Even though an art weirdo myself, I sometimes expect to find some art related stores and shops that are worth visiting instead of just going to multiple artists. And at Santorini, my desires can all be satisfied.
Installation at the the town Fira on Santorini
This shop called Anthemion is on one of the main street at Oia. From outside of the shop you will never know what treasure you can see inside. Once you enter the shop you will find yourself in a small pub in the Enchanted Forest. Colorful puppets and dolls with all styles and sizes take up all the spaces in the shop--some of them are on the wall, some of them on the small atic and some of them are on the shelves. The lady who own the shop made all the beautiful dolls in the shop. She started making dolls and puppets since 20 years ago. She was self-taught and started the business on her own.
The sign for the store Anthemion at Oia
The overall view of the store
The lady designed her dolls with inspirations from fairytales. She also makes every part of each dolls--she molds the face and hands of the dolls with clay, paints their faces and sews the clothes too. She spends a lot of time looking for the perfect materials for the dolls while it only takes her a day on average to make a doll.
Puppets at the attic of the store. I was allowed to take a second photo in the store after I had a great chat with the nice lady who owns the store
If you visit the store and have a chat with the lady, it is not hard for you to find out that she is really passionate about making dolls and she enjoys her life. She treats all of her dolls like her babies and are very proud of them. There is no pictures allowed in the store but you can ask for the permission for photos.
The shop owner was fixing the clothes of one of the dolls while I was talking to her
This music shop called Nostos is by one of the main street of the town Fira on Santorini. The shop stands out from all the jewelry stores and souvenir stores with its window display of the traditional Greek instrument Bouzouki. Bouzouki is a instrument that is quite common in Greece. You can see street performers at many corners at Santorini with their instrument. The sound of Bouzouki is kind of like that of Banjo but with more Greek style--enthusiastic, bright and clear.
The sign of the music shop of Nostos at Fira
Traditional Greek instrument Bouzoukis, guitars and ukuleles in the shop
However the Bouzoukis is not the only thing you can see in the store. There are also guitars, ukuleles and records. You can find the type of music you like in the store because there are albums ranging from One Direction to traditional Greek music. And the store was started in 1972 by the current store owner’s father. So the store has been there before Santorini became a popular touristy island. Although the store owner can’t play Bouzouki professionally well, he is very passionate about music and has a unique taste of music I’m sure you don’t want to miss the chance to chat with him if you are also a crazy music lover.
The traditional Greek instrument--Bouzouki
Pop music albums were placed side by side with the traditional Greek music albums in the stop
