December 2006
Great Gift Suggestions
To put a sparkle in someone’s eye with a sparkle on their hand, try a unique jewelry creation from British designer Carolyn Bain’s
Sassi Jewelry. Every Sassi piece begins with a bold, high-quality gem. Whether a blood-red garnet, cool Tourmaline or searing Labradorite, each stone finds space to shine in a clean sterling silver setting, designed around the stone’s natural shape. Bain derives her inspiration from the markets of Jaipur, India, where she is also active with the Ladli project, which helps young homeless girls begin vocational training. With the purchase of Sassi jewelry, you not only get a great gift, but do a little good as well. Bain will be selling her pieces at the Tollwood Winter Festival, and can also be found online at
www.esassi.com.
If your friends and family wouldn’t exactly be impressed by a T-shirt or a giant beer stein from the Hofbräuhaus, head around the corner to
Münchner Romantix’s (Pfisterstrasse 6, Tel. 290 40 91). This cozy little nook is packed full with Bavarian and German crafts of a much higher quality than you’ll find anywhere else in the city. But, be careful when you visit. The overwhelming array of beautiful pieces might have you buying more for yourself than your loved ones. Handmade tin soldiers are lined up on shelves next to gently swinging cuckoo clocks and tinkling music boxes. Gorgeous nutcrackers of every variety stand guard over valuable items from the Erzgebirge. And, if you must have one, there are beer steins on offer. <<<
