machinemachine lab: vintage bark branches

i happened across machinemachine's vintage bark branches when shannon posted a wrap-up of her trunk show on kaua'i. instant crush! there are so many possibilities . . . from a whimsical coat rack to a charming and unexpected xmas card display. since so many readers also share my love for diy design, shannon kindly agreed to whip up a tutorial so you can make one or two of your very own.

just like small kid time, let's all give a friendly, happy aloha to shannon for stopping by!

{how to make vintage bark branches}

i dreamt up these vintage bark branches for a koke'e themed machinemachine trunk show at halele'a gallery in september. prior to the event, some friends and i booked a cabin in koke'e, located in the magical uplands of kaua'i, for a couple days. when we weren't eating, hiking, or cooking, we spent our time spread out on the lawn getting crafty.

we completed about thirty branches for the event, scattering them in clusters, along walls, under tables, and strapped to clothing racks. in the end, the vintage branches are not just a lovely visual symbol of the uplands, they also represent the act of binding and nurturing nature, like wrapping an ace bandage around an ankle.

{supplies}

• sturdy branches
• 1-inch wide strips of assorted fabric 15"-30" long (i use knit polyester, it's slightly stretchy with great geometric prints)
• thread
• scissors
• glue

{basic branch}

start at the base of the branch. lay about 2-inches of the end of one fabric strip on the branch and wrap the strip around itself and the branch, hiding the start of your fabric tail. keep wrapping your way up the branch, making sure to completely cover the bark by slightly overlapping the strip upon itself as you wrap upwards.

if you want to change colors or need to add another fabric strip make sure to begin wrapping with a new strip well over where your old one left off. if you reach a point where the branch splits into a y-shape, fret not! all you have to do is wrap about 1.5-inches up both arms of the y, then resume wrapping just one arm of the y.

to finish the tip of the branch, wrap the fabric all the way up, leaving about a 50-inch tail then tightly twist thread around the tail, cinching it into a nub. put a dab of glue on the thread, it should dry clear.

{advanced :: doily bark branch}

for this version, you will need a few doilies cut into strips wide enough to wrap around the branch (like a hot dog bun). you will need a needle and thread to stitch up the back side of the doilies, taking pains to allow for a .5-inch seam allowance, since doilies tend to unravel when cut.

{uses}

make a few and put them in a big vase in the corner of the room; hang some from the ceiling; hang a few on the wall; bind 3 to 4 together with left over fabric strips and set them on a table; hang ornaments off them during the holidays; give them away as gifts!

me again! it really is a simple project . . . especially if you have lots of scrap fabric tucked away.

many mahalos to shannon for sharing a little craft love with us! and, do click over to the machinemachine etsy shop to peek all the fresh new styles. you can also locate your neighborhood stockist over on the official website.

will you be gathering up fallen branches and vintage fabric to decorate your nest?

{photo credit: top/blenda montoro, tutorial/shannon hiramoto}

introducing manaomakani

it's an unfortunate fact that styles for the lads are few and far between in h|h's dressing room, so i was quite happy to find a note from manaomakani designer jamie makani aldaya in my inbox. a precursory peek at the handful of designs in the newly launched collection was a delightful discovery since the label mixes screenprinted and embroidered native hawaiian motifs on 100% certified organic cotton tees and jackets.

the socially responsible line is made in the usa which altogether is the practically elusive, almost impossible shopping triumph in our household. a win-win-win for the hubby's 808 tee collection, i say!

the design process is a bit more intricate since jamie, who was raised in the bay area and started manaomakani after a 30 year style career, looks to his native hawaiian ancestors for both inspiration and permission. the latter entails returning to the islands to offer chants and a pule (prayer) to the gods and then waiting for a sign before proceeding with each collection. he sought out windswept ka'ena point for the 2010 collection which honors native plants like koa and ohia lehua for their cultural value to the hawaiian people.

koa embellished tee

ohia embellished tee

organic french terry jackets

designs are screenprinted with water-based inks and the embroidered details add an eloquent flourish. price tag ranges from $44 for a tee to $110 for a hoodie (organic french terry = happiness!). for those used to fast fashion prices, it may sound a bit high for basics but remember there is a hidden cost of cheap, throwaway fashion from underpaid labor to a garment's environmental footprint (especially not cool when other countries' citizens must deal with the consequences to quench america's neverending desire for a closetful of disposable bargains).

manaomakani is also committed to the 1% for the planet philosophy and donates 1% of purchases to kahea, the hawaiian-environmental alliance.

a w's line is in the works and, fyi island shopkeepers, jamie is currently on the lookout for local retailers. the full line-up can be shopped online (knock 15% off with the secret code below) while sf readers can scoop up styles at aloha warehouse in japantown.

• secret code: HAPA15
• expires: sun, oct 31st

{mahalo jamie!}

first peeks: one stone jewelry

gray diamond & herkimer ring

today's post will be short and sweet since my mister finally has some downtime after a grueling season, and this is our chance to spend some time together before a new production woos all his attention.

i happened upon the simply gorgeous jewelry of one stone after a mention on pacific bride guide. designer shane yamane grew up in the islands and is now based in nyc where he handcrafts the most lovely adornment out of 100% recycled metal, conflict-free diamonds, and ethically sourced gemstones. if that's not enough to make you instantly smitten, one stone's glowing organic shapes, especially the subdued gray diamonds, seem absolutely modern all while being meticulously produced piece by piece in the age-old style of an artisan jeweler.

wave stacking ring

curved cuff

rough diamond earrings

sapphire pendant trio

a few of the featured pieces are from the style archives, however custom orders are welcome so be sure to inquire if a design is no longer stocked.

the online shop is still under construction so click over to one stone's etsy shop for a peek at current offerings from shane's atelier.

p.s. you can discover more about shane in his featured seller interview on etsy.

stacia fall/winter 2010

cowl neck tunic

i have been meaning to share peeks of stacia's fall/winter 2010 collection, but when the southland began to sizzle (over 100 degrees here by the beach on monday) all my cozy plans for autumn were pushed to the backburner. a sale announcement from ideeli on this much cooler morning was just the incentive needed to gather up my favorite f/w looks along with the inspired idea to share similar styles available today only at flash sale prices (up to 60% off!).

designer stacy johnson, who grew up in the islands but is now based in los angeles, specializes in effortless ecoknits incorporating bamboo and tencel fibers. perfect for hawaii's tropical climate and mild winters. a few new silhouettes are in the mix featuring warm, earthy palettes including one which found its way into the collection via a watercolor made by one of stacy's keiki.

empire wrap dress

cool cardi

tab cardi

ideeli looks for less

ideeli's sale runs through tomorrow morning (official end time: thu, sep 30th @ 5a 9p hst), however you do need to have an account to access all the deals (here's an invite from me to you if you need one). there are seven styles offered in various colorways with prices starting at $79.

you can find this season's fall/winter looks in stacia's online shop or, when in l.a., inquire about stopping by the studio for some one on one shopping time.

• where: 1307 ½ pico blvd, santa monica
• fyi: by appointment only

p.s. oahu fans can now scoop up stacia at becca beach (located at the kahala) which became the one and only stockist on island a few months ago. the full stockist list can be found here.

and the winners are . . .

eileen from vallejo, lehua from waimea & merissa from honolulu! malie organics' pikake body polish will be on its way to all three lucky ladies to bliss out over the sweetly scented spa treat.

mahalo to all who tried their luck and for all the delightful notes that accompanied your entries. since pikake is beloved by so many, i thought i would post a glimpse of the full pikake collection so you can preview all the possibilities for your malie wishlist.

on that note, you can find the collection online (priced from $28 to $69) and at malie's flagship boutique on kaua'i and its california outpost in the lovely seaside town of san clemente.

• kaua'i shop: 2-2560 kaumuali'i hwy, kalaheo
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9a to 4p & sat, 9a to 2p

• cali shop: 1448 north el camino real, san clemente
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9a to 5p

and, of course, at malie's extensive network of island, mainland and international stockists. japan friends also have their very own online shop.

congratulations eileen, lehua & merissa!

p.s. the star-advertiser just shared tips on growing pikake in this week's garden section. not only was pikake princess kaiulani's favorite flower, it is also drought-resistant and ideal for leeward gardens just in case you have a nice, sunny spot to plant the petite blossoms.

{mahalo dana, lindsey & the malie 'ohana!}