Snow Blossom - About Us

"... definitely has

the X factor!"

-Dorothy Lambert

Inspirations

is pronounced “Mei” in Mandarin Chinese, meaning Snow Blossom. For thousands of years in China “Mei” has been highly appreciated for its quality, purity, sincerity and its finest beauty. We added a little cultural touch to make our silk bedding truely original and special.
Blossom - Painted by Natalie Xiao Bell

'Hi, I am Natalie Xiao Bell. Snow Blossom was created by me. I knew about silk ever since being a child. As a little girl I had cultivated silk cocoons and donated them to local communities. I knew about silk filled duvets since being a child as my mother had one as a present from my father. In fact this is the only luxury item she has ever had. She was so pleased by silk's luxurious feel and hypoallergenic nature but had to keep quiet about it during the Cultural Revolution in China (1960s-1970s), as silk was even regarded as bourgeoisie. Living in a damp thatched house for many years with no insulation we were subject to the cold of winter and the extreme heat of summer. The silk filled duvet kept us warm in winter and cool in summer - it never failed us. As I grew older I grew more passionate about silk. I only chose to use silk beddings for my own family that has greatly benefitted. One of my deepest impressions of Britain is how much people love their homes and gardens and value high quality items for their homes. I decided to introduce the most luxurious silk beddings rather than mass produced products that people generally associate with China into our British families to share with me the wonders of silk and the silky memories of my childhood. With my advantage of understanding both British and Chinese cultures, I pay great attention to the finest details not only in our products which includes the welfare of workers in China but also in our services in Britain.'

Our silk comes from around these tranquil environment - the place where produces the best silk in China throughout the history. (click to enlarge):

Snow Blossom is the sponsor of Unicorn Athletic Junior Football Club;Please see the

photo of this fantastic young team.

Natalie has been featured as one of 'The Leading Ladies' in the privileged magazine-Cheshire Life in January-2008; 'Mrs. Manchester' in BBC Radio Manchester with Phil Wood in 8 March, 2007. 08-Sep.-2008 BBC Radio Manchester with Diana Luke.

Snow Blossom has also been featured in:Manchester Evening News 24-10-06;

Metro News 09-03-07; Messenger 29-03-07;Altruism (A&S CC magazine) Aril-07;

Cheshire Life magazine May-07; Life Style - Wilmslow Oct-07; Life Style - Sale Nov.-07; Hale & Bowdon Magazine Dec.2007-Jan. 2008; Live Cheshire April, 2008;

Mr. & Mrs. Bell have been invited by the Buckingham Palace to attend The Queen's Garden Party in 2004.

Natalie Xiao Bell was nominated as Cheshire Woman of the Year 2009 for her professional achievement.

Have you seen Snow Blossom's products and prices yet?

Fancy to post a poem? You will receive a nice gift if your poem is chosen to be posted in here. The content of the poem has to relate with Snow and Blossom. Please send your poem by email: info@snowblossom.co.uk. Natalie may translate yours into Chinese! Fancy that? Go on, give your brain a tickle.

Star Poem: Snow Blossom - written by our customer- June Robinson

Gently, gently down it drifts Viburnum tinus covered with snow, photo by Natalie Bell

Every flake unique.

Quietly coating all below

in a soft blanket.

Light, white everywhere

Like a silk cocoon.

Now the snow has gone

Spring is here

And covering the earth gently gently

Drifting down in the breeze blossom

Every flake unique

A carpet of white

Concealing the grass

Like a silk cocoon.

Snow Blossom

Beautiful silk

A miracle of creation

Drifting down gently gently

Enveloping the sleeping person

Like a silk cocoon.

Snow Blossom - by the girls (year 10) from Loreto Grammar school, where Natalie taught Chinese.

Snow of February 2009, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, photo by Natalie X. Bell

S-Snow Blossom,

N-Nothing is so beautiful.

O-Only in winter,

W-Winter wonderland.

B-Beautiful blossom,

L-Lovely scent behold.

O-Only in winter,

S-Seek and you will find.

S-Searching for a path,

O-Only in winter,

M-Most beautiful scene in the season.

There are many poems in appreciation of Snow Blossom throughout Chinese history. Natalie has translated some of the poems to share with you.

1. Snow Blossom was written by Lu Meipo in Song Dynasty (960-?)

Blossom without Snow bears no spirit,

Snow without Blossom shows plain taste.

Snow is pure and white,

Blossom yields fragrance and beauty.

And Snow Blossom conveys perfection with sincerity.

- Translated by Natalie

2. Ode to Blossom - written by Mao Zhedong(Chairman Mao), December, 1961

Ode to Blossom

Spring comes with wind and rain,

Swirling snow welcomes spring's return.

Thou deep cliffs still covered with frozen ice,

There stands alone a branch of blossom.

With no intention to compete with the beauty of spring,

Just willing to send the message of spring's approaching.

'Till all the flowers on the mountain in full bloom,

She will be fading away smiling behind the flowering shrubs.

- Translated by Natalie on the aeroplane back from China

Note from Natalie: Chairman Mao was one of the great poets, for sure, no matter how you judge him. To appreciate his poems, you have to understand the time and situation when he wrote them. China was terribly isolated on the international stage when he wrote this one in 1961. With icy cliffs ('imperialists' he meant) surround us, the branch of blossom was the hope for spring. This poem was to encourage Chinese people to persue their dream: the winter will soon be gone, spring will come.

3. Ode to Blossom - by Lu You (1125-1210), a famous patriotic poet of Song Dynasty

By the side of a broken bridge and far away,

Blossom in full bloom, but neglected.

Solitarily saddened by the setting sun,

Against wind & rain she stands strong.

Care less to the jealousy of her mates,

Just enjoying the spree of spring.

Fading away into dust,

The trail of fragrance still remains.

- Translated by Natalie

Do you enjoy reading the poems? Tell me how you think. Have you seen our products & prices yet? Let me know which one you like.