Wales

Lovespoons. As early as the 17th century, young Welsh men carved lovespoons as tokens of affection for their sweethearts. Today, artists carve symbols (chains for eternal companionship, diamonds for wealth, crosses for faith, flowers for affection, dragons for protection) into spoons of sycamore, oak, beech, or rowan woods to create the classic souvenir of North Wales. Buy them in gift shops throughout Wales, or at Welsh Country Crafts, 37 Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire, (tel. +44 1978 861540).

Pottery. In the outskirts of Ewenny, near the town of Bridgend, South Wales, sits the oldest known potteryworks in Wales, owned by seven generations of the Jenkins family since 1610. Visit the workshop to watch Alun or Caitlin Jenkins throw traditional Ewenny pottery, then head to the showroom to buy mottle-glazed earthenware pitchers, bowls, candlesticks, and mugs. Ewenny Pottery, Ewenny, Bridgend, South Wales. (tel. +44 1656 653020).

Woolen goods. Sheep outnumber people in this land known for its centuries-old tradition of woven goods. Head to the Cambrian Woollen Mill in Llanwrtyd Wells, Central Wales for a tour of wool production, from carding to weaving. For excellent handspun, handwoven woolen rugs, visit the Slender Thread Workshop (tel. +44 1547 550693) in Bleddfa, Knighton, Powys, where Shirley Elwell weaves rugs from local Welsh wool. Melin Tregwynt (tel. +44 1348 891225) in Pembrokeshire uses rapier and flying shuttle looms to produce colorful blankets.

Published in March 2006. All content accurate as of press time.