Amanda Temple has been fortunate enough to visit some extraordinary places ? from Paris to Patagonia, but of all the locations Venice remains her absolute favourite.

?It is truly one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been ? the only one to which I returned and to which I would like to go again and again,? she says.

Visiting for the first time in February, 2001, Ms Temple found herself in a city that was chilly and deserted, its myriad streets silent except for an occasional echo of distant footsteps. Immediately struck by the ?exquisite beauty? of the buildings, however, she spent days meandering through the maze of alleys and arches.

Vibrancy returned to Venice the following week, however, when the photographer watched Carnivale transform winter?s tranquillity into a festival of bustling activity, its ancient cobblestones covered in confetti, and each piazza a masquerade filled with thousands of revellers dressed in colourful costumes of silk, velvet and taffeta.

Returning to the sinking city again this March, Ms Temple again found herself ?mesmerised by the subtleties in the hues of the peeling paint and crumbling brick?.

?There is a tragic beauty in the decay,? she says. ?The city is falling slowly into the sea, but it is this corrosion that I find so alluring. Intricately carved stone faces, mounted above windows and softened by the centuries, watch the world go by. Twin iron door knockers, the right one always more worn than the left, welcome visitors. All these corroded characters are beautiful tributes to the city?s history and culture.?

In 2004, just before going to Paris, a friend told the Bermudian photographer he thought it was a silly idea to visit the French capital because every conceivable photo had already been taken.

Initially crushed by his pessimism, she nonetheless made the journey, and while there reflected on his words, which ultimately inspired her to capture images which were truly unique and magical ? a formula to which she has subscribed ever since.

Ambling through Venice on her second visit, Ms Temple again thought of the millions of people who had strolled through its piazzas over time, capturing standard images over and over again, and she resolved to focus instead on ?the elaborate details within each building?s facade or bridge railing, and capture perspectives of fleeting moments?.

For every photographer there is that one shot, that one fleeting moment captured for all time that leads them to say, ?That was my best shot ever?. For Ms Temple that moment came during a rainy morning stroll in Piazza San Marco ? Venice?s main square. Normally buzzing with people and pigeons, on this occasion it was almost deserted.

Stopping momentarily outside the Caf? Quadri she espied two ?rather glamorous, older women? enjoying each other?s company, and the incredible view, over coffee. Inside the cafe was a beautiful, gilded mirror in which, along with the cafe window, she saw not only her reflection but that of the magnificent architecture behind her.

?There is so much happening, but what makes this image so interesting is that it is difficult to decipher exactly what is where,? Ms Temple says.

And that, as always, is part of her magic ? making the ordinary extraordinary.

In fact, the photograph was awarded ?Best in Show? at this year?s Bermuda Society of Arts annual photographic exhibition. ?s journey as a jewellery designer is also closely connected to Venice, and began a year ago when she bought a necklace and bracelet set created from stunning Murano glass and gold wire. (Murano is an island off the Venetian coast which is famed for its glassmaking). Unable to find matching earrings, she bought a second bracelet which she then took apart to make a series of interchangeable dangling earrings and pendants ? an event which proved to be the genesis of a busy, spare time occupation.

From the beginning, Miss Mosher decided that she would only use quality items in her pieces: sterling silver and gold-filled wire, and semi-precious beads, freshwater pearls and shells because she ?loves the inclusions and facets in the stones?.

She has also used coral, horn, wood and glass in her work, and says her favourite stones are striking agate nuggets discovered on a recent trip to Barcelona.?

While at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts Miss Mosher worked in black and white and digital photography, sculpture, drawing and installation pieces before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art with a minor in French. She then moved to France, where she enjoyed capturing the vineyards of Provence in oils.

Upon her return to Bermuda, Miss Mosher set aside her creativity in order to focus on a career. Nonetheless, in her years as the Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator at the Tucker?s Point Club, she has found her artistic skills and creativity an asset.

In terms of designing jewellery, Miss Mosher says its appeal lies in the fact that ?it puts art in the every day?.

?Women want to express or adorn themselves in a way that complements their features, and they also want something distinctive. With all of the disposable fashion out there, having something that is distinctively yours that you had a hand in designing, something of quality that will last, is alluring.?

In fact, the designer is often asked to make custom jewellery which conforms to a particular colour scheme, be it a dress or eye colour. Some clients prefer to choose a design from her portfolio while others have their own specific ideas.

?As we plan the design, I sketch out renderings of the piece and we adjust the design together. Once I?ve finished the piece we make sure everything is the right length and proportion and I?ll adjust as necessary. I derive the greatest pleasure from making people happy,? she says.

With the upcoming holiday party season in mind, Miss Mosher will shortly travel to the US in search of appropriate stones. As for the future she says: ?Who knows??

?It?s a little like Bermuda?s motto based on the 1609 shipwreck of our first settlers: ?Quo Fata Ferunt? .. ?Where Fate Would Carry Me? ...the unknown is totally exhilarating.?

Ms Temple?s photographs will be on display until October 12. Miss Mosher will be available at Rock Island each Saturday this month from noon to 4 p.m. to discuss individual requests for custom designed jewellery.

For further information see the Bermuda Calendar.