Spotty Can Talk!

 

The sweet black kitty that half lives with us in Maui is moving to New Mexico with her 'mom' next week.  We are so happy she has her forever home but will miss her alot while we are there.  This little video sums up her funny personality! Did you hear her say 'No!' ?

xoxo sweet girl!

A Wee Break

I'm taking a wee break from being 'online' to enjoy our last days in the sun - it's almost time to go home! See ya late next week!

xo

You Gotta Love It

We've been coming to Maui for almost 15 years now and I've always loved to read the Maui News in the mornings. If you know me, you know I'm a weather checker from way back.  The mild descriptive little story sentences and the surfers around the island that cover the weather forecasts here everyday never fail to make me smile...seriously, you gotta love it. :)

Beach Walk

“Twilight fell: The sky turned to a light, dusky purple littered with tiny silver stars.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix    

 

xo

Last Night's Sunset...

 ...was a beauty!

xo

Pupus (aka Hawaiian Hors d'Oeuvres)

They make the best sashimi in the deli at the local grocery store - it almost an artisan creation. I NEVER thought I would like it as much as I do! Add a sippy and a sunset and you're good to go! Aloha!

Wild Orange Flower Vines in Our Garden

These gorgeous orange flowering vines are meandering wildly through part of our garden! A bit of research reveals the Wild Bitter Melon is not only beautiful but edible as well.  It pops open to reveal red seeds that are also edible.  I love it's bumpy texture!

Wild Bitter Melon

Wild Bitter Melon

Mexican Flame Vine

 

This beauty is everywhere, falling over the stone wall and completely taking over a tree - it's fabulous!!

 It's amazing learning to garden in this tropical climate - SO different from New Brunswick!

happy sunday :)

A Beach Lover's Shadow Box and Making a House a Home

"The home should be the treasure chest of living."  ~ LeCorbusier

 

Last spring, our niece and nephews (and their parents) spent a couple of weeks with us here in Maui. Everyone loves the beach and when we weren't boogie boarding or sunning ourselves, we beachcombed tirelessly, collecting treasures from beaches all over the island. Heart shaped bits of coral, lava and shell were pounced upon like nuggets of gold and we learned that Sophie could spot the tiniest piece of colorful sea glass at 20 paces - it was a blast! I corralled it all in a large clear glass pitcher on a shelf in the family room and have enjoyed the happy memories each time I look at the collection.

 

 

For me, (we've done this a few times!) a new house becomes a home over time as life is lived - family and friends get together, experiences are created, stories are told, great dinners are cooked and eaten, laughter is shared, messes are made, family members are stumbled over morning after morning reaching for the cereal box and the bits and pieces that decorate your home have memories attached. 

 

I was cleaning in the family room the other day and while dusting our pitcher of shells, my glance fell upon a little white heart shaped shell piece pressed against the glass...AND, I had the idea to make a shadow box with some of these pretties! A visit to the local craft store resulted in a 14" square shadow box frame, several colored and textured scrapbook papers and a new glue gun. The aqua paper matched the bathroom the best so using that as the background I selected and laid out about 25 pieces in a 5x5 grid. Glued in place and secured in the frame, I think it makes a gorgeous, memory-filled art piece for our home.

 

 

 

Voila!

 

 

 

My Classes have Begun!



A beautiful hibiscus I planted in our back yard last spring -
it's already over 5 feet tall!
 

So...the call of vacation and home renovations have entirely captured my attention for the last several weeks.  I've thought about blogging but just haven't. There. I admit it [that's the first step isn't it?] :)  I do have dozens of photographs of the work we've done on the house, the garden, sunsets, beach days, our tropical kitty, our home kitty, my metalworking class adventures, other craft projects and the beginning of my collection of jeweler's tools and supplies for my workbench here (come on, we knew this was inevitable!). Stay tuned!

 

My classes started a couple of weeks ago...I love the art college here and they have a fantastic, fully equipped studio.  Some of the tools and techniques covered include riveting, texturing and imprinting metal and wire using hammers and a rolling mill (this is an amazing piece of equipment!), tube setting stones, and improving and expanding soldering techniques to name several. I've spent some time sketching ideas for earrings and am presently experimenting with sweat soldering and pic soldering with MUCH practice required! Soldering can seem straightforward but it's a tricky business [for me, anyway :)].  I've melted more metal than I care to admit to!

 

A few design sketches and the main shapes for a pair earrings from
copper sheet.

I've hammered the little rounded pennant shapes and filed the edges smooth.  I've made little 'branches' from 14gauge brass wire and hammered them lightly as well.  The plan was to saw leaves and flowers to add to the pennant but time was a factor so I made some simple spirals from sterling silver wire and copper links for the ear wires.  And now the assembly begins!

 

Ready to solder pieces together - 'branches' first and into the pickle!

 

I'll be back with finished photos (assuming I don't ruin them!) when they are done.

It's good to be back!



Last night's sunset...

...nature is such an artist.

Improving My Technique...

Handforged Sterling Hoops with Secure Clasp
 

 I have been primarily self-taught in my skills as a jewelry maker.  And while I have gained much experience and developed my own successful ways of 'doing things', I've really wanted to grow, improve and refine many of my techniques -- and maybe uncover and remedy some 'bad habits' at the same time. My last class at Hui was perfect for just that! Creating these simple sterling hoops refined my shaping and hammering skills and developed a new technique for creating a secure clasp to better hold the earring closed.  I also practiced using different tools for filing and polishing.

Stacking Bangles in Sterling, Copper and Brass

 Stacking bangle bracelets provided new opportunities in soldering - experimenting with brass and copper solder, firing temperatures, sanding, hammering and shaping were all part of the process and were valuable experience.  Plus, I have three pretty mixed metal bangles to wear! 

 

One of my favorite things to make is stacking rings - so cute and so fun to wear in a bunch! I learned a great deal more about ring sizing, making a set of  'templates' for each ring and bangle size and some fabulous production techniques. It was a great class!

 

Sterling Stacking Rings

Leaving the studio yesterday, I felt kinda sad.  I've met some really talented and wonderful people there in the last couple of months and will miss them and the comraderie of our groups.  I can't wait to return and sign up for more!

PS.  I also finished my larimar ring which I'll post later this week :)


Tropical Flora and Fauna!

Bougainvillea is one of my new favorite tropical flowers! Their profuse blooms and wonderful colors are irresistible, especially in my all-time-favorite color combination -- pink and orange!  We have several colors in our yard including bright purple and white, all of which have required severe pruning in recent weeks.  Watch out for the thorns -- I think they evolved to fight off dinosaurs!  These have bloomed along new growth and out came my camera this morning -- they are gorgeous in the soft light. Enjoy!

These cuties were warming in the sun on the kitchen deck-- waiting for breakfast, perhaps?

Spotty, a.k.a. Catherine

Really? my picture? where's the food?

 The first Islander to greet us when took possession of our house was a little black cat. She climbed a tree next to our deck, leapt over the railing, stopped to meow hello, sauntered across the deck and settled on the lounger for a snooze.  We were immediately infatuated!  She has visited for a snack, a nap or a scratch behind the ears, almost every day since.  I've never met a friendlier, funnier cat -- she does a figure eight around my ankles, meowing excitedly, while I fill her dish (yes, she has a dish...and a bag of cat food in the pantry).  She feigns indifference and disdain but can be easily influenced with a saucer of milk. She loves people and follows us around the house, settling down where ever we happen to be, just in case she's missing something :)




Looking at our kitchen
window waiting for
a sign that
food is on the way.

A white patch on her chest earned her the name Spotty.
On an island full of feral cats, she is so comfortable around people and so prefers a comfy cushion for her naps, we thought she must belong to SOMEONE close by -- but who? After a brief stalking episode and some chatting with the neighbors, it seems Spotty is owned by a gentleman down the road, but indeed, divides her time and appetite between THREE other families including us - hilarious! And while she prefers to remain anonymous and doesn't answer to anything at all, her name is Catherine.  For some reason, I think that's funny too -- it reminds me of Catherine the Great, and this cat definitely has a queenly attitude!

Anyway, she's a sweetie and lovely company when she decides to drop by -- here are a few more shots of her in one of her kingdoms!



Do NOT Disturb

Keeping me company while I hang the laundry.

 

"I know you think this is your new couch, but you'd be wrong."

Easy Peasy Fresh Guacamole!

Every now and then, I feel like creating with food.  Usually, the mood strikes in the late fall when I'm overcome with my hunker down-stock up on cosy winter comfort food-we might not make it out til spring fears and stock the freezer to bursting with spaghetti sauce, chili and all manner of baked goods that will last til May (pause to consider a recent episode of Doomday Preppers). 

 

 Anyway, I've been inspired in the last couple of weeks in a different direction...fresh island grown fruits and vegetables! They are growing on trees and in the ground everywhere on Maui (we even have 13 fruit trees in our own yard -- but more about that another time).  Avocados, mangos, bananas, lemons and limes, oranges and gorgeous tomatoes too -- their colors are so vivid I can almost see the vitamins in them!  And, I'm in love with avocado-- delish! So, I've made a quick and easy-peasy recipe for guacamole and included some photos to show this beautiful produce - enjoy!

 

Ingredients
 2 avocados, 2 ripe tomatoes, juice of one lime, salt and pepper to taste

Peel avocados, slice fruit from the seed.
 

Mash avocados.
Chop tomatoes and add to mashed avocado.
Squeeze juice of one lime in the mixture.
Mix and add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
I like it with hint of lime taco chips - YUM!!

Even the bits for the compost are pretty!

I can't believe it's been TWO weeks!



...since I wrote I was officially on vacation! So, what have we been up to? After safe travels, we've settled in and have done ALOT of yardwork -- I think my feet are tatooed with red Kihei dirt! As I mentioned, the property was empty for over a year and as a result, most everything needs some TLC -- cutting back, raking and clean up especially. We've also planted several areas around the house, adding much needed color and greenery -- including our first very own PALM tree!

 The decks are much more inviting with some potted plants, comfy furniture and a few very Hawaiian tikis that we've enjoyed at sunset this past week. A couple of rainy days gave me the chance to do a little painting and decorating inside. The house really just needs our own 'stamp' and that is coming along nicely -- I already feel very much at home here :)

This is the front deck -- the potted plants make an inviting corner for outside eating and provide a bit of privacy from the street -- I love the way the fronds blow in the breeze. Sunset viewing from this spot is wonderful!

 

We found a shop that specializes in gorgeous imported Indonesian pots and urns.  This huge glazed red urn and two smaller containers filled with tropicals and a Pygmy palm welcome at the front door.  We're in the middle of planting the area just behind them with a twin Manilla palm and some lower shade plants -- this will finish this area and really add some softness to the rock wall and edge of the driveway.  Manilla palms have some great red berries part of the year which should complement the containers.

It hasn't been all work however...we've lounged at the beach four or five times, enjoyed some lovely meals and more than a dozen Maui sunsets -- it's all good!

I'm Officially On Vacation!

Wild Woman Jewelry is on vacation until mid- April.  I’m taking a bit of a break for some personal projects (we bought a new house!) and have enrolled in a couple of courses to learn some new techniques for working with metals!  I'll be posting here regularly and if you drop by the shop, be sure to click the Blue ‘Email Me’ button for notification when the shop reopens.  I’ll still be checking in every couple of days, so please drop me a note if you have any questions! See you soon!

Professional Developement, Maui-Style

Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center Maui is operated from this charming building located in the historical ranching town of Makawao right on the side of the volcano, Haleakala.  Today, Makawao is a vibrant community of artists and artisans whose work is available in numerous shops and galleries that line its character-rich streets. While we are on the island, I’ve enrolled in a metalsmithing course that will improve and expand my skills and designs working with wire and sheet metals.  I’ll be cutting, drilling and piercing metals, learning various soldering techniques and most exciting of all, bezel setting stones! I am SO looking forward to this! They also offer some great photography classed which I'm considering as well. And, I can’t wait to meet some members of the local art community!



Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center in Maui

The college is about 35 minutes from our place which is quite convenient.  I could travel the distance by highway, if I choose, BUT, part of the island culture is to slow down and take your time – so, I think I will take the longer route along the north shore through Pa'ia, a little surf town and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Maui mornings…inspiring, I think. 

 

Stay tuned as I will post photos of my progress (I’m optimistic there will be some J) and the scenery along the way!

A Place in the Sun…

For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of a place in the sun.  When I was a kid, my dad spent most Sunday mornings listening to his records.  The record jackets would be strewn on the floor by the stereo in our living room where he selected his choices for that day.  He had a huge collection but the ones that seemed magical to me had less to do with the music and more to do with the photos of Hawaiian beaches (mostly Dean Martin and The Rat Pack and Don Ho on Waikiki Beach) and beautiful tropical sunsets. 

Print from
hairbrainedschemes on Etsy
 

Through my teenage years and twenties, I planned many imaginary adventures to southern destinations – Tahiti, the Caribbean and mostly Hawaii - and longed to sit under a coconut palm that leaned over the blue waters of a tropical shore.  Movies like South Pacific and Blue Hawaii were among my favorites.  When my husband and I were first married (and still today!), we’d often plan Friday evenings around travel shows with sunny destinations and shows where families are searching for vacation homes in the sun.  Believe me, it’s been a lifelong theme – music, the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, beach décor… it goes on and on!

My husband and I began to take winter vacations on the March Break (escapes from the snow and cold!) about 20 years ago – our first trip was to Florida.  I’ll never forget seeing my first palm tree outside the Orlando Airport – I was SO excited!  I’ll also NEVER forget the most surreal feeling I had sitting in a small boat headed for the island of Bora Bora, a place that in all my wildest dreams I never dared to believe I would ever visit. I still get teary when I think about it.



Print from
AsYouWishPrinting on Etsy

Over the years, we’ve been so fortunate to experience many of my imagined destinations including islands in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and in recent years, several visits to Maui and the other Hawaiian Islands.  The idea of somehow having our own place in the sun had been a constant topic of discussion and source of entertainment!

Sunset view from our deck!!

Well…and get ready
‘cause this is BIG…in November, we bought our own PLACE IN THE SUN!!!! I can still hardly believe it! It’s in Maui, our favorite vacation destination – and my favorite part is the beautiful sunset view – the memory of those old record album covers has become reality.  Talk about surreal! 

 I’ll be back with more details and some updates for Wild Woman while we are away.

Tiki Torches, the new Pink Flamingo?

Well, you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country (or the desire to decorate, nest and make anyplace 'our own') out of the girl!

We've been enjoying our little yard and view and all the sunshine, when yesterday, it became glaringly apparent that what out little yard lacked, big time, was tiki torches...yes, the Hawaiin equivalent of the perfect pink flamingo. I have a certain fondness for those kitchy pink birds...

'Time for a trip to town!' I announced to my ever patient husband (the lure of fish and chips for lunch at a little open air stand may have helped my case...)

Anyhow, off we went - how hard could it be to find a place to purchase tiki torches...I mean, you know, this is Hawaii...without going into all the details, hubby needed sustenance and we stopped for those fish and chips.

As luck would have it, we passed by a Lowe's store and I KNEW the sought after tiki's would be found within! YES! I was able to carry four (hubby insisted that was a sufficient quantity and as many as we would be able to get in the back of the rental car), he grabbed the giant bottle of oil and we were off! I'd like to add here that they have very pointy ends (for sticking in the gound, of course) but it was windy when we came out of Lowe's and I have the cuts on my shins to prove it - what a girl will do in the name of lawn decor...

We arrived back at the house and my darling hubby set them up...I could hardly wait until dusk. As we lit them and they flickered in the twilight, it felt like a perfect Maui Moment...

now, how to get them into my suitcase ~

...first sunset