Soft Flex Glass Art and Bead Festival

This weekend I went to the Soft Flex Bead show in Ward Warehouse.  The soft flex show is one of my favorites because anyone can go, and the prices are great!  (Some of the other shows are for people with a GE business license only.)  It is also a 3 day show, so if you go the first day and forget something, you can always go back for more.  Check out their website for information on their next show, don't worry if you missed this one, there is another one coming up in March.  Here is the link:

http://www.softflexcompany.com/FestivalHI_Main.html

Here are some of my fabulous finds...
My favorite... the Tahitian pearls, of course!  Check back on my etsy shop for all the great new items made with these awesome finds! 

Here is one that I listed today.

This pendant is from Lilly Pilly Designs.  They have all kinds of cute pendants and things etched on shell.  The shapes and designs are endless.

http://www.lillypillydesigns.com/

http://www.barefootbeadshawaii.etsy.com/

an old find re-visited

I was browsing the internet today and stumbled upon a shop I used to look at all the time, but lost track of.  They have some really cool new products!  Check out this bag called -HOOT THE OWL BAG.  :)  Super cute and totally functional!
If you already have millions of bags like me, don't worry, they have fabulous tank tops, pins, and stuff for baby! 
Check it out at   http://www.forestprints.com/

They also have super cute doodles like the one in the bottom corner of this blog that you can use for your desktop background.  Check them out for great inspiration, gifts, and artistic entertainment. 

Here is a little about the artist straight from an interview on her site:

THE PRODUCTS: I make only what I like! We are the anti-orthodoxy of all big brands, slick shiny leather bags and all things flashy. Everything is produced only in very limited numbers, with many one-of-a-kind creations, all made with lots of love and sweatshop-labor free. I strongly believe in good quality and usable handmade goods and crafts, and am annoyed when people associate handmade only with flimsy arty impractical items that will not last. I love using vintage/ out-of-production fabrics and supplies, and adore playing with various combinations, even if it means using a different button to make each piece unique. I believe the world would be much more beautiful if everyone had something unique

Going to the zoo, zoo, zoo how about you?

I love going to the zoo.  I have been going a lot lately and taking pictures of my favorite animals doing funny things. Here are some great shots of the playful Orangutan, Violet.  We caught her playing in this bucket and she was rocking back and forth and balancing inside of it, this is right before it tipped over!  I love these animals at the zoo because when you call their names, they either look your way, ignore you, or walk over to check you out.  :)  I love Rusti too, but all the pictures I took of him were from the back or through cloudy glass...  :(  Next time I'll try to get some candid shots of him too!  If you've never been to the Honolulu Zoo, you should definitely check it out. 

Go to http://www.honoluluzoo.org/ to see fun videos of the animals interacting with the keepers and toys.  They also have important information like zoo hours, admission rates, and special events.

During the summer months, every Wednesday night, they have music on the lawn in front of the elephants for a small donation.  It's great for everyone, especially if you have little kids.

Cable Scarf

Hooray! A new finished project! This is one of my favorite scarves. It is a thick cable pattern, but I made it with a thinner yarn than the pattern called for, so I ended up just making it SUPER long to make up for it. :) I think it worked, it is deliciously soft and wonderfully stylish. Let me tell you a little bit about the pattern, yarn, and project.

Yarn: I received this yarn as a gift 2 years ago from my aunt, also a knitter. She purchased this yarn from in Sienna, Italy and gave it to me when I was in France teaching English. I cherished this yarn but wanted to save it for a really great project.

Pattern: I have a new obsession with cabling, so I began to search for the perfect cabled scarf pattern. I found a few like this one and they all seemed easy enough, so I started.

Project: This project only took me a matter of days, but I dreamed of it for years!  Now I have to decide if I want to add pom-poms to the ends or not.  What do you think??

Natalie Dee-my favorite on-line artist!

http://www.nataliedee.com/

If you have never heard of Natatlie Dee, you are in luck!  Your day just got better, you found a new site to check daily for a new cartoon.  Did I mention the never ending archive of cartoons to browse when you can't get enough of this weeks, this months, or this years drawings? 

Here are a few of my favorites...  I like the ones with little creatures, food, and captions that make me laugh out loud.  She also sells t-shirts and bags with her images on them, among other things.  Indulge yourself and browse her site, if you aren't laughing out loud, you must not enjoy laughter.

Natalie Dee also has a blog where she writes about herself, her dog, her new baby, and posts cute pics and funny things.

http://blog.nataliedee.com/

http://www.nataliedee.com/

The Informant

Tonight I went to see The Informant, the new movie out with Matt Damon.  It was funny and entertaining, but a little longer than expected.  The film lasted a full two hours, but could have ended 30-45 minutes early.  I will say, my favorite parts of the movie, were all the facts running through Matt Damon's head during the film.  Silly things about polar bears hunting and whether or not they know that their noses are black.  He makes ridiculous observations and narrates throughout the film, which makes it comical.  I laughed through the entire first half AT Matt Damon's character, and the second half tried to figure out the story line and what was really going on.  You can't help but see humor in the story and the thoughts and actions of "The Informant." 

I would have to give the film three on my scale, but that isn't to say it isn't well made and entertaining.  See for yourself and let me know what you think!

Check out the website for more information, clips, and trailers for the movie at: http://theinformantmovie.warnerbros.com/

Good Morning and Aloha...

Good Morning America... I got a slow start this morning, but am up early enough to list on etsy, review some ever important blogs, and find a new favorite shop!  I stumbled upon KillTaupe on etsy this morning and fell in love!  Check out the adorable crazy faces and creatures eating cupcakes, screaming for french toast, and knitting...  What's not to love? 
http://www.killtaupe.etsy.com/
Learn more about KillTaupe and Jason (the artist) from his etsy interview:  http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=5033044

I also posted a new item last night in my etsy shop that I am bonkers about.  This cute little blue bird is an ipod/cell phone cozy.  Slip it on and forget about it, it vows to protect your music in style...  Did I mention it was created with 100% recycled material?  The only thing not recycled is the thread to sew it all together.  Be confident shopping green at http://www.barefootbeadshawaii.etsy.com/
Check it out in my recycled wool section.

I can't wait to make more of these little bluebirds to add to my other felt items.  Winter may be just around the corner, but that won't keep me from being chipper!

Aloha for now...

Wednesday...

Oh Wednesday...  I had a fabulous day starting with the best avocado maki in town at Aloha Sushi on Monsarrat.  The avocado is always soft and creamy and the rice warm and squishy.  :)  Check out other sushi spots at http://www.sushi808.com/ and decide for yourself.  (I have never had better avocado than at Aloha Sushi on Monsarrat though...)

Then I mailed an etsy sale, posted some new pics, and went to the local craft store.  I am starting a new market bag with some brown acrylic yarn, I'll post pics when finished...

PSSST...  I am offering a free shipping sale in my etsy shop on your next purchase by mentioning that you saw it on my blog or my facebook account for the month of September.  Limited to one purchase per customer.  Happy shopping!  Remember, Christmas is only a few months away...