A little introduction.
I just wanted to say hello and intoduce myself to you all. My name is Carol and I will be taking over the reins of Woadworks from the lovely Sandie. I live in the Eden Valley with my husband Neil and together we will be embarking on this exciting new venture. We are both passionate about environmental issues and believe we have a very similar ethos to Sandie by keeping things as natural as possible.
You will see that the online shop is currently out of stock of all products. The reason for this is that due to the transfer of ownership, current legislation states that all existing products have to be re-tested for safety and this is quite a lengthy process, however, you will be pleased to hear that we expect all our products to be freshly made and back online as soon as possible. We will keep you updated, watch this space!
In the meantime you will notice a few changes in the website, minor tweeks, just to reflect our intentions to carry the business forward. We want to keep the existing skincare ranges that you already love and hope to introduce some new products which are in development. We would love to hear your comments and suggestions on the existing range and on what you would like to see in the future. Rest assured we will not be compromising on the current high quality standards of manufacture or ingredients and they will still be ethically sourced from reputable suppliers and artisan local producers.
As Sandie has already mentioned in a previous post, there has been interest from retailers and the hospitality industry for our products. We are therefore looking to expand into these areas. Commercial enquires are welcome.
We are currently working with Sandie to ensure a smooth transition, so we would like to express our gratitude not only to Sandie for all her help and advice, but also to her lovely customers for their patience and support.
Carol & Neil Robinson
End of an Era…..but exciting new beginnings!
This is a poignant Blog from me today as I’ve made the very hard decision to let our small family firm go……
Believe me it has been a very tough choice to make as Woadworks has been my whole lifestyle for the past 12 years and I have loved every minute of it – and made some great friends amongst the amazing and loyal customers who have been with me from the very start. We have over 600 Twitter followers and a popular and much visited Facebook page which I edit every single morning and I absolutely love chatting with you all and hearing about your lives and interests. I will continue with my personal pages and hope you will all keep in touch with me……
I feel that I owe you all the reasons why I’ve decided to step down. There are three really, the first and most pertinent one being that I am heavily involved in other crafts most notably Sculptural Felt Art which I have found out is popular and productive. I have struggled to balance the two interests but am increasingly asked to undertake both Exhibitions and Commissions with felt and there is just not enough time to do justice to both. I have a huge, month-long local Exhibition coming up in August for which I will need to complete some large pieces and I have nothing ready. The organisers have taken a leap of faith with me and I don’t want to let them down……
Originally my lovely daughter helped me with Woadworks but she has found her niche in Games Design and it is difficult to cope with the botanical side of the business, the website and making the products without her valuable assistance. The only way to manage our increased workload is to expand into areas we have not explored before and employ staff which is not something we ever intended to do although there is room for expansion even in these recessive times.
Which brings me on to the third reason which is expansion…..we are constantly being asked to supply to retail, hospitality, pet care and own label products which is very complimentary and tempting but I personally don’t feel up to the challenge although I’m happy to potter along with my plants. The diversity is definitely there for someone with the energy and commitment to explore.
So, really the decision was obvious. Woadworks won’t be disappearing though just moving forward with a new owner as there are several expressions of interest from like-minded people with the same principles and values and I’ll keep you informed as to the progress of the sale of the wherewithall to take over Woadworks – see details on our Contact page if you’re interested…..
St. John’s Wort – celebrating the Solstice
High on the list of known plants with a long association of benefiting humans is this little, starry yellow flower which has practically worldwide distribution. Latin name Hypericum perforatum or Common St. John’s Wort (properly pronounced Word apparently)…. The plant is named after St John the Baptist, (feast day, 24 June (midsummer)), when the plant is in full bloom. The five yellow petals resemble a halo, and its red sap symbolises the blood of the martyred saint. The name Hypericum comes from the Greek, meaning ‘greatest health’. Even before these times this plant, blooming as it does around the Solstice was always an icon of sun worshippers, used in rituals by the Druids, the Celts and the Saxons. Romans burned it in bonfires as part of their celebration of Midsummer’s Day.
There are a large number of these species plants with large, showy blooms and a shrub-like habit but we grow the tiny-flowered variety which would usually appear in the wild. This is accepted as the most potent species. The plant has a wide range of habitats including meadows, open woodland, hedge banks and roadside verges. The flowers vary from pale to dark yellow, and from 0.5–6 cm in diameter, with five petals. It has a deep tap root which allows it continue to grow late into summer. In early Autumn the fruit is usually a dry, crimson or purple berry-like capsule which splits to release the numerous small seeds. It contains a toxin activated by bright sunlight ( causing photosensitivity) so is best uprooted in meadows grazed by stock.
St John’s Wort has been used as a folk medicine for hundreds of years, particularly for healing wounds. In medieval times the plant was used for ‘driving out the inner devil’. The philosopher Paracelcus (c1525) recommended it for hallucinations and banishing ‘dragons’, as well as for healing wounds.
Scientists have discovered a class of naturally occurring plant chemicals called naphthodianthrones or (dianthrones) containing two important healing substances hypericin and pseudohypericin in both the buds and flowers of the herb.
St John’s Wort is a well-known natural remedy for combating stress, depression and insomnia and seems to have few side effects. It has also been found helpful in affording relief for both premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and fibromyalgia.
With regard to the skin it has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and is especially helpful in the treatment of many skin disorders including psoriasis, eczema and warts. It is also beneficial in ointments for treating bruises, burns, scar tissue and slow-healing cuts.
We infused the crushed stems, flower heads and leaves in pure Organic Flaxseed oil for use in several of our products and, if left on a sunny windowsill the glycosides (including a red pigment, hypericin) will turn the oil a lovely cranberry red.
The wee flower with a pretty face…….
This pretty little flower grows wild in large numbers all around the Fells on Alston Moor and I was pleased when I found that it is very beneficial for skincare…….
Viola tricolor commonly known as Wild Pansy or the lesser used herbal name of Heartsease is a low growing, easily germinated, sun-loving smaller version of the Pansy we all love in our gardens and both owe their origins to the Viola with it’s preference for shade.
Wild Pansy grows in short grassland chiefly on acid or neutral soils. and flowers from April right through to early Autumn. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white. They are hermaphrodite and self-fertile, pollinated by bees.
The center of origin for Violas was continental Europe and they were known to the Greeks as far back as the 4th century B.C. This hardy but delicate looking plant was cultivated by the Greeks for use in herbal medicine and we read of it in Britain in Shakespeare’s time when he mentions Heartsease in his Midsummer Night’s Tale.
The herbal name Heartsease implies a long history of use in herbalism and there is a evidence in folk medicine of the plant helping respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and cold symptoms. It has expectorant properties and has been used in the treatment of chest complaints such as bronchitis and whooping cough. It is also diuretic which leads to its use in treating rheumatism and cystitis.
Yellow, green and blue-green dyes are made from the flower heads whilst the leaves can be used to make a chemical indicator.
Cultivated pansies became popular around 1839, and it is thought that Heartsease was eventually associated with it’s French name “pensée” meaning thought – thus Pansy.
Wild Pansy contains beneficial phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, coumarin and methyl-salicylic acid and is anti-inflammatory, astringent, rejuvenating and soothing.
It is used predominately in natural skin products for oily skin, anti-ageing creams, ointments for varicose veins and revitalising serums for dull complexion.
All this from one tiny smiling flower which grows wild right outside our door…….
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Blacksmith's Soap with ground Pumice
made especially for blacksmiths, farriers, mechanics and everyone else trying to slough dirt and grease from hands the natural way......100g min Suggested by an Artist Blacksmith friend this is our heaviest-duty cleansing soap. Ideal kitchen sink soap - deals effectively with ground-in dirt, grease, grass stains, cooking smells and just about everything else. We've added a light touch of Organic English Lavender Essential oil for both it's ability to soothe burns and it's antibacterial properties. There's a generous helping of ground pumice in here too for it's natural exfoliation and a smattering of dried Rosemary leaves to help remove grime. Although it is highly exfoliating it is also made with over 75% pure Virgin Olive Fruit oil to replenish moisture. A creamy, gentle bar with exceptional cleaning properties..... ..... "Sandie you've excelled yourself this time dearie - just what I need - really works and no dry, tingling after-feel like my old liquid paste - I'll put it on the website..... Mark Blacksmith/Farrier (Ayle)
£3.20
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