ONE SEA ONE LOVE

Photo October 2011

Can you see that beautiful coast? That's the coast of Anatolia seen from my beloved Rhodes! Both coasts are united by one sea: the wonderful, amazing, mesmerizing, enchanting Aegean Sea. On clear winter days, you can almost touch the Turkish coast -- it's that close.
On that other shore two lovely ladies -mother and daughter- create wonderful jewelry inspired by the sea and often using treasures from the sea as the focal pieces for their creations. These two talented ladies are Esther and Estella, and their wonderful enterprise is called Star of the East.

Photo December 31, 2008

A few weeks back I was the lucky giveaway winner of a wonderful traditional oya scarf Esther and Estella had purchased at the local market, and I turned the enchanting ornament they used to embellish my gift into a stunning ring! Estella told me these limpet shells are actually found treasures they have collected on that shore! So this ring is even more precious to me... I am wearing a piece of my beloved Aegean Sea on my hand.
Thank you again, Esther and Estella. One Sea one Love.

Would you like to admire some stunning jewelry created by these talented ladies with treasures from the sea? You can ooooh and aaaah here!

AMAZING FOLK ART FROM TURKEY

Photo by Star of the East

A few days ago I received a package from Turkey... from a small town just across the sound of Aegean Sea which separates Rhodes from Turkey. I had eagerly been awaiting it, because I knew how gorgeous my new treasure would be! About two weeks ago I was the lucky winner in Estella's giveaway on her blog Star of the East. The giveaway prize was a wonderful hand crocheted traditional oya!

Photo by Star of the East

Oyas (needle lace and crochetted lace) are a traditional Turkish handicraft that is still accomplished with loving work and skill. Esther and Estella say: "We've known this 'auntie' as long as we live here and she hasn't changed at all in fifteen years. She wears the traditional şalvar and headdress of the region and her hands are hennaed. She has a small stand at the market where she sells her oyas. While she waits for customers she keeps working at them. Handmade at its best!"

Photo by Star of the East

As a lover of all things handmade, and in particular of traditional handicrafts, I was thrilled!

And when I opened my package what was my surprise when I found a wonderfully and lovingly packaged gift! How beautiful even the shell flower embellishment is!

Thank you so much, dear Esther and Estella, this is a wonderful piece of traditional art that I am going to cherish and wear with lots of joy! :)