My Balinese treasures

Today I thought I'd show you some of the treasures I bought when on holiday last year in Indonesia. Buying over there takes thrifting to a whole new level I can tell you! A beautiful silver pendantMy elephant coasters (but I don't use them as I'm too precious about them getting ruined,lol!)A beautiful traditional Balinese dancer's headpieceHanging ornaments made of tin (of which I have 12). I bought these so I could decorate our Christmas tree (a serious case of east meeting west!)

When I'm abroad though I always makes sure that I'm paying a fair price and buying from the right sources as you don't need to imagine, exploitation is rife. Even local market sellers will squeeze prices right down so that the families who are making these goodies are left with next to nothing to live on. It makes me so angry when these market sellers raise prices 10 times above what they paid the supplier. Same when you buy imported items over here (ikats in particular!! - they takes many months, some years to make) which have the most gross mark ups.

Funny to think how much you'll pay for something handmade in the western world yet for those living in developing countries they'll receive very little for all the intricate, painstakingly accurate, time consuming labour that goes into producing the most beautiful things.

It's a topic I feel very strongly about but at the same time I'm aware how very hard it is to really know if what we're buying is truly fair trade unless you buy direct from the supplier.

Hmm, okay that's enough of my little opinion today! :-)

I meant to say yesterday, thank you to all of you who played along for Thrifty Tuesday, I think I'll organise one next week too, if you're keen! Was great seeing all your fabulous finds! :)

Have a great day!
xx

My little souvenir

Having next to no time to go shopping and sightseeing (the latter of which always takes precedence when I'm abroad) when I was in New Zealand, I ventured into a tourist shop (yup, at the airport of all places) and choose this lovely little glazed bowl which has been dipped at the rim and in the centre with gold as my souvenir. I didn't have time to go panning for gold in the beautiful rivers like my Dad did when he visited as a teen in the 60s but I felt this would be a good second best and it was only $10!

My camera couldn't really pick out the detail very well so it's a little blurry I'm afraid but it's pale blue in the middle and has a mother of pearl in the middle. It looks so lovely on my dressing table although I don't dare put anything in it as it's so delicate!

I am so happy the weekend is almost upon us and the sun is shining! Have a lovely one everyone!

xx