Here’s another selection of interesting things that people have done with our fabric. Most of these are from Japan and unavailable from in the UK, but if do you see something you’d really love to have, send me a comment or a direct message and I’ll do the best to help.

These classic Herman Miller chairs originally designed by Charles Eames have been upholstered in our black/white roundcross fabric and I think they look fantastic. 

 A set of stacking vintage stools covered with our fabric from Japan 

As well as vintage chairs people have been using our upholstery cloth for modern designs. See these stools from SuSu a small company in Japan.

And finally some brilliant cushions from a company called Takaokaya again in Japan They take the fabric and use it in a totally original way, almost like Origami.

This is a test to see if my new IPhone app works and I can post entries direct from my mobile. This is a sample blanket we’re weaving for a client.

After covering the rest of the country the snow finally hit Pembrokeshire. It’s always milder here and we’re always the last to get any snowfall but we did manage some over New Year’s Day. It’s still very cold and we haven’t completely thawed yet so we may find it difficult to get deliveries out next week.

Mandy and the dogs enjoying a very wintry Abermawr beach.

10% off any purchase over £50 on the evening 

If you can’t make it to the store on Thursday 3^rd you can still use the same discount offer in the run up to Christmas.  Our Cardiff shop will be opening until 8pm every Thursday night and also on Sundays from 11am – 4pm during December.

We’re always looking for new ways to use our fabrics, so this year we’ve introduced a collection of upholstery fabrics and a range of lampshades. New products for this winter also include new bags, clothing for men and women, shoes and baby clothes.

Here at Melin Tregwynt we try to make things that are useful, beautiful and that will make the perfect gift. If you are buying a present for someone we are happy to gift-wrap and put in a personalized card.

The First Minister said: “Melin Tregwynt’s products have gained a worldwide reputation for its stylish and eye-catching designs as modern as they come, but linking strongly to the craft and cultural heritage of Wales. This is one of the reasons why the company has an important part to play at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where the best of Wales’ culture and traditions will be showcased Wales to more than one million visitors from across the USA and further afield. If what I have seen here at Melin Tregwynt is anything to go by, those visiting the festival will have a wonderful experience and will be flocking to buy some of Melin Tregwynt’s elegant and striking products to enhance their own homes with something Welsh and something special.”

Those listed include castles, the Wales Millennium Centre and Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the national parks and famous welshmen from Dylan Thomas to Tom Jones. The review praises innovative tourism examples in Wales: especially the traditional cottage holiday company Under the Thatch, the Faenol Festival in North Wales, the marketing of the Wye and Dyfi valleys and Melin Tregwynt.

So now we’re a cultural icon. What next I wonder? 

I’m pleased to say that despite all the economic gloom, around at the moment, our retail sales were up 25% over the last year, thanks to you and all our other customers.  

Just a quick update on the year so far. Our blankets and throws are now being sold in John Lewis and are doing extremely well. We’ve produced a new range of traditional doublecloth bedspreads, designed by Donna Wilson, which is being launched at Milan furniture fair and then sold exclusively through SCP in London. Despite the recession we’re selling well in Germany and Japan and have a number of large hotel projects to complete. Later this year we’re doing more joint projects with other manufacturers like Healthy Back Bags, Innermost, Birkenstock, Tolbiac and others.

Let us know what you think about these new products when they arrive; and what else you’d like to see us selling. We couldn’t do it without you.

I thought you might like to see the faces behind our fabrics. This picture was taken about a month ago when we said goodbye to Kath and Irene, two of our staff who were retiring.

Kath (3rd from right in front row) had been with the company for 40 years (she joined us in the 60s). She began by recording our sales by hand in an old ledger and by her retirement she was experienced in the dark arts of Sage accounting and computers. Amazing changes in one working life.

Irene looked after all the administrative duties and paperwork that make small business life such a pleasure. She was also a great source of doggy chews for our three labradors.

We’ll miss them both but we now have two new staff, Peter and Maria. (on the right in the top row) who have taken up the challenge of working here. 

If you want to know who everybody else is and what they do, then go to our staff page and see more pics including some archive pictures from 50s onwards.

These jackets, waistcoat and cap were made from our spice multicheck blanket fabric by a Japanese company called ThisisFew for their Melin Tregwynt 2008 Winter Collection. I’m sure that the winters are very cold in Hokkaido but this combination would keep you very warm indeed. The model on the right looks as if he’s realised the early September may be too soon to wear this outfit.  

Spring 2009 

For this spring Birkenstock UK have designed a new unisex Antwerpen clog covered in our Luna fabric. There are two colours available now: grey and soft green (see below) with another two promised for the autumn.

The clog features leather lined wool uppers, an adjustable leather strap and a replaceable leather lined footbed made by Birkenstock together with PU outer sole for indoor and outdoor use. Sizes available are 36 - 41 European (see chart below). They are priced at £79.99

At the moment they are available exclusively through the Natural Shoe Store at Neal Street Covent Garden, King’s Road and Richmond. Get over there while stocks last or check out their UK website as they are also available online. 

Our Melin Tregwynt stock has now arrived but stocks are limited so please ring 01348 891 644 and bag your own pair early. Only £85.00

autumn 2009

This autumn we’ll have two additional colours in the clog, along with a long boot and a shoe (for a sneaky peak at all the styles see below). These designs will be available only from the Natural Shoe Store and Melin Tregwynt so contact us on 01348 891 644 for further information.