One of the best things about going on vacation is buying stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, we don't like to admit that, but it's the truth, isn't it? A friend once gave me the following piece of advice: when you go on vacation bring one piece of luggage for everything you're bringing, and then a whole bag for all the stuff you are going to be bringing back. While I may not buy stuff to that extreme when I'm on vacation, I do enjoy purchasing my share.
May they be shirts, knickknacks, souvenirs, art, local music and, yes, even plants, there is one thing that I enjoy buying more than just about anything: women's jewelry. And I'm not talking about the standard, expensive stuff; I'm talking about the one-of-a-kind stuff you can only find on vacation.
Here's the thing: I'm not really that into regular, everyday jewelry. Frankly, something like a diamond necklace or ear ring studs with big stones kind of bores me, to be honest. The kind of stuff I like is the stuff that has personality; the stuff that was hand made by someone who will never make another one quiet like it if she tried for three years. This is the kind of stuff that you find while you're on vacation.
It's not the big shopping malls you find this stuff in, but the college districts, or the areas where all the people with the goatees and the lip rings hang out. Every city has one of these districts, you just typically have to go near the colleges to find them. Plus, since the jewelry is handmade by local's, every town has a different type of jewelry that they specialize in.
For example, if you were to look for handmade jewelry in Tucson, Arizona, it would look a lot different than if you looked for it in Portland, Maine. This is not just because the materials are different, but also because the people are different. You put these different people in a room with the same materials and they would make a variety of different products.
The key to finding good jewelry in each town you visit is to ask and look around. If you see someone with a great necklace that looks handmade, ask them where they got it. That's where you find the truly great places.
Of course, if you aren't a traveler you can find great handmade jewelry online. In fact, entire shopping websites have sprung up that allow individuals to sell their homemade wears online. That way you can et something you really want without having to spend money on gas.
May they be shirts, knickknacks, souvenirs, art, local music and, yes, even plants, there is one thing that I enjoy buying more than just about anything: women's jewelry. And I'm not talking about the standard, expensive stuff; I'm talking about the one-of-a-kind stuff you can only find on vacation.
Here's the thing: I'm not really that into regular, everyday jewelry. Frankly, something like a diamond necklace or ear ring studs with big stones kind of bores me, to be honest. The kind of stuff I like is the stuff that has personality; the stuff that was hand made by someone who will never make another one quiet like it if she tried for three years. This is the kind of stuff that you find while you're on vacation.
It's not the big shopping malls you find this stuff in, but the college districts, or the areas where all the people with the goatees and the lip rings hang out. Every city has one of these districts, you just typically have to go near the colleges to find them. Plus, since the jewelry is handmade by local's, every town has a different type of jewelry that they specialize in.
For example, if you were to look for handmade jewelry in Tucson, Arizona, it would look a lot different than if you looked for it in Portland, Maine. This is not just because the materials are different, but also because the people are different. You put these different people in a room with the same materials and they would make a variety of different products.
The key to finding good jewelry in each town you visit is to ask and look around. If you see someone with a great necklace that looks handmade, ask them where they got it. That's where you find the truly great places.
Of course, if you aren't a traveler you can find great handmade jewelry online. In fact, entire shopping websites have sprung up that allow individuals to sell their homemade wears online. That way you can et something you really want without having to spend money on gas.