Thoughtfully chosen materials, made to be enjoyed

At Made By Lainie, I choose materials for their quality, durability and character. Every piece is handmade by me using genuine leather and carefully selected metal components, with an emphasis on creating jewellery that is lightweight, comfortable and made to last.

I source my leather from a UK supplier and, whenever possible, choose offcuts and smaller pieces. This allows me to make beautiful use of quality leather that might otherwise go to waste.

Because leather is a natural material, every hide has its own individual grain, texture and character.

Subtle variations are not imperfections — they are part of what makes handmade leather jewellery unique.

Genuine leather

I use several types of genuine leather, selected according to the design and the qualities I want each piece to have.

Cowhide

Much of my jewellery is made from genuine cowhide. I use both chrome-tanned and vegetable-tanned leather, depending on the design.

Chrome-tanned leather is supple, durable and available in a wonderful variety of colours, textures and finishes, making it particularly versatile for jewellery.

Vegetable-tanned leather is traditionally tanned using plant-derived tannins. It has a more natural character and can develop a beautiful depth and patina as it ages.

Suede cowhide

I also use genuine suede cowhide, which has a soft, brushed surface rather than the smooth finish of traditional leather.

Suede gives my designs a softer, tactile quality and can add subtle contrast when combined with other leathers. As with all natural leather, its texture and appearance can vary slightly from piece to piece.

Metallic leather

My metallic leathers are also genuine leather. The metallic finish is created by applying a foil finish to the surface of genuine cowhide, giving the leather its distinctive gold or silver appearance.

I love using metallic leather because it allows me to create statement jewellery with a luxurious finish while retaining the lightness and flexibility of leather.

Lambskin

I occasionally use genuine lambskin in my layered designs. Lambskin is exceptionally soft, fine and lightweight, but because it is too thin to provide sufficient structure on its own, I use it only as part of a layered construction.

The foiled silver and gold lambskin allows me to combine its beautiful softness and delicate finish with the strength and structure of another leather.

Stainless steel

I use premium stainless steel components, including 304 and 316 grades, for my jewellery fittings and findings.

Stainless steel is exceptionally strong and highly resistant to corrosion, tarnishing and discolouration. It is also a practical choice for jewellery that is designed to be worn regularly.

Where appropriate, I use 316 stainless steel, which is particularly well known for its excellent corrosion resistance, as well as 304 stainless steel for its strength and durability.

I also use 18k or 24k gold-plated stainless steel components where a warm gold finish complements the design.

These have a stainless steel base with a gold-plated surface, combining the strength of stainless steel with a beautiful gold appearance.

While stainless steel is highly durable, the gold-plated surface is a finish and will naturally require a little more care than plain stainless steel.

Why I choose these materials

I want my jewellery to be more than something that simply looks beautiful when you first buy it.

Leather gives my designs their distinctive character, lightness and versatility, while stainless steel provides strong, durable fittings that are well suited to everyday wear.

I deliberately choose quality materials and construction methods that allow my jewellery to be enjoyed for years to come.

Wherever possible, I use leather offcuts and smaller pieces from my UK supplier. I love the fact that these beautiful materials can be turned into something special rather than being unnecessarily discarded.

Caring for your Made By Lainie jewellery

With a little care, your jewellery can be enjoyed for a very long time.

Keep leather away from moisture

Leather and water are not a good combination. Try to avoid wearing your jewellery in the shower, bath or swimming pool, and take care not to soak it.

If your jewellery does become damp, gently pat it dry with a soft cloth and allow it to dry naturally. Do not use direct heat such as a hairdryer.

Keep perfumes and cosmetics away from leather

Perfume, hairspray, moisturisers, oils and other cosmetic products can affect leather and may mark or alter its finish.

As a general rule, put your jewellery on after applying perfume, hairspray and skincare products.

Treat metallic and coloured leather gently

Some leather finishes, particularly metallic foils, can be more delicate than untreated leather. Avoid rubbing, scratching or folding these surfaces unnecessarily.

The beauty of leather is partly in its natural character, so gentle handling will help preserve its appearance.

Give your jewellery its own place

Each necklace comes with a Made By Lainie branded cotton zip pouch, while earrings and pendant necklaces are supplied with their own protective pouch.

I recommend storing your jewellery in its pouch when you are not wearing it. This helps protect the leather from scratches and keeps your pieces together when travelling.

Avoid storing leather jewellery somewhere damp or humid, and don't place heavy objects on top of it.

Stainless steel care

Plain stainless steel components are very easy to care for. If they need cleaning, simply wipe them gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry thoroughly.

Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners, which can damage the surface.

Gold-plated stainless steel

Gold-plated stainless steel should be treated a little more gently because the gold coating can gradually wear with prolonged friction and exposure to chemicals.

To help preserve the finish, keep gold-plated components away from perfume, hairspray, creams and cleaning products, and wipe them gently with a soft, dry cloth when necessary.

Handmade, naturally individual

Every piece of Made By Lainie jewellery is made by hand, so no two pieces of natural leather will ever be completely identical.

Small variations in grain, texture, colour and finish are part of the character of genuine leather — and part of what makes your jewellery uniquely yours.

Made to be worn. Made to last. Made by Lainie.