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Hey everyone,

Just a short and sweet entry tonight as it has been a crazy week for the shop. I promise my next post will be juicy, as our photos have arrived from the Elma Venezia jewellery shoot and they look hot! Look out for them later this week.

In the mean time, we are building up a collection of amazing Christmas offers for our store. See below for our very cute facebook newsletter subscription promo, where you have the chance to win a $100 gift voucher to spend in my store. Visit our Zavara facebook page for more information.

Help me style my engagement shoot

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So I have my engagement shoot with Photography by Nadean next week and I am busy collecting cute rustic picnic props for it. Since my beautiful husband to be is Italian, I was trying to add subtle Italian flavour to the shoot too without introducing gingham table cloths and candles half melted into bottles.

Here is a list of things that I have come up with so far. Would love your thoughts and any suggestions to add to my collection of engagement props.

I have a cute blackboard tray that I am going to write 'la vita e bella' on which means 'life is beautiful'

That's all I have so far. I would have loved to add a vintage bike leaning against a tree or even a scooter but I dont know anyone I can borrow one from. Also NSW scooter laws mean you need a motor bike licence to ride one, so hiring is out too.

Can you think of any other ideas for me?

In the mean time, I am going to work on finding the perfect 1950's style dress to wear. Mod Cloth doesn't deliver to Australia express, so I am off to the shops on my lunch break.

For the little rockstar in the family

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Has you son got the muso gene? 
Is he already practicing his air guitar and head banging skills?

This just might be the only quiet musical gift you can give a budding little rockstar which he can both play with and sleep with that wont give you a headache. 

Designed by the Danish brand Ferm Living and made from 100% Organic Cotton, the guitar cushion is the great accompaniment to any boys bedroom.

$88.00
Available now from Zavara 

BUY NOW

Elma Venezia behind the scenes

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Tuesday was a big day for the Zavara team as we held our Spring/Summer photo shoot for the jewellery house Elma Venezia. You may have read a little about the brand from my earlier post Venice Part One - Murano Jewellery however if you haven't read the post yet, I can summarise the jewellery as exquisite handmade statement jewellery that is not like anything Australia has seen... until now!

Being an event manager certainly helped me prepare for this shoot, from writing the call sheet through to the problem solving on the day, which is always inevitable. Essential to the day was of course our models Rachel and Oceana from Mannequin Models and our very talented photographer Nadean from Photography by Nadean. I also enlisted some first year students Kayla and Emily from Whitehouse Institute of Design to help with the styling.

Before the shoot
As you can imagine, even with the shoot scheduled to start at 3pm, we were up and out of the house before 9am to ensure everything was ready in time. First stop after loading the car with boxes of shoes, clothes and diet cokes was the RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority). Yes, that sounds like a strange choice but we noticed our number plates stolen from our car and therefore couldn't drive it.... I'm thinking lucky we are up and out the door early. Not so lucky was that we couldn't sort it out in time and ended up hiring a car for the day. Did I mention earlier that problems on the day were inevitable?

After that it was collecting the catering, picking up more clothes for the shoot and be on location my midday.... Ahem make that 1pm. 

Next the stylists arrive and models with their hair beautifully done by Amy from Amy Chan Hair & Make up Artistry. We opted to have Oceana with her hair out and Rachel with an elegant updo, which turned out to be a great move since Rachel wore most of the evening wear and with her hair up, the earrings looked stunning.

With Sydney weather always a lottery, I didn't want to assume we had Mother Nature in the bag... but this picture below one of the stylist took, shows just how amazing a Sydney Spring day can be.

Next it was matching the jewellery with the outfits and putting them together with the models... pretty much like dress ups for grown ups. Loving the number system the stylist have set up to match the jewellery with the outfits.  Have to say 3 hours into the shoot, it was a lifesaver. An hour or so later when the heat of the day had gone its was action time.

Action Time
By far the most exciting part of the day, when everything comes together better than you imagine. Here are a few pics we took on our phone from behind the scenes. In a few weeks when the professional photos are processed, I will add another post of our new catalogue for all you all to drool over. 

Loving these printed pants in marine colours 

 All hands on deck for this one with Kayla fighting with the tree

Last few shots before the sun went down. 

 Cheeky Alberto trying to get the models to laugh

Breathtaking

All in all, it was an amazing day that ending at sunset with a well earned glass on wine in hand. If you are in love with this jewellery as much as I am visit my shop to view the full range. 

Creative Blackboards

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I have this obsession with blackboards, I just love that a simple sign or note can look clever at the same time. From writing a shopping list to quoting your favourite poet, here are some unique ways to incorporate blackboards into your life.

From a unique children's desk in a playroom, to a custom tall boy or feminine headboard....

From the kids lunch bag to the backboard of your cabinetry

Labeling with blackboards is not new but how about a custom table runner or spice rack or even your guests wine glasses?

Anything and everything can become a blackboard, even your wine bottle from last nights dinner

So how about we take blackboards to another level...

Surfboard anyone, or perhaps a car... no I am thinking vegetables?

The blackboards may be gone from our schools but they are very now for the grown adults of today. Think outside the box and your world will turn into a giant blackboard. So what are you going to write about?

Venice Part Two - The Murano Glass come back

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Murano glass is made on the island of Murano, Venice Italy and for centuries has been world famous for its exquisite quality, fabulous colours and unsurpassed craftsmanship

Why is Murano glass so rare and valuable?

Without giving you a history lesson, here are 4 facts you may not have known about Murano Glass:

1. In the 14th Century, Murano glass was such a coveted commodity that glass masters were treated like royalty. This however came at a high price. The city wanted to keep the extremely profitable trade to itself and  forbade glass masters to ever leave the island threatening death to anyone who left the Republic of Venice. 

2. Unfortunately these days you can find reproductions of Murano glass posed as originals right in the center of Venice. Its sad to say that not all the glass in Venice is even made in Europe! The only way to tell is to ask for a certificate of Authenticity or to look for the Vetro Artistico di Murano label which is only granted to registered manufacturers.

3. The gold colour you find on some pieces of Murano glass is made from real gold leaf.

4. Murano glass was the first of its kind to create crystal clear glass. Void of bubbles and impurities, it is still one of the tell tale signs to good glass craftsmanship today

Murano glass in the 20th Century

One of my favourite 20th Century Murano glass designers is Nason Moretti which was established in 1923. Their modern contemporary designs and coloured creations were ahead of there time and are still noted as great designs today. Have a look at the below objects to see for yourself.

The above lamp titled 1923 was the first object designed and produced for the glass house. It is still produced today and is one of the most popular items from their collection.

The Dandy water glasses are by far my favourite items because of the amazing range of vibrant colours. The glasses are also formed to fit your hand which give them an organic shape made for a perfect purpose.

The Dandy Water Jug designed in 2011

A photo cant do the these glasses justice with the white and grey filigree texture and thin layer upon layer of pristine clear glass. Also available in stemware which can be viewed on a beautifully set table below.

This image was posted on Shamgreene

Where to buy Nason Moretti?

If you are visiting the Island of Murano, I would suggest you visit the store Elle Elle Murano. They are very friendly and patient too (which is important when you are investing is such a key art piece). 

Now don't despair if you think you cant ever own a piece of original Murano art. Elle Elle Murano also sell sample glass, which is basically the colour tests made by the glass masters each day to ensure the consistency. These vibrant raindrop creations cost as little as 40 Euros and look amazing when hung in a collection together. Here is a photo I took of the sample glass displayed in their front window.

Venice: Part One - Murano Jewellery

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Recently I visited Italy and spent much of my time in the beautiful city of Venice. On the surface the city is full of international tourists and shop after shop of cartoon-like glass figurines but if you look deeper and take the time to understand its history, you might be surprised. 

I must be honest, I have visited the city many times and each time was much the same....San Marco Square, Murano glass factories, gondola rides etc but this time I travelled with a local and a saw a whole new world (sorry for the cliche).

Over the next few weeks I am going to share some of my favourite experiences, starting with the Island of Murano. First stop is my most favourite Murano glass jewellery brand Elma Venezia, which captures modern elegance using simple classic tradition.

Elma Venezia
By far the most elegant, timeless and wearable glass jewellery I have ever seen. I couldn't resist taking a few pieces home with me and every time I wear them, I feel like I am wearing rare exotic jewels fit for royalty.

Elma Venezia was born from the devotion of saving a thousand year old tradition of craftmanship and skills passed down through generations of families. Each individual glass bead has been hand selected based on its rare materials, intesity of colour and individual characteristic which can only be achieved by hand.

Each piece has limited availability and changes seasonably depending on the European fashion trends. Check out some of the Spring/Summer collection with its bold vibrant colours or stick to the simple elegance of blacks and metallics which are also big for 2012.

Now Available in Australia
Lucky for us, Elma Venezia is reaching out to us Aussies and after many glasses of Prosecco, I can now announce that the jewellery house will be selling direct to the Australian market via our design store Zavara and selected boutique art galleries and jewellers throughout the East Coast. 

In addition, the jewellery house has opened a custom division, for the customer who is looking for the piece that's one of kind.

Next week... More tips and tricks when travelling in Venice, followed buy a feature on Murano Glass House, Nason Moretti.