Llwyau Caru - Welsh Love Spoons

Anniversary Gifts UK

2011-03-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

A Wedding Anniversary is a special occasion that celebrates the union of two human beings who lovingly share their joys and sorrows together.

Your wedding was the day the two of you celebrated with family and friends the beginning of your marriage. Your anniversary celebrates the continuation of your love for one another throughout the years.

On the Anniversary Gifts UK website you will be able to read a little about the history of Anniversary Gifts as well as viewing the Traditional & Modern Anniversary Gift Lists. You can also get information on our recommended Anniversary Gifts , the Celtic Love Spoon.

Enjoy!

Welsh Love Spoons as Birthday Gifts

2010-09-08T03:13:00.000-07:00

These days, the traditional gift of a love spoon is being given more and more as an extra special birthday gift. It is given by a man to his wife or girlfriend, or by a girl to her husband or boyfriend. Increasingly, families are giving a lovespoon to mark a special occasion - such as a girl's 18th or 21st birthday.

The spoons are particularly suited as birthday gifts as we can engrave free of charge the name and date. If you are looking for a birthday gift this year which is unique and personal, then this could be ideal for you.

FREE ENGRAVING: Cadwyn offer a free engraving service of names, dates and even messages on Genuine Welsh Lovespoons hand-carved in Wales. This service is available on most of the Lovespoons. Click on the individual Love Spoon images for more details.

QUICK DESPATCH: All orders despatched within 2 working days.

LOVE SPOON INFORMATION PAGES:
Meanings & Symbols - Carvers - History - Pyro-Engraving

Product Image	Item Name-
	18th Birthday Love Spoon - 021a We have created this special lovespoon to celebrate an 18th Birthday. The figure 18 is hand-carved at the top of the spoon, below which there is a...
	21st Birthday Love Spoon - 021a We have created this special lovespoon to celebrate a 21st Birthday. The figure 21 is hand-carved at the top of the spoon, below which there is a...
	30th Birthday Love Spoon - 021 We have created this special lovespoon to celebrate a 30th Birthday (also suitable as 30th wedding anniversary gift). The figure 30 is hand-carved at...
	40th Birthday Love Spoon - 022 We have created this special lovespoon to celebrate a 40th Birthday (also suitable as 40th wedding anniversary gift). The figure 40 is hand-carved at...
	50th Birthday Love Spoon - 023 We have created this special lovespoon to celebrate a 50th Birthday (also suitable as 50th wedding anniversary gift). The figure 50 is hand-carved at...
	60th Birthday Love Spoon - 024 We have created this special lovespoon to celebrate a 60th Birthday (also suitable as 60th wedding anniversary gift). The figure 60 is hand-carved at...

Mini Love Spoon Wedding Favours / Favors

2010-06-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

It has become customary for the bride to distribute wedding favours to guests at the reception, normally placing them at their place at the wedding feast. The purpose is both to seek a blessing on the marriage and to thank the guests for coming by giving them a memento of the occasion so that the guests keep the couple in mind and remember them in their prayers.

Hand Carved Mini Lovespoons: Cadwyn has produced mini lovespoons as wedding favours thereby marrying this modern custom with the old Welsh tradition of presenting a hand-carved wooden lovespoon at a wedding. Unlike other suppliers, we do not sell mass-produced replicas. All the miniature lovespoon favours are hand-carved.

Our Wedding Favours can be co-ordinated to go with the theme of the wedding, matching the flowers or the bridesmaid's dresses - It's your call!

Free Engraving: At no extra cost we can engrave by hand the initial of the first name of the bride and groom on to the mini-lovespoons, to ensure that the wedding favours are truly unique, and will never be forgotten.

Quick Despatch: All orders despatched within 2 working days.

Free Gift Card: Each lovespoon comes with a little gift card with the following text "Please accept this mini-Lovespoon as a token of our gratitude for coming to seek a blessing on our marriage. The Celtic tradition was to give a Lovespoon, carved with 2 hearts, as a symbol of lasting commitment one to another." These Cards can also be personalised if you so wish, with your names added. We can even change the message.

Press here to Visit Cadwyn's Website for prices and extra information.

Ffafrau y Briodferch

2010-06-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

Daeth yn arferiad i briodferch roi anrhegion (ffafrau) i westeion mewn priodas - er mwyn diolch iddyn nhw am ddod i geisio bendith ar y briodas ac hefyd fel atgoffeb iddyn nhw o'r achlysur, fel eu bod yn dal i gofio am y ddau sy'n priodi. Fel arfer, mae'r anrhegion hyn yn cael eu gosod ar y byrddau o flaen gwesteion yn y wledd briodas.

Llwyau Caru Bach wedi cerfio â llaw : Mae Cadwyn yn darparu man lwyau caru fel anrhegion priodas o'r fath, ac felly'n priodi'r arferiad modern hwn gyda'r traddodiad o roi llwy garu ar adeg priodas. Yn wahanol i gyflenwyr eraill, nid ydym ni'n gwerth Llwyau sydd wedi'u gwneud mewn rhifau anferth gyda pheiriannau. Mae ein holl Lwyau Caru sydd gyda ni wedi eu cerfio â llaw yng Nghymru.

Gallwch ychwanebu rhiban at y ffafrau i gydfynd gyda thema'r briodas, y blodau neu wisgoedd y morwynion - mae i fyny i chi!

Llosgi rhad ac am ddim : Heb unrhyw gost ychwanegol gallwn losgi byrfoddau enwau'r priodfab a'r briodferch un ar bob calon er mwyn sicrhau anrheg personol na chaiff byth ei anghofio.

Dosbarthiad cyflym : Caiff pob Archeb ei ddanfon o fewn 2 niwrnod gwaith.

Cerdyn rhad ac am ddim: Mae pob llwy garu yn dod gyda cherdyn bach gyda'r geiriad canlynol "Cyflwynwn i chi'r llwy garu fach hon, fel arwydd o'n diolch i chi am ddod heddi i fendithio ein priodas. Roedd hi'n draddodiad Cymreig i roi llwy garu, gyda 2 galon, fel symbol o'r ymroddiad llwyr y naill i'r llall." Gallwn hefyd ychwanegu eich enwau i'r cardiau yma hefyd os ydych chi'n dymuno.

Pwyswch yma i fynd at wefan Cadwyn.

Wales Wedding Directory : Cyfeiriadur Priodas Cymru

2008-07-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

The Wales Wedding Directory is a complete guide to Wedding Services in Wales. All businesses included in this Welsh Weddings Directory are based in Wales.

The directory offers everything for Planning a Wedding of your dreams. From your Engagement ring and search for a Wedding Venue or local Church/Chapel, through to the Wedding Dress, Groom's suit, choosing a Wedding Photographer, Wedding Cars or Carriages and your Honeymoon. We even have a section for the unique Welsh Tradition of Welsh Lovespoons.

Submit your company details here for free - www.walesweddingdirectory.com

Mae Cyfeiriadur Priodas Cymru yn arweiniad cyflawn at Wasanaethau Priodas yng Nghymru.

Ein nod yw cynnig popeth sy'n angenrheidiol i Drefnu Priodas eich breuddwydion. O'r Fodrwy Dyweddio a chwilio am Leoliad addas, Capel neu Eglwys, i'r Ffrog Briodas, Dillad y Priodfab, dewis Ffotograffydd, Ceir Priodas a'ch Mis Mêl. Mae gyda ni hyd yn oed adran ar gyfer Llwyau Caru Traddodiadol i Gymru.

Cyflwynwch fanylion eich cwmni yn rhad ac am ddim yma - www.walesweddingdirectory.com

Miss Wales presented with Lovespoon

2007-11-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Miss Wales, Kelly Pesticcio from Cardiff, being presented with one of our Love Spoons. More details here.

Dyma lun o Miss Cymru, Kelly Pesticcio o Gaerdydd yn derbyn llwy Garu fel anrheg gan Cadwyn Cyf. Manylion Llawn yma.

Lovespoon for Miss Wales - Llwy Garu

2007-10-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

LOVE SPOON FOR MISS WALES

Miss Wales 2007 - Kelly Pesticcio from Cardiff – will be presented on Monday with a hand-carved Welsh love Spoon to take to the final of the Miss World Competition in China. Each contestant will be bringing a traditional gift from her country for a grand Charity Auction at the event.

Kelly will be presented with the Love Spoon by Carmarthenshire Crafts Company, CADWYN, at a special promotion of Love Spoons and other Welsh & World Crafts at the St David's Shopping Centre in Cardiff at 2pm next Monday (29/10). The Love Spoon has a hand-carved Welsh Dragon and two hearts with the message "Cariad, Miss Cymru 2007 - Love from Miss Wales 2007" engraved on to the hearts.

Cadwyn engrave names & dates on to hand-carved Welsh Love Spoons all next week at the St David's Centre and online all year for unique Anniversary Gifts, Wedding Gifts, Engagement Gifts, Valentine's Day Gifts, Mother's Day Gifts, Christmas Gifts or just to say 'I love You'.

Welsh Love Spoon Information Pages:
COLLECTION - HISTORY - SYMBOLS

Miss Wales Information Pages:
KELLY PESTICCIO - MISS WALES 2007 FINAL

LLWY GARU I MISS CYMRU

Bydd cyflwyniad o Lwy Garu i Miss Cymru 2007 - Kelly Pesticcio o Gaerdydd - ddydd Llun nesaf er mwyn iddi fynd â'r llwy gyda hi i rownd derfynol Miss Byd yn Tsieina. Bydd pob cystadleuydd yn cymryd rhodd draddodiadol o'i gwlad gyda hi er mwyn cynnal Ocsiwn Fawr elusennol yn y digwyddiad.

Bydd cwmni Crefftau CADWYN o Sir Gâr yn cyflwyno'r Llwy i Kelly ar eu stondin i hyrwyddo Llwyau Caru a chrefftau eraill o Gymru a'r Byd yng Nghanolfan Siopa Dewi Sant ddydd Llun nesaf (29/10) am 2pm. Ar y Llwy Garu gwelir y Ddraig Gymreig wedi'i cherfio â llaw a'r geiriau "Cariad, Miss Cymru 2007" wedi eu torri ar y calonnau.

Bydd Cadwyn yn torri enwau a dyddiadau ar Lwyau Caru drwy'r wythnos nesaf yng Nghanolfan Siopa Dewi Sant ac ar-lein drwy'r flwyddyn at, sef anrhegion unigryw ar gyfer penblwyddi priodas, priodasau, dyweddiadau, Sul y Mamau, Santes Dwynwen, Sant ffolant, Nadolig neu'n syml i ddweud 'Rwy'n dy Garu.'

Tudalennau Gwybodaeth am y Lwy Garu:
CASGLIAD - HANES - YSTYR

Gwybodaeth am Miss Cymru (Saesneg yn unig):
KELLY PESTICCIO - MISS CYMRU 2007

The Welsh Love Spoon Tradition - The History

2007-10-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

The custom of carving and giving Welsh Lovespoons originated in Wales hundreds of years ago. The young men of today would probably buy flowers, chocolates or jewellery as a token of affection. Centuries ago in Wales, the young lover would also give gifts of sweets or cakes; but they would also give a special, more personal gift to the object of their desire, the Welsh Love Spoon. Some of the early love spoons can be seen on display at the Welsh Folk Museum in Cardiff. There is even one that dates back to 1667.

The young man would spend hours carving the spoon with his own hands, in the hope that the girl would accept it. If the girl accepted the spoon, she would demonstrate her interest in him and they would commence on a relationship, which is the origin of the word 'spooning'.

This was a custom that was not confined to Wales, but happened across Europe, especially in Celtic countries. Because the rural peasant people used wooden spoons to eat and prepare food, they had to carve numerous simple spoons for this purpose. It is very likely therefore that more intricate carvings developed naturally from this, and the most beautiful spoons were kept to give as gifts.

Young men had a lot of time on their hands during the long winter evenings, and while some would turn to poetry or composing songs, others would carve all kinds of things such as kitchen utensils or toys for the children from spare pieces of wood.

It is easy to imagine a young man after a hard day's work, in a period of no radio or television or cars, spending his leisure time during dark evenings carving a spoon for the girl he loved. Spoons could also suggest food on the table, and a cosy family life, which would impress on the girl his ability to care for her and a family.

The greatest authority on the tradition of carving Welsh Love Spoons in Wales today is Gwyndaf Breeze. According to Gwyndaf, who taught the craft to Paul Curtis (the main craftsman responsible for our range of Love Spoons), although the tradition of carving lovespoons is not unique to Wales, the quality of those produced here is among the best in the world, and the development of the spoon from a common kitchen utensil to the intricately carved design is an uniquely Welsh phenomenon.

No other country in the world produced such a variety of design and carving techniques; and the young men put a great deal of time and thought into their creations. Wales was a poor society whose youth could not afford presents of expensive jewellery, and therefore they would do their utmost to create as beautiful spoons as possible.

At that time, practical skills in a husband would have been very desirable and a beautifully carved spoon would demonstrate the young man's skills. The carvers would attempt to create more and more intricate designs as they vied for the attractions of a certain girl. The more complicated and difficult to carve a design, the more it would symbolise the depth of the creator's love and desire to labour on behalf of his loved one. It is also possible that the size of the spoon would reflect the carver's love, but the spoons do vary considerably in size from 8cm to a meter in length.

The first example of the word "llwy" (which is 'spoon' in Welsh) appears in the work of Taliesin, the 6th century Welsh poet, which suggests that such a utensil existed for centuries before the first existing tangible example. Wooden utensils used in kitchens would not have a very long life and very few original wooden work utensils have survived from a period earlier than the 18th century.

The custom was widespread across Wales and there is no evidence to suggest that certain areas favoured certain designs. It is impossible to know how many love spoons were produced; many were very delicate creations and although they would not have been used for eating or cooking they could have been easily broken. The earliest existing examples come from the 17th century, and it is possible that the shape of spoons lying together suggested the pattern of lovers lying together.

There has been much debate on the significance of the different symbols and motifs used in the carving of lovespoons. Many of the young carvers were shy and unwilling to show their emotions, and this would attempt to convey their true feelings through the use of various symbols. Over the centuries, many more symbols and motifs have been added and as the love spoons became more elaborate and decorative, they have become collectables.

Many of the symbols to convey love have been used from the earliest spoons, and are familiar throughout Europe. For instance, a chain would mean a wish to be together forever, a diamond would mean wealth or good fortune, a cross would mean faith, a flower would mean affection, or a dragon for protection etc. Click here to see a list of many symbols that are frequently carved into Love Spoons.

Traditionally, the spoons were carved from one piece of wood. The most popular wood was sycamore, but we also have examples of using yew, oak, boxwood and even fruit trees such as apple or wild cherry. Wood with a close grain had to be dried because fresh wood could split as it dried. The carver would use a trunk and split it in half before forming the rough shape of the spoon in one of the halves.

The earliest spoons were not very intricate, and would have a very simple design with perhaps the initials of the couple and a hole of some sort in the top of the spoon handle to hang it on the wall. These early carvers would use very simple tools, only a pocketknife, an axe and perhaps a saw. They had no design to follow or any technical knowledge; although they perhaps copied other designs and some of their creations are remarkable in these circumstances.

If the young man succeeded in capturing the girl's heart, then the spoon would be treasured and proudly displayed on one of the walls of their home, much as a wedding photograph would be today. It is quite possible also, that a particularly popular girl would receive several spoons from would-be suitors; but it is unlikely that a youth would spend too much time and effort if he did not think he had a realistic chance of winning the girl. When a girl accepted the spoon, the young people would more than likely then embark on a relationship and be seen as a 'couple' by their community.

It must be remembered that the custom of 'engaging' and having a Wedding ceremony was not common in rural Wales until the end of the 18th century, and the majority of young couples would simply co-habit.

Today as well as being a gift of affection or a memento of a visit to Wales, Lovespoons are given for many special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, births, engagements, christenings, house warming and St. Valentines Day.

www.cadwyngifts.com

Y Ddraig Goch - The Red Dragon of Wales

2007-08-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Wales' Red Dragon flag was granted official status in Wales in 1959, but it has been associated with Wales for centuries; indeed, it is claimed to be the oldest national flag still in use. The origin of the adoption of the dragon symbol is now lost in history and myth. A plausible theory is that the Romans brought the emblem to what is now Wales during their occupation of Britain, but it could be even older.

Many legends are associated with the Welsh dragon. The most famous is the prophecy of Myrddin (or Merlin) of a long fight between a red dragon and a white dragon. According to the prophecy, the white dragon would at first dominate but eventually the red dragon would win. This is an allegory of the historical struggle between the Welsh and the English.

Some Welsh Love Spoons feature the Welsh Dragon such as the one to the left. More information here.

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Rhoddwyd statws swyddogol i'r faner yn 1959, ond cysylltwyd y ddraig goch gyda Chymru ers canrifoedd, ac mae rhai'n honni mai dyma'r faner genedlaethol hynaf sy'n dal mewn defnydd. Collwyd yr hanes gwreiddiol am fabwysiadu'r ddraig fel y symbol mewn cwmwl o fytholeg. Theori credadwy yw fod y Rhufeiniad wedi dod a'r ddraig i Gymru yn ystod eu cyfnod yn meddiannu Prydain, ond gallai fod hyd yn oed yn hyn na hyn.

Cysylltir nifer o chwedlau gyda'r ddraig Gymreig. Yr enwocaf yw proffwydoliaeth Myrddin o frwydr hir rhwng draig goch a draig wen. Yn ôl y broffwydoliaeth, byddai'r ddraig wen yn gyntaf yn dominyddu ond y ddraig goch fyddai'n ennill yn y diwedd. Legori yw hyn o'r frwydr hanesyddol rhng y Cymry a'r Saeson.

Siop Arlein Newydd - New Online Store

2007-07-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Rydym newydd lansio siop arlein newydd sbon, lle gellir prynu'r nwyddau yma. Pwyswch yma i ymweld a'r siop arlein.

We have now launched a new online store where our full range of Gifts may be purchased. Click here to visit the new online store!

Y Bedol Lwcus - The Lucky Horseshoe

2007-03-12T02:29:00.000-07:00

Mae pob Llwy Garu yn cynnwys nifer o symbolau sydd yn rhoi ystyr unigryw iddi. Symbol sydd yn cael ei ddefnyddio yn aml, yn arbennig fel symbol ar Lwy Garu dyweddio, yw'r bedol lwcus. Rydym wedi gwneud peth ymchwil i darddiad cysylltiad y bedol â Lwc Dda, a dyma'r canlyniad...

Every Welsh love Spoon features many symbols, that give the spoon an unique meaning. A symbol that is often used, especially on an Engagement Lovespoon, is the Lucky Horseshoe. We have researched the origin of the connection between the Lucky Horseshoe and Good Luck. Here are our findings...

Press here to view our full collection of Celtic Love Spoons.

Horseshoes are considered a good luck charm in many cultures. A common tradition is that if a horseshoe is hung on a door with the two ends pointing up then good luck will occur. However, if the two ends point downwards then bad luck will occur. Traditions do differ on this point, though. In some cultures, the horseshoe is hung points down (so the luck pours onto you); in others, it is hung points up (so the luck doesn't fall out); still in others it doesn't matter. In all traditions, luck is contained in the shoe and can pour out through the ends.

One theory concerning the placing of horseshoes above doorways is to ward off Faeries (the Celtic/Welsh kind); the theory being that Faeries are repelled by iron and as horseshoes were an easily available source of iron, they could be nailed above a door to prevent any unwanted, otherworldly guests. One can see how the custom, as people began to forget the stories concerning the Fair Folk, eventually morphed into a simple good luck charm. It is also possible that the Romans, when arriving in Celtic countries, came across horseshoes nailed above doors and simply borrowed the concept of horseshoes as good luck charms, failing to understand the background of the Celtic custom, and made their use more widespread.

Another reputed origin of the tradition of lucky horseshoes is the story of Saint Dunstan and the Devil. Dunstan, who would become the Archbishop of Canterbury in AD 959, was a blacksmith by trade. The story relates that he once nailed a horseshoe to the Devil's hoof when he was asked to reshoe the Devil's horse. This caused the Devil great pain, and Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after the Devil promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is hung over the door.

Wikipedia page on Horseshoes - For Luck.
Superstition Bash page on Lucky Horseshoes.
The Mystica page on Lucky Horseshoes.

Calon Lân - Heart Symbol

2007-02-28T04:25:00.000-08:00

Mae pob Llwy Garu yn cynnwys nifer o symbolau sydd yn rhoi ystyr unigryw iddi. Un o'r symbolau mwyaf cyson i'w weld yw'r galon (♥). Rydym wedi gwneud peth ymchwil i darddiad y symbol ei hunan, a'i gysylltiad gyda cariad neu Serch, a dyma'r canlyniad...

Every Welsh love Spoon features many symbols, that give the spoon an unique meaning. One of the most consistent symbols featured on the Lovespoon, is the heart (♥). We have researched the origin of the heart symbol, and its connections with Love and affection. Here are our findings...

Press here to view our full collection of Celtic Love Spoons.

The symbol of the heart is an ancient one, and difficult to trace.

It certainly makes sense that the heart was thought to be the centre of emotions; haven't we all felt pangs in our heart when we're sad and skips in the heart when we're excited? But why was the heart shape chosen to represent the organ, when certainly even the ancients knew better?

Perhaps the first known use of the heart shape comes from the 7th century BC, in the North African city-state of Cyrene. In that city, at that time, Silphium was a plant so highly prized for it's use as birth control that it became extinct. The seeds of Silphium were shaped like hearts making historians believe that the heart shape we know today was based upon this early form of birth control.

Some historians have tried to argue that the heart shape originated with the Ancient Egyptian concept of the 'soul' or ab, "the heart... the source of good and evil within a person, the moral awareness and centre of thought that could leave the body at will, and live with the gods after death, or be eaten by Ammut as the final death if it failed to weigh equally against Ma'at."

Much later, heart symbols show up in stained glass windows, symbolizing the soul or love of Jesus - perhaps because the Roman Centurion who pierced Jesus' heart at the time of the crucifixion saw blood and water flow from Christ's heart. Later still, the Catholic Church claimed the symbol of the heart originated with St. Margaret Marie Alacoque, who had a vision in the 17th century where she saw a heart shape surrounded by a crown of thorns.

For further information on the heart symbol, please visit the wikipedia 'Heart Symbol' page.

Llosgi Llwy Garu - Welsh Lovespoon Engraving

2007-02-08T07:56:00.001-08:00

Ychwanegu i'r Casgliad - New Lovespoons added to collection

2007-02-01T05:14:00.000-08:00

Mae 9 Llwy Garu newydd wedi'u hychwanegu i gasgliad Llwyau Caru Cadwyn. Pwyswch ar y llun isod i ddarllen mwy am y llwyau unigol.

We have added 9 new Welsh Lovespoons to the Cadwyn Collection. Press on the image above to get more information.

Ffafrau Priodas - Wedding Favours

2007-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Rydym wedi ychwanegu 2 gynllun newydd i'n casgliad o Lwyau Caru bach, sy'n addas fel anrhegion gan y briodferch (Ffafrau Priodas). Mae'r cynlluniau newydd (a + c) ychydig yn fwy o faint, ac mae modd llosgi byrfoddau enwau'r priodfab a'r briodferch er mwyn sicrhau anrheg personol na chaiff ei anghofio. Pwyswch yma am fwy o wybodaeth...

We have added two new designs to our collection of mini Love Spoons that are suitable to be given as Wedding Favours. The new designs (a + c) are slightly larger and the initial of the first name of the bride and groom can be engraved on to the mini-lovespoons, to ensure that the wedding favours are truly unique, and will never be forgotten. Press here for further details...