About California Natural Sheepskins

California Natural Sheepskins was born out of an interest in materials, natural building, natural wine and food systems.

Owner James Kennard began his journey during the COVID-19 lockdown, trying to find a non toxic way to transform food system waste to something more. That curiosity led him deep into the craft of hide preservation and natural tanning — training with a traditional tannery in Oregon and connecting with a network of micro-tanneries across the U.S. and U.K.

Today, James operates out of Morro Bay, California, collecting sheepskins directly from Creston Valley Meat — hides that would otherwise be discarded. He's been doing this for four years, often picking up skins the same day they're available and beginning processing immediately. Fresh hides wait for no one.

The work is intensive, physical, and deeply skilled. No two hides are alike, and that unpredictability shapes everything — from workflow to finished product. Imperfections aren't discarded; they're re-imagined into hats, vests, bags, and custom pieces. "If you can imagine it, I'll try."

At California Natural Sheepskins, every product is a small act of closing the loop — turning what the agricultural system treats as waste into something beautiful, functional, and built to last a lifetime.

As Seen In

As featured in New Times SLO: "California Natural Sheepskins turns local agricultural waste into wearable wool goods"