Krama, Arnaldas 3E, 22761655, LEFKOSIA (NICOSIA)
Summer hours: Tue-Fri 9:30-13:00, Mon-Tue, Wed-Fri 17:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-13:30
Winter hours: Tue-Fri 9:30-13:00, Mon-Tue, Wed-Fri 15:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-13:30
I was asked yesterday why I called this website Cypriot and Proud and what is there to be proud of. My answer was straight forward and simple: apart form our food, culture, heritage, landscape and history, it is Cypriot designers and visionaries like Skevi Afantiti, who 20 years ago when locals where scared to express themselves, they dared to create their own avant-garde jewellery, clothing and art.
Skevi is a jewellery designer who has been making modern and minimalistic pieces made from precious metals that last a lifetime. “I don’t approach my jewellery designs as lifeless, decorative objects, but as a work that rests on the body, taking on its own individual character through movement, line and form”, she says, and perhaps this is the reason why her 3-D and structured and linear designs are so unique.
What I particularly like about Skevi’s jewellery is that she is not afraid to create weird shapes and structures using silver and gold (she did afterall specialize in that in her studies in Italy), that can be worn as signature pieces, or as every day rings and necklaces. Apart from her jewellery, she also makes a selection of beautiful bridal and christening ornaments.
Unfortunately I am not the one to discover Skevi, but a long time ago prestigious establishments like Benaki museum in Athens, stores in Greece, Ireland, Spain and Italy as well as a large number of galleries in Cyprus have presented (and are still selling) her jewellery. Fortunately she has a main shop in the centre of Nicosia where she sells a selection of her creations. If you like and are looking for something different (either for yourself or as a present) her shop, Krama, is a must-visit (fortunately the jewellery prices vary from 45€ for smaller items to a few hundred € for signature and distinctive pieces).

www.skeviafantiti.com