Shop Local: Greece

Aranwen

Story by Aranwen

Published on Feb 07, 2009 in Shop

Photo by Aranwen

Shop Local Greece with Etsy artists and crafters! Vicky aka Aranwen leads this tour. She’s pictured above with her compatriots below. Enjoy the view!

Kalosorisate, elpizoume na apolaysete th thea! I was very lucky to spend last summer in a beautiful place called Serres, in Northern Greece. Born and raised in Athens, beautiful natural sites are not very common to me, and visiting Serres, I was overwhelmed by the thick forests, the breathtaking vast plains and the sparkling sea. The few days I stayed there, I breathed enough fresh air to get me through the rest of the year.

annarubyking.jpg

annarubyking: “This photo of me is taken on island where my husband’s family comes from. The beach I’m at is named Porto Katsiki which means Goat Port, because it was found by a shepherd who was chasing after his mischievous goat. At least I imagine he was mischievous. This photo is taken in October and it’s a little cold and windy — hence the ear covering — but there are still people swimming! I really believe that this must be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and I love that I can visit in the off season when there are not many other souls around!”

antigoni.jpg

antigoni: “Me and my hubby :) This photo was taken 2 years ago at Meteora (Thessalia-Greece) during our best family vacations so far. Meteora — an UNESCO World Heritage Site — is known for its unusual geological formations (sandstone rock pillars) and for the medieval monasteries built high atop them. It is a strange but breathtaking landscape that has been sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years. The monasteries were mostly built from the 14th-16th centuries by monks seeking to get away from it all. Although 20 monasteries were built, today only six remain intact and are open to the public. It’s one of the most worthy places to visit!”

creationsbyeve.jpg

creationsbyeve: “I moved to Athens 7 years ago, from my small hometown in North Greece. I love living in Athens, because it is a city of different aspects. A walk around the famous historic triangle — Plaka, Thission, Psyri — of the old neighborhoods reveals the coexistence of different eras. There are old mansions, well-preserved ones and others worn down by time, as well as luxurious department stores and small intimate shops, fancy restaurants and traditional taverns. All have their place here. The picture is taken at a small café in Thissio, with view to the Acropolis.”

homelab.jpg

homelab: “I live in a suburb of Athens called Egaleo. It’s a normal city with everyday people but with a huge park in the middle. What used to be a firearms factory 60 years ago is now a little forest where you can walk your dog and play with your kids. I really enjoy living next to it — the smell of the ground when it rains, the songs of the birds in the morning. Things are the things that are very familiar to people living in the countryside but very important to us who live in the cities.”

nafsika.jpg

nafsika: “This is me in Serifos, a beautiful island of the Aegean. Greece has so many islands for one to explore. My dream is that someday I will be able to move to one and live off my art! It’s hard to say what I love best about my country. I love the clear blue skies and the warm sunlight on my face. I love the sea and the sound of the waves reaching the shore. And of course I feel blessed (and cursed) to live in a country with such a yummy cuisine!!!”

NickyBeeShop.jpg

NickyBeeShop: “When I think of my country, Greece, I think: sea, blue, light. I don’t believe I could find a picture that better shows exactly that! It was taken last August by my sweet husband. It’s in Santorini, the southeast of the Cyclades group of islands in the middle of Aegean Sea. Santorini is a magical, mystical place…Seriously — it’s the absolute zen destination, a truly unique and endlessly romantic island where many couples from all over the world go to get married and have their honeymoons. Although its spectacular physical beauty attracts thousands of tourists, one thing that really impresses me is the quiet and calm atmosphere and the positive energy you can sense in the air once you set foot on the island. Santorini is what remains of one of the largest volcanic eruptions on the planet 3,600 years ago. The middle part of the island collapsed into the sea leading to the creation of a lagoon called Caldera (you can see it in the picture). Some even say that the destruction of its great civilization provided Plato with the inspiration for the lost Atlantis story…“

Stemellina.jpg

Stemellina: “This is me in my studio at home in Athens, Greece where I work on my felt creations. Here I bring to life my designs which are inspired by the beauties of Greece. My always sunny country with the magical islands, the breathtaking sights and rich culture gives me freedom to express my creativity.”

trisevyeni.jpg

trisevyeni: “I live in the city of Patra, in the Peloponnese and this is my neighborhood: a place with two huge playgrounds, where children’s laughter plays around the squares till late in the evening.This is the playground I spent my entire childhood in..I ran, I played football (soccer), hide and seek, and every night I waited for the next day to come, to meet my friends…I return here again, playing…this time with my pliers, my gems and lots of wire!”

We are all very proud members of the European Street Team, a group of wonderful people from all over Europe. For a list of shops, please visit http://estshopcatalog.blogspot.com/

Shop Local in 2009 and meet your talented neighbors (shrink that carbon footprint too).


Shop Local Posts | Handmade Video Portraits | Find Shops in Greece

Discuss: 101 comments

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101 comments

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  • littlepancakes

    littlepancakes says:

    Ah that sushi necklace! so fun.

    3 years ago

  • fricdementol

    fricdementol says:

    Hello Anna :D Greece is beautiful! :]

    3 years ago

  • Artistsoutlet

    Artistsoutlet says:

    I would like to move to greece for awhile. Any suggestions?

    3 years ago

  • BlueTerracotta

    BlueTerracotta says:

    Ah! Beautiful! Love the fish by Platine!

    3 years ago

  • phydeaux

    phydeaux says:

    Oh, I'm dying to visit Greece! What wonderful stories and photos!!!

    3 years ago

  • redyellowandblueink
  • raisinlike

    raisinlike says:

    So lovely to see Anna's face! Many great Etsians here, and beautiful views of Greece. I love Greece!

    3 years ago

  • Aranwen

    Aranwen says:

    woohoo! Thanks Vanessa :)

    3 years ago

  • peaseblossomstudio

    peaseblossomstudio says:

    Oh, I love this! I am Greek, and it is exciting to Greece featured! :-)

    3 years ago

  • birribe

    birribe says:

    So lovely to read about you all from Greece. I long for to go to Greece again.

    3 years ago

  • theprincessnextdoor

    theprincessnextdoor says:

    Γεια σας κορίτσια! You all look beautiful and so does Greece in your pictures.Thanks Vicky for a delightful article and for posting my earrings.

    3 years ago

  • 6Carmen6

    6Carmen6 says:

    Beautiful girls with wonderful creations. Congrats to all! :)

    3 years ago

  • TheSeed

    TheSeed says:

    Santorini is my top destination wish of all time!!

    3 years ago

  • karuski

    karuski says:

    So interesting read, lovely pictures! I need to book a trip to Santorini (suggested by NickyBee) now:)

    3 years ago

  • VKnO

    VKnO says:

    Great to read about you all! Greece has been on my travel-list for some years, and after looking at this it wont be long before I'm heading south to see your wonderful country!!!!

    3 years ago

  • dogties

    dogties says:

    Looks beautiful. Great items. Awesome article!

    3 years ago

  • autumnsarrival

    autumnsarrival says:

    Beautiful items & wonderful pictures! I have AlWAYS wanted to go to Greece!!

    3 years ago

  • yaelfran

    yaelfran says:

    LOVE anarubyking!!!!

    3 years ago

  • sweetshorn

    sweetshorn says:

    So beautiful...

    3 years ago

  • VintageEye

    VintageEye says:

    Thanks so much for this wonderful tour of Greece!

    3 years ago

  • MGMart

    MGMart says:

    Such a great article Vicky!! It's nice to see some of my friends and favorite sellers :)

    3 years ago

  • brownbunnybyiris

    brownbunnybyiris says:

    I love Greece and all of you!

    3 years ago

  • zaja

    zaja says:

    I would love to live in Greece, gorgeous place!

    3 years ago

  • Jealousydesign

    Jealousydesign says:

    So beautiful photos, and lovely to read about you all :)

    3 years ago

  • Arctida

    Arctida says:

    Wooohoo! Go Greece :) I've got engage on Crete, so Greece will always have a place in my heart :)

    3 years ago

  • worksofwhimsy

    worksofwhimsy says:

    I was lucky enough to visit Santorini when I was in college. Beautiful country that obviously inspires these wonderfully talented artists.

    3 years ago

  • Atelier500

    Atelier500 says:

    wonderful travelogue as well as meeting new friends..brava Etsy!!

    3 years ago

  • odiliafu

    odiliafu says:

    The scenery is soooooo beautiful!!! I hope I can visit Greece one day. It's really nice to get to know the artists there.

    3 years ago

  • stamp

    stamp says:

    Greece looks wonderful - thanks for the tour. I spent some time in Corfu and it's the most beautiful place I've ever visted. I am hoping to visit Athens later this year.

    3 years ago

  • voleurdebijoux

    voleurdebijoux says:

    wow! Beautiful Greece...would love to visit one day. :)

    3 years ago

  • poppylane

    poppylane says:

    Loved this article, and 'meeting' these wonderful Artisans. My heritage is Greek, and I believe I carry part of it, in and within me, even though I was born and live thousands of kilometres away here in Australia.

    3 years ago

  • AndrosCreations

    AndrosCreations says:

    Polí kalá, Kalíteres efxés! Andros

    3 years ago

  • TheCottageCheese

    TheCottageCheese says:

    I love annarubyking's birds!

    3 years ago

  • jennanewton

    jennanewton says:

    greece is the favorite country i've ever visited! breathtaking :)

    3 years ago

  • CutieDynamite

    CutieDynamite says:

    Gorgeous! I must visit Greece!

    3 years ago

  • rafya

    rafya says:

    Wonderful artists from amazing place!

    3 years ago

  • ArtMind

    ArtMind says:

    Great article! One problem: now I want to visit Greece and meet you all! :)

    3 years ago

  • karlita

    karlita says:

    Beautiful article, i love greece so Art, i'm coming with you :)

    3 years ago

  • ingermaaike

    ingermaaike says:

    Fantastic article and such beautiful ladies!

    3 years ago

  • geritom71

    geritom71 says:

    Thanks for showing us some of the great things on etsy from Greece. I fell in love with Greece when I went there 2 years ago - now I am even more desperate to return.

    3 years ago

  • NickyBeeShop

    NickyBeeShop says:

    Απίθανο, τέλειο, υπέροχο !!!! Vicky, you wrote a wonderful article !!! Thank you so much for featuring us all :-)

    3 years ago

  • antigoni

    antigoni says:

    Καλημέρα!!!!! Μου αρεσουμε πολύ!!!! Τι ωραίο να σας "βλέπω" εστω και ηλεκτρονικά!!!!! Thank you Arawen!!! It's great to learn some more things about each other and show to the rest of Etsian our country and not only that.... Greeks are doing fine here!!! Send you all my love.

    3 years ago

  • limitz

    limitz says:

    oh beautiful Greece! I lived there as a child, in Athens. loved every second!

    3 years ago

  • metzypants

    metzypants says:

    This is beautiful! wTG etsy :)!

    3 years ago

  • fleurfatale

    fleurfatale says:

    What a great article and those beaches and beautiful nature are so tempting, it's been a while since I was in Greee, I definitely have to go back!!

    3 years ago

  • helisengezer

    helisengezer says:

    Wow! Great artists and lovely people from Greece! Thanks Aranwen and girls :)

    3 years ago

  • DvoraSchleffer

    DvoraSchleffer says:

    Great article. Greece looks great and full of talent.

    3 years ago

  • palepink

    palepink says:

    Great article, and nice to see all of you great artists, and your beautiful country

    3 years ago

  • annarubyking

    annarubyking says:

    thanks so much Vicky! great article! I want to visit up north where you are in that photo- look so pretty and I love those bridges!

    3 years ago

  • nat224

    nat224 says:

    Ειστε κούκλες και χρυσοχέρες ολες!!!! Αντιγόνη σ ευχαριστω που μου έδωσες την ηλεκτρ.διεύθυνση!

    3 years ago

  • BabbidgePatch

    BabbidgePatch says:

    Beautiful Scenery~ lovely artists!

    3 years ago

  • kahliya

    kahliya says:

    Kalimera! How wonderful to meet these lovely artists from such a lovely country! My grandmother was from Yanina,though I havent been there yet,I have visited several other islands,Sifnos;Santorini;Amorgos..I wish I could visit them all..it is truly a beautiful country!

    3 years ago

  • kraplap

    kraplap says:

    great article ! love all the pictures; let me want to visit Greece !!

    3 years ago

  • BayMoonDesign

    BayMoonDesign says:

    Greece is on my wish list of places to visit. My daughter studied abroad there and loved the country. It has many gorgeous places to see. Thanks for sharing some of your favorite spots.

    3 years ago

  • lovinganvil

    lovinganvil says:

    lovely article! the photos and the work have put me in a dreamy mood! xoxo

    3 years ago

  • FlanneryCrane

    FlanneryCrane says:

    Thanks for the early morning tour...start my day off right! Creations are beautiful.

    3 years ago

  • dragonhouseofyuen

    dragonhouseofyuen says:

    Great to see the faces behind the shops!! and everyone truly delighted with the splendours of Greece. nickybee and nafsika are my picture of Greece, so great to see everyone els's perspective too! I have many Australian/Greek friends and could not imagine any of them being happy in a sunless day! (don't come to Scotland!!)

    3 years ago

  • felicitycrew

    felicitycrew says:

    great to see you all here!

    3 years ago

  • creamtart

    creamtart says:

    Γεια σας! I love greece and greek people. I studied Greek for 3 years, I love your country, culture, people, everything. I find Greeks and Uruguayan very alike :) Great article. Ευχαριστω

    3 years ago

  • IcingOnTheCupcake

    IcingOnTheCupcake says:

    What a beautiful place! I would love to visit sometime!

    3 years ago

  • OrganicPanic

    OrganicPanic says:

    Nice to wake up to some great photos of Greece.

    3 years ago

  • emmapardos

    emmapardos says:

    wow!! that is really great!!

    3 years ago

  • mykonos

    mykonos says:

    Oh, I love Greece so my shop name is "mykonos"!! hehe

    3 years ago

  • classicdesigns

    classicdesigns says:

    I've been to Santorini several times and love it!

    3 years ago

  • ArtbyMAR

    ArtbyMAR says:

    What gorgeous photos! I REALLY want to visit Greece now.

    3 years ago

  • jenmaestre

    jenmaestre says:

    Thanks for this article! I love reading about, and seeing our overseas (for me) etsyians. I love Greece! I want a glass of retsina, now. :P

    3 years ago

  • nfall2rt

    nfall2rt says:

    Absolutely lovely photographs!

    3 years ago

  • FruitOfMyHands

    FruitOfMyHands says:

    Thank you,Thank you,Thank you for the mini glimpse of life in Greece. It was beautiful. I would love to see more of Greece and other homelands.

    3 years ago

  • dinafragola

    dinafragola says:

    Cool to see you faces...and thanks for sharing your stories!

    3 years ago

  • thalassajewelry

    thalassajewelry says:

    Great surprise. Thank you so much for including us! Ευχαριστούμε πολύ για την ευχάριστη έκπληξη να δούμε το κλαράκι μας στο άρθρο σου.

    3 years ago

  • vadjutka

    vadjutka says:

    Hi Greek friends! You live in a magical country! Antigoni: your hubby is very hot :-) He looks like Paul Newman...

    3 years ago

  • ModernMetalJewelry

    ModernMetalJewelry says:

    Beautiful country with such talented artists!

    3 years ago

  • LaCometaLab

    LaCometaLab says:

    Great article. Girls, it's really great to get to know a little more about you. I love Greece!!!

    3 years ago

  • macraMe

    macraMe says:

    We LOVE Greece too!!! Compliments!!!:-) :-)

    3 years ago

  • dibabeads

    dibabeads says:

    Would love to visit one day .. I enjoyed the tour here :) and the shops ..

    3 years ago

  • ChicHatsandMore

    ChicHatsandMore says:

    I love the tour of Greece. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Love the shops and the pictures!!!

    3 years ago

  • madamehoux

    madamehoux says:

    Last summer we had round trip to Greece with my family and we love it . especially Thessalia region:=)) thanks for this article and reminding again this lovely place

    3 years ago

  • theaxx

    theaxx says:

    FABULOUS to see the local crafts of a region and so interesting to notice a pattern in feel and aesthetics! Delicious Greece! I will consume my feta cheese with relish tonight and think of you!! thea. xx

    3 years ago

  • Nafsika

    Nafsika says:

    Thank you so much for including me!! For everyone who wants to visit Greece i only have one suggestion: Just Do It!!! :) Koritsia apo Ellada mipws tha eprepe na vrethoume kamia fora? :)

    3 years ago

  • BluCille

    BluCille says:

    I had a co-worker from Greece who would go every year to visit. She always spoke fondly of its beauty.

    3 years ago

  • makemesmile

    makemesmile says:

    Kissthefrog's picture made me laugh =^x^=

    3 years ago

  • LuLusPhotography

    LuLusPhotography says:

    Being half Greek myself I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful photos of my country (half of me :)). Great items, they all looked so lovely

    3 years ago

  • XbyLeinaNeima

    XbyLeinaNeima says:

    well done, enjoyed every moment of this story :)

    3 years ago

  • nanouke

    nanouke says:

    i want to go to Greece for some time now! Now I just feel I have to pack and go! Great article Aranwen!!

    3 years ago

  • baconsquarefarm

    baconsquarefarm says:

    Great read Aranwen, loved all the photo's are lil blurbs about these artists~ behind the scenes so to speak. Beautiful country.

    3 years ago

  • LaireMarie

    LaireMarie says:

    Beautiful!!! My boyfriend and I plan on visiting Greece this Fall. I can't wait!!!!

    3 years ago

  • TheMysticCircleArt

    TheMysticCircleArt says:

    Lovely article,It's nice to read about artists in different countries and see there beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing ;)

    3 years ago

  • maiziedesigns

    maiziedesigns says:

    Thanks for sharing. What a great article.

    3 years ago

  • elisasherejewelry

    elisasherejewelry says:

    Reading this feature is like taking a little vacation. Great work everyone!

    3 years ago

  • Artistico

    Artistico says:

    gia sas kai po emena:) how are you? wraio arthro :) na eiste oloi kala

    3 years ago

  • StemellinaSupplies

    StemellinaSupplies says:

    Vicky Thank you sooo much ! Great Article !! Η Ελλαδιτσα μας !!!!

    3 years ago

  • Artistico

    Artistico says:

    kalimera opoios ellinas h ellinida etsian thelei na graftei sto GREEK street team edv http://flickr.com/groups/1027465@N21/ eyxaristv poly GREEK STREET TEAM is a group of artists who market their creations on Etsy.com. A place for members of Greece Etsy Street Team to post pictures of their work. http://flickr.com/groups/1027465@N21/

    3 years ago

  • creationsbyeve

    creationsbyeve says:

    Thank you for the lovely article Vicky!!!

    3 years ago

  • artbygeorgia

    artbygeorgia says:

    Very beautiful article and very close to my heart.

    3 years ago

  • morelle

    morelle says:

    Sugxaritiria oles sas! Tora to eida. Mprabo!

    3 years ago

  • onstage69

    onstage69 says:

    popo!!!!!a re kati koritsatous pou bgazei i Ellada!!! bravo!

    3 years ago

  • pesmou

    pesmou says:

    Ti orea. Matia Mou I Ellada! Thank you, Etsy Greece! Etsy CEO, Maria Thomas

    3 years ago

  • 2alpha

    2alpha says:

    beautiful things..beautiful people...beautiful country μπραβο παιδια!!!

    3 years ago

  • neraidodhmiourgies

    neraidodhmiourgies says:

    bravo bravo bravo!!! :)

    3 years ago