Revisiting the Isle of Dread

I have updated the Isle of Dread module from the days of old and set my group in motion.

The party of five is starting a level 1 as shipwrecked slaves. Little starting equipment.

My issue is that one of the party has chosen to be an artificer/cartographer. I have advised the group in session 0 that access to refined metal will be very limited. As such armor and weapons will be difficult to come by. I am concerned about the creation aspect of the artificer. He may become the most powerful of the group with his class abilities.

How can I /Should I, limit the creation of items/magic items. I have thought that I could just impose the use of more organic materials instead of metal. If he can think through and present to me, The DM, a reasonable way to create the item I could allow it.

I'm open to other possibilities and solutions as suggested.