How Inner Wild Jewelry Gives Back
Conservation, eco friendly solutions to daily life and sustainability are all the rage right now, and have become increasingly more important to me as well over the last few years. With each passing year, I have noticed my priorities in life shift, and all for the better. Each and every year for birthdays and holidays, I find myself on the hunt for gifts that give back. That is the basis of Inner Wild Jewelry, the perfect gift that gives back.
Inner Wild be donating a portion of each shark tooth sale, as well as donating time each year to beach clean ups, volunteering at events, and any other way time can be used to spread the word about the important of conservation of environments and wildlife, all to be documented via email, social platforms and/or blog posts. And as an added effort, with each order 1 kelp tree will be planted and 10 plastic bottles removed from the ocean...with the option to add to that for an extra donation at checkout.
Things that seemed important when I was younger are taking a back seat and now, finding ways to connect with, protect and give back to not only my environment, but wildlife in particular, has always been something I have aimed to do with my life and I have the reach to make a bigger difference. Since I’ve always been an artist at heart and I am incredibly happy that I found the best creative outlet to share with the world. From the first day of learning to make silver jewelry I knew exactly where I wanted to go with it, to make shark tooth cuffs, rings, necklaces with the intention of giving back to sharks. Sustainability, recycling and green living are all a top priority here. If I am not out collecting my resources myself, I am supporting small businesses who share the same ideas, standards and ethics as I do.
Why sharks?
I imagine you are already a fan of them if you’ve found your way to this portion of the site, or were looking for badass shark tooth jewelry, but sure let’s talk about it real quick.
Sharks, like my jewelry, are pretty badass. Sharks are apex predators, top of the food chain baby! They’ve been around for millions of years - even predating dinosaurs, and dinosaurs are freakin’ cool. Sharks keep the marine ecosystem in check, keep things running smooth which helps keep our oceans healthy. They have super senses, which are kind of like super powers - think Spiderman. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like Spiderman? Ok so this list could keep on going but now how about the why…why do sharks even need our help?
Well, shark fishing and finning for starters. The world has come a long way with their views on sharks (think the movie Jaws) and I’m sure Shark Week and social media and availability of information on the internet has helped to educate people on seeing sharks in a different light. Idk about you but I distinctly remember falling in love with Great Whites when I saw them breach for the first time during Air Jaws on Shark Week. But sharks are still being hunted, for sport, for their fins, and for no other reason other than ignorance. You don’t have to be a shark expert to understand these are cruel, archaic traditions for dealing with misunderstood problems in the past. I won’t go into the ugly details here, but please educate yourselves and friends.
The idea that sharks eat people? A bit outlandish, we are not their food. Sharks will generally keep their distance and stay away from people. Accidents happen, defensive behavior happens, and aggressive behavior in some species also happens. If you are in the ocean, you are in their home. That needs to be said every now and then as a reminder.
This is not a fully fleshed out list of reasons why, just a couple of things at the top of my head to help you understand why I am giving back to sharks. Just reach out if you want more conversation on sharks ;)
I would be remiss to say that I only care for sharks, there are so many animals I love and my heart wants to create pieces for each of them to share with the world to help raise awareness and give back. Keep your eye out for special editions donating to other wonderful causes in the future but for now, let’s make a difference for sharks.
Having had the opportunity to do several (understatement) expeditions with Saving The Blue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to educate and connect people with ocean wildlife while staying heavily focused on data and research for conservation and protections for shark and ray populations, I can tell you my life has not been the same since my very first trip in 2019. The people, the environment, the lifestyle, the SHARKS!
I'm just an average person who always joked that I would swim with sharks, and then one day I did. On my initial call with them to get the run down of what to expect, I was told I was what they call a dream chaser, as I was coming in with no experience, no intention of switching careers or even going to school for the subject. And you know what? It sounds pretty awesome when it's worded like that.
Saving The Blue is full of beautiful, good hearted down to earth people. I have seen first hand where the money for their organization goes, and they are expanding - building their very own Shark Lab in Andros, Bahamas…the very location they take people on their expeditions and open their eyes and minds to things you can’t unsee or experience.
I urge you to explore what they offer, especially if you are looking for your own way to get involved - there is something for everyone. Education, trips of a lifetime guaranteed to change your life, that offer hands on experience - no prior experience needed, just a love and fascination (maybe obsession) with sharks. Shark tagging and adoptions, gear, art prints, and a community of people that you didn’t know you needed in your life.
Anyway, this is my why.
This was supposed to be short, sorry not sorry.
Inner Wild Jewelry, the perfect gift that gives back.