Copper and Thread is crocheting sustainable everyday items

Every successful business begins by solving a problem, and for Copper and Thread founder Makeeda Morrison, that problem was finding swimwear at the last minute. What started as a personal need soon evolved into a passion project. “[It was] in 2017, a response to a personal need. I literally crocheted a bikini for a final-year girls’ trip in the car on the way to the beach,” Morrison told Living.

Then came the start of the sustainable crochet lifestyle brand, which she says is “dedicated to providing eco-centric individuals with affordable alternatives for clothing, homeware and self-care. All items are locally handmade, with a focus on promoting a sustainable lifestyle while maximising on quality”.

Officially registered in 2020, Copper and Thread has carved out a niche in the market by placing eco-conscious values and sustainable products at the heart of its brand. Morrison now has a collection of crochet items, noting that her signature pieces include two everyday items: crochet velvet scrunchies, as well as eco-centric scrubbies, which are an alternative to single-use cotton pads.

Another key everyday item from the brand, their baby Snugglers are baby-friendly because of the intentionality Morrison placed in the materials used for the creation of the toys.

“Our baby Snugglers are stuffed with organic cotton fibre. This is because this material is hypoallergenic, which makes it safe for newborns and, in contrast to its much more popularised alternative, polyester fibre fill, the cotton is biodegradable,” Morrison shared.

Parents of newborns would also be happy to hear that Copper and Thread uses embroidered eyes to eliminate potential choking hazards, which is traditionally a concern for toys made for that age group.

The artisan brought diverse products from her brand to the Artisan Village at this year’s Book Fairy Festival and noted that the most popular items for her customers that day were the keychains and bag charms that double as stress balls.

“[It] gives me joy because, in the Jamaican landscape where there is such a negative stigma surrounding mental health and anxiety, providing adorable alternatives for the common stress ball with multiple functions affords our clients the relief they desire with no stigma attached,” Morrison shared on her top sellers for the day.

Having worked on Copper and Thread for almost nine years, one of the interactions with her customers that particularly stands out to her was a previous customer proudly showcasing her Copper and Thread product on social media.

“I’ve recently had a client tag me in a top she commissioned some four years ago with the comment that another client saw the piece and not only recognised it as my craftsmanship but also chimed in with images of her own commissioned piece from five years prior.” Morrison continued, “There is a unique feeling [in] knowing that you’ve created something that halts fast fashion, is beautiful and also stands the test of time”.

Sharing her plans for the future of Copper and Thread’s offerings, Morrison is paying keen attention to her customers and audience, based on their needs.

“The survival of any business depends on its ability to remain current and flexible in meeting clients’ needs. It is a pleasure not only to introduce alternatives, but to know that we are fuelling a community of people who wish to do better for themselves, their families and, ultimately, the environment.”

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com