Boshphorus : Between Asia and Europe

Bosphorus (Bogazici or Istanbul Boagzi) is a 32km (20 miles) long strait that separates the two continents Asia and Europe. It joins the Sea of Marmara with Black Sea in Istanbul, Turkiye.Turkish word for Bosphorus is the same as the word for throat in English which always reminds me of fresh air and free flowing waters.

Istanbul draws its strength from Bosphorus. The shores are dotted with yalis, or classic waterfront mansions, built as early as the 18th century: yellow, pink, and blue wooden palaces perched along the waterfront. This wooden houses have been a symbol of wealth, power and status with its spectacular location and architecture.

A view from Bosphorus

Bosphorus shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present. My trips to Istanbul has always been one of my great travel experiences.  

Have any of you been in Istanbul or want to go to Istanbul?

Jade Necklace

 I named this authentic necklace 'Bosphorus'. The inspiration for this piece comes from contemporary and historic art which is also why I picked the ornamental stone Jade. Carved green jade flowers with pastel orange beads are center pieced with a detailed sterling silver pendant. The green jade flowers represents the natural beauty around the Bosphorus and the silver pendant represents the bridges connecting Asia and Europe that I am happy to share its inspiration story with you.

Spring Collection: Cinnamon Plumeria Flower Necklace Inspiration Story

 What color is actually cinnamon?

 It is not red, not brown not orange- maybe more a reddish brown or an orangey brown. Something in between... sophisticated, rich and spicy. Pretty! A spice from the dried aromatic bark of the cinnamon tree has long history both as a spice and as a medicine. Cinnamon's popularity continued throughout history.

Diane Von Furstenberg 2011 Spring Collection

     From my kitchen to my wardrobe, I like the diversity of colors in cinnamon most. Colorful season is coming soon with the weather warming up. Many of the fashion designers featured cinnamon this spring paired with Azure, purple, tangerine, greens and scarlet. According to the experts, cinnamon will look best on warm skin tones.

Cinnamon Plumeria Flower Necklace by ACupofSparkle

Spring 2011 Fashion trends was the inspiration to A Cup of Sparkle Cinnamon Plumeria Flower Necklace. This one of a kind necklace features a gold plated plumeria flower dangling delicately from a silk cinnamon color ribbon. Very rich pistachio colored freshwater pearl adds more warmth and beauty to this piece that will spice up your wardrobe! This necklace is a combination of fashion and colors of nature that I am happy to share its inspiration story with you.

Spring Collection: Crocus Flower Amethyst Necklace and Earrings Inspiration Story

      Crocus flowers would be one of the first blooms you will notice right at the end of the winter season. It will be telling you that the spring is just around the corner... or you will see them in the autumn after all the other flowering plants. There are between 80 to 300 different species of crocus. It dazzles with its enormous array of colors from lilac, yellow, white and mauve. Under its delicate petals, it will surprise you even more with more beautiful colors from different tones of oranges to reds.

In addition to its beauty, autumn crocus is also the source of saffron used in cooking as a seasoning and coloring agent. Saffron or also known as safran is the most expensive spice by weight. [Wikipedia, wordprofit.com]
Can you believe that it takes 100,000 flowers to produce 2lb of saffron?

A lilac crocus was the first bloom in my garden which was the inspiration to A Cup of Sparkle amethyst necklace and earrings. The faceted drop shaped amethyst gemstones are paired with detailed sterling silver caps. Simple and elegant... Crocus is known with its ability to thrive in snow, mud and ice. This is what this necklace and earrings represent: the positive energy and being strong. This necklace and earrings are a combination of nature and arts that I am happy to share its inspiration story with you.

Harbinger of Spring Amethyst Necklace by ACupofSparkle

Harbinger of Spring Amethyst Earrings by ACupofSparkle

New Design: Cat's Eye Silver Accented Green Mediterranean Necklace Inspiration Story

For thousands of years, olives and olive oil has been a staple for Mediterranean coastal area with a unique flavor and numerous health benefits one of which is being a beauty product. Turkey is one of those countries where olive oil is processed locally; it is the 5th largest producer of oil in the world. With that, it is integrated to its culture in many ways. One of the traditional sports in Turkey is oil wrestling where the wrestlers cover themselves with olive oil before wrestling. There is even special category in Turkish cuisine for dishes 'made with olive oil'. Olives are one of the must haves in Turkish breakfasts.

Being Turkish, that is where the inspiration to A Cup of Sparkle Cat's Eye necklace and earrings come from: Mediterranean Olives. Organic and natural... This beautiful faceted green gems are accented with silver cylinders that has leave designs on them. The ear wires are one of a kind pair that matches the same leave designs. This set is a combination of history and art that I am happy to share its inspiration story with you.