Happy New Week and Don't forget the Sunscreen!

Happy New Week! For inspiring start of this week we made a selection of few links that really impresses us. 
Grab a cup of coffee and have fun while exploring! 

Always in our hearts! Tomorrow on 18th July 2017 turns 180 years since the birth of Vasil Levski!

Burgas International Film Festival takes place this year from 22th till 29th of July at Open-air scene “The Snail” and at the “Sea Casino” Cultural center, Burgas.

In case you have missed Absolut Crop Circle.

What about sleeping inside of artwork? 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi  Behind the scenes...

Gift Ideas for The Special One here.

We want it all  and we want it NOW!

Enjoy Exclusively Gucci  Cruise 2018 Full Fashion Show!

Plus don't forget the sunscreen! ;)

SeaTalesSwimwear Epic Swimwear with Designer Illustrations - Digging for Treasuries #July Vol. 2

What is a must for ultimate summer look no matter if you are on the beach or close to the swimming pool, or just walking on the small streets of a beautiful island? Here comes our suggestion for you girls. Feel free to comment here and to make the list below bigger  :)

1. Straw hat
2. Sunglasses
3. Swimwear
4. Sunscreen 

Today we want to share with you a great online store for one piece swimwear design .

SeaTales Swimwear Etsy Online Shop  will make the experience being at the beach more than exciting. All the swimwear  illustrations are made on Bali island. Absolutely unique, beautiful illustrations as if coming straight from the fairy tales. You can be sure that with the swimsuit what you have from SeaTales Swimwear you will  definitely be stunning on every beach. What is more you can have swimsuit for you and your little one with one and the same design or why not just different one. No matter what you will choose swimwear with floral details, tropical illustrations or just swimsuit with dreamy elements your senses will be overwhelmed with watercolor art and pure beauty.
Make sure yourself from the pictures below!

Sailboat one piece swimsuit, Girls swim suit Blue star sky Exclusive beach swimwear by SeaTalesSwimwear

Digging for Treasuries is series of posts dedicated to Etsy shops and their unique items.

Check out more from the series Digging for Treasuries- unisex sunglasses design by KaiveDesigns.

Iskar Reservoir Weekend Ideas Close to Sofia

Friday already is here! Grab your swimsuit, couple of fresh drinks, your friends and let's go to explore! If the seaside is too far away for you Iskar lake is one of the solutions. 

Iskar Reservoir is a destination for relaxation and chilling out away from the stressful days here in the city. Also one of the best destinations close to Sofia for surfing, motor boats, water scooters and of course sunbathing.

The Reservoir is really huge and actually the biggest reservoir in Bulgaria. The sides of the lake itself is good for having a picnic, tenting and camping. If you are into water sports you can just go for boating, canoe and kayaking and even windsurfing.

Here are just few pictures what we have captured during our stay around lake area. 

Caravan Stories

Surf and Strawberries

The forest close to Iskar Reservoir from below

Eagle at Iskar lake

Sunset at Iskar Lake

KaiveDesigns Unisex Sunglasses - Digging for Treasuries #May Vol. 1

Creating treasury lists at the platform of Etsy has been always fun and pleasure for us. Recently we wanted to collect our favourite items in one list but you know the news at least for us here is that making a treasury as an option is no more available. In case you want to learn more why here is the full info. 

Anyhow we have already liked several products that we are in love with and these products are really a-must-have for the upcoming hot days and a guarantee for ultimate look no matter if you party hard on the beach or you are out and about in the city.

Today we start with KaiveDesigns - Riga based brand for high quality handmade polarised wooden sunglasses. All of their products are 100% handmade with high durability. The creative team behind KaiveDesigns pays attention to the quality, design and price.
Explore, find and buy your perfect wooden sunglasses from KaiveDesigns online shop. Straight from the shop you can also request your custom order or be inspired to make personalised sunglasses as a gift for you or the loved ones.

Follow KaiveDesigns at Facebook or Instagram

Keep an eye on our blog because later on we are going to show you incredible swimsuits!

Cultural Calendar Events Not to Miss This May

Happy Monday! Let's bash the beginning of this week with some fresh air, tons of coffee and some cultural program.

Find the events for you here

European Literature Nights 2017 - on 10th May from 6 pm to 10 pm Bulgaria is again part of big reading society in Europe. All about the places, authors, the readers and books find here.

Exhibition Geniale Dilletanten - Subculture in Germany in the 80's from 9th May until 31st May organised by Goethe-Institut in collaboration with Transformatori Association.

New York based Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum upload into their archive more than 200 books and catalogues from their exhibitions for free download. Go for this exceptional experience here.

21st May is near, are you waiting for the upcoming new TV series of Twin Peaks? 

We do like the Campaign of 1BIKE. It ends on 31st May so hurry up if you want to take part in. Full information and details how to do it read here.

2017 - Zero Year for the Festivals One Design Week and One Architecture Week organised in Plovdiv by One Foundation for Culture and Arts.

Meanwhile if you dream for the beauty of the seaside find some inspiration in one of the most mesmerising beaches on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

Have a Green and Fresh Weekend!

Weekend is just one step away and here are some ideas how you can be active and at the same time to participate in useful activities in your free time. Plus we share with you two of our favourite trees full with blossoms.

• Refresh your balcony with flowers, herbs and even trees and turn it into modern city oasis
• Apart from taking spring sunbaths on the rooftop why not to use it for building rooftop garden
• Initiate making garden in front of the building where you live - you can always ask for advice your neighbours or just start making the garden together

Cherry blossom tree close to our studio

• Participate in spring festivals organised close to your place. For example from today 28th April till 30th April just few kilometers away from Sofia in Elin Pelin takes place agricultural festival for free exchange of seeds and young trees. The main idea is to bring with you some vegetable seeds from your garden or your grandmother's garden and exchange them with the other participants. During the festival you have the opportunity to participate in agricultural workshops, lectures for herbs, concerts, movie projections and lots more.

Lilac tree ..on the way to the countryside..

• What about your favourite blossoming tree? Tell us what are the Spring festivals this year near your place? Do you have plans to participate in them? 

Have a green and fresh weekend!

Earth Day 22nd April 2017 Call to Action Ideas for Improving the Environment

Today, 22nd April is the Earth Day and this year the Earth Day Campaign is going to focus on "climate literacy to empower global citizens with knowledge to inspire action for environmental protection".

Here is our list with ideas how everybody consciously could improve the environment:

1. Reduce using plastic bags or at least use recyclable ones

2. Use products packed in recycled flacons, boxes, packages - nowadays there are tones of companies that offer such kind of products out there in the market

3. Plant trees, flowers, bushes - it can be fun project for both kids, parents and grown-ups plus the end result out of this activity is more than beautiful

4. Recycle the waste (plastic bottles, used batteries, old clothes, cardboard and paper) - build a habit for your household or office to send the waste at the appropriate collectible places

5. Reuse when possible plastic bags and bottles - instead of buying again and again plastic bags when shopping you could always have with you one or two; the same goes for the plastic bottles after usage you can fill the with water, fruit juice or another favourite drink. 

6. Share with your friends, colleges your knowledge and experience that improved your common environment

7. Learn more about the effects of the global waste problem by the Documentary Trashed.

If you are Sofia based Participate in the Recycling Campaign today or just read about 5 Reasons Why to Use Tote Bags.

Plus do not forget: "If you think waste is someone else's problem, think again."

Thank you for reading! Feel free to comment and share with us what are your ways for recycling or reducing the waste.

April Weekend Easter Things-to-Do-and-Experience

Hello all! How is going? Here the holiday vibe is all around. Meanwhile we found for you few fresh must-visit-links what brings full and unique experience no matter if you go for them online or offline. Just keep reading..

Everybody likes pizza, right?! :) Watch the documentary about the true story and creation of THE PIZZA BIKE.If you are based in Bath, UK or just tripping around you have the chance to visit the smallest pizzeria in the world. And don't forget Life is a pizza!

From the smallest pizzeria in the world based in Bath back to Bulgaria latest hot news out here the first issue of SVEMA - independent Bulgarian magazine for art and culture is out from March 2017.

A brand new festival White Rabbit is just about to take place on 22nd April right in the center of Sofia and starts from 2 pm until 10 pm. During the day program different media meet at the scene of the event -  music, fashion design, contemporary visual art. After 10 pm the night program continues at Tell Me Bar where the Berlin based disco DJ Hara Katsiki will bash this Saturday night with classy dance selection.

H&M Conscious Exclusive 2017 is out there and apart from buying new clothes for the new season we want to remind you to be conscious and active and to bring Your old clothes on to the closest H&M store right next to you. #RecycleforFullCycle

Plus spring is the time when you can refresh and add some art into your home or office and here we found for you 5 ways to update thrift store art. Have fun and be creative!

Hope you enjoy our selection of April links. 

Happy Spring Holidays to all!

Pirin Mountain Snowy Peaks in March

Happy spring! 

Winter is over but this March we enjoyed its white beauty over the stunning and breathtaking snowy peaks of Pirin mountain. 

Hope you also took a break from the routine and spent some hours into the nature. 

Heads in the clouds and enjoy the timeless moments!

       

Martenitsa The Modern Traditional Handmade Accessories

Hello! Sorry for things been a bit slow here on the blog but have not been that slow in our studio! This New Year started full with inspiration, new design projects and a lot of work. For all these a little bit later we will reveal one by one the end results.

Now all of us are just one day away of March ready to embrace the upcoming spring though the official Spring Day is on 20th March. 

This time we are happy that we worked on very special martenisa custom orders made out of white and red yarn. Some of the bracelets and the pom pom pins are also available in our Etsy shop.

What martenitsa tradition follows:

• On 1st March starts the martenitsa exchange and lasts all month long
• Martenitsa is a piece of handmade bracelet, pin brooch, a necklace made out of white and red wool or yarn
• These traditional accessories symbolize wish for good health 
• You do not buy martenitsa for yourself. You make it as a gift for your friends, family, loved ones
• You can also decorate home with martenitsa making a corner dedicated to martenitsa details 
• Once you see a stork you can remove all your martenitsa bracelets and hang them on a blossoming tree

Find out here martenitsa designs what we found last year while hunting for the best martenitsa for friends and family.

Summer Events to Visit in Bulgaria This June

June is already here and this is a fact. Apart from the sunny days what we were really waiting for daydreaming is on the schedule and at the same time plans how to spend summer time in the best possible charming and delightful ways. 

Here are our suggestions for events that take place this June in Bulgaria. Do not miss them out it is worthy or at least this is what our experiences shows. 

Kapana Fest in Plovdiv from 1st till 5th June

This festival takes place for the third year in Kapana at the very heart of Plovdiv. The program of the festival contains various events, kid's workshops and different bazaars.

Rose Festival in Kazanlak from 3rd till 5th June 

Rose festivals in Bulgaria definitely have traditions especially this one in the town of Kazanlak. 

The full program of the festival you can find here.

Week of Spanish and Ibero-American cinema from 1st to 9th June in Sofia

17 movies from 8 countries during the cinema week in Cultural Centar G8, Kino Lumiere and Euro Cinema. Just be sure that you have tickets in advance. 

Festival of Colors 25th June, Sofia

Let the colors and music to take over your senses.

And the Winner Is...

Hey everyone!

Time to announce the Winner of CRAFTWOMEN Studio recycling quiz. Coincidentally (or not) today is also Friday the 13th. So instead of whining and moaning bout walking under ladders and bad luck in general yer beautiful-and-untouched-by-evil Craftwomen would love to urge you to try and recycle some of them evil and dark thoughts and spirits too. Think for a second. A recycled psycho homicidal maniac freak, for example, could turn out a great guy and possibly accompany you for a supersonic gin and tonic rally on your porch instead of dismembering and mutilating your body with a rusty chainsaw. Morbidly depressing bloodbath? Fatal? We say not. "Fatal" is a great Pearl Jam track by the way.

As for the recycling quiz thingy - faith in humanity is restored. Quiz aftermath is encouraging. Keep up and big up! There will always be someone to appreciate the efforts. Oh, and you make ol'Craftwomen proud!

Mind you, there could only be one winner. The random picker generator decided that the prize, Craftwomen's green heart tote bag, will go to:

Congratulations to the Winner in our Recycling quiz! Hope you will enjoy this reusable tote bag!

Recycling Quiz - Win a Reusable Tote Bag by CRAFTWOMEN Studio

We were really inspired by the World Recycle Week events and campaigns that took place in April this year. For two of the events we already wrote in our previous posts and hope you also took part in the big recycling.

Keeping this spirit of sustainable consciousness we would like to give you the chance to receive for FREE a reusable tote cotton bag crafted in our studio.

How you can win a reusable tote cotton bag by our studio?

Just fill in the Recycling Quiz bellow, the deadline to take part in the quiz is 12 May 2016 and the winner will be announced on 13 May 2016 here in the blog and in the Facebook page and will be contacted within 3 days via email.

This is the bag what you can have for free - Green Heart Reusable Tote Cotton Bag by CRAFTWOMEN Studio. 

Quiz start date: 02 May, 2016

Quiz closing date: 12 May, 2016

Thank you for your participation!

Create your own user feedback survey

#WorldRecycleWeek 18th - 24th April 2016 - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Today, 18th April all H&M stores around the globe unite powers to collect 1000 tones of unwanted garments for a week.

If you have not participated in the collecting garment campaign this is your time to contribute the process of recycling unwanted clothes. 

If you have not cleaned up your wardrobe recently seems like during the World Recycle Week from 18th to 24th April is the perfect time to do it.

Get to know more about the campaign here and be ready to reduce, reuse and recycle. 

Keep also an eye on our blog because we are about to make a special give-away dedicated to the World Recycle Week. 

Full information and conditions about the upcoming give-away follows in our next post.  

Spring Weekend Home Ideas - Recycling and Reading Campaign in Sofia, Burgas, Veliko Turnovo, Pleven and Kyustendil – Start date: 16th April 2016, Sofia

Great inspiration for both readers and nature lovers to come in five Bulgarian big towns this spring. Only few days away from start of the traditional  "Книги за смет" 2016 campaign. The idea of the event is to encourage people to be more conscious about the environment. 

On 16^th April this year in Sofia starts the traditional campaign that supports reading and the responsible selective recycling. Though the traditions in the recycling field started to be settle down only few years ago in the everyday life of the Bulgarians, this is one of the most successful initiative connected to the conscious recycling and at the same time supporting the book lovers. And the results out of the campaign tells a lot – only for the year 2015 during the call were collected 14 tons of plastic and all the participants involved altogether received 11 000 books.

How you can participate this year? 

If you want to join the event is that easy - just collect and bring 1 kilo of plastic waste. Of course you can always bring more recyclable plastic items and support the success of the campaign. 

What you will get?

A free book (the maximum books what you can receive no matter plastic waste you bring is two books)

The whole idea of the campaign is you bring a kilo of plastic and for this kilo you receive a free book. You can pick up a book from the special printed run for the campaign. 

Below is the full list with recyclable items what you can bring to the certain points in the city of Sofia and the towns of Veliko Turnovo, Pleven, Burgas and Kyustendil: 

- plastic bottles for water, fizzy drinks, oil or beer 
- yogurt plastic cups and plastic bottles for milk
- cans and bottles of cosmetics and sanitary products 

- plastic cups and pallets
- plastic bags, stretch film packaging film
- plastic toys

The recommendation is all of them to be empty and crushed in order not to take a lot of space.

Needless to say that the book list is more than thrilling. The new titles in Bulgarian language what you can get for free and what are added to the main book list are the following:

- "Max and Moritz" by Wilhelm Busch

- "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett

- "The World of the Worlds" by H. G. Wells

Definitely great weekend project - to clean up your home form the plastic waste and to enjoy reading books during the spring sunny days in a park or in the garden.

Join the campaign of the event here

Hello March! Martenitsa Time!

We love it! Yes, we really do! If there is something that we are waiting for impatiently every year it is definitely the first day of March, which is our Baba Marta Day (Grandma March).

If you haven't heard of Baba Marta Day then you should know that the tradition features exchanging and wearing martenitsas - a piece of red and white adornment supposed to bring you good health and luck. It has to do with spring and new beginnings. When you get to see a stork for the first time you should tie your martenitsa on a blossoming tree. This is a great native custom that has been around for quite some time.

Martenitsas could vary from a simple red and white string to some quite sophisticated pieces. 

It is not rocket science, so you could understand city streets blooming in red and white just like spring trees starting already in early February. Freestyle marketing is on a spree. As much as inventing new martenitsa designs is for the sake of lovely, lovely money, and China representation is sky-high, tradition is still holding its ground and we do not expect it to give in to industrial pressure to an extent that all sweet custom-based romance is completely lost.

Craftwomen are keeping it real and again managed to unearth some worthy gems in a vast realm of mediocrity. Here are some of the most interesting martenitsas out there:

You could of course just stand there with a good bottle of white wine and a better bottle of red wine, playing cool and mixing them bottles ol'martenitsa style, but then again a little gift for people around you wouldn't hurt, now would it? It's not a Valentine thing just meant for your lover. All are welcome.

Spread the love!