Hello

Hello and Greetings from Athens. Athens is angry. I tell you what I found in a minute.

Last week I was telling you about my Brexit survival strategy, you can read about it here.

Since last week I have travelled to Barcelona (on holiday) and rediscovered that cities love affair with Gaudi. How an artist his art and passion can quite literally shape a city. The living breathing curves and colour of Gaudi infect not just his homes, park and the (unfinished) magnificent cathedral but.. gifts. Of course we visited lots of gift shops in the Gothic area and soaked up the ideas and creative thinking from the most amazing independent gift shops.

THEN onwards overnight flight down to Athens arrived at 5am. Taxi into the city as the sunrises.
The taxi driver is angry. He says the city is an economic mess because of a series of stupid mistakes by the political leadership. While he rants on we drive past badly maintained graffiti stained streets. This is a ghost of city I remember.

He explained that of the 11 million people in Greece 6 million live here. The pain is all here. The islands according to him were just the same.. They still have olives, fish and tourism, we have nothing left. The young are leaving because there are no new jobs, wages if you can find a job are 400 euro a month. And no company investments anything anymore. We are dead already he says sadly as he drops us in the Plaka area beneath the Acropolis. But don't worry you are in the best area in town. Here is a safe and happy bubble.

And so it seemed as we explored the busy bustling maze of gift shops and restaurants.

At least the gift shops are happy.
More news next week.

Take care
David

Vintage style distressed feather wood angel wings, hand carved from sustainable albesia wood and finished in white washed process. Each decoration is distressed by hand giving each piece it's own uniqueness. These pretty angel wings make a lovely gift or home decoration, looking pretty hanging on a wall or door or even propped up on a shelf.

Vibrant colours come at you from all directions when you look into these wholesale Mosaic Mirrors. The hand-cut colourful glasses are carefully pieced together to form the circular frame. An incredible amount of time and patience goes in to making these stunning mosaic mirrors in Indonesia.

Hand crafted wooden boxes with an unique antique feeling. Made as replica antique boxes and even aged to look old. They all have a nice chunky brass catch and some have metal or old leather effect panels. These boxes have a distinct colonial charm but don’t expect perfection, designs, sizes and finishes may vary. Made from plywood and various decorative trims.

Good Luck Feng Shui Bracelets are made from wood beads and coins of Fortune. It is said that the currency should send positive fluid called reasoning, attracting happiness, luck and success. Chinese coins of luck or fortune have become very popular and were used by Chinese emperors to strengthen finances, attract luck and prosperity.

Wooden Display Stands are designed to be at the heart of a contemporary gift shop: well thought out, well made and surprisingly affordable. The shelf system is constructed entirely of durable whitewashed Albesia wood. This collection featuring 5 shelves stand which can be hanged or stand alone, 40 boxes wooden tray box and Incense holder.

This range of Jungle Bags has everything your customers need for setting of for the next adventure. Printed with colourful leaves, each bag is designed to hold the accessories in place leaving enough room for all those essential items for the jungle travel trip or expedition.

Your customers can just seat them anywhere in the garden for a sense of tranquillity and peace, every garden needs a Buddha! Also these pieces are hand finished terracotta, but not so heavy that your customers cannot take them away. They will fit in the boot of a car.

Organic Cotton Toiletry gift bag, big enough to keep a wide range of toiletries in so makes a perfect gift for someone that travels regularly. These bags are very practical and Eco-friendly too, made from high quality organic cotton.

Available in eight colours these fun but practical wholesale glass lanterns will add a touch of style and colour to your garden whilst providing you with a pleasant atmospheric light source after dark. Browse a huge range with four different designs available.

This range of Vintage Bird Cages is a beautiful choice for creating a retro, antique-chic style within homes, gardens, weddings, bars and restaurants. They are just ideal as centre pieces at the wedding decorations or card holders..to be honest they are just perfect for any room and any occasion.

This beautiful and very special hand carved range of Chopping Boards has been crafted in East Java, Indonesia from carefully managed teak reserves. Teak or Tectona grandis is native to mainly Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma. Teak wood contains an oil that helps the wood to be water resistant this same oil content protects the Teak from decay, insects and bacteria.

Take a look at new range of 12 inch (30 cm) undersized backpacks. Mini bag for little ones to take to school or any teenagers who likes to keep things in small and handy backpacks. Roomy enough to store most of the daily necessities and perfect for schools, picnics and hiking.