Tell me a little bit about your business and why you chose to start it?
Bailey of Sheffield comprises designers and creative minds, it is a co-operative. With access to an amazing pool of talent, enabling constant innovation, breaking new ground and always staying fresh. With young, new designers straight from university working alongside well-established, top industrial product designers from the city. A collective of incredible forward-thinking minds from the music, film and online communities all contributing towards the Bailey of Sheffield creative vision.
The CABLE™ Bracelet was inspired by the Gripple and the stainless steel cable used to hang air conditioning at our other business Plug Nightclub / Live Music Venue. Scott, founder of Bailey of Sheffield always wore a mish-mash of surfer and festival bands which never lasted and from this he wanted to design a bracelet that was stylish and durable.
Scott Bailey, creator, commented: “My inspiration comes from a search for an enduring and yet enticing piece of jewellery. The CABLE™ Bracelet was born from a desire to create a piece that was as highly designed as it was durable and long lasting. Invented, designed, manufactured and hand-assembled here in Sheffield, the pieces are crafted from the highest quality steel with style in mind.”
What sets Bailey of Sheffield apart from its contemporaries?
We are new, the first of its kind with a unique, masculine and covetable modular collection. The CABLE™ Bracelet can be customised with interchangeable beads, bringing a fresh look to personalising your style. We fuse traditional jewellery techniques with the latest precision engineering, and a thoughtful and sincere approach to design. Also offered in various striking colours and finishes.
Which materials do you use to make your products, and why?
Stainless steel – there was only one choice of material coming from Sheffield!
Apart from the history and provenance of the material, we chose stainless steel because of its durable properties, it is also hypoallergenic and corrosion resistant. It is a lifelong material.
Stainless steels are easily recycled to produce more stainless steels and this process can be carried on indefinitely. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, with no degradation. It is estimated that about 80% of stainless steels are recycled at the end of their life. Taking into account its recyclability, reuse, long life, low maintenance and product safety, the emissions from the production and use of stainless steels are minimal when compared to any other alternative material.
Where are your products made, and why is this important?
Bailey of Sheffield products are made in Sheffield, our workshop is situated in Sheffield at Portland Works, the birthplace of stainless steel manufacturing and one of the last remaining working examples of a purpose built metal trades factory.
It is important for us to be able to continue the legacy of stainless steel that was started by Harry Brearley back in 1914, to be able to hand-finish our bracelets in a unit that will be only feet away from where he started manufacturing the first stainless steel is amazing.
Today, we share Portland Works with some of the metal trade businesses that still use original machinery and tools, such as Andy Cole Tools, Stuart Mitchell Knives and PML Plating.
What do you think your local council could do to help independent businesses?
We have been pretty disappointed overall with the help we have received from the local council. We have had some assistance along the way, but in all honesty, we have seen other start up companies (from other parts of the UK) launch around the time we did that have had an extraordinary amount of assistance to help them bring their projects to life. You would need to give me a full edition of Now Then to wax lyrical about all of the disappointments of the ‘support’ networks that appear to be available to you when starting a new venture.
Tell me about some of the positive experiences you’ve had, and why they’re important to your business.
The collaborative approach to the business, building on old and new business relationships has been fun. Working with a variety of creative and business people, not just in Sheffield but around the world, with a wealth of experience.
We reached our Kickstarter funding goal of £15,000 11 days into our 33 day campaign, and we have been particularly overwhelmed with the positive response to the CABLE™ Bracelet from around the world since launching. We have customers in over 20 countries from Singapore to the Antarctic!
Words & Images: Bailey of Sheffield
