San Sebastian
When I first landed in Spain I drove straight to the Basque Country for Running of the Bulls and afterwards some Aussie surfer friends took me to San Sebastian. My very first sundowner in Spain and I was hooked on San Seb. It was nothing like I imagined Spain to be. This young, naive Australian had dreamt of red clay olive groves, soaring heat, Flamenco and Paella.
I feel so lucky that one of my Spanish firsts was nestled infront of those green rolling hills on the border of France, it completely opened to my eyes to how diverse Spain is. I haven’t been able to stop myself from going back to San Sebastian, she’s got everything! Little old Basque men in Berets, Parisian architecture, stunning turquoise beaches, surf, their very own Christo on top of the old castle, the best cheesecake and steak in the world and Txakoli and Pinxtos.... the food oh the food, everything a foodie could ever want! It was also here that I tried my very first sea urchin and experienced Txirimiri.
It took me a couple of years and a few visits to really figure out the Basque Country. The Basque or Euskadis (as called in their native language called Euskera) are fiercely proud of their land, language and culture - they even have their own font! Their language is so old and so uninfluenced that the roots can not be traced. The Euskadis have been tucked between their pristine hills and beaches fending of invaders for centuries and they are well known to be extra strong and tough.
I always feel so refreshed and inspired after a couple of days in Spain’s shining jewel, I hope this collection does the Euskadis proud.
With love from Spain,
Annabelle xo
Limited edition, handmade by Annabelle, small pink and ivory handcrocheted shells with hand sewn freshwater pearls and 18k gold (1 micron) or sterling silver (10 microns) plated circular studs with mother of pearl centres. They measure 7cm in length and are super light! These earrings take over 3 hours of work, stitch by stitch, pearl by pearl, true artisanry.
The Yacht Club is infront of the beautiful old town on the water of Bahia de la Concha. It has a great bar and a deck for all to enjoy a sundowner but if you´re a member you can use their deck chairs on the jetty to laze in the sun, it´s oh so euro!
The pink and ivory crochet shells were lovingly handmade by the mother-daughter duoSea & Horse. Charo and Brenda are Galician artisans/designers/women of many talents that are keeping traditional techniques alive. To be able to collaborate with them on these special pieces again is such a privilege and pleasure.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
One off, vintage upcycled sterling silver plated (10 microns) clip-on earrings. They measure 4cm in length.
I´m always on the lookout for vintage pieces - vintage shopping is my favourite past time. I scored a whole bag of vintage things that were going to be thrown out from a fancy apartment my friend was rennovating in Barrio Salamanca in Madrid. I took this pairs off to be silver plated in the studio in Cordoba to see how they scrubbed up (big silver vintage earrings are so on trend right now!) and they came back shining beautifully. They´re one of kind and done up rescued landfill, which makes them all the more special!
Sanse is what people call San Sebastian for short. I included these 90´s vintage clip ons because they remind me of the old glamour you see walking around la Bahia de la Concha.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
Limited edition, nude pink padded headband with nude pink string netting from Seville, Spain. It measures 6cm in width.
Donostia is the name of San Sesbastian in Euskera (Basque language). It was founded in 1180 where the Old Quarter is today. The city walls fended off invaders for centuries - except for Napoleón who destroyed most of the city until the Anglo-Portuguese drove him out. 31 de Agosto Kalea, a street in the old town was named in memory of this defeat but today it´s one of Spain´s best eat streets packed with bars serving happy customers exotic pintxos, txakoli and cider.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
Limited edition, handmade by Annabelle 3 micron 18k gold plated sterling silver base miniature starfish charm from the Basque Country on hypoallergenic gold stainless steel chain. This necklace measures 40cm.
Itsas Izar means Starfish in Euskadi, aka Basque language. The Basques are profoundly connected to the sea and have always had salty sealegs. They´re fierce about preserving their history, culture and the beautiful ecosystem they have. If you visit the neighbouring village to San Sebastian, Pasajes you can see them reconstructing a 16th Century Ship that was the first type of ship to sail to the newly discovered lands of South America, it really is a wonder.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
Limited edition, large shell earrings varnished and plated in 18k gold or with 10 microns of sterling silver plating. They have a stud system for pierced ears only, measure 4.5cm in length and each earring weighs 1.5 grams. The gold pair are on PRE ORDER for the moment, delivery may take up to 6 weeks.
Bahia de la Concha has turquoise blue waters and fine white sand nestled between green rolling hills and rocks. Curved around the edges are glamorous decorative white iron filagrees along the promenade. The sunsets are spectacular from every inch of the bay, especially from up the top of Castilo de la Mota. It is like a glistening shell with a pearl inside, one of Spain´s finest jewels.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
Limited edition, hypoallergenic zamak bar custom made in Menorca, electroplated in 1 micron of 18k gold or with 5 microns of sterling silver and freshwater pearl necklace. It measures 45cm in length and has a clip clasp. It also can be worn back to front like in the last photo. These are on PRE ORDER for the moment and delivery may take up to 4 weeks.
Txakoli is one of my favourite white wines, it tastes like the aftermath of a wave crashing with its light bubbles. It´s a local grape that grows on the green rolling hills behind San Sebastian´s coastline. Records of its trade date back to the 16th Century. There´s nothing better than a Txakoli and some Pintxos after a swim.
Zamak is an alloy blend of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper which makes it suitable for sensitive skin types, very durable and great for silver and gold plating. These bases were made to order on the beautiful Belearic Island of Menorca by a family run studio that started back in 1945. I like to keep my designs as Spanish and local as possible.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
Limited edition, hypoallergenic zamak round disc earrings made in Menorca, electroplated in 1 micron of 18k gold or with 5 microns of sterling silver. They have a stud system for pierced ears only, measure 1.5cm in length and each earring weighs 1 gram. These are on PRE ORDER only atm, delivery may take up to 6 weeks.
Txakoli is one of my favourite white wines, it tastes like the aftermath of a wave crashing with its light bubbles. It´s a local grape that grows on the green rolling hills behind San Sebastian´s coastline. Records of its trade date back to the 16th Century. There´s nothing better than a Txakoli and some Pintxos after a swim.
Zamak is an alloy blend of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper which makes it suitable for sensitive skin types, very durable and great for silver and gold plating. These earring bases were made to order on the beautiful Belearic Island of Menorca by a family run studio that started back in 1945. I like to keep my designs as Spanish and local as possible.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
Limited edition, handmade by Annabelle, teardrop studs varnished and plated in 18k gold or with 10 microns of sterling silver and irregular shaped freshwater pearls. They have a stud system for pierced ears only, measure 3cm in length and each earring weighs around 1 gram each depending on the size and shape of the freshwater pearls. These are on PRE ORDER only atm, delivery may take up to 4 weeks.
Txirimiri is a word in Euskera (Basque language) that is for northern Spain´s iconic fine misty rain. It wouldn´t be the complete San Sebastian experience without some Txirimiri lightly kissing your face at some point.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
Limited edition, pebble shaped moonstone stone charm with 18k gold plated solid sterling silver frames handmade in Jaipur, India on hypoallergenic gold stainless steel chain. This necklace measures 25cm from the back of the neck to the middle stone at the bottom.
The Mota Castle or known as Motako Gaztelua in Euskera is a 12th Century fortress that has stood the test of time protecting San Sebastian. It’s cobblestone paths wind their way through the wildlife all the way up to the Christo statue up the top. It’s one of my favourite sunset spots and the views from every angle are nothing short of spectacular. There is a little stone bar overlooking Bahia de la Concha up the top serving Basqueland IPAs which make the perfect Basque sundowners.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez
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Limited edition, hypoallergenic zamak sea urchin earrings custom made in Menorca, electroplated in 1 micron of 18k gold or with 5 microns of sterling silver. They have a hook system for pierced ears only, measure 2cm in length and each earring weighs 1.2 grams. The silver pairs are on PRE ORDER only atm, delivery may take up to 6 weeks.
San Sebastian is a foodie´s heaven, the seas of Pintxos covering every bartop is a feast for the senses. I have had a lot of foodie firsts there over the years but my most memorable was trying sea urchins. They were sweet and salty and their shells seem like a perfect piece of mother nature´s art. In Euskera (Basque language) they´re called Itsas Trikuas.
Zamak is an alloy blend of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper which makes it suitable for sensitive skin types, very durable and great for silver and gold plating. These earring bases were made to order on the beautiful Belearic Island of Menorca by a family run studio that started back in 1945. I like to keep my designs as Spanish and local as possible.
San Sebastian Photography: Marijke Kuesters | Models: Lorena & Mina | MUAH: Leopoldo Rodriguez