Shop Local: Belgium, the Land of Beer and Chocolate

fleurfatale

Story by fleurfatale

Published on Mar 23, 2010 in Shop

Photo by LovelyJourney

In celebration of Etsy’s Euro Week, Greet, a.k.a. fleurfatale, invites us to explore her homeland of Belgium and its famous tasty and traditional eats. She and her fellow native artists karlita, nevousinstallezpas, dinafragola and kookaboora show off their country with the help of Etsy’s Shop Local tool.

Did you know that the [de facto] European capital of Brussels is surrounded by a very little country that is famous for making the most yummy chocolates and brewing world-renowned beer? It is about the size of the state of Massachusetts, located between Germany and France and has only 11 million inhabitants — and it produces over 900 kinds of beer and 150,000 tons of chocolate a year.Sweet_Belgium.jpg

Yes, I am talking about Belgium!

The most well-known Belgian chocolate maker, Jean Neuhaus, invented the first pralines back in 1912. The big secret of the European chocolate is the use of 100% cocoa butter — no other fat is allowed — and that makes the chocolate incredibly delicious! That must be the reason why every Belgian is eating 9.69 kilos (21.4 lbs) of chocolate a year. Learn more about over 200 sweets from Belgium in Sweet Belgium by Liesbeth Inghelram.

And we haven’t even talked about the beer yet. You really should cross the ocean and visit some nice places like Bruges and Ghent to taste our beers, and find out for yourself what a delectable place Belgium can be!
 
But as you all know, you have to use chocolates and beer sparingly or, before you know it, you become addicted. Don’t worry, Belgium also offers you treats that aren’t bad for your figure or your health (though they may also be addictive): tasteful, delicious jewelry and accessories made by talented Belgian artists.

The ladies below have three things in common: they are born and live in Belgium, have a crush on chocolates and they create fruity, colorful, accessories that they sell on Etsy.

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dinafragola‘s jewelry truly looks yummy! These are her Belgium Waffle Earrings, Fruits on the Loop Earrings, and Ice Cream Cone Ring Kawaii.


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My shop, fleurfatale, includes vibrant, natural colors as shown in these Autumn Dreams Assymetric Earrings, Oromo Tribal Assymetric Earrings, and the Ruby Satin Lady Necklace.


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nevousinstallezpas makes beautiful accessories from crocheted silk. These are wonderful examples of her handicraft: Silk Crocheted Necklace (with assorted ring), Silk Crocheted RIng, Silk Crochet Earrings.


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karlita‘s berrylicious colors look good enough to eat: Orange Felt Pouch With Crochet/Felt Applique, Two-Sided Felt Scarf in Fuchsia and Orange, Sterling Silver Earrings With Moroccan Fabric Bead.


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kookaboora uses bright prints and color combinations for her bags and fruitful pincushion: Blue Apple Pincusion, Pleated Wristlet Pink Owls.

 

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