Colour of 2018 …

… this year it’s Ultra Violet.

This stunning shade has always brought together communities and inspired creativity and mindfulness.   In 1874 a group of unknown artists met in Paris, France,  to stage their first exhibition as other well known exhibition halls had rejected their art.  Determined to show to their work to the public Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne and others faced much criticism at their early exhibitions.

Their new style, now known as Impressionism, was classed as unfinished and merely a sketch of a work in progress.  One overriding feature of these new works was the inclusion of purples. However, this also received many scathing reviews, such as were these artists out in the fresh air too much, did they use too many drugs or are they suffering from a disease?

Since the 1870s our understanding of colours has changed.  Did these early Impressionist artists use purple because they didn’t see the world with black in it as black is the ultimate absence of light?  Or where they looking at the ‘true colours’?  If you have sunlight depicted as yellow, the complimentary (or opposite) colour would not be black but purple, therefore shadows would be in shades of purple.

So this year if you’re redecorating your walls, buying a new lampshade, lipstick or earrings watch out for Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet.

The Pantone Colour Institute standardises colours globally and has a unique reference number for each shade.

To read more about colours try ‘The Secret Lives of Colour’ by Kassia StClair

Thinking Pink

25 years on … thinking Pink for breast cancer awareness.

 

This year is the 25^th year that October has become the month to raise awareness of breast cancer.  With early detection, in both men and women (yes – it affects men too), better surgical procedures, drug therapies and aftercare many hundreds of people now carry on living active and fulfilling lives.

 

Throughout October Habibi Jewelry has been giving 10% of the purchase price of it’s Pink Collection to the Pink Train Foundation (http://rozavilciens.mozello.com/home/) that provides breast cancer survivors in Latvia with post surgery therapeutic treatments such as physiotherapy and counselling.

 

Buy any of our Pink Collection now and give let us give that extra 10% to the Pink Train Foundation.  All our ear wires and necklaces are sterling silver.  International postage and packing 2.50 euro.

Pearl Appeal

Pearl    /pəːl/

As given in an English Dictionary ‘pearl’ is defined as ‘a hard, lustrous spherical mass, typically white or bluish-grey, formed within the shell of a pearl oyster and highly prized as a gem’. Which doesn’t exactly make you want to rush out and buy a string of pearls, so to encourage you, here’s a picture!

 

Natural pearl found in Australia in 2015

Finding pearls seems to go back to the 6^th Century before the Christian Era and originates in the India to Sri Lanka stretch of coastal waters. Pearls have been highly prized as objects of interest, art and jewellery throughout history. As demand has grown for pearls, they are now often ‘farmed’ as sea or freshwater pearls, both having distinct, much sort-after qualities.There are now also synthetic pearls that are uniform in shape, size, weight and can be coloured with lustrous finishes.

Sterling silver and Swarovski pearl necklace

Handmade Sterling silver bangle with pink Swarovski pearls

Sterling silver and Swarovski pearl earrings

Black pearls make a striking contrast in this handmade Sterling silver bangle

Sterling silver and Swarovski pearl necklace

White Swarovski pearls in a Sterling silver bangle bracelet

 

Here at Habibi Jewelry we are using the Swarovski range of Crystal Pearls.  They have high quality crystal core that is then coated with the smooth finish that can also be one of the many colours they offer.  This finish is much more resistant to scratches and discolouration than real pearls and gives us the uniformity of colour and size for our current collection of jewellery.  We hope you like our designs incorporating the Swarovski Crystal Pearls and sterling silver.

 

… ‘til our next post …

 

 

Putting the fun into fundraising

I don’t know about you, but I don’t automatically associate the idea of fundraising with having a good time. However, that’s exactly what happened just one week ago, as we took our first steps in organising an evening to raise money for buying our workshop (if this the first you’ve heard about this, see our previous post “New Beginnings”).

As we arrived at our venue (a cosy French café in the centre of Riga), we did wonder if anyone else would turn up – it was pretty late in the day, on a working night, already dark outside, people are really busy, etc….

It was wonderful to see how many made the effort to come, and to meet new friends and supporters. We were able to share something of the Habibi Jewelry story so far, show a little of how we work, display our handmade jewelry and share some Syrian snacks with friends from many different countries.

In short, we had fun. And did some fundraising, too.

Until our next post….

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to find your ring size

Received a ring that was too big ? Too small?  Want a ring made for you but don’t know what size to ask for? It’s a common problem so here’s a guide to finding your ring size.

There are several ways, so read through and see which one will suit you.

Take a ring that already fits the finger you want the new ring for and measure very carefully the inside circumference in millimetres. Use this chart to give you a UK standard size then tell your jeweller what you require:

Ring Size (UK)	Circumference (mm)	Ring Size (UK)	Circumference (mm)
A	37.8	N	53.8
B	39.1	O	55.1
C	40.4	P	56.3
D	41.7	Q	57.6
E	42.9	R	58.9
F	44.2	S	60.2
G	45.5	T	61.4
H	46.8	U	62.7
I	48.0	V	64.0
J	48.7	W	65.3
K	50.0	X	66.6
L	51.2	Y	67.8
M	52.5	Z	68.5

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/i/know-your-ring-size

Alternatively cut a strip of paper to approximately the same width of the desired ring band and fit it snuggly over the joint on the finger that you want to wear it on. Accurately mark on the paper where the join overlaps, then use this piece of paper to measure the inside circumference of your new ring.  Do this late in the afternoon when your fingers are likely to be at their largest.  Also if your hands are too hot or too cold when you measure the most comfortable ring size for you on a day to day basis will be not be accurately recorded.

You can also visit your friendly jeweller and have them measure your finger for you.         If you need a ring altered most jewellers will be able to assist you.

For an example of an international ring size conversions please see the table on Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_size

Until our next post …

Comfort Food

Anyone who has spent a longish amount of time living in a foreign country will tell you that one of the things you miss most is the food you ate in your native country. It seems that food is something which has a very special place in our hearts, and perhaps it’s one reason why people often open up a restaurant which serves their national cuisine when they move to another country.

We are no exception to that rule, and although there is plenty of food we enjoy here in Latvia, sometimes you simply want a taste of home. Latvian friends who live in other countries feel the same way – they miss  black rye bread and soured cream.

One very common Syrian dish we often make that reminds us of home is “tabbouleh”. This is a salad made with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, onion and parsley, amongst other things.

If you would like to make it for yourself, here is Carla’s own recipe:

Carla’s homemade tabbouleh

1. Take 100g of bulgur wheat, cover with boiling water. Add the juice of 2 lemons, 4 dessert spoons of olive oil and a spoonful of tomato puree and season well with salt. Leave until the water is absorbed and the bulgur wheat is soft.
2. Chop 4 large tomatoes and a 100g of lettuce. Finely chop a large handful of parsley and mint and one onion.
3. Mix all together, and for best results leave the flavours to develop for several hours before eating.

Serves 4 people

We hope you enjoy this taste of our homeland!

Until our next post….

What are Swarovski crystals?

Most people will know Swarovski as a global brand of luxury jewellery featuring sparkling crystals.  But did you know it was started by a young man in 1891 called Daniel Swarovski?  Combining the new technologies of the time he invented an electrically driven cutting machine allowing him more precision than previously possible to cut the crystals.  By 1895 he had founded the company we know today high in the Austrian mountains

As the 1920s dawned and the world saw the coming of the ‘Jazz Age’, Parisian couture houses embraced the crystals, designing dresses and accessories that dripped with the sparkling jewels.

Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday”

By the 1950s a collaboration with Dior led to new finishes on the crystals and they glittered their way onto the big screen famously helped by Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.

Today, artisans such as ourselves are able to buy Swarovski crystals and combine them in our own designs.  Each year we eagerly await their new colours and styles, looking forward to the inspiration that comes with every new design.

We know that, by using Swarovski crystals in our jewelry, we are guaranteeing that our customers will receive a high-quality product which will give them years of pleasure.

Until our next post …

 

Market Trading

One of our favourite places to sell our jewelry in Riga is the Kalnciema iela Farmers’ and Craft Market.

This bustling little market takes place every Saturday in the “Kalnciema Quarter”, an area just across the Daugava river from the Old Town. It’s well-known to local people, and the farmers’ market is hugely popular, with its offerings of organically produced fruit and vegetables, home-made cheeses, breads, smoked meats, locally made wines, and much more!

Selling jewelry in the snow!

Alongside the local farmers are numerous stalls selling handmade goods and local products of all kinds – clothing, wooden utensils, knitted goods, linen and of course, jewelry, which is where we come in. We love the friendly atmosphere amongst both traders and shoppers, and it’s always a joy to meet our customers in person. Other friends simply pop by to say “hello”, and ask how business is going.

If you are free this Saturday, why not come along and introduce yourselves? We would love to see you there, and can offer you a wide range of handmade jewelry, including some new designs with Valentine’s Day in mind.

Whether or not you go home with any of our products, we are sure that you will enjoy the experience!

Until our next post…

New Beginnings

When you make a significant change in life, that can be for all kinds of reasons. In our case, we had to leave our home and business because of the fighting in Aleppo. Change is not always due to such sad circumstances, however, and we do not want to only think about the negative side. Change also offers a new beginning, and we are so thankful to everyone who has helped us so far in our journey to starting a new life.

One of the most beautiful lessons we constantly learn is that you never know where help will come from – often it comes from the most unexpected places and people. As we began to set up our jewellery business here in Riga, we searched high and low for a place that would be suitable as a workshop. Amazingly, we eventually found one literally on our doorstep. And not only that, but the owner (a jeweller himself) has become a friend, advisor and invaluable helper to us as we have begun our business here. We could never have imagined anything like this!

Now we are at a new point in our journey. It is time for this wonderful man to retire, and so the workshop must be sold. Other friends have begun crowd-funding to raise the necessary amount so that we can purchase the workshop.

Our story shows that you can never predict how things will turn out in life. But it also shows the wonderful difference that just one person can make. If you would like to be part of our story, you can help by sharing the link below, or donating to our campaign:

https://www.gofundme.com/work-shop-for-habib-carla

Until our next post….

Valentine’s Day

Born in 1343 Geoffrey Chaucer went on to become one of England’s most famous and influential poets of the Middle Ages.  He is also widely credited with associating romantic love with Valentine’s Day and moving it away from the Western Christian liturgical feast day that it started out as.   There are several stories of people with the name ‘Valentine’ that are credited with the feast day that is still celebrated in the Anglican Communion and Lutheran Church.  Today it has also become a day of romance, chocolates, roses and carefully chosen gifts for the ones you love in many parts of the world.

At Habibi Jewelry we have been busy ordering new stock and making a selection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings to help you tell those special people in your life how much they mean to you.

Swarovski pink crystal heart with Sterling silver chain

Like and share this Facebook post and you will be in with a chance to win a beautiful pink Swarovski heart on a sterling silver chain – after all ‘Habibi’ means ‘my loved one’ in Arabic.

Until our next post …