Artisan & Craft
People say you fall into things, but sometimes life pushes you down a road where you need to be. I grew up living abroad and am fascinated by different cultures and new landscapes---throw in a little history and a camera and I am in my element! I spent time slinging drinks & plates, knocking around retail and pounding away for many years in the corporate arena. In the back of my mind, I always wanted to do something that tapped into my passion for travel and adventure as an artisan. I thought about doing it differently, doing it the right way and bringing a little aloha to the world. I want to appeal to souls like me who enjoy dropping in on a wave, getting off the beaten path, rollin’ down an open road or just having your feet up and watching the world go by.
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We love to pick up mementos when we travel---either a piece of jewelry, a cool hat or some type of street art. They are reminders of our adventures and instantly transport us back when we look at them. However, I could never really find what I wanted when it came to men’s jewelry. Nothing reminded me of these adventures or spoke to me. The selection was very limited, the pieces always seemed to be too generic, mass produced or weren't authentic/organic enough for me. That’s what got me into making bracelets---more of a necessity to express myself than anything.
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Like many of us, I am influenced by the places I’ve traveled to both physically and mentally, different cultures, people, history, entertainment and events. Sometimes it’s just the romantic vision of a place or of a bygone era. I often associate different colors, textures and light to these things...probably due to some past memory. When I select the materials to make a bracelet, I am consciously thinking of those influences and associations. Each design is hand-made and one-of-a-kind and I individually name each piece and provide the backstory behind it. These are small works of art and not mass-produced bracelets. My hope is that what goes on in my crazy, mixed-up head translates into a unique piece that truly speaks to you.
Mahalo and drink up! Robert
DESIGN - ELEMENTS - MATERIALS
You will see new design techniques, elements and unusual materials you aren't use to seeing and these bracelets are beefier than most so hold onto your horses! Again, I want to give you something that is unique, one-of-a-kind and a piece that is yours and yours alone.
My desire is to create a conversation piece that sticks to your ribs.
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Ancient trade and commerce throughout history has always intrigued me. Beads have always been a cultural art form and were often used for trade, adornment and as status symbols. In fact, beads were one of the earliest forms of trade ranging from the plains of North America to the steps of Tibet, from the grasslands of Natal to the Scottish Highlands and to the deep blue waters of Polynesia. They are still used that way in some remote pockets today. And we still use them as adornment because we know it's all about individuality and the ka-pow!
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Here's what I do to help...
Stretch Bracelets
I make stretch style bracelets due to their convenience and to the versatility of the compositions I can create. Like most people, dealing with clasps, hooks or string ties irritates the heck out of me. After time, a lot of jewelry will just sit in a drawer because it's a pain to put on and take off. I want something that I can just slip on and go. These bracelets are substantial and chunkier than most so I also need pieces that can hold-up to daily punishment or wouldn’t stretch-out over time. This is why I make this type of bracelet and use heavy-duty chord...style, convenience and toughness on-the-go!
Split-Tail Design
Others tie down or try and conceal their excess chord to look clean because it has always been the standard. Instead of staying inside that box I decided that I could add to my overall design by creating a “Split-Tail” element. This design feature allows me to add additional composition, provides a more organic finish and adds some wham bam to the piece. It lays well on the inside of the wrist and hangs nicely when your arm is extended. Due to this added element, you will find that others will check out your bling from multiple angles and see something a little different for sure.
Use of Skulls
I love skulls and that is why I incorporate them into most of my pieces. It's my signature. Since I was young, I was fascinated by masks and skulls along with their many cultural interpretations throughout history. They represent mortality/immortality, good/bad luck, intelligence, strength, ruthlessness, death, hope, faith in humanity, a warning, transition, etc.…the list goes on and on. Mala beads from Nepal, Tibet and India are carved into symbolic skulls to help people concentrate on prayer and reflection. Skulls conjure up so many different things in our consciousness and that is why they are an iconic design element for me.
Use of Buttons
I dig antique or vintage buttons, especially the old military style uniform buttons. Not only for their historic significance, but also for their cultural, vocational and geographic meanings. They can instantly add context or memory to one of my designs. Besides needing them to hold up our pantaloons, they are little pieces of art in their own right.
Use of Fossilized Shark Teeth
What can I say? They elicit fear and savagery (thanks Benchley & Spielberg!), but also represent majestic beauty, strength, the magnificence of our oceans and remind us who really is the biggest fish in the sea. I love their lines and what they can do for my designs…they just look and feel cool!
IMPORTANT NOTE: I NEVER use shark teeth hunted or fished from our living brothers & sisters of the sea. I ONLY use fossilized teeth. The fossilized teeth I source are from the Otodus Obliquis species dug from the Kem Kem region of eastern Morocco. These sharks existed 50 - 65 million years ago and are known as the earliest Mackerel Sharks. Their descendants include the Megalodon, Great White & Mako. Hey, you are wearing a living relic!
Use of Driftwood, Roots &
Shells
I often use driftwood, wood scraps, hardened plant roots and shell in my designs. I find my driftwood and some seashell items from the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound/Washington Coast areas. I also use wood scraps and roots from my yard or found out on the trail. I clean, sanitize, cut and drill these pieces myself. Let me tell ya, there were a lot of excruciating hours spent looking for these pieces out in the boonies and down by the sea…Cough! Cough!
Use of Kukui Nuts
I love Kukui Nuts and personally want to bring them back into their glorious light. Unfortunately, from the 1950’s until recently, they were often sold at tourist shops as cheap souvenir leis and bracelets which kinda diminished their glory. The Kukui Nut has great symbolism for Hawaii and for many Polynesian cultures. In fact, the Kukui Tree is the State Tree of Hawaii. The Royal Chiefs of Hawaii once wore leis made from these nuts and they represent protection, peace, enlightenment and light. They are still used for ceremonial leis, especially for men, throughout the South Pacific. Their history, uses and cultural significance are very interesting so look it up when you have some time (with cocktail in-hand). I find them very cool…not only for all that significance, but how they look and feel. There is a therapeutic feel to them like ancient worry beads. I want to give them a make-over and give them back that cultural punch and individuality they desperately need. I tell ya, when you wear one of these bracelets, you feel the sand between your toes, the sun on your face and the aloha spirit.
Use of Metal Nuts
I know by no means that I am not the first to use everyday metal nuts in jewelry design. However, I think I just may be when it comes to stretch bracelets. Combining the right materials with hex and square metal nuts is the key. To me, they represent architectural and industrial design along with practical strength. I used raw, unfinished stainless-steel or brass nuts (non-anodized) that are thoroughly cleaned and degreased. These bracelets have a nice heft to them and make a bold statement.
Use of Cultural & Religious
Icons
I use cultural or religious beads, pendants or other pieces in some of my designs. Most of these icons are vintage or antique. They have great meaning culturally, historically, geographically and spirituality and can be interpreted in many different ways. That is their beauty and why they are different in the eye of each beholder. They are also pieces of art in their own right and I love the messages they project and the vibes they elicit.
Responsible Materials
I source my materials from all over the world (vendors, marketplaces, bazaars, antique shops, thrift shops, swap meets, boot sales, etc.) and finding this stuff is half the design challenge and fun. I only source supplies from reputable suppliers. I use a wide variety of materials ranging from wood, bone, horn, metal, Puka shell, stone, glass, clay, ceramic, paper, precious stone, non-precious stone, teeth, seashells, nuts, seeds, resin to acrylic. Most of the bone and teeth beads come from domesticated Yak or Water Buffalo in the Himalayas where no animal resources go to waste. These beads are hand-crafted by local artisans who recycle and reuse everything in daily life and in spiritual practice. To them, bone represents the earth, our connection to it and signifies strength. I don’t often use acrylic or plastic beads, but when I do (in my TV commercial voice) they are usually unique vintage or antique pieces…and it keeps them recycled! I also clean and sanitize all of my beads, driftwood products and materials.
Bracelet Sizing
The most common men’s wrist circumference is 7” - 7.25" around. Therefore, my stretch bracelets usually fit wrists that are 6.75” to 7.25”around. BTW, the most common women's wrist circumference is 6.75" - 7" around. Check your wrist by using a measuring tape. Relax your wrist and then wrap it around the base of your hand right where the wrist starts (see image to the right). Sizing is also listed on each product description.
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NOTES: If your wrist is smaller than 6.75", these bracelets will run loose (which may be a personal style choice). If your wrist is larger than 7.25", then these bracelets will run tight and will probably be a little uncomfortable.
Bracelet Packaging
My bracelets are packaged in a custom hand-stamped cloth drawstring bag along with a product insert card which includes product name and what the materials the bracelet is made out of. Sometimes I include a nice little surprise. It's nice to know what's in the bag right?
Bracelet Care Instructions
Wear the living heck out of it…that’s it! The longer you own your piece, the more it becomes yours due to the natural oils from your skin, dirt & grime, climate & weather and by getting banged up a little. That’s how it earns its stripes and gets even more character. Go earn it!
