PRINCEVILLE — A few talented artists have created a bright way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Princeville. On the fourth-Sunday of each month, the Island Grown Artisans fair is held at the Princeville Community Center from 1 to 6 p.m.
PRINCEVILLE — A few talented artists have created a bright way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Princeville.
On the fourth-Sunday of each month, the Island Grown Artisans fair is held at the Princeville Community Center from 1 to 6 p.m. It showcases paintings, jewelry, fabrics and koa woodwork, for starters.
“We tried to find a time when people don’t have a lot more going on and Sunday afternoon is good,” said Sue Giuliano, organizer. “There are other craft events on Saturday mornings and we wanted to be different.”
The event started as an informal group of four North Shore artists, and after four monthly shows has added three more. In addition to organizing, Giuliano presents her own knitted handbags along with her husband’s koa wood clocks and products, where she does the inlay work.
“We’re favoring people who are just getting started,” Giuliano said. “We’re trying to keep it Kaua‘i made.”
The painters include Dawn Lundquist, a local plein air style artist with more than 25 years experience and most of that on Kaua‘i. She has originals and prints of Kaua‘i nature and also offers handmade plein air style frames.
Patrice Pendarvis displayed a variety of oil, pastel and watercolor works on both canvas and rice paper. Her subject matter includes Kaua‘i scenery, along with floral and painting of rural and urban settings from her trips to Italy and France.
Lundquist presents the work as originals and giclée digital prints of all sizes. She is also an art teacher for beginners to experts.
Cydney Blanchard enjoys painting and said she is inspired by her North Shore surroundings. Her work includes familiar beaches and mountains that are part of her everyday life.
She said Island Grown Artisans is particularly helpful to display her work, as someone who works during the week and has little time for her true joy of painting. She paints during her spare time from snapshots and memory and said the comments from this public exposure has lifted her spirits and hopefully will lead to some sales.
Sally Psaila is a local quilter and sewer who enjoys using a variety of yarns and techniques. Her works include hibiscus flower dying techniques, interwoven bamboo threads with wool, and Kaua‘i dirt.
“I keep making them because there is always a baby being born, or a wedding, or something else where I can make something as a gift,” Psaila said. “Handmade items mean so much more to people.”
Bree Scougale of Kilauea, started Sea Breeze Jewelry after turning her hobby into a sideline just three months ago. She now does her own design and metalwork, and said she is excited that her interest in making jewelry has been well-received.
“I’ve been selling jewelry for 14 years, so I just finally started making my own,” she said.
Her items have sold well at Po‘ipu, Kapa‘a and Princeville jewelry galleries, prompting Scougale to consider turning the hobby into a full-time occupation.
They display bright gems with a variety of local shells and some Tahitian black pearls.
“I usually explain it as fun jewelry as fun jewelry with a touch of girlie thick elegance,” she said. “I will use hearts, or a starfish or colored gem stones.”
Another jewelry maker, Lauren Lindholm of Off the Reef Jewelry has been making her handmade wear for around two years. She makes everything herself including the earring wires and hoops.
Her work contains 14-carat gold and sterling silver and local shells.
“I get very inspired by the sunrise, the mountains and the ocean,” she said. “All my things are very ocean-themed.”
It is important to make things that are beautiful and affordable, she said, and uses an Etsy account in addition to exhibiting locally.
“A couple of my girlfriends and I had been talking about how to use our passion and love to do something where everyone else could come and enjoy it,” she said. “So we got together and decided on starting this.”
Patrick Speir, 11, is the biggest seller at the event, according to a friend. He has gone from stringing a few beads together to using top of the line jewelers tools to create high quality necklaces.
Speir started making jewelry at age six when he found a pearl on the beach and wanted to create a gift for his mother. He was mentored through the process by a local craftsman and his interest has never slowed.
“Patrick started making jewelry before I did and he inspired me,” said Melanie Speir, his mother.
“He not only enjoys making jewelry but he is good at it.”
Melanie, who is also an exhibitor with Precious Peach and Jewelry Designs by Melanie, said that four years ago and now the both of them are constantly learning at expo events and finding good sources for their materials.
Making jewelry was a good way to get back into the art she enjoyed as a student, Melanie said. A mother has little time to herself and jewelry allows for a few hours here and there and the results keep her creative and fulfilled.
