In these days of mass-produced gifts, people are searching for unique gifts of love for special people in their lives, and a Welsh Love Spoon is the perfect answer. The custom of carving and giving Welsh Lovespoons originated in Wales hundreds of years ago. The young men of today would probably buy flowers, chocolates or jewellery as a token of affection. Centuries ago in Wales, the young lover would give a special, more personal gift to the object of their desire, the Welsh Love Spoon. Some of the early love spoons can be seen on display at the Welsh Folk Museum in Cardiff. There is even one that dates back to 1667. The Cadwyn range of spoons are the creations of a group of wood-carvers in the southern valleys of Wales, led by Paul Curtis. When he was sixteen a good friend, Ceris Williams, took him to visit a highly acclaimed master craftsman called Gwyndaf Breeze at St. Fagons Welsh Folk Museum in Cardiff. Gwyndaf taught Paul how to make a Welsh lovespoon and told him about the history. When he was leaving, Gwyndaf encouraged Paul to make a spoon by kindly giving him some pieces of various hardwoods. With a piece of the hardwood Paul made his first lovespoon and gave it to Ceris. Today Paul's lovespoons are much sought-after all over the world. When Paul makes a spoon, firstly the wood is selected and cut to a manageable size. The wood usually used is Limewood sourced from Monmouthshire, south Wales. The wood is pale in colour and very uniform in character. It is lighter and easier to carve than walnut or oak, it is easily worked, and has very little grain. Next the design is drawn onto the wood and the basic shape of the spoon is cut out. Once he has hand carved the spoon it is sanded three time with different grades of sandpaper and polished twice with beeswax. "This is a painstaking way to finish a lovespoon, but is the only way to achieve a quality smooth silky finish that the Welsh Lovespoon deserves."