Camphill Village Kimberton Hills Handmakes in PA

Camphill Village Kimberton Hills and my ArtyPantz booth are just a couple of the regular craft/artist booths at The Phoenixville Farmer’s Market on Artisans Day, the second Saturday of every month. I often stop in their booth to drool over, and TOUCH all the handwoven wares they offer, knitted with love. Working with the wool from local sheep, they prepare and hand spin their yarn and dye most of it with natural plant dyes – growing and gathering dye plants is also part of their work. Everything in their booth is a beautiful reflection of nature.

Founded in 1972, Kimberton Hills, in Kimberton PA, is part of the international Camphill Movement which now includes over 100 independent communities in more than 20 countries on four continents. The communities value service, sharing, spiritual nourishment, and recognition of each individual’s gifts, and offers a model of renewal for the wider society. Camphill communities include children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as those with societal and personal vulnerabilities.

In addition to their Weavery and Fiber Arts, they also have woodworking and pottery shops, a café, dairy, 15 acre biodynamic garden and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) with over 200 members. Located on 432 acres of farm, gardens and woodlands in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Kimberton Hills is also a local center for culture and a model for sound ecological living.

A couple of years ago I was at a craft fair, lingering in the Kimberton Hills booth, playing with a sweet little knitted rabbit, with sheep’s wool and lavender inside, I wished out loud that I had a little person in my life to give it to. Felicity, the lovely woman in the booth said “Get it for yourself!” I obeyed and actually sleep with the little fellow next to my pillow.

This month their Phoenixville Farmers Market booth was right next door to mine. A particular colorful (earth and sky) hand woven scarf, waved at me in the wind all morning. I just had to get it, and have been wearing it every day since then. It is a luxurious experience! Go to my ArtyPantz blog to see a picture!

I’ve got my eye on this cape from Don, one of the weavers there. He is the one who made my scarf too!

You can visit the Kimberton Hills Craft Shop at 1601 Pughtown Road, Kimberton, PA 19442. They are open on weekdays from 9 to 5. Custom orders are accepted. Please call 610.935.8660 for details. Their craft workshops are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 2:30 to 5 p.m. and they welcome visitors and volunteers.

Victoria O'Neill, a multiple mediums artist and owner of ArtyPantz Productions LLC has been sharing her creativity with people of all ages for years. "I love people and I love to make things. Creativity flows through me like a hose on full blast, spraying in many directions, all at once."