Dina Varano in Chester, CT

Whenever I visit my friend Paula in Connecticut we usually take the short drive to the charming town of Chester. It is a beautiful historic mill town in the Connecticut River Valley that is known for its art galleries, elegant shops and great restaurants.

We always stop in at the shop of  Dina Varano

 which features her beautiful jewelry designs as well as a collection of fine crafts, eclectic home decor, beautiful purses, scarves, folk art  and unique and interesting gifts.

Over the years we have purchased any number of lovely gifts for friends and family here...and a few things for ourselves too!

 It was fun on Friday night to watch as several men stopped in

 to buy Christmas gifts.

  

click for a closer look!

It was difficult to photograph the shop at night...

I wanted to do justice to Dina's beautiful jewelry so I asked her for a few professional photos to share with you.

The necklace above is called the Flair

 and it is of oxidized sterling silver.

Dina's work is clearly inspired by nature.

This sterling silver bangle bracelet is called the Crowd

 Sterling silver rings

I took this photograph and the one below.

I love the organic quality in her work.

These gorgeous earrings are part of her impressions series

They might just be in my Christmas stocking!
Mr. Flea (aka Santa Baby) could always use a little help!
:)

If you are visiting Chester you will love her shop and gallery.

You can also see her work here:

http://www.DinaVarano.com
http://www.dinavarano.blogspot.com
http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/1638

I am linking up this mostly white and silver post

 to Kathleen's at Faded Charm for White Wednesday.