Jewel in the crown 
If you’d like to join Welsh icons such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Sheen and Bryn Terfel and have yourself a distinctive piece of contemporary jewellery, made by an award-winning jewellery designer, Llandeilo is a must-visit town. At the Old Castle Hotel you’ll discover Welsh treasure, Mari Thomas, listed in the prestigious who’s who directory of leading jewellery designers and twice-maker of the National Eisteddfod of Wales crown. Treat yourself to one of Mari’s designs drawn from Welsh culture and textures in the landscape. Take home a piece from a range based on the written Welsh word – cariad (love) and cofio (remember) to remind you of Carmarthenshire. 

The Old Castle Hotel, 113 Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo SA19 6EN
www.marithomas.com
T: 01558 660001

• Individual commissioning service to requirement and budget
• The gallery houses Mari Thomas’ jewellery collection alongside a showcase of 30+ award-winning Welsh and International designers
• Enjoy watching Mari and other jewellers crafting their collections in the jewellery workshop
 

The colour silver 
Dylan Thomas might be Laugharne’s most famous son but a close second must be silversmith, Alby Barratt. Time and time again loyal locals and international visitors return to Quicksilver Jewellery where Alby’s been designing and crafting bespoke jewellery for nearly 30 years. It’s said that silver is related to the moon and the ebb and flow of the tides so perhaps it’s Laugharne that drew Alby to Wales and is the inspiration for the elegant and beautiful hand-crafted rings, bangles and pendants made from sterling silver. Choose from a large selection of semi-precious stones and decide how you’d like your unique creation set. 

Kingston House, King Street, Laugharne SA33 4QE
www.quicksilverjewellery.co.uk
T: 01992 427700

• Watch your piece being crafted – some can be fashioned within an hour though individual commissions take longer
• Unmissable – Laugharne’s 3 day big name arts’ festival every spring

 

The story of wool 
It might surprise you to know that wool was once the most important and widespread industry in Wales. And at the National Wool Museum in the picturesque village of Dre-Fach (Little Town) in the Teifi Vally (which was once the centre of a thriving woollen industry) you can spend time, throughout the year, getting to know that spellbinding story. The museum was once the Cambrian Mills making shirts and shawls, blankets and bedcovers, stockings and socks that were sold across the world. Learn how fleece became fabric. See contemporary textiles in production and Wales’ National Flat Textile Collection. Unmissable. A great day out for all the family. 

Dre-Fach, Felindre, Near Newcastle Emlyn, Llandysul SA44 5UP
www.museum.wales/wool
T: 0300 111 2333

• Dre-Fach once earned the nickname, ‘The Huddersfield of Wales’
• Families can have fun following the specially designed trail, ‘A Woolly