tropic essentials

lauhala favor box & tote

this is one for all the brides-to-be desperate to find the perfect way to present those ubiquitous jordan almonds to their wedding guests. the neverending search filling your lunch break/late night googles and commiserations on the knot ends with a quick click to honolulu's tropic essentials, a one stop online shop stocked with everything crafty brides need to create modern island style favors.

the prices are reasonable and you will find inspiration in spades on how to transform a basic lauhala box into something spectacular. now that you have found favor nirvana, get ready for endless discussions on whether to go with sleek metal window tins or ethereal sinamay pouches. decisions, decisions . . . maybe it's time to elope.

{update | jan 2010: tropic essentials shuttered its online shop a few years ago so click over to creations by you, hawaiian wedding shop, or pacific weddings magazine for island style favor supplies}

puka shell gets crafty

fortune cookies

i am always in awe of people who are uber-crafty and these adorable crocheted fortune cookies from puka shell creative designs are too delightful for words. gather a bunch together for a sweet centerpiece for your chinese new year celebration next month or customize the fortune inside to create one-of-a-kind party & wedding favors.

sushi magnets

crafter extraordinaire april hiraki-morris (who also runs the so/cal plate lunch connection) expresses her love for all things kawaii with her whimsical "incredible inedibles" collection filled with everything from cupcakes to sushi. take a peek at the full line of goodies at the puka shell etsy shop. bon appétit!

art school confidential

the conversation + twinkie

the longer i stare at nicole holi's the conversation print the more questions pop into my mind. who are they? why have animal heads been superimposed on their bodies? where would they shop if they stepped off the canvas? and the eternal art question . . . what does it mean? yep, this is definitely not your parents art but yet another exciting etsy find.

nicole (aka nikoart at her etsy shop) is a true emerging artist from the big island and a recent
uh manoa art grad who, in the process of getting her degree, received many accolades for her unique p.o.v. in addition to working in mixed media, she is also crafting plush toys like twinkie who i wouldn't be surprised to find in the pages of where the wild things are.

there are not that many venues in the islands for emerging artists like nicole to show their goods so i encourage you to stop by her etsy shop which gives artists & crafters an alternative way to make a living while following their dreams.