It’s November, which means Gweni Gwyllt is 6months old!!!

Firstly, what an incredible six months it’s been! From the day I opened the doors in June it’s felt like home… to be part of such a bustling indie high street (did you know Gg is part of eight female founded business in a row!), to the designers I get the honour of championing on a daily basis (20 female founded & UK made businesses! Just sayin’) and to the customers that I get to meet, chat & laugh with - you make the dream a reality! Thank you! Witnessing the reactions on faces when customers first walk in through the doors and learn that every item in the shop has been designed AND made in the UK is the most heartwarming part of all… So here’s to teamwork, because it takes us all together to make a big difference…

One of my favourite elements of shop life and one I wanted to share with you today, is all the lovely chat’s I get to share with both customers & fellow business owners! And I love answering your questions! There have been plenty, thats for sure! So, considering it’s been six months I thought I'd cover some of the most commonly asked questions which will hopefully mean you get to know me a little bit better…

So then… I hope these answers help paints a picture:

Are you from Machynlleth?
No, originally I’m from just outside of Aberystwyth, I grew up on a poultry farm and I'm the youngest of my three siblings! After my A levels I headed to study in Caerdydd / Cardiff and ended up staying there for over 15years! In 2022 I had the itch to go an travel the world, so thats what I did (I spent most of those years in India, Nepal and then in my camper van travelling around Europe)… when I arrived back these mountains of Gogledd Cymru / North Wales were calling me, I knew no-one in Machynlleth, but it felt like home, so maybe it was Hiraeth, or maybe it was the universe, but either way I'm so grateful because it’s been the best decision I have ever made! I now live by Cadair Idris and I am utterly hypnotised by this landscape and the wonderful community of Machynlleth who have welcomed me with open arms!

Who is Gweni?

Good question! Gweni is a play on words, meaning both ‘smile’ in Cymraeg / Welsh & it’s also the name of my mother! Gwyllt means wild in Saesneg / English, (and I can confirm that my mother does indeed have a bit of a cheeky Wild Smile) … so thats the meaning behind the name!

Have you always had a shop?

In 2012, I opened my own Bridal Boutique in Penarth (just outside of Caerdydd) specialising in handmade dresses & separates by Welsh Designers! It was a very special ten years, I loved every moment and I'm very proud of that chapter of my life! I absolutely loved it! The Designers I got to work with, the Brides I got to meet, the friendships that blossomed over those ten years… I had that wonderful little Boutique for ten years, it grew from strength to strength and even survived a pandemic when the wedding world came to a near halt… Opening Gweni Gwyllt feels like a sister to the Boutique in a way, championing British Designers, but this time with lots of colourful clothing & cosy knitwear instead!

Do you speak Welsh?

Ydw! Yes I do! Despite not having a strong Welsh accent when I speak English (which I think confuses a few people) I’m actually a first language Welsh speaker (and letting you into a secret, I can only do mathematics (or any sums) in Cymraeg!)

Am I here full time?

I am indeed, you’ll find me in the shop Tuesday - Saturday 10 to 4!! I take a Sunday and Monday off to get covered in mud on trail runs around these incredible mountains, pottering on the allotment and enjoying a slow start with pastries and fresh coffee… namaste indeed!

*To be honest, I could write an entire Blog post about my weekly pastry rituals and my love for breakfast… but I'll leave that for another time… maybe)

Hmmm, this next one is more of a statement I've heard several times over these past six months rather than a question…

You’re rather passionate about these clothes aren’t you!

Yes, yes I am…and I’m not afraid to hide it… I want to protect this beautiful planet of ours, I want to support the British manufacturing industry and I want to help put an end to the horrors caused by fast fashion! I live by a very simple mantra, ‘what if I don’t do it’ … then I'll never know, and I'd much rather give it a go than not at all!

So I hope this has given you a little more insight to who I am and into Gweni Gwyllt after these past six months of being part of the Machynlleth high street! Here’s to the next six months! I can’t wait to keep getting to know you!

Cariad Mawr / Big love,

Rx