Quality, ladies.... Quality

Remember those round tins of Quality Street chocolates? Which ones do you always pick and choose from the selection? 

With Silver round my Neck

Maltese Filigree is experiencing a slow revival thanks to the creation of innovative jewellery made in the traditional way using sterling silver. This is a small selection of extraordinary hand crafted silver collar necklaces, which, apart from being the latest in fashion musts, are simply too exquisite to ignore. 

Ravishing, original, delicate and sturdy at the same time. 

All the necklaces shown here are made by filigree maker Kevin Attard.

The Roaring Twenties

The 1920s, the Roaring '20s as they were called, have inspired me to create this blog post because the fashion styles of the era were simply so very stunning. Such refinery, such delicate hand-made items... Here is what I found on Etsy. You can find the links to more pictures of each item at the very bottom of this post....

Cloche hat of grey felt inspired from the 1920s.

1920s Art Deco Lace Shirt

1920s Flapper Purse

1920s Clutch Purse

1920s Flapper Shoes

1920s Czech Glass Necklace

1920s Lace Neckline/Collar Embellishment

1920s Pocket Mirror

Wedding Headband inspired from the 1920s

1920s Flapper Girl Print

Colouring Malta

If you’re in Malta between now and mid-November, make sure you visit the current exhibition of blazing colours that is presently showing in St.Julian’s.

This exhibition entitled 'Transitions' is an eclectic collection of 66 works produced earlier this year by the artist Doranne Alden Caruana.

These works are a ‘transition’ in style from a previously expressionist but figurative method of painting to which the artist is accustomed and more known for.  This new approach is a more 'automatic' and free; but still expressionist style. In this case the artist used no outward references for inspiration, but instead searched inwards. The inspiration became the long stored nostalgic memories of childhood Malta, also some sad times such as years she spent living away from Malta and the long wet winter of this year- all surfacing and becoming the main source for the paintings themes.  One of the main principle reasons for this change in direction and method of working was a new idea that came to her after being asked by a university student about automatism. This question so intrigued Doranne Alden Caruana that she questioned herself more deeply about this method of painting and so decided to challenge herself with this style of work. 

This also was a timely asked question, explains the artist, as she admits that at the time she was beginning to feel that although she had mastered her art and technique she now needed a new direction. As art is in fact a journey Alden Caruana’s choice to change has taken her to paint in a new style and form of painting which she would otherwise have never thought of taking and says that it has been a therapeutic journey of discovery too.

The end result is a bold, and colourful, collection of paintings with a sometimes simplistic but still confident and trained hand. 

The exhibition is now open to the public, all day everyday, at the Cavalieri Hotel, St. Julian’s Bay, St.Julian’s, Malta until 15^th November 2012.