Ten Places to Shop For Arts And Crafts In Snowdonia by Steven Jones
There’s something about Snowdonia that inspires artists and craftspeople.
Perhaps it’s the landscape; looming, heather-clad mountains easing down into gentle grassy slopes, before tiptoeing down into the sea.
Or perhaps it’s the history, often turbulent but leaving behind heroes, villains and monuments to times gone past.
It might even be the wealth of natural resources that are abundant in Snowdonia, many of which are perfect materials for arts and crafts: slate, granite, wool, wood, shells, and even Welsh gold.
It’s a winning combination of inspiration, materials and raw talent that makes Snowdonia such a wonderful place to shop for arts and crafts. It would be fair to say that every town in Snowdonia has at least one shop selling the wares of local artists and craftspeople, but it would be impossible to list them all – so here are ten of our favourites.
1. Alison Bradley Gallery
In the heart of Betws y Coed, the Gateway to Snowdonia, you’ll find Alison Bradley Gallery. Worked in oil paint and charcoal, Alison’s pieces are inspired by rural life and the landscape and coastline of Snowdonia and North Wales. Alison also sells prints of her works, and provides an on-site framing service so her pieces are ready to hang when you get them home.
2. Piggery Pottery
At Cwm y Glo, just outside Llanberis, is Piggery Pottery, who specialise in children’s pottery including night lights and money boxes. You can buy the finished pottery items from the Piggery Pottery online shop as well as in person, but you can also give your children a real treat by taking them into the barn to paint their own designs on piggy banks, pebbles and even jewellery.
3. Corris Craft Centre
At Corris Craft Centre there are nine craft workshops, making and selling a fantastic variety of goods, including jewellery, candles and traditional wooden toys. You’ll be able to watch the craftspeople at work, before shopping until dropping!
4. Inigo Jones Slate Works
You’ll find Inigo Jones Slate Works at Y Groeslon, just outside Caernarfon. Inigo Jones have been making things from slate for 150 years, and over the years the business has expanded from making writing slates for schools to making all sorts of slate gifts and things for the home. As well as visiting the shop, you can take a self-guided tour of the workshops, try your hand at calligraphy and engrave a piece of slate to take home with you.
5. Glynllifon Workshops
Glynllifon’s workshops and shops are packed with beautiful locally-made arts and crafts including jewellery, ceramics, glassware, wood, photography and slate gifts. You’ll be able to meet many of the makers whose goods are sold at Glynllifon, and as an added bonus there are beautiful gardens and woodlands to explore once you’ve finished shopping.
6. The Glassblobbery
At The Glassblobbery, which is about 7 miles from Bala heading towards Corwen, David and Wendy Pryce-Jones make and sell exquisite gifts from glass, which they create freehand using the lamp work or bench glass blowing technique. They make everything from cats and dragons to birds and flowers, in coloured and clear glass.
7. Trefriw Woollen Mills
At Trefriw Woollen Mills in the Conwy Valley, you’ll have the opportunity to see the machines used for weaving the traditional Welsh bedspreads, blankets, tweeds and dozens of other woollen items that are sold in the on-site shop. So as well as having a great day’s shopping, you’ll learn something too!
8. Harbour Crafts, Barmouth
You’ll find all sorts on sale at Harbour Crafts in Barmouth. From popular gift ranges like Lilliput Lane and Beatrix Potter to St Just jewellery and Portmeirion Pottery, there’s something for everyone in this little Aladdin’s den! The shop is in the old town, near the harbour, so once you’ve finished shopping why not explore the town and make a day of it?
9. Rob Piercy Gallery
In 2002 Rob Piercy became Welsh Artist of the Year, and is recognised as one of the UK’s premier painters of mountains. Pop into the Rob Piercy Gallery in Porthmadog to treat yourself to one of his wonderful watercolours of Snowdonia; his paintings of Portmeirion are especially delightful and really capture the beauty of the famous Italianate village.
10. Tonnau Gallery
‘Tonnau’ means ‘waves’, so it won’t come as much of a surprise that the Tonnau Gallery in Pwllheli describes itself as a ’sea gallery’! The gallery sells art and crafts on a good mixture of themes, though – it’s not all nautical. When you visit Tonnau Gallery you’ll see works by many of Wales’ most promising artists and craftspeople, so if you’re looking for a future heirloom and have a good eye, it’s really worth a visit!
About the Author
Steven Jones is Senior Tourism Services Officer at Cyngor Gwynedd Council, a Welsh local authority whose not-for-profit Snowdonia Mountains and Coast website provides visitors to Snowdonia with a wealth of useful information about the region. The site also enables visitors to search an extensive database of Snowdonia accommodation.
How to make a clay rose
|
|
Wilton Chocolate Pro Electric Melting Pot $23.35 The Chocolate Pro Melting Pot. It’s easier than ever to melt large amounts of chocolate or confectionery coating! With the Chocolate Pro it takes only minutes! With this you will be able to mold lollipops and fancy dipped-center candies. Dip things like fruits, pretzels, cake, and so much more! Create flavored chocolate sauces for ice cream or silky ganache glaze to pour over cakes. Features: 2.5 … |
|
|
Wilton 2105-4923 24-Cavity Silicone Brownie-Squares Baking Mold $6.09 Bake fun shaped brownies, decorate, and add a stick for a unique brownie pop treat! Wilton Silicone Molds are flexible so removing your treats is easy, and are safe for freezer, oven (up to 500F/260C), microwave, and dishwasher. Stain and odor resistant. This package contains one silicone mold (13″ x 8-1/2″ x 1″) with (24) 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ cavities and one design. Brownie mix and sticks sold separa… |
|
|
Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Press $8.00 Experience a classic press that is truly comfortable. Its ergonomic handle feels great in any hand, the easy-squeeze action releases perfectly shaped dough. The clear barrel takes the guesswork out of refilling. Fluted bottom raises the press off the cookie sheet to help you create better shapes. Includes 12 plastic disks in a wide variety of shapes and Wilton’s classic spritz recipe…. |
|
|
Pro-Quality 20-Piece Diamond-Point Bit Set for Rotary Tool – Glass, Stone, Ceramic $1.99 Professional Quality, 1/8 in. Shank, 180 Grit. Includes 20 assorted shapes covered with diamond particles. All bits have 1/8 in. shanks and come in convienient plastic holder. Excellent for fine detail work, cutting, engraving, carving, touch-up and finishing. Use on wood, jade, ceramic, glass, hardened steel, semi-precious stones and other hard materials…. |
|
|
Krylon K09033000 Looking Glass Mirror-Like Aerosol Spray Paint, 6-Ounce $9.19 Transform clear glass into a mirror with this easy-to-use spray paint. Just spray it on the reverse side of the glass for a sleek mirror effect. Can be used on just about any clear glass object including vases, tabletops, jars, planters, and picture frames. This package contains (1) 6 ounce aerosol can of spray paint. DANGER! Extremely Flammable. Vapors may cause flash fires. Contents under pressu… |
|
|
Command 17204 Medium Picture-Hanging Strips, 6-Sets $3.25 Make any space yours with the Command Medium Picture Hanging Strips, a damage-free solution for decorating your home or office. Ideal for frames and other items 12 pounds or less, these handy strips will lock your pictures securely onto the wall. Thanks to the innovative Command Adhesive strips, you can mount and remount them without damaging your walls–no nails, tacks, or tape required.Medium Pi… |
|
|
Lorann Oils Soap Making Kit $17.19 Everything you need to make great-smelling soaps in a variety of attractive colors and shapes are included in this Soap Making Kit. The natural essential oils and cocoa butter allow you to create super moisturizing and luxurious soaps at home! Kit includes 2 lbs. clear glycerin soap base, Spring Collection liquid colors (lilac, peach, seafoam), Massage Bars soap mold, Geometric Shapes soap mold, 1… |
|
|
Avery Sticker Project Paper, White, 8.5 x 11 Inches, Pack of 15 (03383) $6.93 Avery Dennison Dennison Sticker(s) 3383 Printing Media… |
|
|
Candy & Baking Flavoring Oil-Cinnamon $1.27 A twin pack of flavors or oils for candy making! Ideal for hard candy, chocolates, frostings, cookies, fudges, and baking. 4 times stronger than extracts! Package includes recipes! Each bottle has .125 fluid ounces inside. Made in USA…. |
|
|
Scotch Thermal Laminator 15.5 Inches x 6.75 Inches x 3.75 Inches, 2 Roller System (TL901) $26.50 Scotch Thermal Laminator TL901 will laminate items up to 9 inches wide. It features a two roller system that has two temperature settings. It can be used for photographs, documents, recipes and much more. This laminator will laminate items up to 5mil thick, including popular 3mil and 5mil pouches. Businesses and families can always find a use for a laminator that is built with 3M quality and durab… |
Write a Comment