I love my new MOO business minicards. Aren't they pretty?
Ânuenue means rainbow, and with the opportunity to make up to 100 cards, each a different color, I thought these would make useful color swatches... let people choose their favorite color (very revealing)... make great bookmarks, too. What would you do with MOO?!? ~alohabc
Happy New Year!!! After a flurry of last minute cooking, cleaning and partying from Christmas to New Year's Day, there were finally a few moments when I could sit down and enjoy the TV set all to myself (between football games) and watch the foodie film, "Julie & Julia." 
Not only was I inspired to eat a little more butter this year, but to apply my jewelry making skills to create a few kitchen gadgets! I've always loved dollhouses and miniatures, and though not measured to any particular scale (this whisk is approximately 30mm), these wire-wrapped charms are true to their counterparts in form. This piece is offered as a pendant charm, along with others pictured in copper as earrings. They're all available now on Etsy, just click the title of this post or the thumbnail pictures in the sidebar on the right to go to "anuenuegems on Etsy" and bon appetit! ~alohabc
Beadazzle Hawaii in Mapunapuna has been a reliable source for Swarovski® crystals, pearls, gemstones and findings at wholesale prices over the past several years. Our good friends, Amanda and Eddie, of Beadazzle Hawaii are working hard over the holiday weekend to close up shop, with the last day of business, December 27th for 2009. For all of us beadaholics on Oahu, it may come as a bit of a shock, but TAKE NOTE: We are assured there will be a NEW, IMPROVED, BEADAZZLE HAWAII, coming in 2010! 
The question has already been answered, "How are we going to manage without Beadazzle Hawaii?!?" Eddie and Amanda have been preparing for this business shift by creating a wonderful new website, www.beadazzlehawaii.net with all our favorite colors, shapes and sizes of crystals, findings and more! New items will be added continually, and along with Amanda and Eddie's service-oriented and generous spirit, FREE SHIPPING on orders $100 or more. Eddie and Amanda will continue to post news and status on their blog, www.beadazzlehawaii.blogspot.com so be sure to stop by, sign-up for email news and bid Eddie and Amanda a fond, "Aloha!" this weekend! ~alohabc
It's that time of year, once again... and this time it's extra-special for AGJ. The Chocolate Extravaganza is an islandwide community event on Oahu, benefiting homeless families with children and the mission projects of our host, Emmanuel Episcopal Church. This is my first time donating not only jewelry, but a bit of chocolate, too! This is a peek at "The Works" Deep Dish Chocolate pizza, which will be on the Chocolate Buffet. Also shown here is "Mocha Latte Twist" a fun, 
flirty necklace set of Swarovski® crystal pearls, crystals, and sterling silver, which will be available at the Silent Auction. The single strand, 43" opera length necklace is shown doubled here, with its matching earrings. Please click on the title of this post for more information, and click on the photos to enlarge them. Hope to see you this Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the Chocolate Event of the year! ~alohabc
A renewing reunion with friends, family and nature up and down the westcoast and Sierras, inspired a few new designs this month. 
AGJ Lee Vining earrings on the left and AGJ Rock Creek Swirls on the right, reflect an earthy, casual charm in natural lemony turquoise, faceted amethyst, and traditional turquoise stones with antiqued brass findings. Yes, we also caught a few fish, too! ~alohabcIt could have been the fireworks, or just the extra-long weekend that inspired these sparkly designs, but truth be told, my jewelry forum friends have been the inspiration for "A Year of Jewelry" challenge to make at least one piece per week. Starting off with a bang, I knocked out a few... easy-peasy. 
As the weeks wore on, it was beginning to feel more of real challenge to have the discipline to think of something new each week. I fell behind, and am still playing 'catch-up,' but these have me nearly up to date. They're even available on my website already! Click on the title of this post to get there. Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, I did! ~alohabc
Healthcare... finances... global warming... this blog certainly isn't going to solve these issues. However, a bit of fun, food and low cost entertainment might just be what the doctor should order for some of us to reduce the stress of these trying times. This is a peek at my Rx for all of the above, Alohabc's Deconstructed Brownies. Here's the recipe: One box Brownies, on sale at Long's prepared as directed. Cut to serving size. Add nuts, fresh and/or dried fruits, shredded coconut to serving dish. Take one small strainer and sieve powdered sugar in a large pile ontop and around brownie. Take one pinch of S&B Curry Powder (also at Long's Hawai`i, or Asian section of grocery store), and sprinkle ontop of brownie. The one pinch curry is all you need for a bit of color and fragrance, or try cayenne pepper, if you dare. There you have it... healthful anti-oxidants, low cost, one-stop shopping and fun when you serve this elegant treat. Enjoy! ~alohabc
How did it get to be mid-May already?!? A flurry of proms, performances, award banquets, commencements, grad party planning... that's what our household has been up to lately. I suppose that's why "simple" is what my inner-being is craving right now. It's times like these when a certain childhood jingle creeps into my brain about the joys of jam and bread. Jewel-toned marmalades, berry preserves and rich fruit jams are what I reach for first, often from the farmer's market. Then comes the bread... local bakeries with Japanese or German style loaves are my favorite sources. They are usually sliced on the thick side to toast golden brown, with enough body to hold up to swoops of jam all the way to the edges. A folded papertowel goes underneath from toaster to table, to wipe blops of jam, catch crumbs and swipe the table clean... 
saving water and time from washing an extra dish. I have had a few moments to apply this simple craving to my jewelry, too. These hand-formed earrings are hammered gold filled wire and beads. Simple pleasures sometimes make all the difference in an otherwise hectic day. What are yours?!? ~alohabc
I once heard an uncredited quote, "When a child sees something for the first time, they will aways see it again." This rang true working with Head Start kids and my own toddlers seeing a butterfly or a flower for the first time, then lighting up with delight upon each new encounter. My own experiences and explorations brings this concept full-circle. A brief visit to New Orleans made me acutely aware of the significance of the colors purple, green and gold... fluer de lis... plastic beads... chicory-blend lattes... and the virtues of ANYthing fried, served piping hot. Then an unexpected encounter with a Mardi Gras celebration in Honolulu last night was a very sweet treat. With all the elements of "carnaval" up and down Nu`uanu Avenue, I almost felt transported back to my first encounter with NOLA charm!
Fat Tuesday in Hawai`i is celebrated with Portuguese donuts, Malasadas, with a generous dusting of sparkling sugar that ends up everywhere. Something akin to Beignets. It's not the only occasion they're eaten, and Mardi Gras isn't the only time you'll find celebration going on downtown. Checkout the event listings in the sidebar to the right, and you'll see upcoming events, restaurant reviews and other resources for entertainment in Honolulu and islandwide. BTW, you can find Cafe Du Monde at Tamura's Market in Wahiawa and grocery stores in Chinatown, for an authentic chickory-blend latte. ~alohabc
Basic Black, the Little Black Dress (LBD), flats, pumps and cardigans... are the fashionista's "comfort foods" for the stylish soul. Personalized with accessories, the LBD can fill a seat at your next interview or take a turn on the dance floor. I've been challenged to think of all this beyond my own fetish for Basic Black, because a friend's employer requires an all-black wardrobe for their staff. 
Whether monochromatic or a "wake-up" call in multicolors, jewelry can set your tone for this year's return to classics. You'll find these pieces at AGJ Classics & Convertible Collection. ~alohabc
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