Aloha all, it has been quite some time since I have posted anything to these pages. Not making much jewelry these days, but I have discovered the wonderful world of plein-air painting and found in the process some great places I have never been to before on this beautiful island we now call our permanent home.

I have joined two wonderful groups of like painters and each week we manage to pack it all up and plop it all down in some wonderful warm spots complete with soft breezes, birdsong and a few ants.  Some of the best views, warmest water and no matter what, never the same painting twice.

At the moment I find myself in the enviable position of being able to make some money for my friend and paddle sister, Cindy Kalama Sharp.  You may or may not know Cindy had a massive stroke last summer and has been battling back since then in a hospital and rehab facility in Texas.  There is a go fund me page called "Help Bring Puna Home" if you would like to learn more details about what happened to Cindy.

The latest, she is now coming back to her home here on the big island...however, she will still need therapy here and help with paying her medical bills.  I am offering my paintings in an effort to raise money to help Cindy with those bills.

I am offering my paintings for $100 each, all the money goes to Cindy.  They are all original pastels and are framed 13x17 inches.  

What a deal!!!  An amazing and beautiful painting and helping someone we know, and love get better...

As of this writing, due to the generosity of members in the Waikoloa Canoe Club we have raised $800

Please take a look, even if you are just a bit curious to see what my work is like, who knows, you may see something you like?!?  If so, let me know...I deliver!  Vicki

Yes, you are right, I am very lazy about my blog but wanted you to see the newest of my work.  Yes, you are right again, there are many pieces which never made it to these pages...you just have to be patient...one of these days I will have more time to write and less time spent on jewelry.....RIGHT!!!! 

This piece is one of the new silver pieces which has a strand of rough cut aquamarine, freshwater and baroque pearls.  The starfish are 99.9% pure silver, the drops consist of a large blue topaz briollette with an assortment of faceted aquamarine and topaz, the chain, wire and clasp are sterling silver.

Stone warrior - 99.9% pure silver clasp holding a white jasper stone with Drusy quartz, reticulated sterling silver broach, agate beads, sterling silver beads and metal mesh collar with sterling silver wire and clasp - sold















Recently I have started working with Bronze precious metal clay...FUN and BEAUTIFUL!!!

Bronze dragonfly, oak leaf and twig, assorted bronze coated brass chains, faceted peridot, and czech glass beads. gold filled wire, bronze coated brass clasp.

Bronze oak leaves, faceted citrine, citrine stones, assorted bronze - coated brass chains, gold filled beads, bronze coated brass clasp

  
Bronze coral and setting for madera citrine stone, faceted citrine, fold filled wire, bronze wire, assorted bronze coated brass chains and clasp






I hope you enjoyed the newest work!

Getting ready to take off for Hawaii again, never enough time to write something new, how boring!!! Some new work for the galleries:

Some of my new work in bronze...

Gingko leaves, bronze chains, faceted citrine.  Cold joined with bronze pins.  Bronze clasp - sold

Another bronze piece...oak leaves and acorns
Bronze chain with citrine beads, bronze twigs, leaves and acorn holding a large faceted citrine.  Bronze clasp

Silver starfish, sterling silver wire and chain, large faceted quartz beads, freshwater baroqu, stick, and round pearls.  Sterling silver clasp - sold

Magical May in Paradise

Well, I had not realized until I finally got back onto this blog exactly how long it had been since I had updated it.  Good grief, you would think I was busy or something.

Since the last post my husband (Bob) and I have been to the Big Island twice...with a wonderful trip in November for Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving on the beach with our friends); and of course the successful Auction for the Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture (Donkey Mill Art Center) at the Hualalai Resort.

This past May I went back by myself for a few days which was very relaxing, no bed making, no cooking, just ukulele playing and beach going.  I really lucked out and was there for the Super Moon concert at the Mauna Lani with some wonderful jazz musicians playing old jazz and the biggest moon and highest tide ever.  We had to walk through 3 inches of water just to get to the site of the concert which is right next to the ocean at the Parker cottage.  I was gifted a beautiful lei made of jade flower by an auntie whose birthday it was...she must have given out at least 50 leis, it was the magical start to a wonderful trip!!

I taught a class at the Art Center the day before Mothers day which was great fun with much laughing and productive jewelry making by my students.  It is always fun teaching a workshop at the Donkey Mill, I never know what anyone is going to make and to see the diverse art which everyone produces by the end of the class is inspiring!  Bob joined me for 9 days and we just basically did the same thing I did for the first 5 days when I was there by myself.  Watched sleeping turtles, manta rays feeding, more ukulele playing, sunning, snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding, eating, drinking....oh, you get the picture.  It was great!!!  One of the best trips ever!!!

The following are a few new pieces which are either at Studio Kokomo in Calistoga or Kohala Coast Fine Art on the Big Island.  Enjoy!!

 

Along the Pali – 

2 part Turquoise and turquoise/jasper pendant, 1+1/8 ounce 99.9% pure silver, neckpiece of turquoise beads, sterling silver beads, sterling silver clasp and braided leather.  Measurement of pendant (both parts) 4”x3”- sold

 

 "Stars and Pearls"

5/8 oz 99.9% pure silver Starfish, neckpiece of golden mother of pearl pearls, with faceted citrine spacers, rutilated quartz teardrop bead, sterling silver wire, beads, findings and lobster clasp. sold

New gems to the Big Island

Hi everyone, just a note to let you know that while the busy season on the Big Island has been in full swing the wonderful proprietors of the Kohala Coast Gallery have been busy selling my jewelry.  Many thanks to them for continuing to support my artistic endeavors.

Adena and I will be heading to Hawaii in a month and are both looking forward to spending some time with our friends and each other.  Unfortunately, because of Bob's new job, he will be unable to join us.  He will keep the home fires burning until November when we return for our annual Thanksgiving trip.

I have just sent the following pieces off to the gallery.  If you find yourself on the Big Island in the Waikoloa area, please stop by and see all of the wonderful art in this gallery.  You will be pleasantly surprised!

Turtle earrings - 99.9% pure silver turtles and waves, faceted apatite, freshwater pearl, sterling silver wire and posts.

99.9% pure silver seashell, sky blue topaz briolette, sterling silver wire and posts.

99.9% pure silver "starfish" , freshwater pearls (color enhanced), 

faceted quartz crystal, sterling silver wire and posts

Thanksgiving in Waikoloa

Well, another wonderful trip to the Big Island, with nothing to do except hang out on the beach, watch for whales and play ukulele.  I don't even have anything exciting to report, we needed to relax, and we did.  We did manage to get up to Hawi a few times to visit with Dr. Jan and have her treat us for what ails us.

It was very windy this trip, so...Thanksgiving which is normally spent on the beach with our friends was cancelled due to pelting sand.  But not to worry, we still had a great time.

We were also lucky enough to see and hear John Kiawe, twice.  Once at the Twilight Concert (free, each month on the Saturday closest to the full moon at the Eva Parker Woods Cottage on the Mauna Lani property) and at the Waikoloa Kings Marketplace (also free), where he plays every Tuesday night at the present writing. Unfortunately we did not get to see him on the 16th of December, as we had to leave, however, he was playing with Hapa at the Blue Dragon in Kawaihai, just a hop skip and a jump from where we are.  That would have been a great show!

Just a note of interest to anyone who plays the uke, there is a wonderful kanikapila on Friday mornings at the Kona Market Place in the old Industrial area of Kona, with a beginners class to follow.  Please go to listen to the wonderful music and even if you are anywhere from beginner to advanced the lesson to follow is well worth the time.

If anyone is interested in coming over to the Big Island while I am there.  I will be teaching another beginning Precious Metal Clay workshop on May 14 (there may be another on the 15th for some advanced work with enamels, stone setting and a few other tricks of the trade)  Also...Kathleens Creations in Hawi, may also host a beginners workshop while I am there...so...it could be a good time to go to the islands and reconnect!!

Well, enough about me...a Houi Hou - Victoria

Here are some of the new pieces which were just sent over to the gallery - enjoy

 Sand and Sea - 99.9% pure silver starfish, and shell pendant, sea shells, aquamarine, freshwater pearls, fire quartz, neckpiece of fire quartz, aquamarine, antique and swarovsky crystals, sterling silver chain, beads, findings and clasp. - Sold












Monstera Leaves #2  99.9% pure silver monstera pendant and twigs, jade, tourmalated quartz, peridot and Chinese glass beads.  8x10 Prasiolite set in Sterling silver.  Sterling silver chain, and clasp

September trip to the Big Island -

Hi everyone, my trip to the Big Island in September was a great success with the introduction to Precious Metal Clay workshop at the Holualoa Art Center just above Kona.  They have asked me to come back to teach another, which has been tentatively scheduled for November 20, 2010 (cancelled due to conflicts with fundraiser)  I know they have their huge fundraising event during that time, so the workshop may have to be rescheduled for when we return in March. (tentatively scheduled for May)

The weather was beautiful, the water was warm and I did manage to get in some beach time along with jewelry work and ukulele practice.

Healing Dragon - 99.9% pure silver dragon pendant, setting and noodle, holding a square donut of jade, leather thong with sterling silver over brass clasp.  Sold - to Dr. Jan

Dr. Jan and her kitty India
I got the opportunity while I was there to meet a wonderful woman who lives and works in Hawi.  Her name...Jan Ellison DOM, she is a healer and a miracle worker!!! I was really having alot of problems with my back, and she worked her magic so I was almost good as new (for a 62 year old), when I left.  If any of you need healing and find yourself on the Big Island, you should go see this woman, she is great!  You can read more about Jan on her website www.drjanellison.com  

Well, that is it from me for now, looking forward to my next workshop in Calistoga, October 17, 2010 at the Calistoga Art Center and our (Robert and my) next trip to the Big Island.

Please check out www.CalistogaArtCenter.org for more info on the workshop  - Next workshop in Calistoga March 19, 2011