At The Green Turtle, we carefully select suppliers who share the same values as us, and who produce fantastic eco-friendly items we know our customers will love. These are often small, UK based businesses with real people working hard behind the scenes to develop and lovingly handmake sustainable products.
This blog series spotlights our suppliers. Find out more about who they are, their sustainable products and what goes on behind the scenes!
Jen Winnett Art
Jen is a self-taught watercolour eco artist based in the heart of the inspiring Cotswolds. We love her gorgeous animal and nature inspired images, which adorn practical and eco-friendly items, such as cards, cotton tote bags and glass chopping boards. Her range is growing all the time and we love seeing her new creations! We asked Jen some questions:
Tell us a bit about yourself
I started painting in 2017 to support my mental wellbeing and fell in love with it so much that I decided to make it my full-time job. I take inspiration from the world around me to create colourful, endearing illustrations of animals and nature which bring joy, life and colour into homes.
I am also the main force behind my business! Artist, product design and development, social media manager, marketing guru, business consultant, order packer, customer service manager, events manager, financial and accounts...
But I do also have fantastic support from my small team, including my fiancé George and events team (my wonderful family and friends).
Personally, I am a lover of coffee, meeting new people, nature, being outdoors, travel adventures, horse riding, skiing and the pub. My gorgeous dog Willow and horse Ollie are regular features in my social media too!
Tell us more about your products
I am very passionate about the environment and believe that we all need to do our bit to help protect the planet. Therefore I have produced all my products in an eco-friendly way – using only sustainable and environmentally friendly sources where possible as part of my eco promise.
For example, our eco shopping bags are made from 100% Organic and Fairtrade heavyweight 10oz/280gsm cotton. Organic cotton is grown without pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers and has been grown in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Alongside this they are made from Fairtrade Certified Cotton and carry the Fairtrade Cotton Mark. From the growing and processing of the cotton to the manufacturing of the bag, all areas have to be compliant to meet the Fairtrade Standard for cotton.
They make great laptop bags, book bags, gym/swim bags, beach bags, food shopping bags. Oh, and they carry up to 8 bottles of wine...
Our eco-cards have been produced in the UK by an eco-friendly company, In line with my ethos of minimising impact on our beautiful planet. All cards are printed using vegetable oil-based inks on to high quality textured card originating from responsibly managed forests and are 100% recyclable.
How have things evolved over the years?
I can't believe how much things have evolved in three years. I started with just a few designs on cards and eco bags, but now have over 50 designs from alpacas to zebras, with more on the way! I also have expanded the range, most recently to include metal water bottles and fabulous sustainable clothing.
Find out more:
You can find Jen Winnett Art's products here. Find out more at Jen's website.