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Akalei in Hawaiian means
"n. a string of multicolored glass beads";
"Lit., bead reflections”.
It is the awesome nature and the reflections of the island beauty here in Hawai'i that inspire me to spontaneously design these beautiful and unique creations. My jewelry also reflects the Aloha Spirit of Hawai'i and the people of this land...the turquoise and aqua shades of the ocean waters; the various hues of greens and yellows in the island foliage; the rainbow of auras seen in the floral beauty and elegance all around us here; and, the radiant skies of dawn and dusk create mesmerizing glory. It is a privilege and a blessing to be living in this paradise of Hawai'i and to be able to express it in my handcrafted jewelry designs. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy designing and creating them.
Mahalo for stopping by.
Aloha,
Laura
June 2007
I was recently asked by a friend, "where is your journal, Laura?" Well, here it is and here I am. This photo was taken of me at the 2006 Made In Hawai'i Festival. What a long 3-day weekend of standing and selling. But, what a joy to meet so many people! So, I had intentions of writing in the journal when I first set up my web site. But, with the way things kicked off, I really haven't had much free time to write. I still don't but I found some time, didn't I?
It is really surreal how everything has happened. It all began with me taking some time off from nursing career because I wanted to be a full-time mother to my children. With the support of my wonderful and beloved husband, I am able to be a stay-at-home mom who has recently turned a passion for designing jewelry into a business that I love. My first career was working several years as a registered nurse in critical care. I have always loved being a nurse and was passionate about that, too...I really miss it sometimes. Needless to say, my children keep me hopping with their own wants and needs. My love for jewelry has always been a part of me. My passion for beading and making jewelry started with my childhood girlfriend, Mary, when we used to make beaded chokers in the 60's. She and I even had dreams of starting our own store in my grandparents pop-up camper and we called it the L & M Craft store. Funny how dreams come true (sort of). Well, I don't have a craft store but my passion for designing and creating beautiful jewelry has certainly grown into a life of its own.
The start was small when I created designs for myself and then my personal jewelry box became overcrowded. Then, people would ask, "where did you buy that?" So, a bit of direct advertising that I did turned into making gifts for my family and friends. The jewelry designing business began to take on a life of it's own and orders began to pour in for moms, aunties, husbands, brothers, sisters and friends. "People in Hawai'i come and go so quickly around here" and the need for farewell gifts is always there. With the right opportunities and connections, I saw my obsession and addiction to gemstones, beads, color, texture, and design/fashion quickly turn into a home-based business adventure. I invite you to take a look at my designs and know that each piece is special and has taken much thought and time in creating. If there is ever anything that anyone wants as a custom design, that is something I also love to do. I feel personally custom designs to be a fun challenge as I try to bring someone's vision to a reality.
So, all in all, without the support and understanding from my family for my recent career change, it would have been very difficult to make this all happen. And with the love and support, guidance and encouragement from God, and you, my friends, ohana (family) and customers, it is all possible. I thank you all!
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July 2007
I can squeak by here on the last day of July and get a quick entry in...It has been a wonderful two months of summer vacation and tomorrow it is back to school for the kids (they start early here in Hawai'i!) and "back to work" (so to speak) for Mom, here. Well, it all works out and is a blessing because Made In Hawaii Festival is just around the corner and I am jamming to make as much inventory as is humanly and artistically possible!! I made some time to make little connections with long-time friends who sailed in on the Trans-Pacific Race and some who flew in to meet them. It has made a nice wrap to our summer. I have found some very irresistable beauties of gems along the way and am anxious to splash them into designs that I know you will love! And if you desire a different flare, then, let's work together and make something with the one-of-a-kind cuts and colors for you, a friend or a loved one. I will also be getting geared up for the "Super Sign Up" evenings with the Hui O' Na Wahine ladies for the month of August...it feels like Christmas in July! Hmmmmm, I can see where that all started...Aloha and have a blessed day!
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May 2008
Whew, time flies! This has been an awesome year of experiences for me and for the family. My passion continues to show me that it has a life of its own and I embrace that! I have done so much more jewelry designing in so many ways. I really enjoy creating someone's ideas of their "perfect piece of jewelery". It gives me the challenge to go beyond what I ever thought I could do. I have really stepped out of the box with some new ideas. I have also been finding some very beautiful & uniquely cut gemstones, new designs in Precious Metal Clay, and lampwork that I have never ever seen before. More hours have been spent with firing precious metal clay into .999 fine silver than I ever thought possible! I have done many trunk shows, art festivals, personal/custom orders and kept up with wholesale orders. It is exciting and is still feeling somewhat surreal. I personally thank all of you, my ohana and my customers, for all of your support in my year of success. It is far beyond what I could have possibly even dreamed of. God works in ways that we never even fathom but, in our hearts, we believe in. Mahalo nui loa! (thank you very much). I must say that it fills my spirit with joy to see so many of your faces when you find that perfect piece that suits you or someone you know and becomes a treasure or part of a special collection. Someone said to me the other day that they could not believe that I remembered what they had purchased (a year ago or two years ago or 6 months ago) and I have to say that I truly continue to stand behind every one of my designs and I do personally connect that piece with the one who purchased it. Designing and creating fine artisan jewelry is a passion for me in my life.
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Akalei Creations has a variety of design collections at the following locations:
Akalei Creations On Location
Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois
Laura with her designs at the Shedd.
Laura with Ann, Jeff and Alex.
Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Oahu, Hawai'i
Queen Emma's Summer Palace, Honolulu, Hawai'i
Boutiki, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Honolulu, HI
Global Creations Interiors, Haleiwa, North Shore, Hawai'i
Charitable Contributions ~
Throughtout life, we learn about giving unselfishly. When opportunities arise for me to experience unconditional giving, I will often seek ways to make it work. My gifts and talents for combining colors and textures; choosing to blend a variety of unique cuts of gemstones or other materials; the inspirations from nature and the islands; and, visions for designing jewelry are all things that have been God's blessings upon me. I am grateful for my good health and value my eyesight, my physical abilities and other strengths that I have in order to run my business and to set up for my various sales events and showcases. It is with this appreciation for my life and those that I love that enables and empowers me to do what I do. As an on-going expression of my faith in our Creator, I am open to giving to good causes to help those in need. I have donated to several local foundations and organizations: Pacific Handcrafters Guild, YMCA of Honolulu, YMCA Camp Erdman, Hui 'O Na Wahine, Native Hawaiian Association, Okinawan Annual Silent Auction, Mililani Uka Elementary School, People of Praise-Oahu, Mililani Presbyterian Church Youth Auction. Boutiki Pearl Harbor Trunk Shows and Sales contribute a percentage of all of my sales to local charities. Most recently, I have donated to the silent auciton to benefit Slow Food O'ahu at the upcoming June 13th event Little Kitchens. I have also pledged to donate my jewelry to a wonderful and meaningful auction sponsored by the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce in Louisiana - Check out their web site and see that they have Scott Innes (the voice of Scooby Doo) as their auctioneer!!
A Memorial Concept to Honor Our Fallen
On October 25, 2008, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Memorial Association will be hosting a silent auction. Akalei Creations has pledged to donate select jewelry designs to support the fundraising efforts. I will also be donating unique "Bottle Bling"TM and "Charms of Aloha"TM stem glass charm markers in collaboration with Wine By Numbers who will be donating from their store in Waipio.
A letter from Col. Todd McCaffery:
Dear Friends of 2/25 SBCT,
The 2nd Brigade SBCT, 25th Infantry Division has now deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice on both of these deployments and, as I write this, continue to serve in harm's way. As our Army enters a period of persistent conflict, it’s all too probable that even after we redeploy from this tour, our soldiers will once again, sometime in the future answer our Nation's Call.
Memorializing our Fallen is a tradition that dates back in our Army as long as the institution itself. We desire to design and dedicate a lasting appropriate memorial specifically for the Soldiers of this great brigade who have served and sacrificed in Iraq.
Todd B. McCaffrey
COL, IN Commanding
Stryker Brigade Combat Team- Warrior
2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
Tropic Lightning!
A granite, marble obelisk or rectangular stone, possibly incorporating native Hawaiian lava rock and inscribed with the names, units, and dates/location of death for each of our Fallen Heroes would be appropriate. We hope to complete conceptual design and raise sufficient funds so as to be able to appropriately dedicate this effort not later than June 2009 for placement at Schoffield Barracks. The Memorial is not intended to replace the 25th Division Memorial instead the Warrior Brigade Memorial will simply highlight the sacrifice of Warrior Soldiers in more detail and remain in a central location to allow current Warriors, their Families, and our future Soldiers to view it and pay their respects to these heroes.
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Enjoy the views of our island beauty!
Aloha!
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