unusual ornaments

Wayan Kandiyasa explores unusual perspectives, depicting a woman in a stylized sandstone sculpture. Her young face is innocent as she dreams of beautiful moments. Frangipani flowers adorn her graceful gown.

Artisan Angels from Thailand was inspired by classic macrame techniques in her creation of these unusual earrings. The waterfall-style sterling silver earrings are woven of ball chain in a macrame-like pattern. Oblong beads adorn the fringe-like ends that swing freely to catch the light.

.925 Sterling silver

Richly veined marble adds a translucent contrast to deep rose marble and sleek black onyx. The three varied tones of natural stone unite in a colorful table game by the Sierra Family. Beautiful and unusual, it makes a wonderful gift.

The playing board is created from selected pieces of sectioned marble and onyx slabs. First they are cut with a diamond disk. At this stage, the disk is cooled with water so that the stone will not shatter. The design is then perfected with files before the pieces are polished to a glowing sheen. "For us, it is very important to give our clients the best in quality and originality, transforming stone into functional products - whether for diversion or decoration," Mireya Sierra tells us.

Stone sculpting is a traditional regional handicraft, and the Sierras are famous for the skill and the quality of their work. Because each piece is sculpted individually, there may exist slight variations in the color and grain pattern of the stone. The set includes 60 colored glass marbles.

Sculpted from the crystal quartz, an angel reveals unusual slightly smoky colours. Guena presents a beautiful heavenly being carved from a natural gemstone. Quartz is thought to attract positive wishes such as love and inner peace.

This highly unusual nativity scene set features the typical personages — Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Wise Men and angel, but all depicted as skeletal figures a la Day of the Dead. They are created by Juan and Carolina of Chichicastenango, Guatemala from pinewood and hand-painted.