In the dazzling world of jewelry, opal is considered “the queen of gems” because it can flash patterns of color representing every hue of the rainbow. Our London silversmith Leon Nussbaum created sterling silver pieces that are inlaid with matrix of Mexican fire opal. Each piece will appear to flicker and change with every movement of the wearer. His sterling silver treasures evoke the themes of bygone times. Using semi-precious stones and rich enamels, Leon creates vibrant and dazzling designs that recall the Art Deco and Art Nouveau eras.

Historically, the Aztec Indians of Mexico were among the first to know of this fiery gem. Eventually there came a time when knowledge spread about this gemstone, and was passed down throughout generations in Mexico, in true Uno Alla Volta fashion.

Browse Leon Nussbaum’s entire collection of Mexican fire opal jewelry here.

Dazzling Mexican Fire Opal Hoop Earrings

Leon Nussbaum’s Mexican Fire Opal Leaf Necklace

Leon Nussbaum’s Mexican Fire Opal Leaf Brooch

Dazzling Mexican Fire Opal Crystal Half-Hoop Earrings

Dazzling Mexican Fire Opal Multi-Circle Earrings

Dazzling Mexican Fire Opal Square Stud Earrings

Leon Nussbaum’s Mexican Fire Opal Owl Brooch

Leon Nussbaum’s Mexican Fire Opal & Sterling Silver Leaf Earrings

 

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In her quaint workshop, tucked in between the winding village streets in New York’s Hudson River Valley, Carole, our milliner, designs each of our show-stopping hats. Carole stuns us with her ability to craft magnificent hats of all varieties, including cloches, floppies, sunhats, visors, bowler hats, and more. It seems her ideas are endless! Following her creative combinations of shape, color, and texture, her team of highly skilled, specialized artisans handcraft each hat, uno alla volta. To create each summer sunhat, genuine straw is pressed and shaped onto a heated mold, then bedecked with colorful adornments.

Carole’s “Robin” Cloche

The “Deborah” Brown Felt Fedora Hat

The “Anna” Style Blue Floppy Hat

The “Carmella” Floppy Wool Hat

 

Carole’s “Marissa” Plum Cloche

 

Find all of Carole’s handmade hats at unoallavolta.com/carole

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These tiny porcelain owl trinkets were handcrafted in Asheville, North Carolina by our artisan Kelsey.

Kelsey handcrafts pieces that are both unique and distinctive, and the keen attention to detail she uses is clear from the precision of her whimsical treasures. Influenced by both nature and the joy her work brings to those who adore them, her hope is to put a smile on her customer’s faces.

After creating the initial forms, Kelsey embellishes her treasures uno alla volta in an intricate process involving stamps and concentric circles, even filling in negative spaces to bring the creatures to life. Kelsey’s work perfectly exemplifies what we are all about here at Uno Alla Volta – that is, taking things one at a time.

These clay owl trinkets are the perfect size to keep in your purse when you need a little trinket to make you smile, or to arrange on a shelf to bring joy to all who spot them.

These trinkets tagged along on our Digital Marketing Manager, Lorraine’s trip to Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, where they can be found having a hoot!

Stay tuned to see where these little owls go next!

Our artisans in Boleslawiec, Poland, have been creating functional folk art for centuries. The unique glaze, clay and high firing temperatures result in vessels of enormous durability. A team of artisans hand-paints colorful designs using hand-carved sea sponges and fine brushwork to make each stoneware work of art as beautiful as it is functional.

We worked with our friends, Weronika and Jacek in their buzzing workshop in Boleslawiec, Poland to develop our 2017 Halloween collection. Our Polish artisans created this special hand-painted serveware in whimsical Halloween motifs showcasing the highest level of decorative artistry and skill.

2017 Edition Polish Pottery Jack-O’-Lantern

Back by popular demand, our 2017 Edition Polish Pottery Jack O’Lantern is here! This year’s exclusive design includes hand-painted black roses for an extra spooky touch. In the village of Boleslawiec, artisans hand-paint each collectible Polish stoneware Jack O’Lantern with a Halloween pattern. Each meticulously adorned ceramic Jack O’Lantern is hand-painted using traditional folk art methods. Halloween motifs are stamped on with hand-carved sea sponges and details are added with fine brushwork. To preserve these detailed images, our artisans glaze each pumpkin and fire at high temperatures to bring you an everlasting beauty you will want to display for years to come.

2017 Edition Polish Pottery Halloween Mug

2017 Edition Polish Pottery Halloween Bowl

2017 Edition Polish Pottery Halloween Dessert Plate

2017 Edition Polish Pottery Halloween Dinner Plate

Click to see all of our Halloween Polish pottery

 

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Autumn is rearing its head, and that means that the season of scarves is upon us. From alpaca wool, to ponchos, to silk – Uno Alla Volta has the perfect scarf for you this season.

Found a scarf you love but want to switch up your style? Take a peek at the Uno Alla Volta Guide to Scarves to find more ways to style your scarf.

Orange And Brown Striped Alpaca Scarf

Our weavers in the Andean Quechua communities of Ecuador and Peru use centuries-old looms to create this orange and brown striped alpaca scarf from one of nature’s most versatile and renewable materials. Warmer than wool, this silky, hypoallergenic scarf is woven of 80% pure alpaca with 20% nylon for resilience.

Joyita’s Hand-Painted Silk Pumpkin Scarf

Self-taught artist Joyita awakens a blank canvas of silk satin chiffon by hand-painting vivid pumpkins, and drying and steaming each color to set it before she adds another.

Grey Cable Knit Baby Alpaca Poncho

Using one of nature’s most versatile and renewable materials, our artisans in Ecuador and Peru handcraft each Grey Cable Knit Baby Alpaca Poncho. The neutral color scheme makes this silky, hypoallergenic poncho the perfect accessory to bring your favorite summer outfit into fall with you. This piece is woven of 60% baby alpaca and 40% Merino wool.

Jewel-Toned Sculptural Scarf

Our UK artisan, Tammy, takes inspiration from tropical forms to create this fashion-forward jewel-toned sculptural scarf. Handcrafted from silk satin and silk organza, this scarf combines rich gold with teal and magenta hues. The unique, twisting shape makes this a unique statement piece.

Joyita’s “Tree Of Life” Devore Silk Scarf

Drawing inspiration from the lush colors of California’s forests, Joyita masterfully creates each “Tree Of Life” scarf in devore silk. After hand-painting the fabric with brilliant silk dyes, she dries each scarf for 24 hours before steam-setting the glorious colors.

Marbled “Dancing Flame” Silk Scarf

The vivid colors of fall dance and swirl along this beautiful scarf from Lucille, our Connecticut artisan. Handcrafted uno alla volta, each is made from 100% silk gently placed upon water that has been combed with specialized pigments.

Luxurious Tan Striped Alpaca Scarf

Our weavers in the Andean Quechua communities of Ecuador and Peru use centuries-old looms to create this luxurious tan striped alpaca scarf from one of nature’s most versatile and renewable materials. Warmer than wool, these silky, hypoallergenic scarves are woven of 80% pure alpaca with 20% nylon for resilience.

Joyita’s Fall Foliage Hand-Painted Silk Scarf

Joyita takes inspiration from the brilliant red, yellow, and green colors of fall foliage to create this vibrant scarf in charmeuse silk. After hand-painting the fabric with brilliant silk dyes in her California studio, she dries it for 24 hours before steam setting the glorious colors.

Patricia’s Brown Hand-Marbled Silk Scarf

Deep brown colors swirl together in the traditional hand-marbled pattern along this beautiful silk scarf from Patricia, our Connecticut artisan. Each one-of-a-kind scarf is made from 100% Habotai silk that is dyed and then water-marbled in small batches with rich pigments, with a hand-stitched edge. No two will ever be exactly alike. Each scarf measures 14 inches by 70 inches. Hand wash with cold water, line dry, cool iron. Due to the handcrafted nature, exact pattern and pigmentation may vary.

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Here in New England, the leaves are coming into their peak colors. Our days are getting shorter. The nights are getting colder. Yet inside, our homes are growing warmer.

This is a time of “in-gathering.” A time of families and friends coming together, sitting by the fire and lingering around the table.

If spring is a time when relationships are born or renewed, then autumn is a time to deepen those relationships. As we baste our turkeys and roast them slowly to bring out their full flavor, and must also marinate the meaningful connections in our lives.

Our name, as you know, means one at a time. Beyond describing how our artisans lovingly create each treasure we sell, taking things uno alla volta is our philosophy for living a meaningful life.

Let’s remind one another that we are each artisans in our own lives. Let’s shape each day with creativity and intention and make sure we carve out sacred time for those activities and people who matter to us most.

In celebration of handcrafted moments,

Terri S. Alpert

Founder & CEO

T.Alpert@unoallavolta.com

The thirteen nights of Halloween will creep up on us soon enough. Get ready for the holiday with spooky (and not-so-spooky) home décor to get in the spirit!

“See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil” Halloween Ghost Figurine

Colorado artisan Gwen likens her craft to painting with clay, creating each figurine featuring three “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil” not-so-spooky Halloween ghosts defying gravity as they float atop a marbleized autumn leaf, joined by brightly colored pumpkins at their base.

“Salem” Dichroic Glass Black Cat Sculpture

Karen has been creating dazzling stand-up sculptures, such as this dichroic glass black cat, for years. She creates each sculpture, uno alla volta, by hand-cutting glass and fusing the pieces together in a kiln, all right in her Southern California studio.

Recycled Glass Cat Nightlight

This recycled glass cat nightlight would make the perfect gift for the cat lover in your life. To handcraft each one, our eco-conscious family of artisans in Florida crushes discarded bottles from nearby restaurants, then fuses them into these unique nightlights.

Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern Nana Bell Chime

If you want to impress your family with the most unique Halloween decor, this Jack-O’-Lantern nana bell chime will certainly do the trick. Each wind chime is handcrafted in the Indian port city of Surat from hand-cut and forged iron, and adorned with bright orange beads and a copper alloy nana bell.

“Shimmering Glenda” Dichroic Glass Witch Figurine

No matter which way you glance at her, our “Shimmering Glenda” dichroic glass Halloween witch figurine will be twinkling back at you. Karen, our southern California glass artisan, has been creating dazzling standup sculptures of dichroic glass for years, but this is her first “person” ever. She creates each Glenda uno alla volta, by hand-cutting glass and fusing the pieces together in a kiln.

Hand-Gilded Jack-O’-Lantern Wine Glass

In a third-generation workshop in Verona, Italy, Amedeo and his two sons, Valentino and Roberto, transform ordinary glass into luminous works of art. After applying stucco jack-o’-lanterns to the glass, a layer of gold leaf is added by hand, then brushed with translucent glazes. Once completely dry, each is hand-polished to a gleaming luster.

Yellow Murano Millefiori Pumpkin Glass Sculpture from the Campanella Family

Showcasing their masterful artistry and technique, the Campanella family of Murano keeps alive the traditions of their ancestors as they handcraft each exquisite millefiori pumpkin, one at a time. Our artisans decorate each pumpkin by meticulously layering thin slices of orange, yellow and white glass canes to form each millefiori work of art.

Pewter Halloween Magnets

Our artisans in a small harborside village in Nova Scotia handcraft each pewter Halloween magnet from lead-free pewter, which is hand-finished and polished to a gleaming luster. The artists donate a portion of the proceeds to fund charitable organizations.

Christie’s Autumnal Suncatchers

Just in time for the autumn season, Christie of Texas handcrafted each festive stained glass uno alla volta, ready to hang in your window. As one of the most well-respected stained glass artists in the country, Christie has built a career on large window installations, while still indulging in smaller pieces, bringing light and color into our world with each handcrafted glass suncatcher. Watch the interplay of the light and shadow as the sun shines through the orange, green and brown glass.

Christie’s Pumpkin Suncatcher

Christie’s Jack-O’-Lantern Suncatcher

Letizia’s 2017 Edition Florentine Kitchen Witch

According to Italian legend, La Befana was an elderly woman who was busy sweeping her front stoop when three wise men passed by on their way to visit the Christ child. Because of her chore, she could not go with them, and later realized what an opportunity she had missed. Now, to make up for her mistake, she flies on her broom to visit all the children of the world every January, leaving gifts for the well-behaved and coal for the naughty.

Mark’s Pink And Orange Hand-Blown Glass Pumpkin

Drawing on over forty years’ experience, our New Orleans glass artisan masterfully shapes rich layers of molten glass speckled with pink and orange to create each hand-blown glass pumpkin sculpture. This adorable glass pumpkin is the perfect item to decorate your house for fall.

Stitched Felt Witch Mouse

For 36 years, our artisan located on the western shore of Lake Michigan has been dressing mice for the holidays. This whimsical mouse, with handmade stitched felt body, glass-bead eyes and nose, and mouse-sized costume, is ready for some “spook-tacular” Halloween fun.

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Welcome autumn into your home this September by surrounding yourself with autumnal home décor. Enjoy a glass of red wine with a leaf-patterned wine glass, take in a seasonal aroma with a scented candle, light the way with an owl-etched nightlight, adorn your home with fabric owl ornaments, or hang a wreath on your front door to show your neighbors you are ready for the new season.

Hand Blown Glass Treasures

Using traditional glass-making techniques and his own signature details, our Massachusetts artisan hand-blows each of these autumnal glass treasures. After skillfully designing each piece, he uses only a blowpipe and hand tools to meticulously shape colorful opaque and translucent molten glass into each piece, which seems to radiate with beauty in the light.

Multicolored Hand-Blown Glass Pumpkin

Hand-Blown Glass Gourd

Hand-Blown Glass Acorn Sculpture

Green and Yellow Murano Glass Millefiori Pumpkin

Showcasing their masterful artistry and technique, the Campanella family of Murano keeps alive the traditions of their ancestors as they handcraft this exquisite green and yellow millefiori glass pumpkin. Our artisans meticulously layer thin slices of colorful glass canes to form each millefiori work of art.

Recycled Glass Owl Nightlight

In sunny Cape Coral, Florida, our husband and wife team of artisans have been creating eco-friendly recycled glass nightlights for almost twenty years. This adorable owl nightlight is handmade from upcycled glass, and fused in an energy-efficient kiln.

Hand-Gilded Grapevine Wine Glass

In a third-generation workshop in Verona, Italy, Amedeo and his two sons, Valentino and Roberto, transform each grape wine glass into a work of art, no two exactly alike. After applying stucco vines and leaves to the glass, a layer of color and gold leaf is added by hand. Once completely dry, each is hand polished to a gleaming luster.

Letizia’s Florentine Owl Door Stop

Letizia of Florence handcrafts our folk-art collectible owl door stop, uno alla volta. She collects hand-stitched fabric from local Italian markets, which she cuts and sews into the correct shapes, then fills with heavy stuffing. This door stop will add a touch of autumnal flair to any room in your house.

Pheasant Feather Harvest Wreath

Bring a floral treasure into the home with this pheasant feather harvest wreath, handcrafted by our Baja California artisans in Mexico. Ring-necked pheasant feathers nestle dried salal leaves, sudan grass, red myrtle, nigella and lotus pods, and are adorned with pomegranates to create this stunning wreath on a natural twig base.

2017 Perching Owl Wreath

Our artisans in Baja California, Mexico assemble each 2017 perching owl wreath with hand-picked twigs from nearby vineyards. Each one is composed of natural sudan grass, sorghum, and maple leaves, all hand-arranged. A faux owl made from natural, dried botanicals perches wide-eyed in the center of each wreath.

Autumn’s Bounty Wreath

In Baja California, Mexico, our floral artisans handcraft this decorative autumn wreath featuring brown, yellow, orange and green leaves, natural bearded wheat, faux berries, gourds and mini pumpkins.

Letizia’s Owl Ornaments

Our Florentine artisan, Letizia collects vintage fabrics from local Italian markets which she uses to handcraft each owl ornament. First, she hand-stitches the fabric together and then she fills each with stuffing and finishes it with intricate details and final touches. These owl ornaments come in a set of three, ready to hang.

Florentine Apple, Pear And Peach Candle

Bring an Italian glow into your home with this Florentine apple, pear and peach candle. Each is handcrafted of pure refined paraffin and a cotton wick, and presented in a recycled wine bottle base with a cork lid.

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When it comes to fall fashion, black and white are eternally classic, and grey hues add a touch of elegance to even the simplest of outfits. Be it a handbag, scarf, or jewelry, find your favorite graceful grey at Uno Alla Volta.

Black & White Hand-Marbled Silk Scarf with Clip

Black and white colors swirl together in a rich marbleized pattern. Lucille, our Connecticut artist, begins by placing drops of specialized pigments on a surface of thickened water that she combs into a dramatic marble pattern. She then places a treated scarf of 100% silk on the surface until the design is absorbed.

Alessandra And Elisabetta’s Grey Italian Suede Bucket Bag

Born into the leathercraft business, Alessandra and Elisabetta have the highest of standards for materials, workmanship, and style, which is apparent in this grey Italian suede bucket bag. Recently, these sisters have taken over the helm of the family business following the passing of their beloved father, Maurizio. This roomy grey bucket bag, which features a white suede tassel and braided leather handles, is handcrafted, one at a time, in Florence.

Millefiori Italian Watch

Just steps from Venice’s venerable Rialto Bridge, you will find a workshop of decidedly modern women who use traditional techniques to create strikingly original designs. This new Italian watch features our traditional white face trimmed with multicolor millefiori designs, while the band is crafted of stainless steel mesh.

Guatemalan Seed Bead Necklace

Highly-skilled artisans in Guatemala combine traditional techniques with a contemporary flair to handcraft this necklace. Each is composed of tiny, colorful seed beads, intricately hand strung onto multiple strands and crocheted into this unique pattern.

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