In an inspiring move that bridges heritage craftsmanship with sustainable innovation, Amanda Oldfield, founder of the Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Company, has embraced an unexpected role as a shepherd — all in pursuit of a more ethical future for British manufacturing.
For over two decades, Amanda has led her family-run company with a deep commitment to quality and traditional British workmanship. Now, she is taking that ethos a step further by developing a fully traceable collection of wool mattresses- where 100% of the wool fleece is sourced directly from British sheep farms. Motivated by the need for greater transparency and sustainability in the bedding industry, Amanda chose to oversee the wool production process from the ground up — quite literally — by tending her own flock.
"I never imagined I’d become a shepherd. I never imagined I’d be out in the field each morning, wellies wet with dew, watching over a flock of sheep who now know my voice. And yet, here I am—doing just that. Not because it was easy. Not because it made sense. But because I needed to understand.
For years, I’d heard the stories. British wool selling for pennies. Farmers struggling to cover the cost of shearing. Fleeces burned in frustration because it cost more to sell them than to discard them. It felt wrong. And it felt personal. As someone who has built a business around craft, quality, and heritage, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to the quiet decline of something so vital to our countryside. I wanted to see it for myself. To feel what our farmers feel. To walk, quite literally, in their muddy boots.
So I became a shepherd."
British wool is naturally breathable, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable — qualities that perfectly complement the company’s handcrafted beds and mattresses. More than just a product line, the traceable wool collection represents a return to values of authenticity, accountability, and environmental care.
Amanda Oldfield’s journey from luxury bedmaker to shepherdess is a bold statement about what it means to create responsibly in today’s world. Her story is a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about innovation — sometimes, it’s about going back to the source.
For a deeper insight into Amanda Oldfield's journey and the philosophy driving the Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Company, visit their blog post: Why I Became a Shepherd.
For a greater look into Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Company's, Traceable British Wool Mattress Collection visit their website: click here.
Find out more about Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Company Ltd on their member profile page here
Member-created content 1 month ago | From members