Cupcake workshop at Afonwen Craft & Antique centre

Back at the beginning of the year I had the idea of running a cupcake workshop here in the centre. It should be simple, fun and hopefully encourage people of all ages to have a go.  We set the date for the Easter Bank holiday weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Not knowing how this would work, would people come? would they even like it! it  was all a bit little scary; but the idea was a good one and really just needed some thought to make it a success.

We were very proud to have two of our children helping on the days. As a child growing up I was very lucky to live on a farm and work in the family business. This gave me many skills from simply talking to people, to serving, and as I got older dealing with the till. Mainly it gave me a sense of responsibility that I was being relied upon to do a job - and do it properly. Of course we never got the best jobs, my older brother and I got the muckiest, the dirtiest and the most repetitive jobs on many occasions!!.   For Ethan and Phoebe there were no mucky jobs, no dirty jobs just good old fashioned serving and some cake decorating to be done. 

The children did extremely well. They helped with greeting people, getting the cake toppings and cake boxes and serving on the till. This was a wonderful experience and in short spells they both enjoyed it very much.  In fact it was a delight to spend this time with them - completely different to anything else they have done before, it let them see us at work, and us see them behaving so fantastically. We were very proud of them both for being so fabulous. 

Table set with cutters, boards and rolling pins. Ready to go.

 we baked extra cakes for customers to buy and take home. They looked so good and the samples went down fantastically.

The cake topping were displayed in jars for all to see and select from. From silver ball, to green and blue ones, chocolate buttons, sprinkles, glitter and marshmallows, mini eggs and sugar glitter.... so much to choose from. We cut our butterflies and flowers, adding glitter for the finishing touches. All ready for the workshop to begin.

Our very first customer made these three beautiful cakes. It amazed me how different every one was throughout the whole three days.

concentration ! this cake decorating is serious work......

Adding fairy dust glitter to the finished cake......

"Wow just look at my fabulous cakes" - these truly were so pretty.

We had boys and girls having a go and even a few big ones came.  Hopefully we showed them its not difficult, its all about having some fun. With a little bit of spending you can get all  the basic equipment and ingredients to play for hours and hours.

Ethan busy at work making monsters! in between helping with the workshop

The work shop was a great success, in fact due to so many people asking us to do it again we are busy trying to schedule in another day. Adrian and I were so pleased - it was something different for the centre, something we have never done before and it made new people come into the centre and see what we are all about. The weekend was full of happy smiling faces.

Spring is in the air at Afonwen Craft & Antique centre

Last time I blogged snow lay lightly on the ground with a definite chill in the air. Since then we have had some gorgeous weather, some beautiful sun shine, some duller days and some pretty days - all telling us spring is definitely here.....

Daffodils, so bight and cheerful, such a beautiful flower.

Our entrance has been given a bit of  a lift with these lovely flowers, brave things through the warm and chilly weathers, they make such a difference when you arrive.


The Gift shop has had a major change around and we are delighted with the results. The shop looks brighter, lighter and bigger.  See what you think....

Thrilled with the response to our changes, our lovely customers have been very kind by telling us they love it.

Some really lovely toys for the children....

Now all our cards are in one area, this is great, easier to look and it creates a really nice space .

Luckily things never stop for us, more stock is arriving all the time. With a new delivery of Kate Hamilton Hunter expected any day. Kate and her small team make the most gorgeous tin jewellery. We have lots of hearts, butterflies and flowers coming in - perfect for the spring and summer. 

Of course the Vintage and Antique stock keeps coming in as we make a  new find. With each piece being individually selected, then cleaned, restored if needed and put out for sale - it is definitely a side to the centre that is always changing and cared for. I love Antiques and Vintage stock, its like buying something with a bit of character, something that's once been loved and giving it a new home again. Of course its also a  very green thing to do... and that is always good.

Lastly I will leave you with our final picture of cakes... another passion of mine and Adrian's.

For the very first time over the Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday we will be holding a drop in cup cake decorating workshop. The idea is you choose your cake, choose your topping and then the decorations and away you go. You could roll out and cut butterflies and flowers out, decorate with chocolate bits, or mini eggs, a selection from our many toppings..... just have fun and have a go. This will be great for the little ones to have a go and the big ones. What ever the age it should be a bit of fun and you get to take home your cake to eat. (Yum )  We are very busy getting all our toppings ready, planning the room and will be baking much closer to the time.

 I hope you enjoyed all our pictures and finding out what we are up to in the centre, until next time .
                               Bye for now                Janet, Adrian and the whole team xxxxx

February News at Afonwen Craft & Antique centre

When we woke this morning there was a light dusting of snow everywhere, and it was my day in work. So armed with wellies, gloves hat and my winter coat I left home ready to clear the snow from the doors and spread the grit on the car park... What a relief when I got here the snow was just slush and the car park clear.

Spring cant come fast enough now, I long for some warmer weathers, some flowers in the tubs and buds on the trees. I couldn't help but smile at these brave little daffodils peeping through to show me spring is on its way.

This picture taken by our son Josh ( about 12 at the time ) is one of my favourites so beautiful and elegant is the butterfly. This makes me feel warmer and reminds me of the summer months ahead.

In the centre we have had a lovely few weeks. Off to trade shows in Birmingham to find new stock and some new suppliers and now we are starting to see things arriving. Some cute handbags, some gorgeous reproduction pine furniture a few home accesories and so much more.

                        A really stunning wall hanging. This looks lovey with the light reflecting on it.

                   This corner chair is just so sweet and really unusual. I love the eggshell blue colour

This really is a stunning piece of furniture. A Victorian Mahogany desk  with some gorgeous colours in the wood.

We have had some of our wonderful craft people in again this month, from Murry who carves love spoons to Melissa with her jewellery and crafts, Julia with her amazing semi precious gem stone jewellery and Susie with her hand knitted goods. Just look at these gloves and hat - how beautiful are these. So very special.

As ever we have been baking lots and the restaurant has been busy. Right now we are preparing for St Davids Day, planning our menu, making sure every dish has a link to Wales and of course using lots of wonderful local produce. As always our specials menu runs for at least a week before we alter it again. The St Davids Day menu will start on Tuesday 28th February and continue throughout the whole week. We are proud to be in Wales and always love to support the area. Our eggs are from a local farmer where the chickens run free in a field, the cream comes from Buckley and bread from Denbigh (Henllan Bread) . The meat comes from Llachwedd meats in Anglesy and Caerwys from Morgans Powri Gwych. Of course the Trout is just down the road in Bodfari, which is wonderful. Having all of these local connections and excellent suppliers makes a positive difference to us. 

             A Birthday cake for a special 50th - we openend for the evening to help celebrate this birthday of                                           a customer who has been visiting us for 20 years now..  

Another birthday cake for a man who likes rabbits.

I love this picture, it makes me feel homely and cosy. The simple life.

Well I think thats all for now - as always I hope you enjoyed seeing all of our pictures and finding out what we have been up to. Until next time have fun and take care.

Janet Adrian and All the team xxx

January is nearly gone.

January is nearly gone and actually in a bit of a blur. This month has been a lovely month for us. It is when we reflect and plan ahead - it allows us time to freshen up and rethink.....  

The girls have been really busy in the Antiques cleaning some beautiful pieces of silver and treasures.

Gail and Sharon here are busy with detailed silver cleaning. Its good to have a giggle while working ! especially when  you need to concentrate so much. We have such lovely customers who are always complimenting us on how clean and shiny everything is.  

Just as work has begun on these pieces, each one takes a lot of time and patience to get them looking their best, below shows one of them all sparkly.

We have worked hard  to buy some very quirky pieces for you, this is one of the best things about vintage and antique, you never really know what you will find .... each piece is then so special and has a little story to go with it.

Look at this wonderful 19th century sewing stand with original silks, its a real collectors piece and very lucky to find.

Art Deco Bureau, I just love the wonderful shape and colours of the wood.

Another treasure.... a very sweet Heart mirror.  I love it.

All of these are so individual  and now one off finds. This chandelier is such a wonderful shape and twinkles beautifully.

Things have been pretty hectic round here over the few weeks with the interiors show and spring fair just round the corner. These are such busy shows and our poor feet are worn out by the end, but they are very exciting. Its wonderful to see so much variety of stock and  we get to choose new things for us in the centre. Its like Christmas shopping all over again......

               Kate Hamilton Hunter locally handmade jewellery, Kate has a real delicate and beautiful style, we have sold her jewellery for a few years now, she is wonderful at creating new styles and her use of colour.

And don't forget Valentines day, if your looking for ideas  come and have a look at our gifts  from the traditional hearts to the unusual. The chefs are also busy planning a special menu for the week of Valentines. This worked really well last year  with lots of people  coming out to celebrate and enjoy themselves with us throughout the week. Any way more to follow on this once we have choosen our menu... 

As always thank you for reading and we hope you you a little of what we have been up to here.  Until next time - take care.

Janet, Adrian and all the team xxx

New Year and January brings a clear mind.......

December came and went in a bit of a whirl, with Christmas being such a busy time for all. We had a wonderful one, its the one time in the year that we make a real effort to send time together as a family and all the staff have a few days off to catch up with their loved ones.  As far as New year is concerned I have never been a big one for resolutions and empty promises. I really prefer to focus on whats important in the future and be positive.

Life goes by so quickly that sometimes its nice to just take a minute and look at what matters, we always come back to the same thing which is family, friends and work. Its the balance that is the tricky bit.  With New year gone and the decorations away I love to have a clear mind, start to think about the year ahead and get inspired for some changes. This doesn't have to be big, maybe a good sort out at home,  declutter a draw or two or perhaps think of all the things we want to do in the coming months.

For work we start to think again of new stock, visits to the NEC, building  relationships with new suppliers and meeting our existing ones again.  Finding something exciting for the antiques and vintage side of our work is continuously on going but the thrill  of a New year always gives you an extra push.

This beautiful George 111 1820 oak corner cabinet has just been restored and is waiting to be put up on a wall. This will look stunning in someones home ready to be loved again.

Before Christmas we were given a fabulous book, cooking with vegetables, less sugar and no fat  - so this week I had a little play and made some fat free almond and strawberry muffins. Oh they are delicious, from then I made apple and cinnamon and raspberry with chocolate chips (which was cheating with the chocolate but its OK now and again). All of these have courgettes in and really are so light and tasty you would never know. In fact tried them out on a some friends and our children - they went down really well and no one guessed !!. That to me is a good result. We already have the lemon & Almond cake as a regular and Carrot cake which has also changed to the healthier recipe, which you may remember form earlier blogs.

More baking to come I think - we will be trying out more recipes and seeing what other healthier cakes we can come up with - but of course we will keep the ever so popular ones we already bake.

Great to read in the "You" magazine Emma Bridgewater cake tins still as popular as ever. We have a great range here.

Well I think its time to say good bye again. Hope you enjoyed our blog and will visit us again soon.

                                           Love Janet, Adrian and all the Team xxx

Its been a busy week.....

This week and in fact last seem to have flown, we are well and truly into the Christmas feeling here with the decorations up, lights twinkling and Christmas music playing.

A warm welcome awaits inside with a cosy feeling of Christmas.

The team in our Restaurant - Edenshine have been working very hard getting into the swing of Christmas lunches, homemade mulled wine and of course our truly delicious deep filled mince pies. These are a speciality of Adrian's. He makes a fantastic mince pie.

Simply wonderful with fresh cream ...

We had a delivery from Anita Harris Potteries this week with our order. Anita and her team have created some really stunning pieces full of colour and radiance. Its wonderful to deal with such a lovely team when we order and discuss things with Anita to get the perfect stock.

Such Stunning colours, well worth collecting.

Today we had  some gorgeous hanging hearts delivered - they are so sweet.

We are very busy in the demonstration and exhibition room from now until 23rd December with felt & patchwork, handmade jewellery, hand carved love spoons, painting on canvas and silk. Here are two of our very talented crafts ladies from Patchwork Nook. Joanne and Vicki have some wonderful things, all handmade and individual.

 

This weekend we Julia Hobbs in with us, Julia is a very popular lady with our customers. She makes the most exquite jewellery using semi precious gemstones. 

Well I think that is time for me to say thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed all our pictures.

Love Janet, Adrian and All the team xxx