We bring our own experience of using sacred tools into the creation of them.
The drum is one of the most important of our tools. We use it to journey to the other realms for guidance, for healing and to bring our clan together when we are holding gatherings.
A lot of our work is done outside, so we use the tension ring style of drum. From our experience this drum holds its tone longer in damp conditions, and we think it looks most beautiful too.
We also love to create other sacred tools out of natural materials, including Shamanic rattles, Celtic Ogham sets, smudge fans, drum beater and sacred art. Wherever possible we source our materials from the UK, and as local to our home in Anglezarke as we can. Please read on to find out more about our ethical approach.
Our Shamanic Work
Through Anglezarke Hallows we create sacred tools and send them out into the world. This is a sister business to our shamanic offering: The Way of the Buzzard.
The Way of the Buzzard is set up to bring together a growing community of people who want to unlock the secrets of ancient wisdom and natures insights for a more connected, creative and empowered life. You can learn more about this other aspect of our work via our The Way of the Buzzard website by clicking here.
Our Ethical Approach
We take care to source our materials as ethically as we possibly can. It’s something which is important to us in everything that we buy, but especially when creating hallowed tools. On this page we set out how we source each of the materials that we use. If you have any specific questions, please do ask.
Hides
The red deer hides are sourced from deer in the UK which are culled as part of the herd management process. The reindeer are sourced from Finnish reindeer herders. The horse hides are from UK horses that are put down by euthanasia when they come to the end of their life.
Wooden hoops
Our local carpenter here in Lancashire makes all of our standard hoops from English ash. For our Special Collection drums we sometimes source alternative timber such as oak, and these are sourced from English or European forests.
Feathers
We only use feathers from birds which have died naturally, either by being killed by predators, or from collision with vehicles. We never use feathers from birds which have been shot.
Local wood
When we use wood sourced locally in our sacred tool making, such Ogham staves and drum beater handles, we connect with the tree and explain what we are doing. We rarely return to the same tree and always ensure that we do not over harvest from a single tree.
Fur
Our rabbit fur is from wild rabbits in the southwest of England who are culled as part of a wildlife conservation programme.
Local sourcing
We source our materials as locally as we possibly can and are working with local people to develop the supply chain on an on-going basis. Our suede is supplied by a leatherworker in Derbyshire, our metal rings are made by a local blacksmith and our wooden hoops by a carpenter from a nearby town.
We use as many materials as we can from Anglezarke itself. Many of the feathers are from the local moorlands and woodlands, the wood used for our drum beaters and other sacred tools are from trees in Lancashire, and we have a farmer who provides us with our sheep wool beater stuffing.
Our teachers
It is important to us to acknowledge our teachers who have guided and inspired many aspects of our sacred tool making.
We have learned to make shamanic drums from musician and artist from Seventh Wave Music Carolyn Hillyer and artisan healer and teacher Ros Simons.
Shaman Robyn Fell has taught us a whole range of sacred tool crafting techniques including rattle making, felt beater crafting, fabric painting and beading.
The work of author and teacher Glennie Kindred has inspired us to craft our Ogham staves, and we sell her beautiful Tree Ogham book as part of our premium set.
Artist, Jeweller, Shiatsu and Herbal practitioner Jo Jukes from Five Elements has supported us in the development of our felt beater crafting.
How to contact us
Please contact us via email at nicola(at)thewayofthebuzzard.co.uk