When I visited Vietnam, I had the opportunity to experience about six groups personally, although I probably saw many more as I traveled around. I was definitely intrigued with the style of clothing of each group, and how they differed.

Many women were willing models, and showed some of their biggest smiles when the camera was taking their pictures. The woman above is a Black Dzao, taken at the Tam Duong market in the Sapa region of Vietnam. The hair is worn in a bun, kept in place by a silver frame resting on top of the head.

This woman is of the Flower H’mong, one of the most colorfully dressed groups, with intricately embroidered clothing. This photo was taken at the Coc Ly market in the Bac Ha region. I love her happy and enthusiastic smile.

This friendly woman’s photo was taken in the Mekong Delta area, where I was on a bicycle ride in this region. She was walking on the road as I was passing by, and more than willing to model for this photo. I love the warmth and wisdom in her smile.

The clothing of each of woman is definitely beautiful, and representative of their ethnicity.

Sweet Travels!

See more photos at DeliciousBaby!

Since I started this collection, I haven’t stopped, and now I try to buy some memory that I can wear from everywhere I travel. Sometimes it has been one piece of jewelry representing an entire country. Other times, I have collected something in each city that I was visiting during a particular trip. I must say that it actually has become quite fun to shop around for my perfect piece of “junk” jewelry.

When I look at my collection now, sometimes I wonder just what I was thinking when I bought something, as there were times when I must have picked the gaudiest item around. Like the big dark pink bracelet I bought in Venice, Italy – although, it does have its own appeal. Or the gold-wire-looped ring I bought in some other European city. On the other hand (no pun intended), I have also purchased other pieces that are actually really quite nice.

The most exquisite piece I bought was in Paris. Prior to my trip, my sister had shopped at a store, called Metal Pointu’s, that sells unique jewelry made out of metal. I purchased a bracelet that is truly a conversation piece. Ironically, my sister had purchased the matching ring years earlier, and when I returned home, she gave me her ring, so now I have a complete set! (Thanks, sis.)

I try to buy my jewelry mostly at local outdoor markets, flea markets, festivals or fairs, in order to get something locally made, individually made, and handcrafted by a local artist. One of my favorite pieces was purchased in Copenhagen at an outdoor Art Market. This bracelet was hand-made using stones and reed from the Amazon, and I love it! Truly a sample of art.

Here are some other “junk” jewelry stories: When I was living in Australia, I actually made my own matching pink bracelet and necklace set. I bought pieces made out of amber in the Baltic Sea. (Please read a previous blog about this.) I purchased a ring made out of wood, specifically Siberian Birch, which I bought at a local festival in my own neighborhood. The purple-beaded, bent-metal bracelet came from an outdoor market in Brussels, which is another piece that I consider a sample of art. Finally, the necklace with the red stones was given to me by a special stranger, while I was in Cappadocia, Turkey. (Again, please read a previous blog about this.)

All in all, whether I purchased some jewelry that was truly “junk,” whether it is something really nice to wear, whether I consider the piece to be a sample of art, or whether the piece is for sentimental value, I must say that collecting “junk” jewelry while I travel is a fun way to not only shop, but also a great way to experience the local flavor of a city, a country, a store or market, and a local artist.

Collecting “junk” jewelry is a great way to have a small souvenir that doesn’t even need to fit into a backpack, and brings back many memories each time I wear something.

Sweet Travels!

What is Amber? Sounds strange, but amber is petrified resin and sap from deciduous trees, such as conifers and pines, that grew in Northern Europe over 30 to 90 million years ago.

Amber Ship

Odd Fact about Amber: Sounds even stranger, but preserved fossilized organisms, such as plants, small animals, insects, spiders, frogs, and crustaceans can be found embedded in amber. Due to the color of amber (see below), sometimes the amber in which these fossils are found are called “golden tombs.” Interestingly, even these “golden tombs” are used in the making of amber jewelry and crafts. Thus, one might choose to purchase a necklace with a fly entrapped in the amber.

Necklace with “Golden Tombs” (photo from wikipedia)

Some History about Amber: Just as there was a Silk Road in Asia, there was an Amber Road in Europe connecting not only the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic Sea, but also connecting Europe to Asia.

A Belief about Amber: The Ancient Greeks believed that amber could protect them against diseases and evil spirits. A belief that many still hold.

Colors of Amber: There are over 250 color varieties of amber, which range from shades of yellows (the most common) and browns, to whites, reds, oranges, and more rarely to greens and blues. The rarest shade is purple. (Almost like a rainbow of colors.) Amber can be transparent or opaque. Sometimes there are combinations of two or more colors within a particular piece of amber. In addition, each individual piece varies in size, form, and luster, and therefore no two pieces are alike. (I suppose amber is thus like fingerprints.)

Amber Color Gradations

Where I saw Amber: In Vilnius, Lithuania, I visited The Mizgiris’ Amber Museum, which is a gallery and jewelry store as well. Also in Vilnius, amber was sold at the Vilnius City Days Festival. Other Baltic cities where I came across amber, both in stores and in local markets, were Tallinn, Estonia; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Riga, Latvia.

What I saw in the Amber Museum: I experienced the history of the gemstone via plaques, and via a display of samples of amber. These samples dated from several thousand to several million years old, were in its natural stone form, and were even from dozens of countries of the world, not just the Baltic countries. There were also shelves of amber showing gradations of the various colors, and samples of the “golden tombs.”

Amber Samples

Amber Items I saw For Sale: Mostly jewelry, but also crafts in the form of miniature animal figurines, candle holders, chess boards and pieces, and very elaborate and intricate sculptures, such as ships. I noticed that many of these items, especially the jewelry, were quite expensive.

What I Bought: At the Vilnius City Days Festival, I bought myself a bracelet and a ring, as well as a few bracelets as gifts for friends and family.

Amber Chess Set

Final Impressions of Amber: From all the Baltic Amber that I saw, perhaps amber may also be a girl’s best friend, and perhaps all that glitters is not just gold.

Sweet Travels!

Credits to wikipedia and to the Mizgiris’ Amber Museum. If one is interested in finding out more about amber, please visit the website for this museum, as well as other museums in the Baltic region.