Showing some love..

Here are a few pieces I've made for family members and friends recently..


This cool triple pendant boho necklace went to my sister...it has a colorful array of many different stones..mostly jaspers..the front middle pendant is Peruvian opal




These earrings are still waiting for their new home with my sister to match her necklace above...



This Boho Beachy necklace also went to my sister to hopefully match some earrings she bought from another friend jewelry designer that has beach glass in them.This has glass pearls and fire polish glass faceted beads with a pendant of hami jasper and synthetic chalcedony briolette.



This peacock pearl and Paua abalone shell crocheted necklace just went to a friend visiting from the mainland who used to live here. She also got one hot off the press..no pics because I literally just finished making it..it was turquoise blue crystal and a Hill Tribe silver little Honu charm for a pendant...super sparkly and cute!




There were a couple of necklaces and a bracelet that went out to a friend and my sis in law that I didn't get pictures of..kinda bummed about that..it's always nice to at least have a pic for memories sake..I tend to get attached to any piece I'm working on ;-)

New Beachy Chic and Bohemian!

So my mom has been crocheting a lot lately..a family talent passed down from my grandmother...and she recently showed me some bracelets she wants to try and make. (she's decided to move on from blankets and booties..and pot holders..she made me some cool orange and green ones ;-)). It was more like a cuff with lots of beads in it..super cute..but when she showed it to me..it reminded me of these necklaces I made for myself probably 10 years ago with bead crochet in just a simple chain stitch. I loved those necklaces..but never ventured very far with it since I also got into the silk knotting at that time and got blindly hooked on that and still have hardly looked back.

Since it got me thinking about it again I pulled out some of my old Stringth brand cord from Rio Grande and tried to make one. I forgot how much fun it was to make and how much I loved the look! But I needed more cording for it..I actually gave away almost all of my Stringth since I started using Griffin Silk. In doing some research online and asking questions at my bead group Beadingaholics I found an awesome nylon cording with beautiful color choices I never had 10 years ago..at least that I knew of..it's called Superlon Nylon Beading thread..or S-Lon.

Finally I got my new S-Lon cord in but I think I need a smaller size because I'm a pearl girl and really want to add pearls to my work..and it just does not seem to fit through this size D.

Still I'm super excited about these new necklaces I made! So refreshing to do something a little different again. Being so into the look of silk when I knot my pearls..I always love to leave a little showing in between beads because I think it looks so much more natural and organic...these have a thicker fiber look that I am really digging.


Amazonite and Brown Cord Crocheted Necklace



Olive Opal and Dyed Sugilite Crocheted Organic Chic Necklace



This one I made for my mom :)



Blue Coral and Triple Gemstone Charm Crocheted Necklace


All can be found in my shop at Jonara Blu Maui

The Infamous Jewelry Octopus - Beachy Hawaiian Style

I couldn't help myself when I found this mother of pearl octopus...we've all seen this creature used again and again in jewelry over the last several years. Mostly in different metals..though I have seen it gem incrusted..that one was gorgeous! I think he's such an interesting subject :)



In Hawaii we call the octopus "tako" though that is a Japanese word. You will find Japanese words used here and there quite often in Hawaii. The Hawaiian word for octopus is one that I never even heard living here..I had to look it up! It's "he'e" which would be pronounced "hay-ay" as 'e' sound is 'a'.



This Mother of Pearl Octopus Necklace is available for purchase at Jonara Blu Maui

Or if you prefer Etsy you may find it here: Octopus Necklace in Mother of Pearl - Maui Style

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!

New ArtFire Collection - So Soft and Dreamy

One of my favorite pieces designed by my sister Kimberlee Aihara of Aihara Visuals was chosen for the dreamiest ArtFire Collection today..its the second necklace on the second row.



Here is a close up picture


Thank you to Phyllis from Gold Bracelets at ArtFire for creating this dreamlike collection and including Jonara Blu Maui :)

If you are interested in the necklace, it's entitled "Dream Garden" and is on sale! You can find it here Dream Garden Beaded Necklace in my shop at ArtFire

or here Dream Garden Beaded Necklace in my shop at RubyLane


or here Dream Garden Beaded Necklace in my shop at Etsy

New Jewelry

Two newest pieces just added to the shop:


White Ginkgo Leaf Beach Bride Necklace


Lustrous white mother of pearl shell pendant cut into a shape that resembles the ginkgo leaf along w/ shimmering white petal keshi freshwater pearls, white nugget freshwater pearls and opal Swarovski crystals. All are hand knotted on white silk cord.



Black Lip Shell Hibiscus Earrings

Beautiful high quality black lip mother of pearl shell carved hibiscus flowers with faceted black lip shell rectangle beads hand wire wrapped w/ sterling silver wire.

Find more island inspired jewelry hand-crafted on Maui, Hawaii at Jonara Blu Maui

Bridal Season 2010

Bridal season is quickly approaching and I'm so behind! Finally made a couple of necklaces w/ matching earrings and already sold one of the necklaces days after I listed it...I've got to stop playing w/ these cute baby goats and get to work!



Here is the necklace that I made that sold so quickly..it featured oval pearls and an oval mother of pearl pendant



and here is the other new one w/ a touch up blue for the brides looking for 'something blue'..I often make 'something blue' anklets and they seem to be very popular :)



These are new beach bride earrings just listed...



Available here:
Freshwater Oval Coin Pearl Beach Bride Earrings

Majorly Marked Down Clearance Jewelry Listed on Ebay!!

I have just a few pieces left because most sold at my yard sale...but I've put up on Ebay some jewelry I've marked way down for clearance. These are pieces that have been here for quite some time and just not have found the right 'mommy' to adopt them. They are great pieces but usually have a bit of oxidation on the silver.

All pieces are made w/ sterling or 14k gold fill metals. Some even have the higher silver content Hill Tribe silver in them. They are also made w/ semi precious gems and freshwater pearls. There is no catch, I just need to move these out so that I can make room for new pieces.

Auctions start as low as 99 cents!


Beaded Bracelet Pearl and Garnet


Beaded Bracelet w/ Ocean Colors


Beaded Necklace Green and Purple

Beach Bride Jewelry Video

Green and Purple Island Inspired Whimsy!

Soon to be added to my shop Jonara Blu Maui





feel free to
email me if you have any questions

Green Coin Pearl and Paua Abalone Shell Necklace

I finally got pictures taken of my latest necklace..it seems that morning time is very sunny up here on the volcano..too sunny for pics..then the clouds collect up at the top and start inching their way over. As they cover the sun that is the best difused light for me to take pics. Then they get too thick and dark and it often rains and is foggy up here for the rest of the day..so I've got a little window and really need to pay attention better.



This beauty is made with dark olive green peacock coin pearls and colorful paua abalone shell on tan silk cord. It will be priced and put up in my shop Jonara Blu Maui soon!

NEW! Hammered Hill Tribe Silver Circle Necklace with Irregular Pearls

Very sweet and organic...sterling silver chain w/ hand wire wrapped link of a hammered Hill Tribe silver circle and hand wire wrapped dangles of organically beautiful irregular coin pearl and petal keshi pearl. Fun and chic..I plan to do more of these in different colors so stay tuned!



Available here: Hill Tribe Silver Circle and Freshwater Pearl Necklace

No recent posts..but I promise I haven't been lazy...

Last blog post was Determined not to get lazy... so I just wanted to make clear that even though I haven't been here for a bit again..I have not fallen into lazy mode. Granted this cold weather really makes me want to do nothing but curl up in my jammies and read or watch TV...I have been actually keeping a list of things to do each day for a little over a week and getting most done on it each day..except for my blog lately lol! But it's been great help w/ focusing. (a BIG problem for me)

I will admit though that Cameron and I finally did a walk today for the first time in a couple of weeks. So I have been slacking in that department as well.

Picture: a cute little lawn gnome we caught wandering around a neighbors front yard during one of our walks last fall ;-)


What have I been up to? Well...lots of spring cleaning! I was stuck doing taxes for a couple of months so did minimal cleaning. Taxes are so boring that even cleaning feels good! Cameron's room really needed to be gutted out and have all it's nooks and cranny's vacuumed because of his allergies. We are finding all sorts of things we want to get rid of so will do a garage sale here in a couple of weeks.

Things are starting to pick up a little in the jewelry shop...I recently sold these fun pieces:






Also I'm currently working on a wedding commission for a bride in New York having a Hawaiian themed wedding. Once that is completed I will post pictures.

Hope you are all doing well! I've been trying to visit everyone's blogs..some I have gotten too and some I haven't. It's always fun to read your blogs more then it is to make my own though ;-)

Beach Wedding Custom Order

This little starfish, along w/ her matching earrings, is getting ready to be shipped off to Georgia for her debut in a beach wedding.






Are you planning a beach wedding this year? Please stop by Jonara Blu Maui and check out my beach bride jewelry. If I don't have what you are looking for, feel free to request a custom designed piece just for you!

Click here to see past beach wedding pieces in my gallery:
Jonara Blu Maui Wedding Jewelry Gallery

The Photo Tag Game/Cat in the Box

I've been tagged w/ a really fun photo tag game..go to your picture folder, find the 6th folder and the the 6th picture. I have more folders w/ in folders because I break them up into years and then months so I just kept going in 6.

Anyways..thanks so much to Elayne at ChezChani for including me on this. Please visit ChezChani's blog and her Etsy shop ChezChani Unique Handcrafted Jewelry, she is a very accomplished beader along w/ her mom Roz. I have never heard of this game before and I think it's quite fun and it's quick..not like some of the others. Kinda scary though because you don't know what picture is going to show up when you follow the instructions and I'm sorry if it was me looking all haggy w/ no makeup I was not gonna post it!

I was fortunate though because this is what I got:



This is Dewey..he loves boxes..I think even a little more then the average cat. He doesn't care where you put it, he'll stay in it. He looks scared but actually he's quite content lol!

*Update: my son just pointed out to me that the shoe box Dewey is in says "Bitter & Twisted"...this cat is definitely Twisted lol! He looks bitter..but he's not.

I did the game twice...I have two places my pictures are... a family photo folder and a jewelry folder so here is the jewelry one that came up. This is a necklace that I made for my mom a couple of years ago..she loves kitties..so I made her one w/ a front clasping cat toggle clasp and a cat charm:



now for the rules and the list of people I'm going to tag:

1) Go to your picture folder, or wherever you store your photos on your computer
2) Go to the sixth folder and pick the sixth picture
3) Post it on your blog and tell the story that goes along with the picture
4) Tag five friends to do the same thing, and leave a message on their blog that they have been tagged~

Tag You're IT!

1) BelleAdorn A best friend and a wonderful jewelry designer
2) Aihara Visuals My extremely talented sister and an awesome photographer (check out her beach wedding pictures!..she beads too!)
3) Simplicity My sister-in-law, devoted mother and very talented budding photographer
4) Images by Desiree My cousin-in-law and extremely talented photographer (check out her adorable childrens photography)
5) Zen Ventures A fun colleague talented jewelry designer and friend

Have fun you guys! Can't wait to see what pictures show up for you!

New Beach Bride Jewelry

Just added these to the shop!


Ocean Petals - Beach Bride Necklace
Sweet little freshwater keshi pearls with matching freshwater nugget pearls and a pendant of hand wire wrapped freshwater coin pearls. All are hand knotted on white silk cord.




White Freshwater Coin Pearl Earrings

Lustrous white freshwater baby coin pearls with white freshwater nugget pearls.
Each is hand wire wrapped with sterling silver wire and hang 1" from bottom of sterling silver ear wires.

Please visit Jonara Blu Maui for more information and to see more jewelry inspired by the sea!

New Beach Wedding Baby Coin Pearl Necklace

Baby white freshwater coin pearls measure about 9mm with white button pearls, tiny white semi round pearls and opal aurora borealis Swarovski crystals on white silk. Perfect for the beach bride and beyond! Will be posted in my shop very soon..beach bride pieces go fast so if interested please email me :)




And as a side note...we finished the puzzle! It was sad to take it apart and put it away..and now it's gonna be tough to find one as fun!



Beaded jewelry by:Jonara Blu Maui

Beach Bride Necklace..

Those who keep up with my blog know I've been busy taking care of my son who was just diagnosed with Gastroparesis. I've not much time to create new jewelry pieces..but have been working it into my schedule again little by little. This piece was made right before we found out. It's the diet that he has to be on that is very time consuming..and different with each patient..so it's a lot of trial and error (and boy does momma feel bad when she feeds her boy something that makes him feel yucky) ..but as we learn things that work for him..I'm able to get a little more time in. I posted this necklace to the shop a few days ago..it's available here: Baby Freshwater Coin Pearl - Beach Wedding Necklace

I'm hoping to pull out some beads to make bracelets tonight and bring them out to the dinning room table where I can see the TV and then I can still spend some time with Cameron. I am so very grateful that I work at home and can be here for him. And I'm grateful for the orders that have still come through. I wish I could hug everyone of my customers..they have made paying for Camerons tests, meds and special diet so much easier. Thank you!! ((HUUUGSSS)) to you all!

A Collection of Flip Flop Pendants

I purchased these sweet little flip flop pendants (we call them 'slippahs') a few years ago from a supplier who visits my island. (He lives on Oahu)I only used a few of them..and then sadly misplaced them. I got a couple more back from sister when she turned in her bead stash as she's not beading anymore right now and only doing her photography. So when I made a necklace out of one my Wholesale gal, Marina, saw it and went nuts over it. She's the one with the shop B-Side the Sea in Poole England where it's the beachy scene like here on Maui. She asked for more..but at the time I only had one more to make. Then low and behold I was looking for some beads to give to my step nieces in California and I found a package with 5 more! She wanted them all! So none for the shop right now...but I will try and get more from my supplier when he comes back at the end of the year.

Here is a pic of the little slippah necklaces that are on their way to the UK..

aren't they cute?