Some Garden and Craft Favorites

These are my favorite plants in my yard..they keep having babies too. I have no idea what they are called but the person I got them from called them "Ear Plants"...I"m sure that's not the real name. I don't know why I like them so much..I suppose its the pink color on the tops and the fact that they are just so different.



I know I enjoy succulents though because they are so interesting and many of them will grow from just a stolen leaf off of a momma plant.



This one is planted in a pot that I did the mosaics on. I used to go out to this old dump area that has all been over grown and cows now roam on it and find old pottery shards and glass. There were many other colors too but for some reason there is a heck of a lot of the blue and white china and cobalt glass there. I've recently made friends with Marjorie from Marjories Cracked Plate Jewelry and it just kills me that I threw out a whole box of saved pieces. She would have had a blast with them. I really never did all I wanted with them and I had so many favorite pieces. I used to think it was strange how I would get so attached to a broken piece of potter that I found..I had a little stash of favorites. But I bet Marjorie understands lol!



And then there is this little ground cover..I have no idea what it is either..but one day when my husband and I were out walking we saw some on the ground near the road..it wasstarting to crawl up the rock wall there too..so we plucked off about 3 little pieces and planted them. They took off immediately and now it's just growing and growing. It's gonna grow over this little bird house my husband and son built years ago.

Our Saturday at the Beach

Finally..we got out of the house! We've been stuck inside for so long..just trying to work through some health issues with our son Cameron. He was diagnosed with gastroparesis in August and then in September with eosinophilic gastroenteritus.



I don't remember the last time that I have been so aware of the wonderful ocean air...I've stayed away from the beach for very long intervals before..often letting a year pass in between visits. When I finally go again I don't remember being so aware of sound of the waves and the refreshing ocean air...sure I appreciate it always..but Saturday it was different.. I think we just REALLY needed it this time.

We went to Sprecklesville Beach. Here is Cameron when we first got out of the car...his first time out doing something other then doctors appointments in months and months. He's gotten really 'comfy' staying at home every day..didn't really want to go even, but we insisted it would be good for him.



I promised him just an hour..for lunch and to sit back and read..no pressure. We did our after lunch walk there too..it was such a nice change from the same walk around the neighborhood.



He even did a little exploring with his dad by the tide pools.





We probably stayed an extra hour..and after we stopped at my favorite health food store Mana Foods and picked up some supplies and some frozen yogurt to eat on the way home. Such a simple outing yet sooo very refreshing and very very much needed!

Jonara Blu Mention on Stylelist by Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry

Marjorie of Marjories cracked plate jewelry was interviewed on Stylelist this week and the sweet person that she is mentioned me! Click the above link to read her interview and to see her Kudos to Jonara Blu Maui.

Thanks Marjorie!



Here's a picture of Marjorie at the Manasquan Craft/Antique Show in Manasquan, NJ

My roses are exploding!

I love it when they all bloom at once..it's a colorful rose rainbow :)







Gotta love Maui and year-round blooming roses. I mean..who would start a vegie garden in October? We did! I will post those pics next time :)

One very talented kitty

So could you catch up on some restfull ZZZ's while hanging halfway off your bed?

Luv from a father and husband...

Yesterday my husband texted this picture to Cameron and I. He had gone to the shooting range and then to the beach to have his lunch before he started work. He called first and I got to hear the crashing waves as we chatted a little. I know he needs a little escape once in a while to help the stress, especially since he is our main bread winner...but he knew I was a little sad that we couldn't be there with him and so he thought this would help. (I'm the main care taker for our son who is chronically ill so outings are usually very quick, by myself and with purpose.) It did help a little because it was so sweet.

Luv from a customer...

It was certainly nice to wake up to this nice note from a customer this morning:

Hi! I received my freshwater coin pearl necklace, earrings, and
anklet in the mail yesterday! They are absouletly gorgeous and I just had to tell you "thank you!" I can't wait to wear the pieces at my beach wedding!


If you are a jewelry artist selling online you understand the sense of relief knowing that the special jewelry pieces you created with your own two hands has arrived to it's destination safely, and then to hear how much they liked it is always an added bonus :) Thank you for this Angie from Florida :)

Here is what Angie purchased:





I just know she's going to look smashing at her Florida beach wedding!

More Blue Jewelry

Here are a couple more pieces I made to match Turquoise Sky



Turquoise Sky - Maui Beaded Earrings



Paua Palm Tree Bracelet

Images By Desiree - an artist showcase

Meet my cousin-in-law Desiree...a very talented photographer. Des has been busy capturing moments with a camera since highschool I believe but has been taking snapshots of life with the blink of her eyes since she was a little girl(so cute!). Her expertise is obvious when you look at her work Images by Desiree. She's definitely got an eye for capturing those special moments.






I love the fresh and sometimes quirky look she has on life..real life moments ya know...




(I love this one..it reminds me of Doctor Who lol!)




It doesn't stop there..just check out her site Images by Desiree and her blog Images by Desiree's Blog, there are pages full of incredibly touching photography and beautiful happy people. Lots of babies too..she loves taking pictures of the babies!

If you are looking for a photographer in the southern California area..I highly recommend Images by Desiree.

Turquoise Sky

Latest creation now available. If interested click here Turquoise Sky

Free Handbag Contest!

Handbag Planet is having a free handbag giveaway to celebrate the October 15th launch of their website. Here is an excerp from the site:

Handbag Planet is almost here. To celebrate the October 15, 2008 launch, we are giving away a free handbag every hour for 24 hours on the day of the launch. Our high fashion, trendy handbags are inspired by popular designer brands and priced between $30 and $80.

After signing-up in one easy step below, you can select the handbag you would like to win. There's absolutely no catch - this means no shipping/handling fees or credit card required. Yes, it's really that simple!


If you'd like to get in on the fun go here www.handbagplanet.com

Here is the bag I chose if I win..I'vr always wanted a green purse :)



After you choose your bag then there are other ways to get more entries into the contest..like blogging about it!

Have fun!

I got a card...

This is from my nephew Koa...one evening not too long ago while I was at a function with my family..my 5 year old nephew kept telling me that he had a suprise for me in the car. He was so excited to give it to me he talked about it all evening..finally revealing that he had made me a card. Eventually we all headed out to our cars..I met him at his and he was just besides himself with excitment as he pulled out this larger then life single paged 'card' with his name on it ;-) It was so cute he was so darn proud of it and I think it's extra special as it hangs on my fridge. When he comes over..he often reminds me that he made it for me just incase I forget lol!

Thank you Koa...I love you :)



Photograph by Aihara Visuals

Beach Glass and Marjories Cracked Plate Jewelry

I recently sent some beach glass pieces I'd collected over the years to and amazing jewelry artist and friend, Marjorie of Marjories Cracked Plate Jewelry She does amazing work with broken china and has recently added beach glass in to her line. I felt that my beach glass pieces had been ignored too long and deserved a better life! Marjorie waisted no time and has created some adorable pieces with them:

This is an earcuff..very beautiful and very hip!



and here is an adorable bracelet utilizing a few different shades of beach glass:



and here are a couple of pics of her specialty..broken china pieces..I love her work because it's such a different take on the fresh new 'vintage' concept of putting together age old items to create something new. Marjorie uses old china and the old art of crochet (if you noticed she crochets the wire necklace part)..her work has a very cool vintage appeal that is so popular in fashion right now.





If you are interested in seeing more beach glass jewelry check out Marjories shops...if she doesn't have any in stock at the moment be sure to ask her..I'm sure she'd make something for you! you can find the rest of her work here:

Marjories Cracked Plate Jewelry
Marjories Etsy Shop
Marjories Blog

And last but not least, Marjorie..here is that picture I was looking everywhere to show you..I finally found it!

I wanted to show Marjorie my 'attempt' at using my beach glass in a jewelry piece. This necklace was made and sold quite a few years ago. If I had to do it over, I would have used a larger bead above each pendant, but I loved the periwinkle color and how it played off of the green and blue glass so played a big part in my choice. I wasted soo much silver wire (didn't know about non-tarnish silver artwire back then) trying to make these and just never tried it again. Who knows..maybe I will try a ring or something. Marjorie..you are definitely an inspiration!

Zebra Finch

We have wild zebra finch here..the story is that they got loose from a pet shop and multiplied..I'm not sure if it's true or not. They are so cute though and so colorful. Here are a couple that were going to build a nest as you can see the grass being held by the little guy on the right. This was snapped the other day while I having a good jewelry photoshoot under the diffused light of the high clouds.




In March I had a close encounter with a zebra finch and got some great photos. Click on the link to see the pics.

New Sea Treausres...

A sneak peek of the newest necklaces ready to be uploaded to my shop...






This last one has been uploaded already and is available here Green and Purple Abalone and Freshwater Pearl Silk Cord Necklace

New Baby Boy on the Way!

My brother and sister in law are expecting again...it's a little boy and his name will be Hanalei Hayden (yes..after the mango!) We can't wait for him to arrive and join our little indian troop of boys in the family. All the cousins just love each other so much.



My sister Kimberlee of Aihara Visuals took some beautiful photos of the family. You can check them out here

however here are some more of my favorites :D