Swede Times

One chilly June, in the late 90's, I spent a blissed out two weeks in Sweden, scouring flea markets, pristine antique shops, salvation armies, tony mid-century galleries, and dusty old junk stores, until I had filled several suitcases with treasures representing over 100 years of Scandinavian design in wood, glass, metal and ceramic. It helped to be staying with an expert Swedish design picker, who led me through the modern city of Stockholm, into the cobbled streets of the historic Gamla Stan, and out into the surrounding provinces like a pro, on what was to be the design trip of a life time.

Waxing nostalgic for 11pm sunsets, Josef Frank prints and crayfish, I couldn't resist this recent aquisition of colorful limited edition vintage Swedish map charms; eye catching mod souvenirs of a country that personifies good design. Celebrate your love for all things Swedish with these collectible kitsch pendants in the shape of one very cool country.

Cynthia Rybakoff one of a kind and limited edition vintage travel charm collection, available weekends at Artists & Fleas, Brooklyn and online at Supermarket.

On The Road

Some good friends just left for Italy, which left me thinking…a European trip would be just the thing to inspire some fresh ideas. I’d rummage around curiosity shops in the Old City, snatching up kitschy souvenirs, like these cool vintage silver European travel charms. The hand painted tiny shield charms typically featured miniature scenes or heraldic motifs and date from the 1940’s though the 1970’s. I just adore the bright mix of enamel colors!

Cynthia Rybakoff single edition sterling silver and semi-precious stone vintage travel charm bracelets: from top amethyst, rose quartz, chalcedony. lapidorite, at cynthiarybakoff.com.