Silver Jewellery : The blog of online jeweller Corazon Latino

29 June 2010

Countdown to the new contemporary silver jewellery range from Corazon Latino

It's that time again, when 6 months hard work comes to fruition and we are able to tempt you with a fantasic new selection of contemporary silver jewellery.

This year, not only will be be bringing some fabulous new silver bracelets, bangles and necklaces handmade to Corazon's usual exacting standards, but also, for the first time, we will be adding 2 new selections to our range.

First of all we will be adding a range of striking and unusual silver rings to our range. These will include some chunky soulmate rings to compliment our stunning Aphrodite bangle, matching rings for our best selling Luna, Helene and Pandora bracelets and 2 drop dead gorgeous gem encrusted rings made specially for us in the gem capital of the word; Jaipur.

Just for you, here's sneaky peak of our Borealis Jewelled ring in "fire".

”Jewelled

To add a little more colour and sparkle to the range we will also be adding a selection of handmade jewellery with just a hint of silver. This includes a lovely pendant made to our own unique design set with either a freeform fresh water pearl, or a chunky piece of Baltic amber, and 4 breathtaking necklaces, handmade with rare Kashi pearls in 4 shimmering colours. With both Keshi pearls and Baltic amber being completely natural, every pendant is unique.

We are about a week from launch now, so why not register for our newsletter and make sure you are the first to see the latest range.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 19:39 • Trackbacks (0)

17 June 2010

Gorgeous silver bangle by Laura Jayne Strand at Gaudion Bowerbank

As you will know from our collection of silver bangles, I do love big chunky pieces. As big bold designs go, you don't find better than this gorgeous silver bangle by Laura Jayne Strand.

This amazing bangle, inspired by the power of the ocean, is handmade in sterling silver with a wool brushed finish. Weighing in at 120g, this is a very chunky piece of silver (our lovely Pandora Silver Bangle is half this weight and a substantial piece).

It is made to order and availble in 3 sizes exclusively from Gaudion Bowerbank priced at £600. Delivery time is 5-6 weeks, but I think you'll agree, it is well worth waiting for.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 12:09 • Trackbacks (0)

08 June 2010

Mexico, a country of contrasts. Beautiful handmade silver jewellery and a deadly drugs war

Many of you may have seen or heard on the news about more than 50 bodies found this week dumped down an abandonned mineshaft just outside Taxco is southern Mexico. This dreadful discovery is one of the awful results of the ongoing war between the Mexican authorities and the drug cartels which has seen 23,000 people killed in the past 4 years since Mexico's President started to get tough on the cartels. This is truly awful, and my sympathies are with the families of any innocents involved in this terrible conflict, but it is also important to understand that although there are some dangerous places in Mexico, the country is not riddled with drugs and violence.

On the flip side, it is also a beautiful country, full of incrediblly friendly people, with fabulous beachs, beautiful colonial towns, and GREAT food!... Taxco is not the dumping ground of the criminal underworld, it is a beautuful hilltop town, and the centre of Latin American silver smithing.

I have been working with a talented young Mexican designers and 4 fantastic silversmiths for the past 5 years, developing the majority of our range. Every year I am lucky enough to spend several weeks in Mexico working with the team there to devlop new designs. In all the time I have spent in Mexico; and I have travelled all across the country, including Mexico City itself (which is awsome); I have never seen a crime committed let alone a gun fired.

Of course there are dangerous places, and terrible crime, but that is the case almost anywhere. Do not judge Mexico by these sensational headlines. Give it a chance. If you do, you will discover one of the loveliest countries in the world, and fall in love with the people and places you discover. From the jungles of Oaxaca to the beautiful beaches and nature reserves of the Pacific Coast, from the deserts of the North to the lovely old colonial towns of Central Mexico, it is a country of incredible contrasts and incredible beauty.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 21:55 • Trackbacks (0)

07 June 2010

How studying languages led to a successful silver jewellery business

People often ask me how Corazon Latino started. How did I have the courage to start my own business? Why silver jewellery? Why Corazon Latino? Why such an unusual style? The truth is it all started by accident. A lucky twist of fate, and then I decided to take that little gem of luck and turn it into something I could be proud of. If it look back to where it all began, it is clear Corazon Latino would not exist if I hadn't decided to learn Spanish.

Deciding to throw myself wholeheartedly into learning another language led me to a fabulous company Apple languages who have a superb collection of language schools all over the world. These schools offer full emersion language courses tailored to your specific requirements complete with accommodation in anything from a shared student flat to a host family to a 5* hotel, located in wonderful cities around the world. It is without question the best (and in my opinion only) way to learn a new language as an adult.

I started my Spanish experience with 4 weeks in Madrid, which were fabulous. A wonderful city, a great school and the start of several lifelong friendships. Then I got a little more adventurous and headed off to Mexico and the Universidad Internationale in Cuernavaca and that is where it all started...

5 years on, I have a hugely successful online business selling exclusive handmade silver jewellery, much of which is still made for me by the wonderful artisans of Taxco in Southern Mexico. I also speak Spanish, French and Italian having replicated the success of my Spanish schools with several weeks learning French in Provence and 3 months learning Italian from scratch in 6 schools across Italy from Venice to Sicily.

It may not be the start of a whole new business for you, but if you want to experience a different way of life, meet fascinating people and challenge yourself with a new language, then these fantastic courses maybe the way to go.

Over the years I have picked up details of some great schools around the world, here are a selection you might like to look into.

One of my all time favourites is the Spanish experience center in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Run by a young American woman who is as passionate about her school and the local community as she is about her collection of rescue dogs, it is by far the best language school in Puerto Vallarta. The teachers are exceptional, the atmosphere warm and welcoming and the results spectacular. Now at the end of the day you only get out what you are willing to put in, but if you are serious about improving (or learning from scratch) your Spanish, and having a good time in one of the loveliest beach resorts in Central America, then these guys will deliver for you.

So why not change your life forever, by taking the plunge and spending a few weeks of your life in one of these amazing schools. You may not end up with your own business at the end of it all but you will definitely be the richer for it.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 20:25 • Trackbacks (0)