Ethics and sustainability

Our aim is to produce finely crafted magickal items from the best materials with the least harm caused to the environment.

Most of the wood we work with comes from a large ancient coppiced woodland in Hampshire. We ensure that it is collected over large areas rather than alot from any particular place to prevent any habitat being affected. We select only one or two pieces from a tree at a time to prevent damage which may adversely affect the growth of that tree.

Any wood which is collected from within or near to sites of magickal or archaeological importance is gathered with utmost respect and care to prevent any damage to the tree and site.

As a way of further helping in the sustainability of the woodlands we have cultivated tree seedlings and planted them at suitable locations in the hope that they will, over time, grow into fine trees for future generations.

Clay has been worked by people since pre-history and all our items have been created using the time-honoured techniques of our Norse and Celtic ancestors, including hand digging the materials from naturally clay-rich earth within Hampshire. Once the items have been crafted and left to air dry, they are fired in an ancient type of kiln by being stacked and baked in a pit beneath a fire. Naturally featuring the elements of Earth and Fire in their creation, these pieces are ideally suited to use as magickal tools as well as making unusual gifts and beautiful objects for your home.

Some of our jewellery is crafted from mammoth ivory, bear bone and antler dating from the last ice age. The materials for these have usually been dredged up by fishing vessels, often from Doggerland in the North Sea and then sold on. They are lovely materials to work with, full of interesting textures and energies.

Other jewellery is created using modern-day deer antler, hare and fox bone. We are careful to ensure that no animals have been harmed to supply these materials and, equally importantly that no market is created to supply them. Deer naturally shed their antlers during the course of their life and the antler we use has always been cast off in this way.

We use animal bones found naturally in our local area. We spend alot of time walking in the countryside and rambling in the woods and chance upon an animal find every now and then where the animal has either died of natural causes or from being hit by a car. The remains are treated with respect and it seems very fitting for a gift from Nature to be crafted into talismans and charms honouring that animal's spirit and energy.

If you have any other questions about how we collect our materials please email enquiries@spiritofold.co.uk.