About us
Shops in Machynlleth
Fondly referred to as ‘Mach’, Machynlleth is a small Welsh town in the Dyfi Valley. A market town since 1291, Mach has always been a natural meeting place. Situated just by the bridge over the Dyfi River, it is a crossroads for the traveller, trader and tourist- which lends a certain vibe to this Welsh country town.
The Wednesday market here is thriving, with stalls selling everything from artisanal bread, handmade jewelry, and garden plants, to second-hand clothing, fruit and vegetables, and Indian food. The best time to visit is in the morning- when the pastries are fresh and the pavements aren’t too busy.
Along the main street is a myriad of independent businesses, some shiny and new, and some well-established. Machynlleth is not just our home, but also has crafters, galleries, the best vintage finds, a bakery and deli, wholefood shop, haberdashery, florist, an ironmonger, and plenty of charity shops.
Pretty much everything is simple and homemade, unpretentious, and relaxed. Just how we like it.
This is our little guide to what we like in Mach- always check opening times with the venues, Machynlleth is a quirky place with its own rhythms!
R.E.D's Shoe Shop front, photo by Heather Bernie
For handmade Shoes, Shandals® & Boots visit RED (Ruth Emily Davey)'s beautiful shop on the high street. Home to the original Shandals and the most beautiful shop in town. This is like a candy shop for shoe lovers! Specializing in comfortable, high-quality leather shoes in every colour. RED offers both off-the-shelf and bespoke, made-to-measure foot ware that will fit your feet perfectly. Customers travel from across the globe to buy shoes from Award-winning shoemaker Ruth and her dedicated team of craftspeople.
'RED's Shoe shop interior, Photo by Heather Bernie.
Tymhorau, photo by ?
"We are a social enterprise based in Machynlleth, the ancient heart of Wales. Passionate about ecology, land use and craft, we provide a range of sustainable products and services that reflect the Dyfi Valley and it’s raw natural resources being valued for people, wildlife and climate in equilibrium."
social enterprise, Grace Crabb has teamed up with a variety of local ecologists and craft people. Their shop sells products from sheepskin, plant-dyed wools, to books and hand-crafted wooden items. Most recognisable as a florist, they sell beautiful arrangements, plants, and wreaths, as well as hosting workshops and talks.
Wheelers Fabrics Shop exterior, Image taken from Wheelers Instagram.
Wheelers Fabrics -- a huge range of fabrics on the roll and to order, along with a range of buttons, thread, ribbons etc. It is a proper haberdashery, and has been a fixture in our town for decades. Many fabrics are end of line or seconds, and you can pick up some real bargains. Wheelers also specializes in an amazing range of organic cottons.
EARTH DAY
Reducing plastic in the kitchen is easy! These soap bars have no packaging to end up in landfill, and are palm oil free. The plant-based sponge is plastic free, produced in the UK and completely compostable!
Pink Pig Sketchbooks are produced by FSC certified mills. Their pages are acid free and fully recyclable when used! Choosing these products lowers your carbon footprint as each one is produced sustainably in the UK.
3- Annings of Dorset Soap & Shampoo Bars.
Annings of Dorset soap and shampoo bars have an unusual ingredient- seashells! Sourced from sustainable fisheries, this by-product is reclaimed as a basis for the bars, making them longer lasting and providing a natural exfoliant. So long, plastic microbeads! In fact, this product is completely plastic free, as they come in recyclable cardboard packaging.
These smudge bundles are sourced from organic, sustainable farms and are sun-dried. Their gorgeous scent is all natural, making a great alternative to aerosol air fresheners. They can even be popped in clothes drawers to keep clothes smelling fresh!
Did you know Farrow and Ball paint is all water based? All of their emulsion paints are rated as trace VOC, the lowest rating currently possible, and ingredients are responsibly sourced. AND, excluding the Distemper finishes, their paint is also cruelty-free and vegan friendly!
We hope that by stocking these products, we can help our customers to shop more responsibly and reduce their impact on our lovely planet Earth!
Introducing Maria Portugal Terracota
We're so excited to introduce everyone to one of our new suppliers- Maria Portugal Terracota. We've wanted to work with this company for a while now, and after our colleague Lily saw some of their products in France, we knew we had to order a selection.
This bowl is a joy to hold. With a weight that speaks for its sturdiness, it's the perfect size for your morning bowl of cereal. The Belmonte glaze is a beautiful creamy off-white, and all the products in the range feature a distinctive hand-finished ridged lip. These are the most rustic of our Maria Terracota range. They're also dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe up to 220°C.
'Maria' Baking Dish
This baking dish is the epitome of 'less is more' and would look good in any kitchen. Its classic, unfussy design is elegant yet practical. The Maria glaze has a gorgeous glossy shine, and is available in three colours- denim blue, light blue, and a cool off-white (although the baking dish is currently available only in light blue and off-white). The Maria range is also microwave, dishwasher and oven safe.
'Aveiro' Oval Dish
The Aveiro glaze is a strong contender for staff favourite- its a cool off-white, dipped and layered with a creamier shade, giving it an almost metallic appearance. The bowls and plates in this collection have an organic shape, rather than the standard perfectly circular ones we're all used to. This range is more dainty than the others, though still as sturdy, also being produced from terracotta, and dishwasher/ microwave friendly.
Paint
Before you pick up a brush, order one of our paint charts and discover your favourite tones today."
The Sky Collection
As we come to the end of summer, we're taking a moment to reflect on the year we've had so far. This year's seasonal shift feels very much in motion, there is a coolness to the air and the days are starting to feel shorter again.
Living in rural Wales, we feel very connected to these seasonal changes. Our shop is situated right on the edge of the Snowdonia National park and only 10 miles away from the sea. We are often blessed with stunning sunsets in the west and dramatic clouds in the north, which hang above the mountains that surround our little town of Machynlleth.
It's these everyday wonders that inspire us and make it such a special place to live or visit.
Our Sky collection is a homage to the elements. It's all about light and shadow, clean whites, cool blues, and moody greys.
Take a look at our Pinterest board to see what inspired the collection.
Our top picks from the collection
'Rustic' tableware, House Doctor
Candle Stoneware holders,Madam Stoltz
Ceramic 'Milos' Table Lamp, Grand Illusions