Thursday, May 26, 2011

Thumbtack.com - new venue to list your online shop!

The other day I received and email from a nice gal named Heather asking about my wedding planning services and if I'd like to list them on their new website. I kindly let her know I was not a wedding planner..but that in looking at Thumbtack.com it looked like a really cool new place to list my jewelry website and would I still be able to. She said yes to go ahead and tell others. Here is my listing:

Beach Bride Jewelry made on Maui

The difference in this site is that it's made so you can find certain services in your own area. It's also got some extras..so far I see that I can add some pictures and it has a feature to help list your services on Craigslist. It all appears to be free as well. I have not delved far into it yet..but so far it's pretty simple and helpful as it even suggests you put the link to your listing on your website. It lets you know that to do this helps your ranking in Google. By completing different things you also get points..however I have not figured out what the points are for yet ;-)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Hanging out with Sea Turtles!

Want a nice way to spend an evening? How about heading out to the beach at Sunset...watching the sun slowly go down...watch the surfers come in...



And then watch the turtles come in!








Hawaii state law prohibits touching these beautiful creatures..and believe me it's hard not to...they come up so close to you! But you also want to think about keeping all your digits..they have sharp beaks for mouths and could probably snap a finger right off! Plus we don't want to add to any difficulties they are having as an endangered species so we don't touch..have a quick photo shoot and then sit back and watch as they nap in the moonlight. Not really sure what they are doing but they definitely want out of the water by sunset. And no they are not laying eggs. I imagine they are really smart and do that somewhere where people can't come to watch and take pictures with them (^-^)




Here is a video of one of the turtles that I posted on YouTube
sea turtle coming to shore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZXSfXQGH5w

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Aloha from Hawaii! Collection on ArtFire

Today my Black Lip Shell Hibiscus Earrings made it on the Aloha from Hawaii Collection on ArtFire :)

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Beaded Bracelets

Jonara Blu Maui

Double Stranded Beaded Bracelets by Jonara Blu Maui!

I have a few in my shop right now..these double strand beaded bracelets are so much fun to wear..I really need to make more!


A whimsical mix of stabilized turquoise shapes, buri nut, tiger ebony wood, snowflake brown jasper, and coconut shell beads along with brown glass seed beads.
Double Strand Stabilized Turquoise and Wood Bracelet




An island mix of ocean themed beads including swirly squares of ground down white sea shell middles, mother of pearl, sea urchin, abalone shell, aquamarine and amazonite for some ocean blue accents along with sandy colored glass seed beads.
Sandy Beach Retreat Double Strand Bracelet



A brightly colored mix of dyed stabilized turquoise in different shades, lime chalk turquoise, lime dyed howlite, spring green dyed jade, dyed freshwater pearls, glass seed beads in bright turquoise and lime green, peridot and paua abalone shell with accents of sterling silver and cute charms..one a Hill Tribe silver turtle and the other a silverized pewter leaf.
Turtle Rainforest - Double Strand Asymmetrical Beaded Bracelet




Island Themed Beaded Jewelry Created on Maui, Hawaii

Monday, May 02, 2011

Spring Cleaning Sale...Ebay Auctions!

I've got a few items up for auction through Ebay..really I planned on putting more up..but as I"m looking at the pieces I'm realizing how much Hill Tribe Silver is on them...with the price of silver sky-rocketed and climbing daily..I think it's more worthwhile for me to take the jewelry apart and give the beads new design and new life.
Here are the pieces I've still got up. A couple have sold already.



Pink Peruvian Opal, Amazonite and Pearl Earrings
Faceted pink Peruvian opal coins dangle from faceted amazonite, mauve freshwater button pearls and Hill Tribe silver accents. Hand wire wrapped with sterling silver wire. Earrings hang from handcrafted sterling silver ear wires. Earrings hang 1 1/4" past the bottom of the ear wires.



Mother of Pearl Pendant and Light Pink Pearl NecklaceSquares of shimmering mother of pearl shell have been set in this oval shaped pendant with a resin background. Matching square mother of pearl beads and very light pink pearls are hand wire wrapped with 14k gold fill wire to 14k gold fill chain.



Periwinkle and Lime Green Multi Gem Beaded Necklace
A Mix of dream like colored gemstones, crystals and pearls with glass seed beads lining the back. Front clasping with sterling silver closure and chain. Beads include: blue dyed quartz, lime dyed chalk turquoise, gaspeite, dyed chalcedony, green pearls, Bali sterling silver daisy spacers, Hill Tribe silver nugget beads and Swarovski crystals.



Copper Seashell Earrings with Turquoise Drops
Antiqued copper seashell beads with turquoise drop beads on over sized antiqued copper ear wires. Earrings hang 1 1/2" past the bottom of the ear wires.


Wanna see the rest of my jewelry up for sale? You can check it out here:

Jonara Blu Maui
and here:
Jonara Blu on Etsy

Mahalo!

Fun with Beads! Danielle Walker's "Queen Bee Jewel Gallery"

I had the pleasure of recently meeting Danielle Walker via facebook...a very friendly creative gal whom I am happy to be a colleague of. She's the proud owner of not only Queen Bee Nail Gallery but an online jewelry shop called none other then.. The Queen Bee Jewel Gallery. As I browsed her jewelry shop on Etsy it's easy to see that she is over flowing with ideas. I'm always a bit jealous of those who can really get their hands in there and be creative with all sorts of medium.


Like this super cute and crafty multi-coloured button bracelet, she's given vintage plastic buttons new life.


And this very interesting ring..being a pearl gal I noticed this right away..as well as my love for sci fi..this ring called the "Orbit Ring" looks like so much fun!



Here is a recent piece Danielle was most proud of..and I would be too with all that bead work!

Keep up the creativity Danielle and continue to grow..it's an inspiration to everyone in the craft world!