Meet Our Moonlighters: Tally White Crafts

Supporting Small Businesses; More Important Now Than Ever

We’re halfway through our second lockdown of 2020 and whilst the health of the nation and the protection of the NHS is quite obviously of utmost importance, many of us are feeling a lot of sympathy for small business owners who were hoping to recover from the first lockdown with a flurry of pre-Christmas orders and custom. Luckily, they’re a savvy lot and have been taking their businesses online in droves – determined to offer a sustainable and unique alternative to buying from large, faceless companies this year. The difference it makes to a small shop owner really is significant, each sale results in genuine happiness and gratitude. It may take a little longer to source but it really is worth it to support your local makers and their families, and by extension, your local economy.

This week, we’re onto our third Moonlighter, Tally White. Tally is fairly new to The Outdoors Group but it feels like she’s been here forever, she’s fitted in so well! So without, further ado…I’ll leave you to discover her beautiful seaglass creations and the story behind her craft!

Role within The Outdoors Group: Adult Training Coordinator and Training Instructor (what a long job title!)

Secret Skill: Silversmithing (and some occasional lino prints)

Name of Business: Tally White Crafts

When did you start? I first took a silversmithing course September 2018 whilst heavily pregnant…opened my Etsy shop a year later.

Why did you start? It combined a passion for making with a love of the coastline and nature. I’ve always liked wearing interesting jewellery too so it’s nice to be able to say ‘I made that’.

What do you love about it, what drives you? It’s my time to ground myself and get in the ‘flow’ without thinking about anything else. Running does the same but with two little children, it’s not always easy to get out for a run!

What have you learnt since starting? I’m a perfectionist.

What’s your favourite thing about it? How the silver forms around the sea glass and different shapes lend themselves to different pieces – I always work with how the glass is as found, I never tumble or shape it.

Have you got any funny or strange moments to share about your moonlighting escapades? Being interviewed on BBC Radio Devon with Sophie Lovett of @raising_revolutionaries to promote the group Mothers Who Make – supporting mothers and makers in the arts. We were asked if we wanted to leave our children outside whilst we were in the studio – I don’t think they had quite grasped the concept of what we were promoting!

What about it are you proudest of? Being commissioned to make engagement rings with sea glass from beaches that are special for the couple – usually either the proposal happened there or they just have happy memories there!

Anything else you fancy telling us about? The amazing handmade and local community (both in real life and online!) who promote and support each other.

Social Media Channels – where to find you!:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tallywhitecrafts