Travel Postcard swap. Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Rim stamps.

My entries in the Travel Postcard swap. Buddah, Quan Yin, peony vase, bali border, postmark, volcano, pineapple stamps, and more. We have a monthly No Muss/No Fuss art swap...one for one...not limit to the entries. email me thru the site for more info. Hope you'll join us!

Rubber stamped tea towel/kitchen towel with Laua'e stamp!

OK...it's so friggin' simple! I know it may seem like bragging...I do have to say that making Rubber Stamp Plantation stamps for 20+ years has to count for something. they're deeply etched, clean, clear designs that work great in countless media. Bella made a set of tea towels using our Lauae stamp, an image that I originally carved over 10 years ago. It's still one of our best selling stamps. So universal on paper, embossed, in clay...and here on fabric with acrylic paint! We make an XLG Lauae as well...
Nancy, of Vamp Stamp News, has also used this stamp in several of her rubber stamping tutorials. Be sure to check out her magazine and website.
Keep sending us samples of your projects using Rubber StampPlantation products...we'll add the photos to our "Artist's Gallery"...and we'll be sure to send you a gift to show our appreciation!

Visiting Vetiver on Maui-Lahainaluna High School Agriculture Program

Three months ago (end of March '09), Lahainaluna High School Ag students, families and teachers planted rows of vetiver to stabilize the slope that has been flooding the Ag grow houses and benches with every rainy season for years. Vetiver plants are thriving and already doing their job to reduce erosion. We're thrilled to see them happy on the hill!

Great breakfast and morning light at Ulupalakua Ranch on Maui

Don't stop where the road splits in Kula! Stop for coffee at Grandma's Coffee House and keep on going to Ulupalakua Ranch! Jacaranda are in bloom leaving soft blankets of lavender lining the winding road. Turn the AC off and roll down the windows. Eucalyptus trees whistle as your face turns to the sun smelling the breeze. The store is darling...walk around the lanai to see the old Upcountry Maui map on the side wall, and be sure to ask about the old cowboys hanging out...there's a story...
Oh, and the food is really yummy and fresh!

Bottle cap jewelry...with Aloha from Hawaii Vintage Stickers

Thank you to everyone who sends me bottle caps. What kind of beer or soda do you drink? Don't throw them away...send them this way! Filming tomorrow for a Joy of Crafting segment that will air mid August, just in time for the Made in Hawaii Festival. Be sure to save the date and stop by. As usual, something fun and festive will be happening at our booth. August 21-23, 2009. We'll be in Booth #219/220 at Neil Blaisdell Center.

The "how to...":
smash bottle cap on both sides with a hammer
pluck out the plastic seal from what used to be the inside. this is perhaps the toughest part.
use a nail, awl, ice pick to hammer a hole as close to the top as you can.
use a 1 inch hole punch to punch out the vintage sticker of your choice.
stick it on the bottle cap.
fill with diamond glaze. let dry overnite. attach beads or just an earing wire!

Stamped Wedding Invitations at the Wedding Expo

Jenny and I were able to create really fresh wedding invitations, place cards, thank you notes, favor boxes, response cards, and more in a monstera motif. We used the medium and small monstera leaf, small and large monstera block, small monstera border, and large monstera panel stamps with kaleidacolor green multi color inkpad and a variety of fine and linen cardstock. Ben Franklin's ACUCUT and die collection was extremely helpful. I just LOVE the color palette!

Artwork above my desk: Adorable Microscope slide by Min

Min...where are you...miss you!!!! I adore this trinket Min made me. If you look closely, the "pouch" is made from double sided scapbook paper. die cut or trimmed with fancy scissors, embellished with flowers, 2 square brads, key chain with charm, ribbon, and of course...microscope slide pendant/ornament.

Microscope slide pendants and magnets

Mike led Stampclub one eve when we were able to create collages between microscope slides. In this one, I used the Fish Stamp, and Vintage Hula girl stickers from our "Aloha from Hawaii" sticker line. On the back I used a few of our postage/cancellation stamps for a "black and white" look.

It's a little fuzzy, tho at least you can get the idea...

Another Bodacious Bangle Bracelet...

I'm soooo addicted! I ordered more blank bangles and went crazy. I painted over 100 with Luminarte's radiant rain daubers...sponging the paints on. A bit of Lumiere paints for a little texture and more bling. This batch o bracelets are chunkier and super yummy! I went all out...sizes sm-xl. Flat, domed, thin to super thick. LOVE them...
I used the Islamic Border stamp, one of my favorites, and finally clear coated the bracelet with Tripple Thick by DecoArt.
Had a hard time giving this one up. Sent 60 to The General Store Gallery & Gift Shop in Kilohana, Lihue Kauai.

Woven Chevron Paper Bookmarks...

Reminder Stampclub this Mon nite...May 18
5:30-8p@ Rubber Stamp Plantation.

Art play nite/stress relief!
We'll be working with really cool "chevron" templates to make divine paper cut bookmarks ( or panels for cards, craft projects, scrapbooking, etc). These look like they're from a museum gift shop! This technique is easily finished...so you'll have a chance to make as many as you like. This is one of the "new" stampclub projects that coordinate with Lorena & Su's monthly "Art with Attitude" swap. However many you contribute, you will receive back!
What to bring...
yourself, perhaps a friend, $5 and a pupu.
We'll be scheduling projects for the next 6 months, so please come with ideas and techniques!
Pls call to let us know if you're coming! 591-2122

Upcoming events:
Sat. May 23 10a-12p Tropical Etch: etching glass block vase. Ben Franklin Market City.
Fri. May 29 5-10p. Wedding Expo: glass etching centerpieces, favors, wine glasses. Convention Center
Fri. June 6 2-9p. Kamehameha Alumni Luau. Full line of stamps, etc. Free temporary tattoos! Kamehameha campus.

Maunalua S.U.P. Ocean Clean Up, Sunday May 24th

Stand Up Paddlers, please come and join us for the:

Maunalua S.U.P. Ocean Clean Up: 2009
When: Sunday May 24th
Check in: Hui Nalu Canoe Hale at noon
Course: Hui Nalu to Waialae Beach Park

www.RubberStampPlantation.com is donating free "Stand Up!" or PaddleBoard Hawaiian Island Decal to the first 50 people to check in.

The first 50 people to check in will also receive a free long sleeve lycrajerzey by "Wet Feet"!!!

We will be showing you how to use a scoop technique to pick up opala w/ your paddle. We will also provide utility belts customized w/ a fold out mesh bag to hold the opala.

"Forming a Human Chain of Awareness in Maunalua Bay".

Enjoy free grinds and comradery at Waialae Beach Park to follow.

Sign up early at Wet Feet in Aina Haina, or email karen@wetfeet.biz, or alika@malamamaunalua.org

Be sure to check the Malama Hawai'i website for more information on
other ways you can malama Hawai'i at: www.malamahawaii.org

Clayre's 70'ish Birthday Suprise

Tommy's family included me in all of the happenings surrounding the Arizona Aloha Festival, in Tempe. What a grand time!

OMG...YOU GOTTA SEE THIS MATZAH SCHTIK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMSEFCQCKPo

15th Arizona Aloha Festival in Tempe Town Lake Beach Park

Tropical Etch Glass Block Fish Tank!

Didn't these come out great! This was the Craft/Paper Party at Ben Franklin on Paa Street. Folks of all ages made their own Tropical Etch glass block vase/fish tank. The folks at BFS even went to the pet store to grab some beta fish for the tanks! We were sure to give "Quality Care" lessons to ensure the new pet fishies would thrive and be loved! Keep your eyes on our calendar so you don't miss the next demonstrations or classes!

Polymer clay: Tribal Butterfly stamp embellished notebook by Syndee Holt

Someone recently asked how to get a good impression in polymer clay with large stamps. Syndee Holt, clay artist extraordinaire, is a master of stamped, impressed, and embossed images using rubber stamps. She achieves perfect, consistent thickness by...standing on her stamps.
Like a geisha, walking the back, her results are breathtaking.

What a blast! Stamped and embellished photo frames at Stampclub!

20 people showed up at Stampclub to help usher in the New Year. We used double matte easel frames that fit 5x7 in photos, and dolled them up with whatever we could find. I love that Stampclub just "happens" 3rd Monday of every month. We always seem to have great volunteer teachers, interesting projects, great food brought by all, and are able to keep it at $5...all materials included.
The best part for me is watching all the embellishments, ephemera, paints, inks, glues, etc be used up!!! Tho I must say the supply seems to be bottomless. Not sure if I really have that much crap (oops...stuff...), or if I just keep collecting.
February, Tammy will be leading us in "Inchies & Twinchies". Su and Lorena will be facilitating a similar swap to follow. Drop off for the one for one swap is Rubber Stamp Plantation (Honolulu) on the last Friday of the Month. Email me if you'd like the swap schedule. We already know what's on the calendar for the next 6 months. Plenty of time to join in!

Ok Mom & Dad, you wanted to see what I've done with my college degree....(rubber stamps hit the road in Hawaii)

These photos are for my folks...so they can kvel!
Just couldn't resist...Ben Franklin, Pa'a St. (in Mapunapuna area of Honolulu), rearranged everything and created an awesome display of our (Rubber Stamp Plantation) stamps, Aloha from Hawaii stickers, Auntie's Hawaiian Stickers, and a slightly sparse display of Tropical Etch glass etching stencils.
So when your friends come to Hawaii...looking for rubber stamps...this is probably on the top of the list of places to send them.

Frames, tray, skate board-Stamped by Erin!

Erin's been busy...and no surface is sacred!
Thanks so much Erin from CT! You're amazing.
The Mayan Sun Textile is one of my all time favorite stamps. Great job with the sm and md monstera block. Love the painting on the tray and remaining frame...gorgeous red! The xlg Tiare really pops!

We can't wait to send you a thank you gift...and hope this encourages others to send us your creations for our blog and gallery.

Be sure to send your snail mail addr with any photos.

Margie from Stitch & Stamp at Mission Houses Museum Craft Fair

You can find Margie at most of the Craft Fairs on Maui these days, and often she makes it to some of the best shows here on Oahu. Her latest passion is Glass Etching! She has something for every budget, and for every occasion...She also is great at custom orders, including all those party favors you're not sure how to etch yourself. Margie can cusomize your favorite glass platters, champagne flutes, and jelly jars that you want to fill with your Auntie's famous mango chutney recipe. Glass etching is a great way to reuse pieces that need just a little "bling" to make them sing. Oh, and of course Margie uses Tropical Etch Glass Etching Stencils! You go girl!

HIbiscus Stencil File Folders-filming "Joy of Crafting"

Wow...sorry it's taken so long to post. Decided to take a break for the Holiday Season and focus on friends and family.
Joy, from "Joy of Crafting" invited several of us to film her bi monthly craft show with a LIVE AUDIENCE! It was so much fun, and the guests were treated like royalty!
Stay tuned for the next taping. This one was so successful, Joy will be hosting anther live event sometime in March.
I did a series of "Fancy File Folders" for National Crafting Month which will air in March on OC16. The show debuts on Sunday eves at 6p, and runs for 2 weeks. You can find more information at http://joyofcrafting.com/.

File Folders with inner and outer pockets: manilla folders
strips of leftover patterned/scrapbooking paper, Md and sm Hibiscus craft stencils http://www.rubberstampplantation.com/store/CraftStencils.htm
brilliance ink pads, stencil brush, double stick tape

Stamped Clip Board

This is one of my favorite all time gifts/projects that I've received from artists using Rubber Stamp Plantation stamps.
. hanging heliconia (3-D)
. new aloha
. xlg deb's sun
. xlg bamboo
. paradise is where I am...
. xlg postcard (postmarked early 20th century, mailed to a friend in S. Dakota, reading "...wouldn't you like to be where you can wear white dresses year round...")

It's too nice to use...so it's hanging in my kitchen.
Hope this inspires you!

I have a little dreidle. I made it out of clay...and rubber stamped it!

Tonite at 6pm the biweekly cable TV show, Joy of Crafting, on channel 16 (Oceanic Cable channel 16) will feature Debra Zeleznik (me) from Rubber Stamp Planation (us), making dreidles out of clay! I used the Laua'e fern and islamic border stamps to decorate dreidles I made with self hardening clay. They were surprisingly simple, and not that difficult to get them balanced so they can spin like a top.

Do check out Joy of Crafting...It runs quite a few times during the 2 week period. I'll be featured on the following program in 2 weeks as well.

Tropical Etch Glass Etching Class...Wed 12/10 6-8:30p

Hope you can join us for a (click for details) glass etching workshop Wed. 12/10 at Rubber Stamp Plantation.
David will be facilitating this adventure in one of the easiest and dramatic, up and coming crafts.
All the supplies are included...All the Tropical Etch stencils you can possibly use, in whatever designs you want; picks; etching cream; painter's masking tape, etc.
You bring the glass pieces you want to etch.
For beginners, you can probably get 3-6 pieces completed...for more advanced pieces using multiple stencils..at least 2 or 3. David suggests you bring at least 5 pieces with you (including recycled glass!!!!).
This cobalt glass uses one stencil...and it's super quick and easy. Its a "tile" pattern that we created for use on bathroom tiles. As you can see...all the stencils are versitile. This one also looks great on a square glass platter. BFS is carrying some really nice ones in various sizes these days. When I get one done, I'll post a photo.
Meanwhile, you can catch more samples of glass we've etched on our new Tropical Etch gallery.