Yerlys' Designs

Yerlys’ Designs began in a small town in Western Canada called Fort McMurray. It was the first city where my family and I lived and one of the first to ban plastic bags in late 2010. The city’s decision made me ask myself if I truly contributed to mitigating our environmental footprint and if I should generate less garbage on a daily basis. After doing much-deserved research, I opted not only to be more environmentally friendly but to be more careful where I buy food, clothes, and everything essential to an everyday life. As a result, I decided to design a brand that promoted green thinking and meanwhile, I would create jewelry with eco-friendly materials.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve been handy with a needle and a thread. Being taught at such a young age, it began to transform itself into a second nature, such as writing or reading. Additionally, my attraction to fashion was a big one; from runway models to small local clothing shops, they all spiked my interest. Combining these two, I decided that textile jewelry was a good mix of the things that attracted me the most.

Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, among others, complement what you wear and add colour and pop! to what once was plain and simple. My works are made from old clothes one can find at a thrift shop: zippers, buttons, threads, and stones. The only parts that are not recycled are for hygienic reasons are the metallic part of the earring that latches to your earlobe, the earring back and usually chains that if bought at a Goodwill or Value Village could’ve been mistreated and/or abused. Moreover, while dying cloths, I only use natural products such as fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine.