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Shopping for Interesting Decor items on the Web
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Hand of Fatima
One of the most popular amulets found throughout the Middle East is the Hand of Fatima. It is an especially popular accross North Africa where it is worn as protection from the evil eye. Artemis Imports has a tremendous collection of unique one-of-a-kind hands from delicate jewelry to larger door knockers and wall hangings. If you want to protect your sacred space beautifully, a hand might be a good investment. She also has some really groovy clocks, posters and other decore items to give your home that flavor of Morocco.
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Toran
The Toran is a decorative hanging from India. Theya re often elaboately embroidered, sometimes with shi-sha mirror embroidery. Toran are hung over doorways to demarcate the space. It's considered auspicious to have a toran over your door way. Many tribal, fusion and historic dancers transform toran into hip wraps and tassle belts. Look for designs that feature mirror work and embroidery with elephants, peacocks and camels for luck.
Visit Tribal Bazaar website for an excellent collection of toran.
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Decorative Brass Items
I love brass trays. I use them to decorate my personal spaces and to balance on my head during performances. Trays look beautiful hanging on walls, displayed on surfaces with candles and other decorative elements artfully displayed. Oher brass items that I love to display include coffee pots and oil vessels, brass planters and sculpture. While my favorite place to find brass items is at antique stores and resale shops, many dancers perfer to buy new.
Visit your favorite local import store,
antique shop or even some thrifts stores.
On line - check out Cost Plus Imports
for candle sticks and other decorative Items.
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Jewelry as Decorations
Perhaps one of the most beautiful ways to decorate your space is with a beautiful display of exotice ethnic jewelry. The display in our room was composed of pieces purchased from many different sources. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
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Candles
One of the best way to add a beautiful glow to your living space is by lighting a few candles. In our room, the candles were purchased from a wide variety of stores. My favorite technique for buying candles is to cruise the clearance aisles of discount department stores - such as Target - after the holidays. I love the scent of warm rich vanilla - which is also easy to match scent-wise and creamy white makes a neutral backdrop for further embellishment. When I want a new scent, it serves as a backdrop to a more spicy aromas.
One of my favorite places to find high-quality
long burning candles is Illuminations.
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Oriental Rugs
Nothing gives a room that Middle Eastern flavor than a beautiful oriental rug. While authentic wool or silk hand-woven rugs are out of the price-range of most shoppers, inexpensive reproductions can be found at most discount stores, and home improvement centers. Used rugs are a hot commodity in the resale market, and I've had good luck picking up rugs at resale shops and antique/collectables store.
I have friends who have gotten excellent deals on eBay.
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