Hello - I'm Annabel or Tinkabel.
Recycling and re-using has always been a part of my life.
Art and creativeness has also always been a part of my life.
Tinkan Designs is my way of combining the two, and (trying) to earn a modest income!

Quite a few years ago now, I saw someone wearing just one ring-pull on a bit of string around his neck.
The seed of inspiration was born.
What a fantastic, free, and abundant resource, ring-pulls are! Not only that, but they are perfectly formed, and beautifully designed, as you will see, once you take the time to notice them! It's such a shame people discard them so readily!
So... I started collecting ring-pulls... and then I started making jewellery with them...and Tinkan Designs was born...
At around the same time I was also doing a Blacksmithing, and Metalwork course,(in my 30's!) and it was here I learnt to weld, and work with metal.
As a result, I have quite a range of products, and 2 different work-spaces - a caravan where I make the smaller things such as jewellery, and purses. And a larger metalworking workshop, where I can make a mess, grinding and welding, and store all my scrap metal! The underlying theme though in all my work is re-using recycled/scrap materials.
I do like combining these materials when i can, especially plastic, and metal, and inner tube rubber...
Rivets are one of my favourite things! I use a LOT of rivets in my work!
I have been making my jewellery for maybe 8 years now, and I am still amazed at how many different designs can come from the 3 simple main components I use - Ring-pulls, Washers, and Rivets!