HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL WHO ARE RATS?! It’s Chinese New Year coming up (7 Feb) so get those red packets out & fill them up with ‘special wishes’ to greet 2008 (8) being that very Chinese lucky number!
R A B I A:
an organic jewellery & body piercing studio…
a tiny and intriguing store located on Jl Raya Basangkasa, No 10, Seminyak (in the area between, Café Moka & Lilla Lane, set back off the road) The essence of the merchandise found instore is, ‘organic’ all things natural & in harmony with the earth. So NO plastic found here! only very interesting jewelry items & a load of fun Cuban style hats! The emphasis is an array of earrings, earstuds, round wooden pieces for earlobes, earrings with sticks & earrings that fit into the ear, then neck pieces & bracelets from bone, even a set made from a snakes vertebrae! Beautifully carved horn & wood pieces inlaid with coral, turquoise, malachite, mother of pearl & paua shell & flashes of antique Indian gold & silver 925. Rabia is the clever jeweler behind the name, who draws inspiration for her designs from traditional tattoo patterns. The face of Albar (he does the actual piercing) looks simply amazing and an obvious attraction (pictured here) It’s planned that they would like to offer body tattoos down the track as well. After careful inspection of photographs around the store and a glass case that holds antique ‘body decoration’ pieces their inspiration comes from old Borneo. It’s truly a fascinating history study of times gone by and am sure that this craft is alive and flourishing in Kalimantan today. Tele: 731 035.
Why Not. You just have to take a visit to this store on the corner of Imam Bonjol & Jl Nukula, tele: 499 001, it’s a crazy mixed up kinda place that actually works, due to a very clever French lady called Carin. Her personality, flair & talent shine through like a beacon and is supported by a line up of gifted artisans who find this showroom the perfect foil for their product. Brilliant pieces of art for the home, including bamboo/rattan hammocks & outdoor lounges bound together with sisal, there are coconut & wooden lamps that are simple & effective, colorful mosaic patterned bowls & platters, decorative vases in glass & ceramic & photographic works on canvas. One of the best sellers is a range of metal pieces ‘beaten’ into modern animal shapes. All around the open style store are fun fashion Hippie Chic items, jewelry & accessory bits. A load of clever kids handmade wooden toys & fun bedlinens sort of complete the picture. It’s a sort of weird and wonderful haven to potter about and if art classes take your fancy then upstairs is where you head, take a brush and start painting, but only on Tuesdays. Why Not! Retail & Wholesale. Inquiries call Carine 499 001 or there’s a second store on Jl Raya Seminyak, No 63, Fashion Point, 735 460.
For comments and enquiries, email: retailtherapym@yahoo.com.au
