2. Share this post on Twitter, tagging both @thesaltedtail and @thesimplelatte so we can find you, and make sure you follow us both too. 

3. Head over to my Instagram feed for three more chances to enter! Just look for the image below in my gallery....  

The giveaway will be running for two weeks, and one winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday November 1st. The winner will be contacted via email or DM, and also announced on Instagram Stories. 

Good luck folks, I know the lucky winner is going to adore whichever piece they choose!

(All images in this post, except for the first and last, are courtesy of The Simple Latte. I have been gifted the chevron necklace, but all opinions are entirely my own)

Food Moments: 'For the Love of Bread' by Jill Waters

Today I have the pleasure of bringing you the story of a life long love affair with the one of the oldest and most basic of foods, bread. It comes from one of my very best friends, Jill of Land of The Blue Rinse. She and I met back in 2011, and food (as well as grappling with a class of 12 children with various additional needs) was one of the first things we bonded over.  

Over to Jill...

***

I love bread - I think it’s something to do with childhood memories of my dad smuggling home a hot loaf from the bakery where he worked. We’d hungrily devour doorstep slices dripping with butter, despite the fact that we’d already eaten our tea!

When I visit new towns, I seek out artisan bakeries and drool over their loaves, and firmly believe that fresh bread, butter and cheese is one of the greatest food combinations there is.

Baking bread makes me feel like an earth mother! For me, it’s about nourishing my family with a food that often gets a bad press, but that can be totally delicious. When my children were small, I used to make most of our bread. Not always successfully, and I sometimes resorted to turning my brick like loaves into breadcrumbs, but there was something about the process that I felt a deep affection for.  

Whilst I’ve continued to bake, off and on, over the years it wasn't until I retired that I revisited baking bread ‘properly’. My  husband bought me a bread baking course for Christmas, which I finally enjoyed in June. It was really good fun but, although I made four different types of bread, it didn't really teach me anything I didn't already know - to weigh all the ingredients, including the liquids, to add a tray of water to the bottom of the oven to create steam, to keep the yeast away from the salt, and so on and so forth.

As part of a retirement hamper, my daughter bought me ‘Brilliant Bread’ by James Morton and this book has really changed the way that I bake bread - more time, less kneading. Of course not all my bakes work, but even the failed ones taste delicious! Morton promises that everyone can be a baker, but warns against trying to run before you can walk. Running before I could walk has probably been the cause of the majority of my baking flops, but strangely it hasn't put me off. If anything it makes me more determined!

I recently read an online article about micro mastery, which is the art of becoming really good at one thing and then using this as a building block for additional skills. The example the article gives is making an omelette, but the principles can just as easily be applied to sewing, knitting or breadmaking. 

With this in mind, I aim to become a micro master of a sourdough loaf. It is the ultimate loaf to bake, but can be varied by using different flours/seeds and so on. It is the Holy Grail of loaves and is tricky because it takes time, does not use yeast and can be very temperamental. Sounds like the perfect challenge! 

I’ve had my sourdough starter, Bamber (my starter for 10) since last October, but he’s spent most of that time languishing at the back of the fridge, so it’s time to feed him, get him frothing and become the micro master of my own fate!

***

Ah bread, such a simple wholesome food that has been so messed about with commercially that the sliced white loaves on the supermarket shelves are barely recognisable as the glorious crusty doorstops Jill's Dad smuggled home from the bakery.  

I too have a sourdough starter (Herbert, est. 2016) cowering stickily in the corner of my fridge, and I think its about time I revived him, especially if, as set out in my year long bucket list I'm going to be self sufficient in bread by this time next year. 

Don't forget, if you have a significant food moment in your life that you'd like to share, please do get in touch - I'd love to read your story.

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Introducing 'Food Moments' - A Beid Bil Tamriya Recipe from Ellie Ward

I recently got an interesting message from an online friend I met through instagram. She is a fellow Eleanor, although she prefers Ellie, and I believe we 'met' (albeit virtually) after discussing natural dye techniques. We've stayed in touch, and a few weeks ago she suggested a recipe I might like to feature on The Salted Tail and it got me thinking. 

Reading the post submission Ellie sent made me realise how instrumental food can be in shaping our lives. I certainly have several memories that have food at their centre, and it is one of the most important factors in my life, from deciding where we go on holiday to the time spent perusing recipe books before I go to bed. 

I have also had some issues with food in the last few years, and it's only recently that I've let myself re-discover my love for it. I've been reading my books like they're novels, perusing the market stalls for local ingredients, devouring food based podcasts and binge-watching baking videos. 

It's like a really big bit of me has woken up (and gone in search of breakfast!)

So, to celebrate my reawakening, I've decided to start a new series I'm calling Food Moments. These will be guest posts, (plus a few moments of my own) sharing life's important memories and moments where food has been at the heart. Prepare for lots of reminiscing and recipes! 

For now, it's over to Ellie for the first in the series. She shares why a favourite cafe in Peckham became an important part of her family life, and a brunch recipe she devised after tasting a particular dish and needing to re-create it at home.

Enjoy! 

"I lived in Peckham for a decade before making the predictable move to outside the M25 when our son was born. We saw the area of London we lived in change over time. From a place with low rents that encouraged many to start innovative restaurants, artisan delicatessens, gallery spaces and yoga studios to a place known for exactly that. In poured money and gentrification took a firm grasp. Rents crept up and many of the original businesses were forced to re-locate. We decided at this point it was time to cash in and sell. 

Despite it’s relatively rapid ascent (or descent as some may argue) I miss that beautiful part of London everyday. I miss it’s vibrancy, its inclusion and its warm openness to all. One place sums up Peckham for me better than anywhere - Persepolis. Persepolis is a corner shop and cafe that has been in the same spot for 16 years. It’s run by an incredible lady called Sally Butcher and her Iranian husband Jamshid. It houses an amazing array of exotic goods: herbs, spices, oils and teas as well as other impossible-to-find-elsewhere ingredients.  

Pre-child, we would often go on a weekend morning for a slow brunch, tasting several unusual yet totally delicious dishes.  Once our son Ludo was born, we would call in after swimming for a refreshing pomegranate juice and a takeways box of Turkish delight from the counter. In fact, our son had his first taste of solid food Persepolis - flat bread and hummus - true story! 

The first plate I ever tried was an Iraqi breakfast dish called beid bil tamriya which is basically eggs, dates and cardamom. It’s so ridiculously simple yet so delicious. I ordered it because it sounded so odd I just had to try it! In the UK we tend to consider eggs outside of baking as a savoury ingredient - quiche, omelette, or hard boiled with a pinch of salt and soldiers. This dish however is a sweet sensation! 

For two people you’ll need:

- Butter or coconut oil for frying (I personally prefer coconut oil for it’s plant based fats and creamy taste) 

- 2 medjool dates (or three regular ones)

- 4-5 eggs (depending on your hunger level!)

- A teaspoon of cardamon powder (you can buy this pre-ground or break open some pods and grind the seeds - you'll need about 10 pods)
- Some great sourdough bread

First, de-stone and roughly chop the dates. Heat the butter or coconut oil over a medium heat and add the chopped dates. Fry them until they’re softened, mashing a bit with a wooden spoon as you go. Take care not to let them burn. 

Beat your chosen number of eggs and add to the pan with the dates. Stir constantly to scramble your eggs to your preferred consistency then remove from the heat and stir in the cardamom powder. 

Serve with sourdough, black coffee and a Sunday supplement." 

***

Ellie is a 36 year old ex-fashion buyer, now a mother and a maker. She lives in the modernist village of New Ash Green, Kent with her husband and son. She has a jewellery brand called Unknown Legend. You can find Ellie and her beautiful jewellery on Instagram or have a look at her etsy shop here.

This beid bil tamriya recipe is wonderfully delicious! I've made it several times already and I've also found that combination of dates and cardamom makes an amazing addition to porridge! I will definitely be visiting Persepolis next time we're in London. Ellie also recommended their recipe books which do look wonderful! Persia in Peckham for example is describes as 'A slightly daft English woman guide to Persian cuisine"

Hopefully you enjoyed the first Food Moment. I can't wait to share more stories with you, and if you have a favourite food moment you'd like to share please to get in touch - everything you need is under 'Contact' above!