Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Stag at the Pool and the Amoronia antlers earrings

A Stag overpowered by heat came to a spring to drink. Seeing his own shadow reflected in the water, he greatly admired the size and variety of his horns, but felt angry with himself for having such slender and weak feet. While he was thus contemplating himself, a Lion appeared at the pool and crouched to spring upon him. The Stag immediately took to flight, and exerting his utmost speed, as long as the plain was smooth and open, kept himself easily at a safe distance from the Lion. But entering a wood he became entangled by his horns, and the Lion quickly came up to him and caught him. When too late, he thus reproached himself: 'Woe is me! How I have deceived myself! These feet which would have saved me I despised, and I gloried in these antlers which have proved my destruction'.

What is most truly valuable is often underrated.

(Aesop's Fables - The Stag at the Pool, translated by George Fyler Townsend)






I absolutely love this story!

Gold over brass antlers earrings are now available in my Etsy shop.


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Here is the place where I love you

When I first read the plot of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, 2008) I couldn't help thinking about the Greek myth of Theseus, only to discover that the writer actually had Theseus, among other things, in mind. That, and discovering what her other influences might be, was the main reason why I wanted to read the book.

At some point in the story there is this 'Mountain Air', that Katniss sings to Rue while she's dying. It goes like this:

Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.

 
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.

 
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, A moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.

 
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.


This last line was too strong for me to pass by. I just had to make something, something ethereal, warm and shiny, like the sun beams at sunrise, as I think this place has to be real, if only for all the innocent. I came up with these:









I will admit that had it not been for the film, I would not have heard of the book, since I am not a 'young adult'! But I really liked Sting singing 'Deep in the Meadow', as a bonus unlisted CD track:



Sunday, May 13, 2012

Charles Dickens Quote Open Heart Locket Necklace

'A heart well worth winning, and well won. A heart that, once won, goes through fire and water for the winner, and never changes, and is never daunted.'

(Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend)

Adding to my Charles Dickens collection, celebrating two hundred years from his birth, I bring you this incredible open heart locket necklace. It features a romantic quote from Dickens' Our Mutual Friend and it is perfect for any romantic situation, occasion, or for yourself, if you know how special you are!






This beauty is available here. To read about my first Charles Dickens quote necklace, click here.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

The Selfish Horse

A farmer set off on a journey with many baskets, taking both his horse and his donkey to carry the load. But after many miles, the little donkey could no longer carry all his burden. He begged the horse to help him, but the horse was quite comfortable as he was, and refused. Soon, the exhausted donkey could walk no further, and he collapsed in the road. The farmer, who had no intention of stopping, put ll the donkey's baskets on the horse's back, and continued on his way. 'I wish I had helped the donkey earlier', wailed the horse. 'Now I have to carry the whole burden alone'. (Aesop's Fables, The Selfish Horse).











So... What do you think the moral of the story is? Let me know in your comments!


Friday, May 4, 2012

The Little Mermaid inspiration

It's a bit cool today, not hot like the previous days. Otherwise I would go to the beach and just sit on the sand, under a pine tree, to just look at the sea... Maybe tomorrow. But I wanted to show you a bookmark and a pair of earrings I did, inspired by Andersen's Little Mermaid. Actually, the illustration is by E. S. Hardy, and it's very old, from 1890.







That's all for now... I hope you like them!
The bookmark is available here and the earrings are here. Have a nice weekend, and if you are voting tomorrow, think hard and pray for an open mind! xo

Thursday, May 3, 2012

SS12 Fashion Trend Report: Sea World

I am convinced you are going to love the trend I have chosen to present to you today! Designers this season seem to be inspired by what lies below sea level. And they have done an amazing job showing us magical clothes that imitate creatures like sea anemones and sponges, or even sea foam, or include concrete shapes like starfish, seahorses and sea shells. Mermaids, as well as all the colours of the creatures (mythical or real)  that live inside the sea are also in fashion. The runway shows of Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Versace were simply a feast for the eyes.

Είμαι πεπεισμένη ότι θα αγαπήσετε την τάσηπου έχω επιλέξει να σας παρουσιάσω σήμερα! Οι σχεδιαστές αυτήν τη σεζόν φαίνεται πως εμπνέονται από ό,τι υπάρχει κάτω από το επίπεδο της θάλασσας. Και έχουν κάνει μια καταπληκτική δουλειά, δείχνοντάς μας μαγευτικά ρούχα που μιμούνται πλάσματα όπως οι θαλάσσιες ανεμώνες και τα σφουγγάρια, ή ακόμη και τον αφρό της θάλασσας, ή περιλαμβάνουν σχήματα όπως οι αστερίες, οι ιππόκαμποι και τα όστρακα. Οι γοργόνες, καθώς επίσης και όλα τα χρώματα των πλασμάτων (μυθικών ή πραγματικών) που ζουν μέσα στη θάλασσα είναι επίσης στη μόδα. Οι πασαρέλες των Alexander McQueen, Chanel και Versace ήταν απλά μια πανδαισία.


 
Alexander McQueen



 
Alexander McQueen



Chanel



Chanel



Versace



Versace



I have no words... All I can add to that beauty is the fact that, here in Greece, this theme touches us deeply. So it goes without saying that our artists, designers and makers love working on it. Enjoy!

Δεν έχω λόγια... Το μόνο που μπορώ να προσθέσω σε αυτήν την ομορφιά είναι το γεγονός ότι, εδώ στην Ελλάδα, αυτό το θέμα μας αγγίζει βαθιά. Επομένως είναι αυτονόητο ότι οι καλλιτέχνες μας, οι σχεδιαστές και οι δημιουργοί, λατρεύουν να δουλεύουν πάνω σε αυτό. Απολαύστε!






















Those are of course just a sample. Many many more are waiting for you here.

Αυτά είναι φυσικά μόνο ένα δείγμα. Πολλά πολλά περισσότερα σας περιμένουν εδώ.