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Gypsy World & Hobo Cabaret

Last night I went out with two of my fellow Maker-Girlfriends. We went to a band called Beats Antique. I had never heard of them but was game to go out with two good friends. Being a creator and designer, the evening was visually stimulating for me in so many ways.

The best piece of Beats Antique was the dancer Zoe Jake. She oozes sexiness. She is gorgeous, and is a belly dancer. Well, I am no belly dancing expert and really have not seem much, but her performance was fabulous. Her costumes were very cool. My favorite was a leather, antler headdress she wore. She travels with another group called the Yard Dogs Road Show. I hadn't heard of them, but their web site describes them as a hobo cabaret, a living patchwork of vaudeville and rock and roll and based on these images below the show looks wonderful. I am going have to go see them as well.

The Future By Corning

Well I am a technology geek. I love new technology. I love being connected. I like pretty much everything in this cool video, although I have one question, and that is where are the microphones in this new glass? All the visuals make perfect sense. Watch it and see what you think. Click here to watch the video.

Sterling & Bakelite Hairsticks

I discovered this fabulous sterling silver hairstick the other day at Solo. I had to bring it home as inspiration. Being a gal with long hair I often stick things in my hair to put it up. I was surprised that this hair stick was so short. and had a flattened section. But I am going to try it. I think I may create some sterling hair sticks that are inspired by all of these.

A few years ago I came across this book that featured these amazing bakelite hairsticks from Asia. I am completely enamored with them. Of course the Asian mum is my favorite. Do you use hair sticks. What is your favorite length?

Plants plants and more plants

Awhile back I was at a local yard sale and I picked up a book called Hawai'i A Floral Paradise by Leland Miyano.



You can buy it here
When I started flipping through the book I knew instantly I had to buy it. It instantly took me back to Hawaii. Which coincidentally when we first saw our house and the tropical plants all over in the back yard reminded me of Hawaii and I was hooked and wanted it too. Hawaii has a warm spot in my soul.

Tuesday, I got a tip that Cedros Gardens in Solana Beach has Leucospermum or Pincushion protea which my book describes as looking like red sea urchins, which is dead on. When I got to CG I was delighted to find the plant below. Well I am going to have to save up to buy it. The good size plant was $149.00.

These are native to South Africa and Australia.

And also this Grevellea Banksii


Grevellea Banksii, is also called the Kahili Flower. I have another favorite Kahili flower which is Kahili Ginger. It is rampant in my yards. I came home with Grevillea, which I am told hummingbirds love, so the ones that frequent my yard will be happy. This exotic flower also had a smaller price tag of only $15.00. Well, I will be saving up for my Protea. And I also want a Purple Passion Flower vine like this. But I may opt for the edible variety, I just love Lilikoi juice.

Molds on display at Solo

Yesterday I took a quick trip to Solana Beach to the Cedros Gardens to scope out some plants. Well I cannot go within walking distance of my favorite store Solo, across the street with out popping in.

There were a few items that really caught my eye.



These are real halves of an actual mold used at one time for making resin glasses. I am personally fascinated with eyewear. I have a small collection of vintage glasses that I treasure. And some day I hope to make eyeglass frames. For me this was a little peak into how frames are made. Which after seeing these looks extremely similar to some of the processes we already do for our jewelry making. If the other halves were there I wouldn't have been able to resist buying them. But now I am a step closer to making eyewear.



Another very cool item on display and for sale at Solo were these Pewter casting molds. I just visited a pewter caster last week and saw some molds similar to these. You can tell they are for pewter by the hole in the center. I love the way Jennifer Price has displayed these. Absolutely stunning.

Get your Heart On Today

Happy Valentine's Day. We have been busy baking over here. Ginger and I cooked up some fabulous funfetti heart shaped cupcakes for her class. Her favorite parts are licking the beater and sprinkling the sprinkles.
My favorite part is taking the photos along the way.

Sundance Dreaming

The new Sundance catalog arrived and I feel in love with a few items.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Well I put all the names in hat shuffled them about and drew one name and the winner is Fiona Cartolina - "The Dragon in the woods" winner of the Chinese New Year Necklace giveaway. It also just so happens that Fiona and her blog Cafe Cartolina give me countless hours of inspiration on a daily basis. -Thanks Fiona.

To everyone else that entered shoot me an email with subject "Chinese New Year" with your mailing address at info (at) hioctanejewelry.com and I will send you a lovely consolation prize.
Thanks to those of you that participated here and Facebook - Alicia

Architectural graphics for the home

If you know me, you know I live and breath signage. I even design it in my sleep. It is something that I am truly drawn to and enjoy. Being of a lover of signage, I also can't get enough of great architectural graphics and I love when the are integrated in residential homes and and not just retail properties. I came across these great examples of a simple design that great in a residential application. I found these on the 3 Form Blog here.
Those fabulous swedes doing it again.

Cicada Wings T-Shirt

I just ordered one of these super cute shirts from this Etsy Shop.
I love cicada wings. I am pretty sure I will be wearing my cicada ring while wearing this Cicada shirt.

Flower Plates | Edie Rose by Rachel Bilson

I came across these plates and dishes and couldn't help stopping to enjoy. I just love the big flower plates and bowls. The little bird dishes are fun too. Many of girlfriends are into peacocks and this design has those as well. You would think these dishes were at Anthro, but no they are at Macy's. I just love the soft aqua hues.

Necklace Giveaway | Happy Chinese New Year

In Celebration of Chinese New Year and the upcoming year of the rabbit, I am giving away this wonderful necklace to one of you lovely blog readers. I have fond memories of growing up in Hawaii and going to Chinatown this time of year and watching the dragon dances and listening to crack, and snap of fireworks. I remember the streets literally looked like they turned red, from the sea of red firecrackers paper on the ground. Something about this necklace brings all of that together for me, the hula girl of Hawaii, the Asian cinnabar, firecracker, carved looking beads, the blue and white ceramic beads reminiscent to The Ming Dynasty ceramics.



Giveaway details: Leave a comment below of your favorite Chinese New Year moment or your Chinese Zodiac Symbol. Don't know what Chinese Zodiac Symbol represents you try the Chinese Calculator here. Winner will be announced on Feb 18th, 2011. If you haven't done so sign up (Right column box) to get my blog delivered to your email in box.

I see that I am a Rat specifically a water rat. My husband is a rabbit, specifically a water rabbit. What should we expect from the year of the Rabbit? We can heal, transform, use diplomacy, be kind and pure with each other. Want more click on over here.

I am in the process of getting ready to launch my new web site, Alicia Hanson.com click on over and take a sneak peek.

Cool New Store in LA - H.D. Buttercup

Found this beautiful new store in Los Angeles, in a Interior Design html newsletter. The fabulous room colors caught my eye. Awhile back I blogged these cool filigree light fixtures. A local company in North San Diego County called Hi Octane Design can create large wall graphics like those flower graphics shown in photo two. The store is H.D. Buttercup. They are located 3225 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034. Well I am ready for an LA trip to go explore some new places. Anyone want to make a day trip?

The proper way to coax ketchup out of a bottle and why Plastic Planet the movie needs to go viral

I remember years ago when I was in High School and my parents came back from a trip to Sweden and Denmark. They said to me "Make a conscious effort to stop buying plastic. We watched a documentary while we were in Sweden about how bad plastic is and that it is thought to effect hormones in people and all sorts of things." Being in high school my reaction to this was ok and I made sure to buy soda in a can, we could even still get it in a bottle in Nevada then. And when presented the choice I always choose glass.

As I grew older and noticed that everything went from glass packaging to plastic. Remember glass bottles of Heinz ketchup? Syrup used to come in a glass bottle, so did vinegar, milk and juice. And now while our grocery bags maybe lighter, we can't get away from plastic. We are no longer given the choice. Lately I have been really trying to rid myself of it.

A year of two ago, I went through my kitchen and threw away all my tupperware and plastic bowls. I kept a few things mostly disposable packaging like a Coolwhip dish. But I bought glass plates that can go in the microwave. I bought old vintage pyrex refrigeratorware so that I can store food in glass. We still have plastic plates that are used on occasion. but all my kids including the 5year old know that we never put plastic dishes in the microwave.

I fell into the ease of life and I buy kids snacks that come in portion size servings. Things like yogurt, gogurt and peaches etc. I do try to get a second use out of these plastic packages by cleaning them and saving them for a craft project I might need them for.

But I really want to encourage food companies to give us back the choice of packaging. I want ketchup in a glass jar, who cares if you can't squeeze it. Do you know how many stories my kids and I can come up with of the proper way to coax ketchup out of a bottle. Many many, like tilt the bottle and tap the label (where it reads Heinz) with your butter knife. Or tilt the bottle down and hit the bottom of the bottle with the palm of your hand. I am sure you have a method of your own even too.

Bring back the bulk food aisles. Give me choices to buy yogurt in bulk. Give me my cheese not in plastic. Let me have cartons.

Which brings me to this movie. Plastic Planet. I really want to see it. My husband Brad came across a trailer for it online and knew I would love it. I wrote an email to the movie director Werner Boote and he actually responded. So let's watch this movie and let's figure out to rid our selves and choosing plastic constantly.

Opens at Cinema Village in New York on January 14, 2011

Director Werner Boote is Available for Interviews

NYC PRESS SCREENING Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 11 a.m. Cinema Village 22 East 12th Street, NYC RSVP by January 7th to kelly.hargraves@firstrunfeatures.com

PRESS RELEASE INFO:

We live in the age of plastic. It’s cheap and practical, and it’s everywhere – even in our blood. But is it a danger to us?

The plastic industry annually generates hundreds of billions of dollars. Every industrial sector in the world today is dependent on plastic. The amount of plastic we have produced since it was invented would be enough to cover the entire globe six times over. But this inexpensive and convenient substance comes with a hefty price. Plastic stays in the ground and water system for up to 500 years. It is found on every beach in the world. Numerous studies have proven that the chemicals it releases (such as Bisphenol A) migrate into the human body and may contribute to or cause grave health problems, from allergies to obesity to infertility, cancer and heart disease.

For Austrian German director Werner Boote, plastic is personal. His grandfather was one of the early manufacturers of plastic and he introduced Boote at a young age to the magic substance that would change the world. Many years later, after reading about the global threat posed by plastic, he decides to embark on a quest to discover the truth about this pervasive substance. Traveling to fourteen countries, he boldly and humorously confronts manufacturers, scientists, government officials and consumers to ask questions that concern all of us: Why don’t we change our consumption behavior? Why is the industry not reacting to apparent dangers? Who is held accountable for hills of garbage mounting in deserts and seas? Who wins in this game? And who loses?

This feisty, informative documentary takes us on a journey around the globe - from the Moroccan Sahara to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, from a factory in China to the highest peaks of the Alps - to reveal the far-flung reaches of our plastic problem. Interviews with the world’s foremost experts in biology, pharmacology, and genetics shed light on the perils of plastic to our environment and expose the truth of how plastic affects our bodies and the health of future generations. Interspersing animated sequences and old commercials, this eye-opening film reveals how the world has wholeheartedly embraced the convenience of a substance it knows nothing about.

"'Plastic Planet' is that rare call-to-action documentary that might rouse viewers to do something more than nod their heads in agreement. A methodically researched yet engaging examination of the environmental and health problems associated with plastic, this wide-ranging warning cry uses an intelligent investigative style along with animation and vintage footage to drive home its message."
– Jay Weissberg, Variety

PLASTIC PLANET
95 min, Color, English narration and subtitles, Dolby Digital
Written and directed by Werner Boote
Original Music by the Orb
Animation by Peter Hoehsl
Produced by Thomas Bogner, Daniel Zuta
Executive producers, Tom Glaeser, Ilann Girard

With: John Taylor, Peter Lieberzeit, Marques Brown, Othman Ilyassa, Klaus Rhomberg, Beatrice Bortolozzo, Felice Casson, Juergen Artner, Frederic Corbin, Robin Tharaldson, Hermann Bicherl, Vicky Zhang, Theo Colborn, Kurt Scheidl, Rupsha Raghuram, Charles Moore, Susan Jobling, Scott Belcher, Patricia Hunt, Gunther von Hagens, Badru Okidi, Hiroshi Sagae, Jeff Harris, Fred vom Saal, Craig Halgreen, Guido Brosius, Stefano Facco, Catia Bastioli, Ray Hammond, Margot Wallstrom, Elfriede Boote. Narrator: Mark Jefferis

Press materials are available at: firstrunfeatures.com/plasticplanet_press.html

My top 3 business book reading choices for 2011

So this year I started off my month of January with a few new reads that I feel will be inspirational and motivating.

The book that arrived first is Tribes by Seth Godin. I have a read a few a Seth's books. I also subscribe to his blog, and read his posts daily in my email inbox. I really enjoy Seth's writing. Simple stories that convey his ideas and his ability to think alternatively. So far I am about half way through this read and enjoying it.

Second on my list is The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs, insanely different principles for breakthrough success by Carmine Gallo. I love Apple innovation so this book should be great. I am think I am going to read this second.

Lastly another Seth Godin book titled Linchpin.

Top 13 Jewelry Making & Design Books from the Library of Alicia Hanson

Here are my top 13 books about jewelry making and fabrication methods.

Practical Casting by Tim McCreight

The Naughty Secretary Club by Jennifer Perkins

The Jeweler's Directory of Decorative Finishes by McGrath

Resin Jewelry by Katherine Murphy

French Inspired Jewelry by Kaari Meng

The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques by Anastasia Young

The Art of Resin Jewelry by Haab

The Art of Metal Clay by Haab

Findings The Jewelry of Ramona Solberg by Halper

Jewelry Fundamentals of Metalsmithing by Tim McCreight

The Jeweler's Studio Handbook by Holchuh

The Metalsmith's Book of Boxes & Lockets by Tim McCreight

Plastic Jewelry of the Twentieth Century by Baker

Felted Jewelry by Filzlaus

I found these super fun felted creations on Flickr today by Filzlaus She sells some of felt creations in her Etsy shop, Filzlauz.

I love the whimsy and colors.

New smells I can't get enough of

While perusing my local Henry's market I came across, Pacifica Perfume Roll-ons. I tried a few and couldn't resist Tuscan Blood Orange. I don't know what it is about rollerball perfume, but I love the packaging and I am a sucker for Citrus scents.
The Pacifica Perfumes, contain their best-selling fragrances in natural grain alcohol. And, they are free of phthalates, nitro-musks, benzene, and other things you don't want.

Size: .33 oz.
Price: $12.00
Item #: 63027

You can get them online at Pacifica Perfume or at your local Natural Food's Market like Henry's.

2011 Creative Reading List - The fun half

Happy New Year. I am so excited about 2011. I am really looking forward to all sorts of wonderful new things. Including trying new things. Here is the fun half of my 2011 reading list.

I want to do more homesteading around our place. We have the room and I would love to be off the grid and self sufficient and some point in my life. This will be a good start.

Homesteading by Abigail Gehring

I just love my Scandinavian roots and I love the patterns and imagery. I want to try a little felting this year too.

Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs

I just can't get enough of cool architecture. This book has a lot of new wonderful homes in it and some of them are prefab. Inspiration for our new small shed.


Green Homes New Ideas for Sustainable Living by Sergi Costa Duran

I also ordered 3 more books that will be my business reading list. I will post those when they arrive.