Hickam Craft Fair is tomorrow!

Alright, here is a link to the military website about the craft fair: http://hickamservices.com/arts--crafts-center.asp

My etsy shop also has some information:  http://www.barefootbeadshawaii.etsy.com/

Located at the Arts and Crafts Center, Building 1889, 335 Kuntz Ave (across from the theater) The craft fair will be held from 9-3pm and is open to the public.  The public will be allowed to enter from the KUNTZ gate, which is the one by the airport.  It should be a really fun fair, so come check it out!  Here are some maps to help you out!

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View Larger Map

free shipping from modernartstamps etsy shop!

After I posted about modern arts stamps on etsy, they sent me a message offering free shipping!  Thank you thank you!  Here is what they said::: "hey, thanks so much for the lovely post! I will offer free shipping for any unmounted stamps for all your readers!! Just send at checkout the code "hawaii". Good until 11/30"

so go to http://www.modernartstamps.etsy.com/ and get those Christmas gifts already!  Free shipping, how nice!

Diamond Head craft fair!

Wow, this morning I went to the Diamond Head craft fair along with 80 million other people!  It was crazy.  Tons tons tons of sellers and I was really impressed with the number of shoppers.  There were lots of great things to look at and buy.  I only got a few things because I know I will shop at the Hickam Craft fair next weekend...  But here is what I picked up::::  I got this quilt for $25 from "The Blanket Lady."  It is made with all vintage fabrics and is bright and fabulous!  Apparently the woman who makes these is 89 years old and just quilts to keep busy.  She quilts all year and then her family sells them at the craft fair.  How cool is that?  They told me they would be at the Mililani Craft Fair too, I think.... There were so many crafters!  But I guess there is a craft fair at Mililani High School next weekend too.  I also really liked Paint the Town Hawaii's stuff.  They had super cool key holders/jewlery holders.  Their website is http://www.paintthetownhawaii.com/.  You have to check it out because I am so bad at describing!  They have tons of hand painted designs like turtles, flowers, the mountains.  All Hawaii and beautiful.  There is a picture of one of their items just below::

I also got some little mushroom yard art to put in my cactus garden that is still semi-alive... I think it will inspire me to water them and care for them.  I love mushrooms and gnomes and well... yard art.  Ouch, I said it.  :)  They sell at the Kapiolani Craft Fair every 3rd weekend and will be there on the 21st, so check em out!  I will try to post a pic, but you can't miss em.  Clay mushrooms, turtles, frogs, starfish-all for the yard n garden!

Check out these handmade stamps at http://www.modernartstamps.etsy.com/.  I was browsing through handmade stamps today as they are a new obsession... and I found these.  They are super cute and offer tons of designs.  From weddings monograms, to website stamps, thank you's, and handmade by...  I loved the little knitting one because I think it is so great when you get a great handmade item with a fantastic label to keep and remember it by.  They have almost 300 stamps for sale to choose from, and tons of custom work.  I really like the little ones, but they do large ones as well.  Pretty much anything you can imagine, they've got it. 

Here is the etsy welcome on their site::     "Welcome to modernartstamps!  You will find here unique designer art stamps 100% original, UNMOUNTED and trimmed. Take a coffee and some cookies while you browse more of 260 ORIGINAL designs! You don't want to loose any of it!...CHRISTMAS SEASON HAS BEGUN ON MODERNARTSTAMPS!!!  What is more beautiful for a gift than a personalized gift?? Due for traffic on holidays we are now offering christmas orders. Orders might take 3-4 weeks to arrive, so BUY IN TIME your gifts. Last day to purchase and have stamps in time for christmas is November 12." 

Did you read that? You better get shopping if you want your stamps to arrive in time for Christmas!  I love personalized gifts, they show you really care and picked something just for them!  Think housewarming gifts, wedding gifts, stocking stuffers for the kids, or a thank you stamp for all those thank you's you'll bound to be sending this season.  http://www.modernartstamps.etsy.com/

Latest creations

Here are some of my latest creations soon to be listed in my etsy shop.  Check them out at http://www.barefootbeadshawaii.etsy.com/.  I am trying to make more bracelets becuase I have been in an earring mood.  I think I have made 20 pairs of earrings, and nothing else in the last week!

Cool Knitting Blog

http://keeponknittinginthefreeworld.blogspot.com/2006/07/band-cuffs-free-pattern.html

I found this really cute knitting blog and this link to a free arm band pattern at Keep on Knitting In The Free Worlds blog. Do I smell Christmas present??  These would be great for a little added touch on top of a wrapped present.  I love that you can make them for guys or girls!  Check out the blog from the link above.  There are tons of other free patterns and super cute project ideas. 

She also has an etsy shop at ::: http://www.etsy.com/shop/starathena

Here is a little tidbit about "Keep on Knitting in the Free World" :: "When I’m not designing, I’m dreaming about designing. I’m also knitting, spinning, dying fiber, writing, doodling, walking, doing crossword puzzles, drinking tea, eating chocolate, stretching, contemplating the cruelty of existence, and exploring the great Pacific Northwest."

 She also sells great patterns for knit items and offers free tutorials.  Here is one of my favorites:

http://keeponknittinginthefreeworld.blogspot.com/

You gotta love a fellow knitter, etsy-an, crafter, and mitt lover!  My latest obsession has been fingerless mitts, mittens, and arm bands.  You are bound to see some of these as Christmas presents this year!

Mana Bu's!

I went to the one and only musubi favorite in Hawaii, Mana Bu's this week.   They open at 9:30 and close when they sell out.  They are a traditional place with non-traditional innovative flavors and salads.  Such as the curry rice pilaf musubi, 10 grain baked salmon musubi, and the Hawaii favorite spam musubi. 

I got there around 10:30 and was surprised to see the store without a line out the door.  The racks were full and the service friendly as always.  Pick up a basket at the door and fill it with okinawan potato salad, strawberry mochi, and musubis.  I got the curry potato salad, okinawan potato salad with mac nuts and edamame, and the curry rice pilaf musubi.  YUM!

Go early and try to find parking in their tiny lot if you can.  They usually sell out around 1:30, so plan ahead.  They have extended their hours though and seem to be less crowded than usual with the extra hours and days.  They are closed Sundays, where they used to be closed Monday and Tuesday as well. 

Check out their website at http://www.hawaiimusubi.com/ for information on their hours, menu, and ingredients.  They pride themselves in making everything by hand and with fresh local ingredients.They have 30 different kinds of musubi and you can pre-order for your next party or get together!

Berrysprite's etsy shop

http://www.berrysprite.etsy.com/
http://www.berrysprite.blogspot.com/

I stumbled upon this super cute local shop when looking through the "shop local" section on etsy. I always browse the local shops to support and promote local artists. Anyways, I fell in love with the little creatures in the shop and started reading her blog. There are even more cute items on her blog, and information about a giveaway from November 1st-8th.

Here is a little bit about the shop/site::
I found this information on her blog--
"amigurumi+ more, huzzah! Berrysprite is for people who love smiling faces and bright colors; we specialize in unique, handmade kawaii items; from amigurumi to pouches and buttons!Aloha! My name is Holly and I am the girl behind berrysprite; I do everything! From designing, crocheting and sewing, to photographing, packaging and shipping orders, I'm the one who makes sure every creation is treated with love. Let me tell you a bit about berrysprite (and then a bit about myself!): I started berrysprite on etsy in 2006 as a hobby, but I have since become addicted to making cute things of all shapes, sizes and types! I also love being able to send happiness in a package to people all around the world; making friends through berrysprite is what helps me to keep creating and smiling! I've also found that in 3+ years of berrysprite I've learned a great deal about making amigurumi and crafting/selling in general, and I love helping others."

There is a lot more info and tons more cute/kawaii things on her site and shop so check it out!

http://www.berrysprite.etsy.com/
http://www.berrysprite.blogspot.com/

Yogurtland!

I know yogurt is Hawaii's new craze, and that on the mainland yogurt has been there done that.  But I LOVE it!  We have a couple different places.  My favorites are Yogurt Mama in Kailua and Yogurtland in Manoa.  THE BEST!  The toppings are fresh, the flavors are stellar, and the spoon.  I took these pics today at Yogurtland with my phone camera so they aren't the best quality, but they are giving away super cute tokidoki spoons with every yogurt. They are biodegradable and resusable.  Super cute!  I got the blue one and the white one today.  I can't wait until November 23rd when they release the next 2 colors/characters.  Check out their website at : http://www.yogurt-land.com/ for new flavors, locations, and information.  If you live on the other side in Kailua, check out Yogurt Mama.  Here is their website/location.
 http://www.yogurtmama-kailua.com/1_4_Location.html

Another cool etsy shop to check out!

So today I was browsing one of my favorite categories in life, robots, on one of my favorite sites, etsy.  I stumbled upon this really cute robot painting and wanted to share.  This is from http://www.randomhouse.etsy.com/.  There are also cute little plush animals, other robot paintings, and little robot plushes!  How cool.  I have a pretty huge obsession with robots, small robot toys, robot pictures, you get the idea...  I like robots and all things robotic.  I love this painting because of the blue robot color and the cute little hearts.  His body is angled and interesting and well.... I just like it!

Check it out at http://www.randomhouse.etsy.com/ and all the other goodies on there!

Hickam Craft Fair

If all goes well, I will be at the Hickam Craft Fair on November 14th!  I will have tons of new items, not listed in my etsy shop, lots of felted goods, buttons, and shell jewelry.  I am also going to be giving away cookies... If that doesn't entice you, well... nothing will.  There will be lots of other crafters and great items to shop for Christmas gifts!  Shop early and you can really find the best items for your loved ones! 

I am sharing a booth with a fellow crafter who makes really cool handmade blocks and all kinds of handpainted items.  Check out her site on etsy at http://www.threeladybugz.etsy.com/.  Her items make great baby gifts and Hawaiian memories.  These blocks are a sample of her work from her etsy shop. 

I will list more information about the craft fair when it is just around the corner!

All About Me

Here are 25 random things about me that you probably didn't know...

1. I love to be outside.

2. I started surfing last year and it is my new favorite sport.

3. I love to garden vegetables and eat homegrown.

4. I have a serious sweet tooth.

5. I am obsessed with furniture.
6. I could thrift shop every day of the week.
7. I love to sew, knit, scrapbook, bead, and bake. When I'm not creating, I'm not me.
8. I hate ground beef.
9. I think I live in the best apartment in town.
10. I am a potato fiend-mashed, baked, twice baked, au gratin, fries, potato pizza...
11. I went to 8 different schools from 1st-12th grade.
12. I have lived in 5 different states and one foreign country.
13. My dream is to own a row boat and live by the beach for all of my life.
14. My true passion is pastry-I can't live without sweets and I love to bake them.
15. I love to read.
16. My favorite afternoons are spent in the pool with a book and my massive float.
17. My favorite animal at the zoo is Rusti the orangutan.
18. If I could be anywhere right now it would be right where I am.
19. If it isn't a romantic comedy, chances are, I'll never see it.
20. I love sleeping on the beach and waking up sweaty in the sand.

21. I am a twin.

22. My favorite wine by far is Pinot Noir.
23. The best drink I've ever had-bang for buck-is the hurricane at Buzzard Billy's in Lincoln, NE.
24. I love singing and screaming in my car.
25. Sometimes I get island fever...