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Round Welsh Slate House Signs

February 8, 2024

Round Welsh Slate House Signs

Slate House has been hand making Welsh slate house signs and plaques for over 15 years. In many different sizes, thicknesses and styles. From small house signs to large commemorative plaques for royal engagements, with bespoke motifs, logos and even photographic engraving.

Even though we’ve made signs and plaques to whatever size the customer requires , all of our work was either square or rectangular as it was all cut using our bridge cutter.

For the first time since 2007 we are now offering 20mm thick round Welsh slate house signs with hidden fixings as standard. To make these new signs even better, they also come embossed, so that your artwork is actually popping out of the sign. Which makes your chosen inscription stand out more and makes the sign that extra bit special.

The manufacturing process for the new round Welsh slate house signs is very similar to the original process. Although the polished discs of slate come ready cut and polished from the quarry in North Wales.

Welsh Slate House Signs

1. Firstly, after you’ve designed your new house sign using our versitile and easy to use online design facility we review your design ensuring it looks good and there is no spelling mistakes, if we see something that doesn’t look right we will contact you to confirm your design and raise our concerns. We do not make a sign without checking with the customer if all does not look good.

 

 

2. Once we are happy with the design, we extract your artwork from your order via the website and convert it to a .jpg. We can then send your artwork file to the plotter to convert it to a vector line design.

 

 

3. From the vector artwork we can then cut the required stencil using our plotter cutter machine.

 

 

4. Once the stencil has been created, we then apply the stencil to the required size Welsh slate disc and weed out the areas that are to be sand blast engraved.

 

 

5.  Once the sign has been stencilled, we now need to sand blast the surface which will deep engrave all area that is not covered with the vinyl stencil material to a depth of between 2-3mm.

 

 

6. Once the sign is engraved and inspected we can then tape up the edges and spray paint the sign to the customers requirements.

 

 

7. After about 1 hour we then strip the vinyl stencil off

 

 

8. and can then give the sign one last sanding to make sure there is no scratches.

 

 

9. Once we are happy with the sign it then gets it’s protective lacquer coating which protects the paint work and gives the slate a healthy satin look for many years.

 

 

10. Your Slate House Sign is then inspected and packaged ready for dispatch to the customer.

 

 

House signs come in various different styles and materials from Welsh slate to ceramic or even cast aluminium. Choosing the correct style sign is a very personal choice.

Round Welsh slate house signs are a great alternative to straight edged signs and are particularly well suited for smaller signs or when curved text is required.

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Making Slate House Blankets

September 17, 2021
Crafting a Slate House blanket

A traditional Welsh blanket is a simple addition to your home that can totally transform a room whilst bringing you comfort and warmth. We have a huge range of Slate House blankets and throws online and in store. Our blankets are all crafted with excellence in Wales.

How Slate House Blankets Are Made

Our incredible Slate House blankets are created in Tweedmill in the North Wales town of Flint. Tweedmill do not supply the public. We are one of the largest independent retailers of Tweedmill blankets with one of the largest ranges. Check out how the team craft these blankets which are all made in Wales.

Why Choose Wool For A Good Night’s Sleep?

A simple way to a better night’s sleep may be to sleep under wool. Wool is a natural insulator helping body temperatures to stay at a comfortable level at night irrespective of summer or winter time.

Wool is a living, breathing ‘smart’ fibre. It improves the air in enclosed spaces, improves sleep, provides comfort and ensures safety.

Slate House blankets are made in North Wales and this one has a yellow and grey meadow check colour

Wool Facts

100% NATURAL. Composed of a natural protein that is similar to human hair, wool grows on sheep which consume a simple blend of water, air, sunshine and grass.

RENEWABLE. Sheep produce a new fleece every year, without depleting finite natural resources.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE. Wool fulfils complex product scenarios – apparel, outdoor and sportswear, flooring, interior textiles, automotive and aviation, architecture, manufacturing, medical uses and protective apparel.

NATURALLY SAFE. Naturally high in nitrogen and water content, wool’s unique cell structure requires high levels of oxygen in order to burn and forms an insulating layer when heated that prevents the spread of flames. These qualities make wool naturally flame retardant, without the need for chemical treatments. Wool does not melt, drip or to stick to the skin when subject to extreme heat and produces less smoke and toxic fumes during combustion.

RECYCABLE & DURABLE. Wool fibres are high quality and durable, capable of re-use and recycling, ultimately reducing landfill disposal. Research shows that the average life of a wool garment is 2-10 years, compared to 2-3 years for garments made from other fibres.

BIODEGRADABLE. Wool decomposes in soil in a matter of years, releasing valuable nitrogen-based nutrients back into the soil.

ODOUR-RESISTANT. By absorbing moisture vapour, wool garments leave less perspiration on the skin, reducing odour-causing bacteria. Easily refreshed by airing, wool garments can be worn longer between washes due to wool’s natural ability to shed dirt and bacteria.

IMPROVES INDOOR AIR QUALITY. When used in interior textiles such as carpets and upholstery, wool absorbs and locks away pollutants such as volatile organic carbons (VOCs) from the air more rapidly than other fibres. These combined attributes make wool the world’s leading naturally produce fibre.

Merino wool monchrome check Slate House blanket. Whites and shades of grey.

Wool Maintenance

Stain Resistance. Wool has a protective layer that prevents stains from being absorbed. As it is also anti-static, it picks up less dust and lint from the air.

Resilient and Elastic. Wool fibres resist tearing and are able to be bent back on themselves over 20,000 times without breaking. Due to its crimped structure, wool is also naturally elastic. Wool maintains its appearance in the longer term, adding value to the product and its lifespan.

Quick Drying. It was formerly thought that synthetics dry at a faster rate than wool, however the latest technology enables wool to be as quick-drying.

Easy Care. Recent innovations mean wool items are no longer hand-wash only. Many wool products can now be machine-washed.

Airing. Unlike any other textile fibre, wool can refresh itself simply by hanging in fresh air. This saves water, washing detergent, energy and the time to walk to the dry cleaners.

From Sheep To Shop

So how does the wool get from the source to our shops?

Sheared in one piece, the fleeces are rolled out and then folded correctly to make sorting easier in the mill. The fleece is put through a willower to untangle the wool, removing impurities such as dust and sand, disentangling it on a roller with metal teeth to create a soft, fluffy mass of fibres.

Up until around 1850, natural colours were used to dye wool, with three stages when it could occur: when it was still a fleece, in threads ready for weaving, or after the cloth had been woven. Carding produces fully disentangled, soft rolls of wool called rovings or rolags, for spinning into yarn.

Originally done by hand, a carding engine was invented in the 18th century. Spinning pulls and twists the fibres together to form a continuous thread, turning the soft rolls into strong woollen yarn, originally by using a portable spindle and whorl. In the 19th century, fast and efficient spinning machines were invented, transforming the woollen industry. Winding, unwinding and winding again are all essential processes in preparing yarn for weaving.

Warping by hand is one of the most intricate of all textile processes, with all the threads for the warp of a piece of cloth placed in the correct order, and colour sequence, before weaving. Weaving turns the yarn into cloth, which is made of two sets of threads.

The warp thread sit side by side, and the weft threads are woven under and over the warp – under one, over one, under over … and so on. The finishing process consists of washing, drying, fulling (cleansing of the wool to eliminate oils & dirt, and to make it thicker) and finally brushing.

Tweedmill History

Slate House blankets are crafted at Tweedmill in North Wales. They are a family business with an incredible history.

Tweedmill is a British brand established in 1971 and is renowned for its creativity, reliability and quality. First known as Afonwen Woollen Mills, which started out producing skirt lengths. In 1993 Jackie Ryan took the reins and built Tweedmill Textiles into the brand we know and love. 

Today Tweedmill is still a family run company which is always striving to create new and exciting textile products while keeping the value and quality we are known for. Now situated next to Flint Castle in the historical town of Flint, our designs are influenced by the colours and serenity of the surrounding area. With local woodlands, nature reserves and the River Dee on our doorstep. We have been inspired to create a fantastic and diverse range of products. We offer an extensive and colourful choice of key textile products consisting of throws, cushions and picnic rugs which complement our beautiful accessories for ladies, gents and pets. Our products are produced from a wide range of materials, specialising in Pure New Wool and Tweed production.

Meet The Tweedmill Team

Meet the team at Tweedmill who create our Slate House cotton & wool blankets and scarves.

Sewing Machinist – Cath

Cath is one Tweedmill’s expert sewing machinists, having worked there for over 16 years. She is responsible for sewing labels and is a specialist in overlocking and whipping. Her expert skills finish off the beautiful cotton throws.

Fun Fact: Cath can sew between 500-600 labels in one day.

Picture above is Cath sewing one our brand labels onto the best-selling random recycled rug.

Marketing & Design Executive – Rachel

Rachel has been at Tweedmill for 3 years and is responsible for all things digital marketing. She also contributes to the design & development process. From initial trend research & forecasting to computer aided design (CADS) of patterns & weaves and assisting with seasonal decisions for upcoming product ranges. 

Rachel can often be seen both behind and in front of the camera. Here she is wearing the Country Ruby, which is available to buy online now.

Managing Director – Bart

Bart has been Tweedmill’s Managing Director since 2015 and has worked in the textile industry his entire career. Having learnt every aspect of the business from weaving to international customer relations, his day-to-day responsibilities oversee everything from manufacturing to sales. His first & foremost goal is to ensure Tweedmill’s customers are provided with quality products & a valuable service. Bart always says “quality is woven into us”.

Which Slate House Blanket Will You Choose?

We have a huge range of blankets which vary in prices so we have something for everyone.

100% British Wool Blankets

These pure new wool Welsh blankets are our absolute classics. The one pictured is a fishbone weave with the colour being warm and bold.  This blanket is finished with soft tassels at either end.

Luxury Merino Wool Blankets

The Black, Silver Grey, Charcoal and Grey tones in this luxuriously soft Merino wool blanket pair excellently with the Diamond patterning to create something both modern and unique. 

Cotton Slate House Blankets

Did you know that we also have cotton Slate House blankets?

Our organic cotton Welsh blankets are a versatile and contemporary addition to our range.  These throws have a blanket stitch edging. Drape over the foot of your bed or use as a throw over the sofa – either way it’s a wonderful addition to your decor.

Budget Slate House Blankets

Large recycled wool blankets, handmade in Wales. Blanket colours of our recylced blankets are completely random. They are random colours because they are made from recycled wool from the mill. No two blankets will be the same.

Because of this, you cannot choose a specific colour and you will be sent a completely random colour blanket. All blankets are the same pattern design and the same high quality.

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Introducing Head Turning Ceramics from Alice Funge

July 14, 2021

Here at Slate House we are proud to introduce you to head turning ceramics from Alice Funge. This handmade collection from Alice Funge is exceptional.  The styles and shapes of these pieces will compliment any interior home style. 

About Alice Funge

Alice’s designs are so unique and thoughtful. This collection has been created from the inspiration of her late grandmother and their family love of baking. Each piece has the inclusion of her late grandmother’s writing taken from handwritten recipes within the designs of this collection, which makes them so unique. 

These pieces bring warmth to many of us with memories of our own family history and recipes being passed down through the generations.

Alice studied at De Montfort University in Leicester. One to watch, Alice shows us how she creates a ceramic piece from a ball of clay using a potter’s wheel.

Update Your Style with Ceramics From Alice Funge

Why not update your homeware with this elegant vintage influenced ceramic collection from Alice Funge?

Mini Pourer Bowl

What’s a mini pourer bowl you ask?

A pourer bowl is so versatile in the kitchen and practical for every day prepping and cooking.  It’s the sweetest little bowl that is perfect for mixing ingredients and then pouring them in to your cooking and recipes.  Also useful for serving dips, snacks, drizzling sauces and oils and so much more. 

Ceramics from Alice Funge. This practical pour bowl is perfect for recipe and cooking prep.

Tea or Coffee, Please

Fancy a Brew?  These mug designs are EXCLUSIVE to Slate House and are great for dunking your digestives in or serving up your morning wake up coffee.  This mug is strong, practical and stylish with a dignified handle. 

Tea please. Large coffee mug from Alice Funge ceramics. Design exclusive to Slate House.

These mugs come in a choice of exclusive designs.  They read ‘tea, please’ OR ‘coffee, please’. 

Large tea mug. Ceramics from Alice Funge. Exclusive design to Slate House.

These mugs are perfect teamed up with one of our Alice Funge milk jugs and/or sugar bowls. Go on, enhance your drinking experience!

Spilt Milk? Not Anymore!

What will you serve in this elegant vintage influenced mini ceramic jug from Alice Funge.  Milk, cream or perhaps your favourite sauce.  This mini jug is so versatile and is beautiful on its own or displayed with some wild flowers or decorative twigs. 

Update your kitchenware with the easy pour ceramic jug.

We love how there is no handle therefore making it space saving and streamlined.

This practical wheel-thrown mini jug reads ‘Pour’, and is made from white stoneware which is an off-cream colour. 

We Like These ‘BERRY’ Much Alice!

Alice’s berry bowls have certainly been turning heads. In fact, before I saw this collection I had never even heard of a berry bowl. This was a little shocking as I couldn’t imagine my kitchen collection without one now. This bowl is so versatile and like a colander makes it easy to wash your berries, fruit, vegetables or more. 

Update the kitchen with this beautiful berry bowl. We love ceramics from Alice Funge.

Fancy A Squeeze?

We love these handmade lemon juicers. Alice has handmade each lemon squeezer in one part on her potter’s wheel.  It is then hand carved and finished with yellow slip to replicate the juice of a lemon after it has been squeezed. 

Squeeze me squeeze me.  Beautiful lemon juicer from Alice Funge. Juice your lemons.

On the inside rim of this lemon squeezer it reads ‘Juice 1 lemon’, which of course is taken from her late grandmother’s handwritten recipes.

Ceramics from Alice Funge. Lemon squeezer.

Where Would YOU Display This?

Ceramic milk bottle with kitchen conversions. Display on it's own or with a decorative flower.

Check out this elegant vintage influenced ceramic milk bottle from Alice Funge. This bottle is so versatile and is beautiful on its own or displayed with a wild flower or decorative branch.  Perhaps your hardest choice is where to display this stunning piece?

handmade ceramic yellow milk bottle vase flower holder

Give Me Some Sugar!

No really, can you pass the sugar please.

If you like your drinks a little sweeter then this piece is wonderful for creating a delightful table setting for your family or guests.  A beautiful addition to your coffee or tea set. So then sugar, would you like granulated or sugar lumps?

handmade gingerbread ceramic sugar serving bowl coffee tea

Organise Your Utensils

This ceramic piece from Alice Funge is not only practical and functional with ample space to hold your cooking gadgets but is also beautiful displayed on its own. This elegant vintage influenced ceramic utensil holder from Alice Funge will look beautiful with your kitchen interior.

yellow ceramic milk bottle handmade vase wheel-thrown flower

We are proud to introduce you to this beautiful collection of ceramics from Alice Funge. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.