These beautiful certified organic sheepskin rugs come from our flock of Demeter certified pedigree North Ronaldsay sheep. All the skins are from rams who have been sheered once. We use hand sheers for this so that we retain the current years growth which gives a much thicker fleece than using standard electric sheering methods.
So, the ram lambs are typically born in April or May and the following May the fleece has lifted sufficiently to allow us to sheer off the first years growth. Then, in August or September when the rams are about seventy five percent mature we take them to a small local abattoir complying with organic standards. The skins are collected and brought back to the farm within an hour or two and then they are salted three times over five days to pull out the moisture from the skin.
After this they are rolled up and can sit for up to six months before going to Nicki Port near Hereford in England who has the only certified organic tannery in the country. She uses plants oils, especially the oil from the bark of the South African vermosa tree, in an entirely hand operated practice. We normally receive the skins back within a month and Nicki often comments how healthy the animals were which she measures by the quality of the leather.
We have supplied the skins to people all over the world as their very native, almost wild appearance appeals to many people from film sets to handbag makers. They are highly recommended for people who are bed or chair bound as they enable air to circulate between the person and the bed or chair and we have supplied many for this purpose. The organic status means they are completely child friendly and free of heavy metals used in the industrial tanneries so parents use them in prams, on floors and in cots.
Whatever your interest, we guarantee you will receive a completely unique skin which is machine washable on low temperature and will last for many, many years.
The pictures below show skins we had in stock, but which have now all sold. We are expecting a delivery late spring/early summer of new skins. Each skin is approximately 100 cm or 40 inches long by 70 cm or 38 inches wide at widest part. They currently cost £90 each including VAT but excluding postage and packing which can be arranged for anywhere in the world.
So, the ram lambs are typically born in April or May and the following May the fleece has lifted sufficiently to allow us to sheer off the first years growth. Then, in August or September when the rams are about seventy five percent mature we take them to a small local abattoir complying with organic standards. The skins are collected and brought back to the farm within an hour or two and then they are salted three times over five days to pull out the moisture from the skin.
After this they are rolled up and can sit for up to six months before going to Nicki Port near Hereford in England who has the only certified organic tannery in the country. She uses plants oils, especially the oil from the bark of the South African vermosa tree, in an entirely hand operated practice. We normally receive the skins back within a month and Nicki often comments how healthy the animals were which she measures by the quality of the leather.
We have supplied the skins to people all over the world as their very native, almost wild appearance appeals to many people from film sets to handbag makers. They are highly recommended for people who are bed or chair bound as they enable air to circulate between the person and the bed or chair and we have supplied many for this purpose. The organic status means they are completely child friendly and free of heavy metals used in the industrial tanneries so parents use them in prams, on floors and in cots.
Whatever your interest, we guarantee you will receive a completely unique skin which is machine washable on low temperature and will last for many, many years.
The pictures below show skins we had in stock, but which have now all sold. We are expecting a delivery late spring/early summer of new skins. Each skin is approximately 100 cm or 40 inches long by 70 cm or 38 inches wide at widest part. They currently cost £90 each including VAT but excluding postage and packing which can be arranged for anywhere in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
