Homewares

Blodwen is focusing on two rural industries, Pottery and Wood-turning, which have played an important part in Welsh home life and folk custom.

Firstly pottery and Welsh earthenware. Collecting pottery for use or decoration was an obsession for many Welsh women, in days gone by. A fine collection of decorative ceramics, displayed on the Dresser would confer status and identity and reflect pride in one's home. Earthenware played an important role in furnishing a woman's dowry and was commonly given at gatherings and biddings prior to a wedding.

Due to the abundance of clay to make the pots, coal to fire the kilns and a rising demand for domestic earthenware from the industrialised valleys of South Wales, potteries were abundant and played an important part in Welsh rural industry.

Secondly, wood and the ancient art of wood-turning. The abundance of sycamore throughout the West Wales valleys gave rise to a thriving wood industry, and made the Teifi Valley and in particular the village of Abercuch, famous far beyond Wales for its woodcrafting skill and production. The most important elements of this industry were bowl-turning and spoon-carving.

Blodwen has created two new collections - one pottery, one wood - that celebrate this heritage.