Manufacture & Craft

Cornish Organic Wool comes from certified organic farms and is spun by a certified spinning mill and dyed on site - all within the county of Cornwall. All processes are done to strict Soil Association standards so the result is the most organic wool possible, with a truly tiny eco footprint. One of the Cornish Wool farmers is in Zennor while others are near Bodmin and Liskeard. Purchase online or from Knit Wits, 45 Causewayhead, Penzance TR18 2SS (01736 367069).

Cornish Wools produces, markets and sells nationally and internationally its own exclusive range of sustainable and biodegradable knitting wools. Their knitting wools are made from the fleece of sheep (some of which are rare and at risk breeds) alpacas and goats that are reared and farmed on Cornish farms and smallholdings. Cornish Wools makes products that naturally biodegrade when they are of no further use, trades ethically and helps support the local economy. Their knitting shop sells not only local Cornish yarns but also an ever increasing range of accessories including knitting needles. Cornish Artisan is produced by them in their Perranuthnoe dye workshop – it's a range of yarns dyed using mostly natural dyes.

The company was founded by Jean Barry, an expert in complementary therapies with a belief in caring for and nurturing both ourselves and the environment. The company promotes these beliefs by manufacturing products made entirely from natural ingredients, to both nurture and cleanse the skin. Jean Barry Soaps are made purely in Cornwall. The traditional cold process uses no detergents, only vegetable oils combined with lye and water, in a process known as saponification. Once they have been stored to allow them to mature, the soaps are hand polished, before being wrapped and packaged, or displayed in the Penzance shop for sale to the public.

This is the only outlet for Mowhay Wool made from sheep at the Kehelland Farm, Camborne and spun in Launceston. They also sell felt artwork.

Lisa Wisdom creates a range of interior hardware, artistic ironwork and contemporary jewellery in her forge, near Falmouth. She no longer teaches blacksmithing workshops but can direct people to those blacksmiths that do. She regularly demonstrates and exhibits her work at local design fairs, contemporary craft shows and agricultural shows.

Tino Rawnsley offers many products including fencing, garden furniture and firewood made with timber from local woodlands. Also services such as hedge laying and woodland management. He also gives demonstrations of charcoal making and training in areas of woodland management and ecology. See www.coppice-products.co.uk for links to all coppice workers.