North Carolina-based Twine & Twig created and exclusive 11-piece collection for Water is Everything that uses recycled glass beads inspired by the ocean. Co founder Elizabeth White talks about the inspiration she finds in nature and how the Special Water is Everything styles were created.

Everything But Water: What is it about nature that inspires your designs?

Elizabeth White: Everything, from the simplicity of it to the colors and hues you find. Half the time our kids go out and find something in the woods, and it such a cool color that it starts the process of our next collection. We travel a lot for inspiration, but we’re southern girls at heart. We’re located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it’s centrally located between the mountains and the beach. We’re lucky to have access to both.

Everything But Water: What is your design process like?

Elizabeth White: When we’re starting a new collection we lay everything out on the table and start pairing stuff together. Collections are based around a color scheme normally. We can reproduce something a million times, but they’re each a little bit different because every bead, antler and shell is natural and one-of-a-kind. They all have a little character.

Everything But Water: What are some of the eco-friendly materials you use?

Elizabeth White: We make sure all of our antlers are naturally shed, and we research all of our vendors. When we first launched, the shells we used were from our personal collection, but we’ve grown to a scale where we have to outsource to the Philippines or Bali. There’s a man [we work with] in Bali who walks up and down the beach to look for the shells we need for our cowrie collars, and his family weaves them together on pineapple fibers.

Everything But Water: Are there any limitations to using sustainable materials?

Elizabeth White: There are some growing pains because you can only get so much of the material at certain times. This fall, we ran out of antlers, and you can’t just go to a factory and make more: They’re shed naturally once a year. It’d be a lot easier if we could just pick up the phone and say, “We need 100 more,” but we love that it’s all natural. Our recycled glass beads are colored with natural dye, so sometimes you’re limited on color choices.

Everything But Water: How did this exclusive collection come to be?

Elizabeth White: When I was in New York a couple months ago Sabra [Krock, Everything But Water Co-Owner and Creative Director] and I met for coffee, and she said, “We have a great thing we’re going to be doing, and I’d love for you to be involved.”

We pulled up images, looked at travel photography, and said “Let’s really hone in on the shades of water and do an ombre effect to show how they all flow together.” Sabra gave us the idea and has led a lot of the creative direction. I love that she’s so involved.

Everything But Water: What does Water is Everything mean to you?

Elizabeth White: Water is everything, period. We need to bring awareness to the fact that there are some major issues going on. We know our oceans are in danger – we see it every time we go to the beach. Last summer we were having a great day out on a boat when we went through this one disgusting section with so much stuff in the water and no one there to clean it up. People go about their everyday lives and have no idea these issues are happening. I love that we have an opportunity to be involved with Water is Everything and raise awareness.