The Carnival in Venice - 2011

The time of the famous Venetian carnival is near at hand. It’s just the right time to recall Venice, its attractions and must-sees, its rich history and the contemporary status of one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

The first thing that comes to mind when speaking about Venice is “the city of canals”. It has over 150!  Don’t forget about 409 bridges in Venice and there are no cars and buses. You can reach any point by water or by walking (Venice is not very big). Large passenger boats called vaporetto play the role of the public transport in Venice. Small private boats are water taxies. However, the gondola has become the transport symbol of the city. It’s a narrow, usually black, boat for water walks. It’s an expensive pleasure, but it’s the only way to feel the authentic atmosphere of Venice.

The whole city is an art masterpiece; there are no ordinary, ugly buildings. Almost every structure seems to be a hotel. Even if it’s a private house you surely can rent an apartment there. It’s a city making living out of tourists, so the prices are high.

The center and the heart of the city is San Marco square. Long ago Napoleon called it “the most elegant dining-room in Europe”. The square really looks like salon. It’s surrounded by the galleries and San Marco Cathedral. Between gallery and cathedral lies the exit to lagoon with a wonderful view whether during the day or evening. St Mark's Square is located in one of the lowest parts of the city, so is always the first to be covered in water when the acqua alta (high tide) arrives.

The place is also famous for its cafes – “Florian”, “Lavena”, “Quardi”. “Florian” is considered to be the oldest café in Europe. Antique furniture, excellent coffee and live music are awaiting for you!

Doge’s palace or Palazzo Ducale is an ancient building hiding medieval secrets and legends.

The Rialto Bridge is one of the everlasting symbols of Venice. In the Middle Ages there were several wooden bridges, but all of them burned. The present, stone bridge was built in the end of the XVI century. On the bridge you can find more souvenir and jewelry shops than you can imagine (however overpriced they may be).

Venetian Carnival. It’s on of the most popular carnivals in the world and shares its fame only with the carnival in Rio-de-Janeiro, although they are completely different. The Venetian Carnival covers the whole city. Colorful festive crowds fill the streets and the squares of Venice. The origin of Carnival dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1296 the last day before the Lent was proclaimed holiday.  This year's Carnival will be held from February 26, 2011 to March 8, 2011.

In the old carnival section, the city has made an effort to recreate the atmosphere of the carnival as it was lived under the Serenissima Republic, including some hitherto unpublished details. You will see how this wonderful event was lived and how the Venetians spent their days, how they dressed, how they ate and how they enjoyed themselves.The new carnival section provides you with a proper guide to the city, helping you organize your own carnival time.  They will enable you to better plan your trip by pointing out places of interest and giving details of the main events happening in Venice. There are a broad range of services to choose from (hotels, restaurants, specialist shops, public transport) and the city will include details on a geographical basis of what is happening in each "Sestiere" (or area of town).  So don your mask, and enjoy yourself!  It will be an experience of a lifetime.

And in the meantime, come visit us at www.directfromvenice.com and see examples of the jewelry designed and handmade by the Venetian glass masters. 

Venetian Glass Jewelry Fulfills Fashion Trends

By Betsy Mings. Venetian glass jewelry can help you capture a Fashion Trend. According to Fashioning.com, one of the hottest trends in accessories for will be rings. Not sparkly rings with faceted gemstones or shiny metallic surfaces, but luminous, lustrous stones with jewel tones reminiscent of the mood rings of the 70's.

Venetian glass is the perfect foil for your fashion style because layering rings is going to be an ongoing fashion statement and each piece will need to have its own beauty without being overly flashy so that the look doesn't turn gaudy. The unique pure, translucent color of glass hand-crafted by masters who have been perfecting their art for many centuries could be just what your wardrobe needs to telegraph to the world that you are a Fashionista with wit and style.

Fashioning.com suggests layering rings over the length of the finger to wrap around the hand and up onto the wrist and arm. Using clear disks of Venetian glass or Venetian glass beads, a jewelry designer could build the perfect accessory for your wardrobe. Or, if you're the DIY kind of person, try making one yourself with beads, cords or wire.

Designers perennially recommend that your wardrobe consist of mostly classic styles that can be well accessorized to reflect the current trends. You don't want to become a fashion victim by over-doing it. Simply find something that helps you feel confident that you've captured "the look" without going overboard. And never, no matter what your favorite TV or movie star celebrities do, should you wear more than one fashion trend at a time. It's the fastest way to look pretentious. Remember that celebrities often go overboard because publicity is their lifeblood and they MUST get noticed to survive. With everyone trying to one-up each other, excesses happen, but getting yourself noticed at the expense of your style sense is not what anyone wants.
So carefully pick the pieces you'll use to create the latest look. Perhaps a jacket to dress up your separates (a very simplified take on military style is in) or what about trying a twist on the look and use the clear and richly hued glass disks or beads of Venetian glass jewelry to accessorize your accessories? How about as a purse clasp, or as a pull ornamenting the zipper on your favorite and most fashion-forward pair of boots? Hair jewels would also work.

If you are lucky enough to already own Venetian glass jewelry then you're already in style, without even trying, lucky you. And if you're not, what a great time to explore the possibilities and find your own personal masterpiece that shows the world that you know your style for 2010.

Betsy Mings has created a blog to help others discover Venetian Glass Jewelry. She believes that owning a piece is very much like owning a personal masterpiece. Follow her as she explores how it's made, where it's made and how easily it becomes a natural part of your lifestyle. Find our products at www.directfromvenice.com

Carnival of Venice - Yearly Show of Costumes, Masks and Italian Jewelry

By Kevin V Grinberg
It all started as a celebration of the war victory against Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia in 1162. Venetians went to the streets (or better say canals) dressed in their finest costumes, dancing and singing. The magnificent party became a tradition that persisted for almost thousand years.

Every year, in February, Venice becomes one glorious party. Brocade, silks, gold and feather costumes and famous Venetian masks parade in gondolas, to the delight of tourists. Torches decorate canals at night throwing long shadows on the water, music plays long into the night. Spectacular costumes and magnificent Venetian glass jewelry decorate beautiful Venetians, and appear on pages of fashion magazines for months.
Italians really know how to party, but they also know how to dress. There is something special about Italian fashion. The colors, style, accessories, they all skillfully combine to create a rare impression of good taste and impeccable style. But, it is with jewelry that Italians really shine. Famous Venetian glass jewelry survived hundreds of years of changes in fashion and style and it is still easily recognizable as uniquely Italian jewelry. During the Carnival, one can see some magnificent antique creations of famous Murano glassmakers, and some beautiful contemporary pieces.

Carnival of Venice is a perfect time to visit this ancient, mysterious and spectacularly beautiful town. The colors of costumes, ancient palaces, magnificent churches and cathedrals, they all combine to create the impression that is uniquely Venetian. The old walls breathe history, and the songs of gondolier echo through the canals, the same way they did thousand years ago.

The beauty and charm of Venice, especially as they shine during the Carnival, make more understandable the unique beauty of the Venetian glass. Now famous all over the world, Venetian glass is the reflection of its source, product of combined history, tradition and uniquely Italian sense of style. Although many glass artists are trying to copy Venetian glass, the best they can do is be influenced by it.

Although Venetian glass makers keep and value tradition, the beauty of ancient glass-making techniques attracts many contemporary artists, in Murano and all over the world. Some of them use beads produced in Murano, others study unique Murano techniques and infuse their own imprint into the old designs. One of the most recognized names is Archimede Seguso, a son of Muranese glass artists and a partner in the Murano glass factory Barovier.  He founded his own glass factory in 1946, and became its principal master and design artist. Using ancient techniques, he experimented and invented many contemporary variations, like intensely colored glass called 'colori sovrapposte' and a variation of filigrana technique with his collection Spinati. He lived his whole life in Murano, where he died in 1999. He influenced numerous Italian glass artists, who were inspired by Seguso's ability to combine tradition with individual artistic vision. One of his students, Lino Tagliapietra, also Muranese, became a world-known glass artist and his work is now part of many museums all over the world.

Visit our website at www.directfromvenice.com and get an idea of the wonderful products in Venice, and by all means, if you have the chance, head for the city during Carnival!!

A Little Bit About Murano Glass Jewelry

Jewelry is an incredibly subtle accent for any ensemble. What you choose to wear dramatically effects the way you see yourself and the way that others see you. A special piece of jewelry can either make or break your outfit. It can add the precise accent you need to compliment your attire. Your jewelry is timeless.

There is something about Murano Glass Jewelry that seems to transcend time, trends, and fashion. Something so simple. Much like jewels, and gold jewelry, Murano Glass accessories withstand the test of time and forever remain a quintessential element to every complete jewelry collection.  Traditionally, when one mentioned Murano glass, exquisitely crafted glassware such as chandeliers and wine goblets would come to mind. Now the same luminosity and sparkle that was found in the high-end artistry if it’s glassware, is found in the delicately crafted high-end jewelry. Very few people are familiar with Murano glass jewelry. All these people are drawn to its sophistication and uniquely beautiful colors and design. Hence, every piece of such jewelry will surely make a fine addition to any jewelry or accessory collection


Murano glass is actually made using raw materials such as sodium oxide, sodium, nitrate and arsenic, along with flux, or melting agents. It is blown and formed at low temperatures. The sodium oxide content of the glass mixture dictates the speed of solidification. The more sodium oxide, the slower the rate of solidification. In the crafting of glass, nitrates and arsenic may be added to the mixture to create an opaque surface free of bubbles.

The color and transparency of a Murano glass piece are commonly incorporated into pieces such as beads and pendants. Every unique design is handcrafted by a Murano glass blower. Consider the other details, such as enamel painting and engraving, and each piece comes to life.  The colors, technique in creation and design of each piece of this jewelry created from Murano glass redefines what delicate and exquisite in jewelry is. It simply recreates the "awe effect" that diamonds normally possess. On the other hand, simpler yet chic designs of Murano glass necklaces, rings and bracelets also go well with everyday wear.  Hence, the look of these glass jewelries brings style versatility and wearability under its fine list of features
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Because Murano glass jewelry is reaching the height of its production, many designers and celebrities have clued in the distinct, exclusive designs in the Murano necklaces, rings, pendants and bracelets. Add a touch of elegance to your life with a unique piece of Murano glass jewelry.

Come see our selection at www.directfromvenice.com

Murano Glass Jewelry - The Finest Glass Jewelry In The World

Murano is small island in the Venetian Lagoon located 1 mile offshore from Venice. What makes this island famous is its contribution in making crafted glass, jewelry and glass beads. Murano glass masters have mastered the art of crafting crystalline glass, enameled glass, glass with threads of gold, multicolored glass, milk glass and imitation gemstones


Murano is famous for its craftsmanship especially in glass. The glass is made of silica which is liquefied first and then changed into the required shape. The glass is then colored as desired or by the purchasers request. At times gold engraving or enamel painting may also done to enhance the look of the glass. Sommerso (sunken glass) is a form of artistic Murano glass that has layers of contrasting colors and is usually used when making vases or sculpting.

Venetian glass gets its name from Venice where it was originally developed in thirteenth century. The glass was primarily manufactured in Murano. Today the art of Venetian glass making is not limited to Venice but has spread to other European cities as well. Venetian glass, like Murano glass is made from silica which is liquefied first and then converted to the required shape and size. Gold, aquamarine, silver, and ruby red are some of the popular colors that are then added to make it look more attractive.

Making Murano Glass beads is another craft which Murano is famous for. A Murano glass master can employ different methods to manufacture glass beads. The manufacture of these beads is a very careful and a delicate process. Murano bead-making begins with the production of color canes and then color is added with great precision. Seed beads (Conterie), Chevron beads (Rosetta), Lace Beads (Millefiori) and Blown Beads (Venetian Blown Beads) are all examples of Murano Glass Beads.

If you see glasswork with dazzling colors and unbelievable lightness, delicacy and intricate workmanship it is bound to be Italian Glass. Italian Glass has been manufactured in Murano for more than 700 years. This form of craftsmanship, like any other form of art, was considered to be extremely old fashioned up till the seventies. Later as the craft evolved the patterns and designs were modernized, this led to a renewed interest.
Workmanship on Glass Jewelry crafted at Murano is mesmerizing. The pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces are all stunningly beautiful. The right mix of color and style makes the jewelry look very classy. The jewelry is designed by mixing Sterling silver, Oxidized silver, 14 carat gold, cultured pearls, cubic zirconia and other precious gems either individually or in any combination.

Visit our site at www.directfromvenice.com in order to see a variety of jewelry and bead examples.

The Beauty of Murano Glass Jewelry

European women inject more personality into their jewelry when it comes to their style - they own their look. Both French and Italian women believe that less is more; they would rather mix than match and also play with accessories. Accessorizing is everything! One of the world's favorite jewelry collections is made of beautiful Murano glass. You might ask what makes it so special. The jewelry combines traditional murano techniques with today's fashion to create stunning, beautiful pieces. Murano glass jewelry is made using centuries-old methods, each piece is a one-of-a-kind, handmade work of art and beauty. The pieces are designed with everyone in mind, from the hot trendsetters to those with more classic chic styles. Murano glass collections have something for everyone at every price point. What is also fascinating is that Murano glass jewelry pieces are designed to appeal to today's modern woman while retaining the beauty and traditions of Italy's romantic past. Murano glass jewelry captures the essence of a woman who combines art and fashion to pay attention to herself and loves doing so! So, let's look at the art side of Murano glass.

Murano glass is beautiful hand-blown glass available in rich colorations, each one infused with unexpected color. You will turn heads with the beauty of Murano glass! A dazzling array of styles is offered and each jewelry piece is a work of art. Murano glass inherits its name from the master glass artisans of Murano from way back in the 13th century. Back then, glassmakers were highly regarded, and were the most prominent people in society because of the monopoly in quality glass art, jewelry, and other accessories. This trend went on for centuries, but despite the efforts of Venice to contain the technology of Murano's glass artistry, other glassmakers started to emerge in some parts of Italy.

Today, glass-working technologies are already widespread, but the finest examples of art glass still comes from Murano. Throughout the centuries, Murano's glass masters have refined their techniques and were able to develop crystalline glass, enameled glass, glass with threads of gold, multicolored glass (millefiori), milk glass, and imitation gemstones made of glass. Make no mistake about it, the intricately-designed pendants, beads, and gems that are very common nowadays take a lot of work to make.

Murano glass is very much desired. Today, there are about 50 companies and 2,000 artisans making Murano glass. Currently, among the less informed, there remains a misconception that Murano is a composite regional source for art glass, rather than the site of many unique companies, each with its own specialty. Murano glass is completely handmade. It can pricey. However, Murano glass jewelry is a terrific investment in wonderful art! The art of you and your uniqueness. So, express your sense of style with very chic Murano glass necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Take the time to visit our site at www.directfromvenice.com and view the many styles we have available for the discerning shopper.

Copyright (c) 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, dba MMC Style

Murano Glass Bracelets - Italian Glass Bracelets Are A Great Addition To Your Jewelry Box by Jessica Murdock

Are you thinking about purchasing Murano glass bracelets? In this article we are going to speak about why Italian glass bracelets are a great addition to your jewelry box.

If you are a recurrent jewelry wearer then I am sure that you know there are incessant amounts of choices that you can pick from. Murano glass bracelets are one of those choices that you have. Maybe you are questioning why you should pick one of these bracelets over any other one. Let's go ahead and chat about why these Italian glass bracelets are a great addition to your jewelry box.

Unique
You like to be unique, I am certain. Finding jewelry that is unique is sometimes very difficult even though there is so much jewelry out there that you can choose from. Since the process that is used to make the jewelry can never be completely controlled the glass blown jewelry is never exactly the same in it's design, even if it's made from the same pattern. A certain choice when we want to be exclusive are Murano glass bracelets.

Expressive
You will not only a beautiful and matchless piece of jewelry when you get one of your Murano glass bracelets, you also will be able to express yourself. Since there are so many different designs you can locate something that is certain to show just how your personality is. If you are bright and fun then you can get a brightly colored bracelet. If you are dark and brooding, you will be able to locate something that is going to show that side of you as well.

I know that you can see that Italian glass bracelets are beautiful and Murano glass bracelets are a great addition to your jewelry box.

You're Unique - Shouldn't Your Jewelry Be Too?

Handmade jewelry is an extension of your personality and your personal traits. As a reflection of your own character, it’s a total injustice if your jewelry was just made from common stuff. It is worse if your jewelry collections are just the standard off-the shelf items that most people wear, made in a country that specializes in the "Henry Ford" manufacturing process of creating thousands of copies untouched by human hands..

You are unique and that is why your jewelry should be unique also. Murano glass jewelry is a highly customized personal decorative item. It may not be too expensive but its real worth comes from the level of personalization invested on it.

An added bonus is that handmade jewelry can be very flexible. You can use it on any occasion and it will still fit your attire. Because handmade jewelry is made not just for the clothes you wear but for your very own personal and unique characteristics. This is the secret why the unique handmade jewelry crafted by the glass masters of Murano, Italy, is very versatile.

You may want to achieve a modern look to your personality and add a funky playfulness to your wardrobe.  If so, then handmade jewelry should be your only option. You need to buy an article of handmade jewelry that can accurately depict your unique sense of modern playfulness and zest.

Unique handmade jewelry can provide color to your modern ensemble. You might opt for an all black satin night dress and top it off with a multicolor necklace made in the same time honored tradition founded 800 years ago. The contrast will surely garner attention, making heads turn. You’re actually exuding the seriousness of modern lifestyles but with a bit of lively playfulness avoiding a drab and monotonous outlook.

Murano glass jewelry can also be used to emphasize a personal statement. You may use your handmade jewelry to express your indignation or approval for a certain issue. It can highlight your advocacy in a very fashionable and cultured manner. You will end up getting your expected attention without really doing anything. All you did was to wear a piece of very unique handmade jewelry that carries your personal statement.

Handmade jewelry is not a modern invention. In fact, early humans and the ancients decorated themselves with handmade beads or anything they found beautiful. As the technology for jewelry making advanced, the sophistication of hand made jewelry making also improved. However, Murano glass has been made the same way since its inception, unlike its modern counterparts.

Today, you can find lots of hand made jewelry set as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, rings, head gears, and decorative buttons, pins or clasps. If you want to highlight your unique personality or rise above the drabness of mass produced accessories, at prices which are comparable to those of mass produced articles, then you need to invest in history with articles made from Murano glass.

Remember, each of us is unique and we should show that in all we do, including the wearing of jewelry which will show just how unique we are.

Murano Glass - An Ancient Art Form Still Popular Today

There are reasons why Murano glass is so versatile. The first is the number of different styles available. They range from the floral patterned Millefiori (or thousand flowers) glass to abstract Ghiaccio (or ice) glass. Some styles of glass also use metal fragments such as gold, silver, or even copper to give the pieces a sparkly accent that is incredibly popular in today's market.

Although Venice was the original home of glassblowing in Italy, it was moved to Murano in 1291 and glassblowers have been converging on the area to learn the tricks and techniques that produce high quality items on such a consistent basis. Glass jewelry is only one of the items which are made there. Venetian glass from Murano is also made into many household items such as paperweights, dishes, stemware and other ornamental items.

If you want to order a piece of glass jewelry, you should think about the style of glass you like and the colors you want to incorporate. Some of the basic types of glass include: Avventurina, which uses particles of metal in order to make it shimmer; Chalcedony, which uses veins of color running through a dark colored glass to make it look like stone; Millefiori, which is made of flower-shaped canes of glass sliced into portions which make up the pattern on the glass and Filigrana which uses thin glass canes that run throughout the piece of glass.

You should also think about the color of the piece you want. The good thing about glass jewelry made from Murano glass is that it is available in a wide range of colors. You can find pieces that use neutral colors for a more understated look and pieces which use Murano signature rich coloring to make a bolder fashion statement.

You can find jewelry which incorporates large pieces of glass as well as smaller beads. Depending on the look you want, you may be interested in pieces which use a combination of different sizes and shapes of beads. You should also remember that since each piece of glass is handmade, there will be variations and it is almost impossible to get two pieces which look exactly alike.

Caring for your glass pieces is not difficult, but you do want to take good care of them. When well cared for, these pieces will serve you for many years and retain their colors, sparkle, shine and beauty. With necklaces and pendants, you want to periodically check the chain or cord and especially the closure parts, to make sure they are in good condition. This is important to prevent the situations in which your glass pendant or necklace will fall and break. Periodically wipe your glass necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings, and other Murano glass wares with a soft velvet cloth to ensure that they continues to reflect light in an optimal way. You can wash them in warm water with mild soaps to return them to their original sparkle. Never use any chemical cleaners to wash your Murano jewelry.

With Murano rings and bracelets, you need to be careful not to break them while doing manual work. Although your pieces are strong and durable, as with any jewelry, if you plan on gardening, washing dishes, cleaning, or doing other similar work, remove your glass rings and bracelets to avoid getting them soiled, or, even worse, cracked. Unfortunately, Murano glass jewelry cannot be repaired once it is broken, so it is important to take good care of it in order to make it last a long time.