Greece
She Sells Seashells
How much gold jewelry can you look at? How much can you buy? A trip to the Greek islands will land you more bracelets, rings & necklaces than you could wear in a lifetime! From elegant Byzantine to ultra modern gold. Have fun. But save some time and money to shop Elena Votsi, in the artist's hometown of Hydra. Votsi's jewelry, featured in Vogue and other fashion magazines, is the stuff of island dreams!
If you've been to the Greek islands, you know the routine. Shop after shop of typical Greek jewelry. Even in Hydra, you can wander down Ikonomou Street and cast a blind eye to most stores. Just make sure you have your eyes wide open to absorb the window displays of Elena's shop. Votsi has her eye keenly fixed upon the design, production and sale of her unique jewelry. As well as presenting her wares in a very savvy way...in a modern-fitted space of a charming old Hydriot building.
And the shop windows? Filled with Votsi's eclectic pieces that stopped us dead in our tracks. After seeing so much gold, island after island, her gold jewelry was a refreshing sight. Simple, modern and elegant. But it was her sea-inspired jewelry collection that really grabbed us.
The collection, called "Organic Forms from the Sea," has Mediterranean and other shells incorporated into the designs. Elena likes working with cup-shells & marble cone-shells, red or pink coral, mother-of-pearl & sea pebbles. Not only whole shells, but sometimes bits & pieces of different ones are used in her jewelry.
The intricate coral necklace we saw hanging in the window "sang" to us. We had to try it on. This and a sea urchin necklace were carefully draped around our necks by the lovely salespeople, Georgia & Irini. Both necklaces had a mass befitting Cleopatra!
Elena says that "a shell is a natural and artistic jewel by itself." By the time she's finished, her shell jewelry is more like artwork to wear. Some of it is obviously not for the timid, since it shouts its presence to onlookers. Even her classic nautilus shell ring is a bold statement due to its extravagant size. And with the 18k gold lining, the ring has an extra stylish luxe about it.
Designing rings is her favorite work. Some are intricate. Some simple. Like blown glass rings with seawater inside. Votsi says, "a ring is not to decorate the hands only. By the movement of a hand, a ring can light up the face and the rest of the body."
The Hydra shop reflects the broad scope of Votsi's jewelry, as well as the personal style of Elena, herself. And now there's a new Elena Votsi Jewellery Shop in Athens to visit on Xanthou Street.
Other venues of Elena's work include: The Mati Gallery in Santorini, Makris Jewels in Rhodes and The Electrum Gallery, London.