29 Nov 2010
27 Nov 2010
Samurai
The collection of 6 Samurai bookmarks from Japan. Thanks to my friend Ayumi ;)
The samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class, the Japanese warriors.
Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns; but their most famous weapon and their symbol was the sword.
Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Bushido stressed concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline and respectful, ethical behavior.
After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by cutting their abdomen rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable death.
The samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class, the Japanese warriors.
Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns; but their most famous weapon and their symbol was the sword.
Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Bushido stressed concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline and respectful, ethical behavior.
After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by cutting their abdomen rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable death.
26 Nov 2010
Trinidad
The magnetic bookmark with the photo of the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco in Trinidad from Cuba.
Trinidad is a town in the province of Sancti Spíritus, central Cuba. It has been one of UNESCOs World Heritage sites since 1988.
That's me in Trinidad several years ago ;)
Trinidad is a town in the province of Sancti Spíritus, central Cuba. It has been one of UNESCOs World Heritage sites since 1988.
That's me in Trinidad several years ago ;)
25 Nov 2010
National Colours
The handmade bookmark with the colours of the flag of Lithuania.
The flag of Lithuania consists of a horizontal tricolor of yellow, green and red. It was adopted on March 20, 1989, almost two years before the reestablishment of Lithuania's independence following the end of the Soviet Union.
The flag of Lithuania consists of a horizontal tricolor of yellow, green and red. It was adopted on March 20, 1989, almost two years before the reestablishment of Lithuania's independence following the end of the Soviet Union.
23 Nov 2010
Park Guell
The paper bookmark with the photos of Park Guell from Barcelona, Spain.
Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated high above the city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".
I really love this Alice in Wonderland-like park, especially these serpantine benches:
Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated high above the city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".
I really love this Alice in Wonderland-like park, especially these serpantine benches:
22 Nov 2010
Devon
The leather bookmark from England.
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. Devon is the fourth largest of the English counties and has a population of 1,141,600.
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in the centre of Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers 954 square kilometres (368 sq mi).
Dartmoor Pony has lived in south-western England for centuries and is used for a variety of disciplines. Because of the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, the Dartmoor is a particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina. Over the centuries it has been used as a working animal by local tin miners and quarry workers.
Pixies are mythical creatures of folklore, considered to be particularly concentrated in the areas around Devon and Cornwall. They are usually depicted with pointed ears, and often wearing a green outfit and pointed hat. In modern use, the term can be synonymous with fairies or sprites.
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. Devon is the fourth largest of the English counties and has a population of 1,141,600.
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in the centre of Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers 954 square kilometres (368 sq mi).
Dartmoor Pony has lived in south-western England for centuries and is used for a variety of disciplines. Because of the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, the Dartmoor is a particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina. Over the centuries it has been used as a working animal by local tin miners and quarry workers.
Pixies are mythical creatures of folklore, considered to be particularly concentrated in the areas around Devon and Cornwall. They are usually depicted with pointed ears, and often wearing a green outfit and pointed hat. In modern use, the term can be synonymous with fairies or sprites.
21 Nov 2010
Day of the Dead
The two-sided magnetic bookmark with skulls, flowers, graves and all other attributes of the Day of the Dead from Mexico.
Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated by many in Mexico and by some Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration when eating and partying are common. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two are celebrated differently.
Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated by many in Mexico and by some Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration when eating and partying are common. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two are celebrated differently.
19 Nov 2010
Malta
The wooden bookmark with a flower from Malta
Malta is a southern European country and consists of an archipelago situated centrally in the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km east of Tunisia.
Malta covers just over 300 km² in land area, making it one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries. Its de facto capital is Valletta and the largest city is Birkirkara. The country has two official and national languages: Maltese and English.
Malta is a southern European country and consists of an archipelago situated centrally in the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km east of Tunisia.
Malta covers just over 300 km² in land area, making it one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries. Its de facto capital is Valletta and the largest city is Birkirkara. The country has two official and national languages: Maltese and English.
18 Nov 2010
Sand on the Bookmark
The bookmark made with sand from Mexico. It represents pre-hispanic motives.
Thank you, Karen, I love that bookmark - it's my first bookmark from Mexico and the first made with sand! ;)
Thank you, Karen, I love that bookmark - it's my first bookmark from Mexico and the first made with sand! ;)
16 Nov 2010
Karagöz and Hacivat
The woven bookmark with Karagöz and Hacivat from Turkey.
Karagöz and Hacivat are the lead characters of the traditional Turkish shadow play, popularized during the Ottoman period. The central theme of the plays are the contrasting interaction between the two main characters: Karagöz represents the illiterate but straightforward public, whereas Hacivat belongs to the educated class, speaking Ottoman Turkish and using a poetical and literary language. Karagöz's native wit always gets the better of Hacivat's learning.
Until the rise of radio and film, Karagöz-Hacivat plays were one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Turkey.
Karagöz and Hacivat are the lead characters of the traditional Turkish shadow play, popularized during the Ottoman period. The central theme of the plays are the contrasting interaction between the two main characters: Karagöz represents the illiterate but straightforward public, whereas Hacivat belongs to the educated class, speaking Ottoman Turkish and using a poetical and literary language. Karagöz's native wit always gets the better of Hacivat's learning.
Until the rise of radio and film, Karagöz-Hacivat plays were one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Turkey.
12 Nov 2010
Utamaro
The bookmark with Utamaro painting from Japan.
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806) was a Japanese printmaker and painter, who is considered one of the greatest artists of woodblock prints (ukiyo-e).He is known especially for his masterfully composed studies of women, known as bijinga. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects.
His work reached Europe in the mid-nineteenth century, where it was very popular, enjoying particular acclaim in France. He influenced the European Impressionists, particularly with his use of partial views and his emphasis on light and shade. The reference to the "Japanese influence" among these artists often refers to the work of Utamaro.
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806) was a Japanese printmaker and painter, who is considered one of the greatest artists of woodblock prints (ukiyo-e).He is known especially for his masterfully composed studies of women, known as bijinga. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects.
His work reached Europe in the mid-nineteenth century, where it was very popular, enjoying particular acclaim in France. He influenced the European Impressionists, particularly with his use of partial views and his emphasis on light and shade. The reference to the "Japanese influence" among these artists often refers to the work of Utamaro.
11 Nov 2010
Precious Patterns
The woven bookmark from Thailand. Two in one: bookmark - keeps books marked, and bookweight - keeps pages open.
Beautifully and meticulously selected cloth with design oriented towards gold-printed pattern.
Beautifully and meticulously selected cloth with design oriented towards gold-printed pattern.
10 Nov 2010
9 Nov 2010
Mont Saint-Michel
The bookmark with the image of Mont Saint-Michel from France. Thanks to Quentin.
Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometre (just over half a mile) off the country's north coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island is 41.
Mont Saint-Michel was previously connected to the mainland via a thin natural land bridge, which before modernization was covered at high tide and revealed at low tide.
The islet, celebrated for its Benedictine abbey, has small houses and shops on its lowest level. Above these stand the monastic buildings, many of which date from the 13th century and are considered outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The entire islet is crowned by the abbey church, about 73 m (about 240 ft) above sea level.
I dream to visit that place! It's so unique and beautiful...
Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometre (just over half a mile) off the country's north coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island is 41.
Mont Saint-Michel was previously connected to the mainland via a thin natural land bridge, which before modernization was covered at high tide and revealed at low tide.
The islet, celebrated for its Benedictine abbey, has small houses and shops on its lowest level. Above these stand the monastic buildings, many of which date from the 13th century and are considered outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The entire islet is crowned by the abbey church, about 73 m (about 240 ft) above sea level.
I dream to visit that place! It's so unique and beautiful...
8 Nov 2010
Mr. Funny
The magnetic bookmark with Mr. Funny from London, England.
Mr. Funny is one of the characters from the Mr. Men series - children's books by Roger Hargreaves started in 1971.
Mr Funny is the funniest person in the whole of Happyland, quite the funniest you have ever seen. To start with, Mr Funny lives in a teapot that has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a living room. What is even funnier is the fact that his car was not in fact a car, but a shoe with wheels!
All the animals and flowers that saw Mr Funny in his show-car laughed so hard, they laughed themselves in two, laughed their tails off or laughed themselves out of the ground.
Mr. Funny is one of the characters from the Mr. Men series - children's books by Roger Hargreaves started in 1971.
Mr Funny is the funniest person in the whole of Happyland, quite the funniest you have ever seen. To start with, Mr Funny lives in a teapot that has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a living room. What is even funnier is the fact that his car was not in fact a car, but a shoe with wheels!
All the animals and flowers that saw Mr Funny in his show-car laughed so hard, they laughed themselves in two, laughed their tails off or laughed themselves out of the ground.
6 Nov 2010
Marilyn Monroe
The magnetic bookmark with the image of Marilyn Monroe from Denmark.
Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), born Norma Jeane Mortenson, but baptized Norma Jeane Baker, was an American actress, singer and model. After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (both 1950) were well received. By 1953, Monroe had progressed to leading roles. Her "dumb blonde" persona was used to comedic effect in such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955). Limited by typecasting, Monroe studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range, and her dramatic performance in Bus Stop (1956) was hailed by critics, and she received a Golden Globe nomination. Her production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, released The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), for which she received a BAFTA Award nomination and won a David di Donatello award. She received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like It Hot (1959).
The final years of Monroe's life were marked by illness, personal problems, and a reputation for being unreliable and difficult to work with. The circumstances of her death, from an overdose of barbiturates, have been the subject of conjecture. Though officially classified as a "probable suicide", the possibility of an accidental overdose, as well as the possibility of homicide, have not been ruled out. In 1999, Monroe was ranked as the sixth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. In the years and decades following her death, Monroe has often been cited as a pop and cultural icon.
Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), born Norma Jeane Mortenson, but baptized Norma Jeane Baker, was an American actress, singer and model. After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (both 1950) were well received. By 1953, Monroe had progressed to leading roles. Her "dumb blonde" persona was used to comedic effect in such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955). Limited by typecasting, Monroe studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range, and her dramatic performance in Bus Stop (1956) was hailed by critics, and she received a Golden Globe nomination. Her production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, released The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), for which she received a BAFTA Award nomination and won a David di Donatello award. She received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like It Hot (1959).
The final years of Monroe's life were marked by illness, personal problems, and a reputation for being unreliable and difficult to work with. The circumstances of her death, from an overdose of barbiturates, have been the subject of conjecture. Though officially classified as a "probable suicide", the possibility of an accidental overdose, as well as the possibility of homicide, have not been ruled out. In 1999, Monroe was ranked as the sixth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. In the years and decades following her death, Monroe has often been cited as a pop and cultural icon.
5 Nov 2010
Provand's Lordship
The laminated bookmark with the photos of interior and exterior of Provand's Lordship from Scotland.
The Provand's Lordship located in Glasgow, Scotland, today stands as a medieval-period historic house museum. At Provand's Lordship you can step back into Glasgow's past in the only house to survive from the medieval city. Now open to the public, Provand's Lordship has been extensively restored to give a real flavour of life in medieval Glasgow.
The Provand's Lordship located in Glasgow, Scotland, today stands as a medieval-period historic house museum. At Provand's Lordship you can step back into Glasgow's past in the only house to survive from the medieval city. Now open to the public, Provand's Lordship has been extensively restored to give a real flavour of life in medieval Glasgow.
4 Nov 2010
Otter
The laminated bookmark with otters from England.
Otter - a nocturnal animal inhabiting rivers, streams and coastal areas. It mainly eats fish and shellfish, but also waterbirds and rats or voles.
Otter - a nocturnal animal inhabiting rivers, streams and coastal areas. It mainly eats fish and shellfish, but also waterbirds and rats or voles.
3 Nov 2010
Cancer
The magnetic bookmark with the description of the zodiac sign Cancer from Malta.
Cancer (The Crab) (cardinal, water, personal): In astrology Cancer is ruled by the Moon. The tropical duration of Cancer is June 21 to July 22.
Cancer (The Crab) (cardinal, water, personal): In astrology Cancer is ruled by the Moon. The tropical duration of Cancer is June 21 to July 22.
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