RHIANNON - THE CELTIC DESIGN CENTRE

Rhiannon Evans has been designing Celtic jewellery since the 1970s. She has won an enviable reputation as an innovative designer, and her name is recognised throughout the world. Her background is in science, but her desire to live and work in rural Wales led her to open a visitor centre in Tregaron in 1971, incorporating a craft shop, gallery and café. This centre soon established an international reputation for high quality crafts and gifts, all of which were made in Wales, as well as for seasonal exhibitions. During the winter months, when the centre was closed, Rhiannon concentrated on creating new jewellery designs, inspired by a deep understanding of Celtic myths, legends and traditions. Towards the end of the 1970s, her jewellery won increasing recognition, both in Wales and abroad, and she began to sell to selected craft shops and galleries, in Britain and Europe. The centre was eventually redeveloped to create a display workshop and jewellery showroom in place of the gallery and café, and Rhiannon's name and exclusive designs became increasingly well-known. This made her a natural choice to become one of only 3 licenced users of Welsh Gold from the Gwynfynydd mine in North Wales, leading to a number of prestigious commissions in this rarest of metals. Despite limited supply, particularly following the closure of the Gwynfynydd mine, Rhiannon was for many years also able to make her own designs in 100% Welsh Gold. Since 1996, Rhiannon's Welsh Gold Collection has been made in a special alloy to which 10% of Gwynfynydd gold has been added - the designs in this collection are made only in this special metal, and are available exclusively from Rhiannon. Rhiannon's designs in silver and gold are sold through other retailers, as well as in Tregaron and by mail order. Rhiannon's business has an award-winning mail order catalogue, as well as a website, and has loyal customers as far away as North America, Australia and Hong Kong. But its roots remain in rural Wales, and the original centre in Tregaron will soon be developed to provide improved workshops and jewellery showrooms, as well as new gallery space and traditional tea rooms. In some ways, the company has come full circle, and since Rhiannon has been joined in the workshop and in managing the business by two of her sons, this family business is surely destined to repeat the success it has enjoyed over the last 30 years.

RHIANNON - THE CELTIC DESIGN CENTRE

Main Square, Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JL

Tel: 01974 298415 Fax: 01974 298690 Website: www.rhiannon.co.uk Welsh

Gold Centre - Exhibition Workshops - Museum of Celtic Jewellery Celtic

Gallery and Shop - Traditional Welsh Tearoom