marmite | In Love With Britain

No matter how many times I try to discover what Marmite is made from, I always come away with the vague sensation that whatever it is, it can’t be edible. Even the advertising slogan for Marmite is “Love it or hate it.” As if that, somehow, is meant to boost sales. Wikipedia tells me that Marmite is made from yeast extract somehow derived from brewing beer. From all sides, this “spread” looks like molasses mixed with tar with a hint of superglue. And yet, the Marmite website freely shares a recipe for a Marmite and cheese sandwich. Why do people punish themselves so?

image courtesy Malcom Farmer via Wikimedia Commons

Of course, I must admit I have not so much as smelled Marmite. I saw a tiny jar of it in my grocery store (all the way out here in Hawaii), but the close to $15 price tag turned my hesitancy into repulsion. Why pay three mocha lattes’ worth of hard-earned money for two ounces of “nutritious” sludge? Yet my ignorance of the true taste of Marmite, which some people seem to hoard and treasure with inexplicable passion, makes me reserve the right to further judgment in future. Dear Marmite, I will one day taste you in reality and expose your deficiencies and disgusting deceits to the world.

Here is one American’s (elmify on Youtube) reaction to Marmite:

Around the time of my birthday this year, I received a bubble-wrap envelope in the mail. What made this bubble-wrap envelope more than ordinary was the lovely postmark that read “United Kingdom”. I knew it was from a very good friend of mine who knows me better than most anyone and who always sends me the best of birthday presents. Excited and curious to see what piece of England would be hidden inside the envelope, I opened it to discover a beautiful necklace depicting one of my favorite characters from Alice in Wonderland: The Gryphon. I loved the necklace so much, I had to look up where it came from.

the Gryphon necklace ~ photo by Rose West

Let me introduce you to Peggy Seymour from The Mymble’s Daughter, known on Etsy as adorapop. Peggy, master jeweler and artist extraordinaire, is based in Wales, though she’s actually from London. Her profile on Etsy talks of dragons and castles, leading me to believe that I’ve found something of a kindred spirit across the pond. A brief glance at her Etsy shop reveals that Peggy puts her heart into her work, creating beautiful and unique necklaces, pendants, sketches, and more. A little Victorian, a little steampunk, and a little fairytale, The Mymble’s Daughter has it all! There is a wide selection of jewelry, with themes from Alice in Wonderland to Charles Dickens to the Royal Wedding. The Signature Collection features jewelry depicting the birds that Peggy is so inspired by. She also sells a collection of beautiful bird sketches. You won’t want to miss checking out The Mymble’s Daughter – there’s sure to be something to catch your eye, either for yourself or for a gift for a friend.

Peggy graciously agreed to an interview, and I am pleased to be able to share with you.

The Interview

Rose West: Where do you find your inspiration when creating new jewelry?

Peggy Seymour: Anywhere and everywhere. Most often I’ll just be reading, or watching a film and inspiration just pops into my head. I am most inspired by birds and Victoriana so I try to surround myself with as much of these things as possible.

Red Riding Hood necklace ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: Is there a story behind your name, Mymble’s Daughter?

PS: It’s a mistranslation of a character’s name from one of the Moomin books written by Tove Jansson. Her name is Mymlan in the original Swedish but somehow she ended up as the Mymble’s Daughter in one of the English translations and I’ve always loved the name.

gold-plated Thaumatrope Steampunk necklace ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: What is your most popular item or collection on Etsy?

PS: I think it’s got to be either the Thaumatrope necklace or the Decision Maker necklaces. I guess it’s because they go with just about any outfit and they’re fun to play with. My most popular pendants are the ones with cats on them. Who doesn’t love cats?

sterling silver Decision Maker necklace ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: I love your charming sketches of British birds. How has art affected your life?

PS: I’m so glad you like them! I had a bad art college experience which wrecked art for me for many years but I am just now starting to draw and paint again. I find it very soothing. Birds are my favourite subjects at the moment as they have such personality. Art is incredibly important to me and I’m so glad to have it back. I missed it!

Dunnock and Goldcrest print from Field Notes on British Birds ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: Do you do much business with Americans?

PS: Oh, so much! I’d say at least three quarters of my etsy customers are American and I would be lost without them.

Royal Wedding Special Edition Necklaces ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: I see from your profile on Etsy that you are originally from London but now live in Wales. Which is your favorite place to be?

PS: That’s quite a tricky question. I love Wales very much and have been coming here ever since I was a tiny child. It’s beautiful here and I have a quality of life I just wouldn’t be able to find in London at the moment. However, I think London will always be my favourite place to be and I don’t feel quite myself except when I am there. It’s home.

The Bird and the Empty Cage Bobby Pins ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: What are your favorite places to visit in London?

PS: I realise this may make me sound a little strange but I love the old Victorian cemeteries like Highgate Cemetery and Brompton cemetery (where they filmed some of the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ film). There is also the most wonderful little toy museum called ‘Pollocks Toy Museum’ which I insist everyone must go to if they visit London. Oh, and ‘Liberty of London’ is a must.

Pirate Princess Locket ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: So does everyone in Wales really live in castles?

PS: Of course! Well, I do anyway :)

Marie Antoinette Masquerade Brooch ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: I confess, one of my goals in life is to learn how to ride a dragon. Do you think you could hook me up?

PS: If you’re ever in the area I’m sure we could work something out.

Steampunk Necklace Number VI ~ image courtesy Peggy Seymour

RW: This might seem like a strange question, but I need to know: What does Marmite really taste like?

PS: Hehe. It tastes a bit like thick soy sauce, I guess. Very savoury. I love it but I never know what to put it on. The Danish actually banned in a few weeks ago! Something about it being too salty. Weird.