The brand
Gwynfor is a small independent brand founded in April of 2020. The brand was initially started as a way of carving out some ‘me time’ having recently become a single mother - and to finally make use of the second hand beads I’d been collecting for decades.
At the beginning of Gwynfor's journey I didn't consider it a brand, I just thought of it as what I did best - stringing together things I had on hand and selling them to my friends on Instagram to make it to the end of the month. Suddenly, flogging jewellery to my friends grew into setting up an etsy account and hoping for the best - somehow it worked.
I started Gwynfor creating colourful beaded necklaces using deadstock and vintage beads, as a protest to the idea that eco had to mean boring! One listing on Etsy grew into building my own website, and taking part in amazing pop-ups and markets across the UK, and then the world!
Today, the jewellery you see are combinations of items made using either recycled, salvaged, deadstock materials or items that have been designed & carved in Cardiff, then cast in Scotland from recycled silver.
Gwynfor’s goal is to create fun, functional and eco jewellery that will last a lifetime.
The Name
Gwynfor Griffiths was many things, an author, historian, pacifist, campaigner, my Tadcu. But above all, he was my biggest inspiration - he taught me to pursue a creative career and trust myself, and my ideas, above all.
My Tadcu (grandfather) wasn’t a creative, - a journalist and author by trade, but he championed the arts like no-one else! He loved exploring galleries, reading, and was always learning, something I hope to be doing too.
Gwyn was a trailblazer, but above all he was kind.
In June of 2019, I named my son Arthur Gwynfor in his honour - it only made sense to name my other baby after him too!
The Maker
Gwynfor is a one-woman show run by me, Alaw. I started Gwynfor in April 2020 as I was about to return to London for my final year of uni after taking a year out to become a single mother to Arthur.
I had no idea how I was going to live in London, study full time and take care of a one year old but I knew it was something I had to do. Thanks to Gwynfor taking off during Covid, I was able to make do, and I graduated in May of 2021 with a First in Fine Art from Kingston School of Art.
Today, I’m 26 years old, and usually gossiping with a 5 year old. It’s a good life. Gwynfor remains a dream, making money creating jewellery that you want to wear is the kind of job your teachers tell you don’t exist (they do!).
You can usually find me either thinking about jewellery, talking about jewellery, or shopping for jewellery. I’m a fairly simple gal.
Keep tabs on me, my 5 cats, and my adventures by following along on Instagram!
For more information, collaboration or enquiries, reach us here.