If someone told you I had a sister from Cyprus, I would think the person is slightly nuts. But guess what: I just found out I do have a sister from Cyprus, alas not a person per se but a wonderful new label called ‘Sister’. But let me tell you the pre-story quickly: I met Antonia, the girl behind Sister, a while ago on Instagram. As someone who has a dear relationship with Greece and Cyprus, I was intrigued when I heard of her plans to start a lable promoting Cypriot artisans and Cypriot design. One day I was in Berlin for a project and while I was having a coffee break in a café, a charming young lady approached me and said: You are Igor, right? I am Antonia! Yes, sometimes you meet people if you are meant to meet them. Without planning, without arranging. And a few days later she sent me a little surpise package with goodies from – yes you guessed right – my SISTER from Cyprus!
Antonia told me more about her new label ‘Sister’. Antonia, herself a Cypriot, lives in Berlin and had the desire to promote local craftsmanship and artisans from the Mediterranean island also known as Aphrodite’s birthplace. With Sister she created a platform for curated, handcrafted products from Cyprus. And I love it. Because I think Cyprus deserves much more attention – it is more than just a beautiful holiday destination. Did you know that Cyprus was home to humans already in the 10th millennium BC?!
The label Sister currently focuses on two product ranges – jewelry and ceramics. Sister jewelry is handcrafted by two brothers, George and Panagiotis, in the picturesque village of Lefkara, in a workshop they have been running since 1968. Sister jewelry draws inspiration from traditional Cypriot mythological and Christian images, statues and stories. As someone who loves archaelogy I was totally fascinated by the pendants depicting ancient idols – and yes I had to get one for myself too!
Sister ceramics are thrown, fired and glazed by Panikos, a ceramics artist near the coastal city of Limassol. Panikos’ ceramics are functional pieces in evocative curves and expressive colours; vases, carafes and plates, essential to the Southern Mediterranean “meze” style of eating, often impressed with traditional Cypriot lace. Also the pomegranate as a recurrent symbol of fertility and luck from the Mediterranean is present. I love the speckled white pieces and got myself a beautiful water carafe and a little vase for dried flowers.
Seeing all these beautiful pieces from Cyprus makes me think of my last trip to Aphrodite’s island. It is way too long ago and I kinda feel the need to revisit Cyprus again – the sooner the better. Maybe I will simply align with Antonia and then visit the artisans and their studios in situ. That, a few archaeological sites, beautiful churches, and the beach – I think I am ready for holidays. Again. And hey, now we all have a Sister from Cyprus (you can also finde ‘her’ on Instagram). So see you soon on the sunny island of Cyprus!
This blog post has been brought to you in collaboration with Sister. As always all opinions and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who support this blog!
Photography by Igor Josifovic and via Sister
The post From Cyprus with Love: Sister appeared first on Happy Interior Blog.
from Happy Interior Blog https://happyinteriorblog.com/cyprus-love-sister/
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