After years working in the rural crafts field I decided to extend my range of crafts and began carving spoons in 1996.

Beginning with simple domestic spoons I quickly taught myself how to carve more intricately detailed and challenging commemorative spoons.

Most of my spoons are carved out of lime, a fine grained indiginous wood that has long been a traditional carving wood of Britain.

My spoons are based on traditional Welsh designs, such as celtic knotwork, animals and people and ideas from my own background and experiences.

The tradition of carving and giving a wooden spoon to your loved one as a sign of affection has been a folk tradition in many countries but is most popular in Wales where it developed from the Cawl spoon. The handle is often decorated and as time has elapsed these decorations have become more elaborate and symbolic.

Celtic Knotwork with Wheel (Adam King)

Antique Norwegian Chain Spoon (circa 1850)

The designs on the spoons have many meanings, depicting occupations, events, aims and feelings. The wooden handle can be decorated by carving, burning or fretting a design.

Here are a few symbols and their meanings:

Wheel - A willingness to work for a loved one

Keys/Locks - Starting a new home

Horseshoe - Good luck

Captive Balls - The number of children desired

Heart - Love

Bells - Marriage

Chain links - The linking of two lives

Vines - Growing love

Cross - Faith in marriage

Plus there are many, many more.

Many spoons are given as gifts for weddings, christenings, anniversaries and to commemorate special events.

Although love spoons have a stronger tradition in Wales, comparative practices are also found in Scandinavia, Russia and Eastern Europe. They each have developed their own distinct style but still share many of the same symbols and their meanings.