Murano Jewelry - Wear a Piece of Venice Close to Your Heart

Murano glass is not merely a commodity like diamonds, silver, or gold. It is an expression of style, beauty, quality craftsmanship, and tradition that can pride itself on long history and unique heritage. Made in Venice from as early as the 7th century and organized as an official craft since the 1200's, Murano glass in its simplest form is born in special furnaces by melting silica with certain minerals till liquid state, shaping them up to form a required object, then cooling it down. The basics of the craft were learnt by Venetians from the ancient Romans as well as the Middle-Eastern cultures after the conquest of Constantinople. But over the years many secrets of the craft were lost and had to be re-discovered, making Murano glass masters not only artisans, but patients researchers, experimenters, chemistry wizards, and artists.  To become worthy of their respected name, the glass makers studied the craft for years working alongside their fathers to perfect the chemistry and timing of the process, be precise with very simple instruments and create beautiful shapes. That is why most Murano glass making firms have been owned and operated by the same families for centuries.

The objects created by Murano glass masters in the early years of the craft were mostly utilitarian yet very expensive and affordable only to successful merchants and nobility.  As the appeal of these objects grew and they became more widespread, Venetian masters started to create other types of objects which were more of a fashion statement than a useful household article. Among vases, figurines, and beautiful table centerpieces, eventually some artisans started to create Murano jewelry.  Some of the earliest mentions of this go back to the late 1700's when famous German poet Goethe who traveled to Venice was surprised to see Murano jewelry available for sale there. However, it was not really until later in the 20th century that Venetian jewelry became readily available on the market. In the 20th century most Murano masters were busy with the attempts to revive the stagnant glass-blowing industry and give it its former luster, and to achieve that they focused on participation in prestigious international exhibitions, where artworks such as vases and decorative tableware were represented.  As the world gradually became re-acquainted with Murano glass and realized it value and uniqueness, jewelry-making started to prosper on Murano as well, presenting a way to own and wear a unique artistic object at a fraction of the cost of museum-worthy Venetian art glass.

Today's fashion with its emphasis on unique, hand-made, colorful accessories serves as a perfect backdrop for wearing Murano jewelry.  At the time when every type of jewelry is available from diamond extravagance to plastic minimalism, traditional and gorgeous Venetian jewelry graces the necks, wrists and ears of both the world's elite and regular people with appreciation of Italian style and Murano tradition.  The great abundance of accessories for every budget and taste makes people that want to stand out look for something artistic, hand-made and one-of-a-kind. Thus, people buy Venetian jewelry not only because of its exquisite hand-made beauty, but also because of the rich history that surrounds Murano glass and the special mood that these accessories create, evoking the magical images of Venetian palazzos, canals, and gondolas.

While authentic Venetian jewelry is popular and well-known these days, it is by no means available on every corner.  However, for those with a desire to buy any of these special pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry pieces, there are options for every style and budget. From small elegant studs to opulent beaded necklaces, from traditional classic shapes to Art Nouveau and minimalistic designs, Murano offers amazing variety of unique and colorful hand-made jewelry. And if you don't plan to visit Venice any time soon, you have a great option of buying authentic Venetian jewelry online from a reputable local importer of these pieces. Whichever option you choose, you are guaranteed to enjoy your very own piece of Venice for years to come and get many compliments every time you wear it.




Venetian Jewelry | Hand-crafted Murano Glass Jewelry and Accessories imported directly from Venice, Italy. We offer Murano Jewelry, vases, pendants, rings, art glass, chandeliers and so much more.

Author: healthsourse87
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Experience The Real Essence Of Italy During Italian Carnivals!

Author: Steve Perillo

Steve Perillo's, Perillo Tours, a pioneer in Italy vacations has exclusive Italy vacation packages, which offer utmost customer satisfaction. Perillo Tours make touring to Italy a pleasurable experience by taking the responsibility of planning your travel from scratch. Perillo not only makes sure to give an explicit experience of the scenery and delicacies of Italy but also introduces the tourist to the real essence of Italian carnivals.  The very thought of Italian carnival would remind you of Mardi Grass. The pre-Lenten celebration involves merry-making, procession of masked people, jugglers, magicians, music, dance, and much more, which will take your breath away!  Big and elaborate carnivals held in Venice, Viareggio, and Cento will take you into a world of fun and party The Venice's Carnival is one in a millionth experience that you'll not want to miss. The Vaireggio carnival's grandeur and the parade of giant paper-mach figures during Shrove Tuesday are just incredible.  When talking about having fun, you are sure to realize what it means to be a part of the Ivrea orange throwing carnival. The highlight of the carnival is the colourful parade and the extraordinary orange-throwing battle, which will give you an experience that is simply out of the world!  Who would not love to be in a flowery carnival, the carnival in Acireale is the perfect choice for this. The carnival takes place in Sicily and it brings out the beauty of life with parades of flower and paper-mach complemented with music and a grand fire-work finale! The Albanian carnival in Calabria is certainly worth mentioning. The carnival of Pollino in Castrovillari is funny to watch as men dress-up in women's costumes during the parade.  Italy, a world by itself known for fun, joy, and wonders is sure to give any tourist a blissful vacation time. Perillo Tours makes sure that they provide their customers with the most delightful and luxurious Italy vacations not only in terms of food, lodging, and travelling, but also the carnivals of Italy, which are certainly the essence of real Italy.

About the Author Hello this is steve perillo, owner of perillo tours For 65 Years, the best in fully escorted trips to Italy and Hawaii. Please visit the talk show.  Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/experience-the-real-essence-of-italy-during-italian-carnivals-2117715.html

The Carnival Of Venice

Author: Elena Bernardi

Imagine, for the entire carnival the streets are filled with celebrants dressed in luxurious, festive garb; experiencing Venice during the Carnival is like stepping back in time, with no modern buildings to spoil the illusion.  One can wander the streets, taking in the myriad costumes and street performances, or purchase tickets to an evening party in one of the palaces or hotels accustomed to hosting royalty.  All of an evening you might experience walking up the stairs of a candlelit palace, expecting Casanova to make his advances; enjoying cocktails over the Gran Canal like visiting royalty, abandoning your senses to pleasure; all while fully costumed and masked, only revealing your true identity to carefully chosen intimates.  After all this extravagance perhaps your night is completed by a mysterious, romantic, moonlight tryst, leaving you entranced and breathless, ready to meet the whole experience again the following day.Venice is a magical city, and at no time is this more true than during the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, when the historical city celebrates the Carnival of Venice, a tradition first recorded over 700 years ago.  Ordinary Venice is exciting, but Venice during the Carnival is spellbinding, with a historically rich mixture of performance and dining, and, of course the magnificent costumes, including the extravagant masks for which Venice is so famous.  If you have never had a romantic encounter in Venice, perhaps you will have an opportunity to learn why countless generations of impassioned lovers have exclaimed that sex in Venice is the best sex there is.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/the-carnival-of-venice-1859371.html

About the Author Elena Bernardi is a native Italian and yoga instructor. Her company, Cultural Italy, specializes in travel to Italy's most appealing locations.