I’m going to start with a moan so skip the next paragraph if you only want the charming, feel-good bit that follows it.

This is where I champion small businesses, you know, where someone has an idea or a passion and builds and develops it as a business. Their ideas, their passion, their tears (more sadness than joy at the start for most). If you’ve come across the many MLMs that are sweeping the internet and our social media feeds, I hope, like me, you’ve grumbled this phrase ‘You are not a small business!’ I’m not knocking anyone who is toughing it out at the bottom of the pyramid but I’m not going to be showcasing your sales talents here. There are some sassy sellers out there no doubt about that and I admire their dedication for sure! A small business though, or a start-up, is one that YOU work at, and YOU get out what you put in after a LOT of effort. I say YOU in the loosest sense because there are some awesome teams out there slogging away together, be sure you are included in my list of super-heroes!

This consummate venture is in its 13th year. It has everything I love (including sheep); Home-spun talent, (excuse the pun, you’ll see why in a minute) amazing creativity, sustainability, beautiful location, and lovely, quirky, unique things for you to indulge in buying or for you to craft yourself! My relationship with them started with a badger, my second favourite furry creature. You’ll get to hear about him later on.

Here is the road-trip to Cornwall I took. Through the typically picturesque Cornish countryside, with views to envy and admire and villages to dream in. (Admittedly it was via google streetview but wow, what a place!)

Heading south from Bodmin along the Truro Road, you would be forgiven for missing the turning into the old coach road that leads to Lamorick and Treneyn Crafts. A steep dip in the road takes you towards a low narrow bridge spanning one of the many brooks in the area that shimmer and babble down from the River Camel in the north. Round the bend you will come upon the heart of the Cornish village idyll, the beautiful, white-washed cottage home, where Stephen and Kay Walker are living the dream.

Treneyn Craft@ https://www.treneyncraft.co.uk/

This isn’t a dream though. This is real life where Stephen and Kay only take out what they put in. No strangers to hard work, between them they have held down a plethora of jobs on their way to where they are now, from brickie to boat chandler to sandwich maker to, probably the worst job I could think of —professional ironer! Oh, and motorbikes! They repaired motorbikes. I think the Walkers and I are kindred spirits, motorbikes, sheep, whatever else?!

The image that many have, of those ‘lucky’ enough to live in such a peaceful haven, is one of privilege and and money. Not so, it’s an unfair judgement on those living in one of the most deprived areas in the country, particularly hard hit by the curtailment of tourism and hospitality this year. Nice setting, no work, is not a privileged position for anyone. And privilege certainly isn’t true in the case of Stephen and Kay, sheer hard work and dining on beans on toast type hard work.

Once they were in a position to buy land, Devonians both, they were right in between Wales and Cornwall, so spoiled for choice until they eventually found Lamorick. It was perfect, land was cheaper than Wales and they had spent so many great holidays in Cornwall it was an easy decision to make, a ‘no brainer’ so to speak.

Kay had a pony at a livery yard but always wanted her own land. When they bought their small holding the pony came along then sheep followed, as is their nature, and did their job of helping with the grass cutting.

‘the pony’s now gone but the sheep are still here, that’s really where our wooly journey started’

What to do with all the wool!

Almost everything they use is produced on the 1 ½ acre smallholding. The painstakingly, handcrafted weaves and needlefelt products are made from wool off their own small flock of 5 ewes which this year has given them five lambs. Most are cross breeds giving the many subtle, natural hues that are a signature of their produce, their one Gotland ewe produces the naturally rich shade of grey that Kay uses to make her needlefelt elephants. I’m the loving owner of one of her badgers; a gift for Mother’s Day from my daughter who tells me she had a hard time choosing which one to buy for me as they all different characters! Some very small batches of the wool are dyed, using only food grade dyes in keeping with their ethos of sustainability. I have to say I have my mind set on owning one of the naturally shaded rugs or throws, or both. I think to be completely satisfied though I’d have to take my self through the whole process from selecting my shades, to spinning and weaving it myself. Not that I’ve got anything against one made for me, far from it. Kay’s careful talent is to be admired.

‘all of my makes peg loom rugs, bags, pin loom throws and jackets, needle felted animals and the spun wool comes off my sheep’.

Wool isn’t the only commodity that this hard-working couple utilise from their land. A true craftsman, Stephen makes all the looms and spindles and has designed and built spinning wheels as well as building the more traditional style. All of these are lovingly produced using wood from their smallholding, if he needs other materials, they are always responsibly sourced local timbers.

Their ingenuity doesn’t stop there, a purpose built work-shop allows Kay to hold sessions where you can try your hand at the wonderful, timeless crafts in her woolie workshops. She will even be holding sessions in the local shops when this lockdown ends. I’ve just distracted myself watching one of the how-to videos on their website. I had never heard of an Inkle loom before now, nor a triangular loom! If you want to have a go yourself at home, you can buy their handmade equipment too.

Then the part that introduced me to Stephen and Kay, the gifts and other wool products. So unique, why would you buy something mass produced when there are craftspeople spending their time creating beautiful things that nobody else owns? Their Etsy and Ebay shop links are at the bottom. There really isn’t and end to their talents and dedication. In their ‘spare’ time (I’m sure I heard a lough peel of laughter as I wrote that) they visit craft and wool fares, again sharing their talents and knowledge to enthusiastic crowds. Let’s keep everything crossed for them for this year when we can all get out and about again.

There really is no excuse why when you are on your summer holidays in Cornwall or nearby Devon, that you can’t nip off the beaten track and give them a visit.

Can’t travel? Imagine sitting in the sun on your balcony or in your garden, taking the time to unwind, learn something new, they have everything you need!

Albert Einstein apparently had some words to say on imagination. There are so many versions I’m not going to quote here because I’d hate to quote inaccurately! The gist though is, there is no progress without it. It is where creativity stems from.