NOWHERE SOON (AKA ZOE FENNE-BAVIS) TURNS WASTE INTO WEARABLE ART

PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL AHRAIN - WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS

Zoe Fenne-Bavis’s work under NOWHERE SOON STUDIO is playful, functional, and deeply intentional. From Babybel wax moulds to The Bottle Opener Ring, her jewellery combines storytelling, sculpture, and wearability - pieces that do more than sit pretty.

At the heart of her practice is care for materials and the planet. By reclaiming silver from NHS X-ray film, Zoe transforms something utilitarian into something intimate, sustainable, and quietly political. In a world obsessed with speed, Nowhere Soon reminds us that slowing down, questioning systems, and making thoughtful choices, can have a lasting impact.

Maisie Daniels: Hey Zoe, thanks for taking the time to speak to F Word Magazine. Let’s begin with how you became a jewellery designer.

Zoe / Nowhere Soon Studio: I’ve always been interested in materials, systems and why things exist the way they do. Jewellery became the perfect meeting point between sculpture, storytelling and wearability through design and creation. It started as experimentation slowly turning into a practice that felt like home.

MD: Why the name “Nowhere Soon”?

Zoe: It’s a quiet rebellion against urgency. We’re constantly pushed to be faster, bigger more productive. I wanted a name that allows the context to move slowly and question direction - to exist without a fixed destination. Nowhere Soon is about process over outcome, and letting things unfold in their own time.

MD: Your pieces are both sustainable and unique. Can you talk us through the silver extracted from the NHS Medical X-Ray film that you use, and how you came to discover this?

Zoe: Medical X-Ray film contains recoverable silver which historically would’ve been discarded once it had served its purpose. I became fascinated by the idea that something used to diagnose and analyse the body could be transformed into something worn and intimate. It felt quietly political, to work with a material that already exists rather than extracting more from the earth.

MD: How does one go about obtaining the Medical X-Ray film?

Zoe: Through specialist recovery partners who work directly with NHS and hospitals across the UK. The film is ethically sourced once it’s no longer needed, processed to extract the silver then refined for reuse. It’s a slow and considered supply chain, which aligns with how I want the studio to operate.

MD: Why is utilising this material important for the planet?

Zoe: Mining is one of the most destructive processes we have, both environmentally and socially. Using reclaimed silver reduces demand for new extraction and reframes waste as a resource. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a step toward circularity and steps matter.

MD: You have crafted moulds from the wax of my favourite cheesy snack, Babybel — I love this! What’s the process you use from start to finish with the wax?

Zoe: The wax is cleaned, reshaped and carved just like traditional jeweller’s wax. The material is incredibly soft which can be hard to work with but it holds the marks of touch strongly which I love. It carries a sense of play and impermanence that translates beautifully into metal.

MD: I have to know, did the idea come to you while eating a Babybel?!

Zoe: Yes. Absolutely. One hundred percent. I wish it were more romantic, but it really was “what could i do with this” moment.

MD: Are there any other unusual materials that you have your eyes on?

Zoe: I’m always drawn to thinking outside the box. Materials with overlooked value, industrial by products, domestic waste, things that sit between usefulness and discard. If it has a story and a history, I’m interested. My mind is in constant over drive. 

MD: All of your pieces are sustainably one-of-a-kind. Do you have a favourite piece and why?

Zoe: My favourite piece would probably be the Meltdown Hoops. They were made mid breakdown (lol), in a moment where everything felt a bit too much but i forced myself to sit and make something. Somehow they turned into one of my most worn, everyday pieces. I like that transformation: something messy and emotional becoming steady, comforting and lived in. Most of my early pieces were steered by and name after emotions I was feeling while making them. They act a but like quiet timestamps. 

MD: Are there any struggles that you face as an independent designer, and do you have any specific examples?

Zoe: Wearing every hat at once can be draining - creator, marketer, photographer, accountant, problem solver. However saying this I do enjoy being super busy. Sustainability also adds layers of complexity and costs that aren’t always visible to the customer. But those struggles are part of choosing to do things with intention rather than convenience.

MD: What advice would you give to individuals aspiring to contribute to a better future on the planet?

Zoe: You don’t need to do everything, just do something honestly. Question systems, slow down where you can and don’t underestimate the impact of small, thoughtful decisions repeated over time.

MD: What is the most rewarding part of your job and why?

Zoe: Knowing that something I made will live alongside someone, gathering memories and meaning. Jewellery is small, but it holds a lot.

MD: Complete the following sentences: the world would be better without _______? 

Zoe: The world would be better without trump.

MD: And finally, what’s your favourite F-word?

Zoe: Freedom