While I was waiting in the village square in Finaleborgo, for Mr. S to get a piece of pizza, {I had said I didn’t want a piece, but it was so delicious, especially the spinach part, I did take several bites of it when he got back} I saw a very statuesque looking woman make her way across the square. She looked very chic, wearing a simple navy shift with a headband, but was unassuming and gentle in the way she moved.
Her husband was sitting outside of her shop, Granievaghi. I had walked through the shop a few minutes earlier, but they were just opening and setting up the merchandise. I noticed some interesting, unusual jewelry, some spectacular beach frocks and many different display elements, each one unique and simply beautiful.
That night we had dinner in the village, it was a pleasant, warm evening and all of the restaurants were busy and noisy. The village square was lively. The glow of the lights from Granievaghi enticed my daughter and I into the shop, by now it was all set up and I was able to grasp the shop concept and learn a little ore about this interesting woman.
She makes all of this beautiful jewelry by hand, primarily of twine, beads and charms.
She sells her creations, but she also shares her craft and talent with others.
As we walked in, she was sitting at the table making jewelry, and working with a little boy who was making a necklace for his mother. She was helping him to choose beads and charms and showing him how to make the piece, using her tools and techniques.
In addition to selling finished pieces, she sells materials so people can make their own creations at home {or with her in the shop}.
Once we came in she was there to help us, with her thick, warm, and melodic Italian accent, but she also continued to interact with the children who came in, She would giggle and tell them “si”, when they asked if they could take a bead from this bin.
What I took away from this was that she had a talent and a passion which she followed and made the most of; beyond that she has found a way to share her passion and to pass on her skills and knowledge to others.
My daughter and I chose a few items to purchase, which she very carefully packaged individually in beautiful, but simple packaging,
and then secured the packages together with a cotton ribbon.
I love wearing the pieces I bought from her because they are beautiful, and also because they carry an intrinsic value for me, they are a reminder of the virtues she embodied: passion, generosity, love, beauty, humor, humility and grace.
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They also remind me of the value of “being your own girl”.
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If you can’t make it to Finaleborgo, worry not, she has a website, click here to visit it. It’s in Italian, if anyone is able to translate her “story” I’d love to know more about her.
grazie!
So gorgeous! How fun to be able to dream up your own special piece and watch it become a reality!
Emily, I love the pearls. You made a beautiful choice. I would have loved to have visited this shop. So unique.
Thank you for ahring.
Happy Friday.
Teresa
xoxo
Charming pieces. And isn't it amazing that she has a website!!
Emily she sounds like and old soul, passing her gift along and what could be better?
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena