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The walled-in city of Korcula, on the island
that has the same name
is located in the southern part of the Croatian coast.
It was founded by the Greeks in the 6th Century BC.
Today it is a favorite stop on a yachting trip to Dubrovnik.
The narrow stone streets, bell towers, churches and venetian style buildings
tell stories of explorers, of sailors, of times of war
and times of peace in which life on the beautiful island
is magical.
On our trip to Croatia, we spent a beautiful day in Korcula, exploring
the local restaurants, shops and art galleries looking to find more than
what's written in tourist guidebooks.
Miro Denoble was sitting right there
Making a sea-glass lamp shade - one of his signature pieces
when we walked into the small store called "Manina",
which in local dialect means: "Bracelet".
And the bracelets I found on display there took my breath away.
The rough handling of the aluminum wire with stones and corals caught in it, evoked a
feeling of struggle in which we can find strength and beauty.
I was drawn to the pieces
and wanted to know more about the artists who made them.
They are a brother-and-sister team: Miro and Ivana.
Their grandfather was a craftsman who inspired creativity and imagination despite
the system which stifled entrepreneurship in Croatia.
Miro went off to study electro-engineering.
and Ivana, after finishing school
left to work in Switzerland.
It was there that she learned about running a small business and having
freedom to explore, create, take a risk and do what she loved to do.
A family owned tiny boutique space was a great kick starter and soon
the little art and jewelry shop was in business.
I couldn't help but notice the adorable angel ornaments placed all over the store.
As if they were a reminder
that good things come to those who believe in following the heart,
rolling up their sleeves,
and making the dreams come true.
I couldn't leave without having one of the beautiful bracelets. As I picked one with
the deep green stone, I was told that it would never tarnish or break.
I could bend it a thousand times.
Strength in bending, I thought.
In the face of life's struggles
if learn to bend, the wind and the storms won't break us.
The bracelet became more than a piece of jewelry.
it's an art peace that tells the story of faith, family and love.