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.