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A post about Jewellery!

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I seem to have digressed a lot recently and been blogging about whatever pops into my head, but I have also seen an increase in readers, so maybe it doesn’t matter what I write about?  I am open to suggestions.. please let me know if there is anything in particular you would like me to write a post about and I will add it my growing list of blog ideas.

I also look forward to welcoming some guest bloggers soon – something on is its way from a friend in New Zealand and another piece is being written in Germany for us.  If you are interested in contributing a post to our blog then please let me know.

While I was participating in Nikki Pilkington’s 30 Day Facebook Challenge I started a discussion on our facebook page, ‘Tell us about a favourite piece of jewellery and why it’s special to you’ – Nikki was the only one who joined the discussion so it was a little short-lived!!

Here is a wee blurb about my ‘favourite’ piece of jewellery, I say ‘favourite’ because there are too many to choose from and maybe my lovely husband is creating something for me now??

The piece of jewellery that is featured on our business cards and as our profile picture on our facebook page is a stunning necklace featuring Tibetan turquoise and silver filigree balls. Not only is it beautiful and much admired it was also my first Christmas present.. Not for Sale! A few people have asked when they have seen me wearing it here in the shop so I stopped wearing it to work, happy to sell whatever other jewels I might be wearing.

Me & My Favourite piece of Jewellery winter 2009

By the way, it’s not to late to join that discussion, you can join in our facebook page (www.facebook.com/SebaDizajn) or leave your comments here.  We love jewellery and jewellery related stories and would love to hear your if you would like to share.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Tweet Tweet – My 10 Favourite Twitter followers to Date.

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So we’re Tweeting, I still don’t fully grasp the concept or how it will bring in any business but I seem to have embraced the tweeting with already 228 Tweets by me (@SebaDizajn is our twitter name) and have 91 followers to date.  That’s about 20x the number that are following this blog.  Maybe I’m more interesting in small snippets?!

I have found some amazing people & businesses to follow, I am especially interested in the ethical businesses and websites that I have been discovering.

Here is my TOP 10 to date & why

1. @NZJewellery – mates since we were 10 years old how could I not put them in number 1 spot?

2. @Goodleaf – tree climbing on the Isle of Wight, friends since we met working in a dodgy restaurant in Jasper, Alberta 10+ years ago.  Tree climbing, nature loving, flapjack eating, mellow adventurers from the Isle of Wight

3. @NikkiPilkington – social media guru whose free advice I have found invaluable as I tread these new waters

4. @KorculaExplorer – another new business here in Korcula, gotta help each other!

5. @Crazy_Golfer – purely because of the bio ‘I’m the future world #1 womens golfer and theres nothing you can do about it 🙂‘

6. @ethicalinstyle – ethical style tips, 1000+ Ethical ideas, what’s not to like about that?

7. @ethnicsupplies – sustainable solutions to poverty among African Women, love this!

8. @ethicalstore – Over 8,000 Fairtrade, Organic & Eco-friendly gifts, gadgets & groceries.

9. @jewelsandfinery –  antique, vintage and pre owned jewellery – who knows what treasures you might find with them

10. @thejewelryworld – informative & fun, and hopefully so positive leads for the jewellery business I am busy trying to promote!

ohh, 92 followers…. @Bridal_Magazine just joined the SebaDizajn journey.  Welcome aboard, hope you’ve had a look at our stunning cufflinks!  Perfect for a wedding party – must go tweet them and let them know…

Have just added a Twitter link here, join us, maybe you’ll make my next top 10!

The photo finish - they're following me too!

 

 

 

 

We saw the whole of the Moon

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Last night we decided to close our shop a little early – 10:30 instead of 11pm, our very short tourist season is winding down and Doka and I decided to go out for dinner, together just the two of us.  There are so many restaurants in Korcula and our friends at Korcula Explorer had recommended a few places we should try.  (www.korculaexplorer.com – for all your Korcula accommodation and holiday activity needs)

Unfortunately we were too late for most kitchens, as the tourist season is winding down here restaurants are closing earlier and earlier.

While we didn’t get a nice meal out (we are going to close earlier tonight!!), we saw the whole of the moon.  I am still filled with the awe of it.  It was a very clear night here in Korcula and our local astronomy group had their telescope set up beside the nightclub Gaudi.  There were several people using the opportunity to look at the moon super close.  The telescope offered such clear images of the moon.

Doka and I chatted with group members for a while and walked away talking about how nice it would be to one day own a fabulous telescope for night sky gazing.

We had some fries for dinner at Curiso, and fed Fergus a midnight snack on the way home, it was a very nice evening.

Have you ever had the chance to see the moon so close?  Would love to hear about your experience.

 

 

 

 

A blog for every occassion

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Wow! I am still so new to this blogging game, I am enjoying the opportunity to write a little and hoping that there is more than just one or two people reading along.  How nice it must be to have more than one person subscribed to your blog!

I have just read a blog post about knitting! There really is a blog about everything.

The great thing about the knitting blog is that it has inspired me to buy some wool and hunt out my knitting needles.  Will look like a right old nana sat here in the shop  knitting, maybe we can sell my knitting along side of my husbands beautiful handmade jewellery?  Am thinking that my first project will be some baby booties, am more likely to complete a small project!

This photo was taken last summer somewhere in Scotland, there was an extreme traffic delay, so out with the needles!  I started a jumper for my Mum last year and finally delivered it to her almost finished in January this year – she had to finish it!  A great mother daughter project.

Thanks to the Cranky Knitter for inspiring me to knit again.

http://www.crankyknitter.com/

 

What’s the most unusual or surprising blog topic you’ve found?

And now for something completly different…

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Granted, this is not the most original headline but hopefully it got you here…

Three days ago a small package arrived from my Mum in New Zealand, we have been talking a lot recently which we have both been enjoying.  We often talk about what we’ve been reading and Mum has been talking about a recent release that she had really enjoyed and been recommending to her friends, Goodbye Sarajevo – Atka Reid & Hana Schofield.

A book! In English!

I was really moved by the story of Atka and Hana that unfolded overnight as I read, tears were rolling down my cheeks as the sun peeked up around 6, and my new book was finished.  I know for sure I will re-read this story and look forward to sharing it with friends here if they are interested.

Very briefly, Atka and Hana and their family and friends were stranded amidst the ‘Siege of Sarajevo’ in 1992 when the Serbian military attempted full control of the city.  The seige lasted for 43 months, during which time thousands of lives were lost and many more were wounded, tortured and displaced.

Atka and Hana are sisters from a family of 10 children,  this book tells their parallel stories, a story of living under siege and living away from your family, friends and culture as a refugee.  The story opens with Atka tearfully saying goodbye to two of her sisters, Hana & Nadia,  as they take two remaining seats on a UN evacuation bus that is heading to an unknown destination on the Croatian coast.  Knowing that it will be safer for Hana & Nadia to be away from the snipers that are targeting Sarajevo’s streets and assuming that the ‘trouble’ will be over in a matter of weeks, sending the two sisters to safety seems like a sensible option, albeit a sad one.

The story that unfolded as I read is remarkable, it is  told in a straightforward manner that I found very compelling.  Vivid pictures were created in my mind as the books chapters switched between telling by first Atka and then Hana.  Atka dealing with life in a war zone and looking after her younger siblings with the help of her Grandmother, and Hana & Nadia feeling so far away in Croatia living as refugees, displaced and not knowing if and when they would be able to return home.  There is a lot sadness and confusion but there are also very strong messages about love, friendship and the kindness of strangers and random events that ultimately led to a massive change of fortune for the entire family.

Reading about the day to day hardships of Sarajevo citizens during the siege certainly put my slightly irritating summer cold into perspective and made me think again about all those in the world who are caught in similar situations now, victims of war and violence.

I’m sure there was an extra resonance for me  in reading Goodbye Sarajevo,  with being a New Zealander married to a Croatian, thankfully Doka and I met in a much easier climate than Atka and Andrew, love is a mysterious thing, who knows where it will bloom and led us in this world.

I found a short interview  with Atka and Hana here,  http://blog.booktopia.com.au/2011/04/27/hana-schofield-and-atka-reid-authors-of-goodbye-sarajevo-answer-ten-terrifying-questions/#comment-6834 if you are interested.