Ohana Artisans create wearable art Valencia County News Bulletin
Spirals and coils, square wire, double wire and beaded wire, chunks of Jaspar, polished turquoise, lapis — each piece is intricately unique and finely crafted.
Born on Oahu, Hawaii, Bon Liesener and her sister, Jan Pruner, were two of four sisters with one brother growing up on the big misty island. Later, husbands and jobs brought them ashore, and in 1993 to New Mexico.
Bon says she fell in love with the Land of Enchantment on a visit with her husband a few years before they moved.
"We came in the fall; blue skies and yellow leaves. It was love at first sight," Liesener said.
Six months later, Jan and her family followed.
"New Mexico is very much like the side of the island I grew up on. I love it here, it's gorgeous," Pruner said.
The sisters began their jewelry art in California when their other sister, Tomi, taught them how to do bead work. Later, here in New Mexico, Bon learned how to wire wrap crystals and stones from a girlfriend, which sent her on a new creative adventure.
She shared what she learned with her sister, Jan. That's why they named their jewelry company "Ohana Artisans." Ohana means "family" in Hawaiian.
Soon, family and friends were wearing Bon and Jan's creations and getting acclaim on their pieces.
"It was good reviews and reactions to our work that got us to look at commercial possibilities," articulated Jan. "And my husband pointed out that money was going out to make this jewelry, why not bring some money in at it."
The consanguinity between the sisters is palpable. They work together like a hand-in-glove, helping each other and sounding off one another in a mutually supportive and creatively-stimulating manner.
After building up a stock of pendants, earrings and a few bracelets, the women were ready to begin selling their jewelry to the public. They leapt at the chance to participate in the Belen Rio Abajo Days celebration in September, where they set up a table on Becker Street as first-time vendors.
They did well, and went on to show and sell their work at the Albuquerque Garden Club's Harvest Fair in early October. Next, they set up a table at the Valencia Shelter for Domestic Violence Family Fun Day fundraiser, where they donated two of their pieces for the silent auction to raise money for Valencia Shelter Services.
The artists use a variety of stones such as amethyst, carnelian, garnet, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, moonstone, obsidian, onyx, opal, rhodochrosite, serpentine, sugilite, tourmaline, turquoise, amber and red coral. They use sterling silver wire to wrap the gems.
They buy from local gems and minerals stores, but are always on the look-out for stones whenever they travel. Bon was in South Dakota a few months back, and brought home a beautiful turquoise stone she couldn't resist.
A few of their designs in red coral and black obsidian have a distinctively southwestern look.
Source:
Holiday Calendar 2009 Toledo Free Press
THANKSGIVING
Free Thanksgiving meals:
> Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. Nov. 26, Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission, 1917 Jefferson Ave.
> Noon-2 Nov. 26, St. Pius X Parish Family Life Center, 3011 Carskaddon Ave. Information: (419) 535-7672.
> 11:30-2 p.m. Nov. 26, Trinity United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Adams and Second streets, Port Clinton. Volunteers, call (419) 967-0185. For delivery, call Marion at (419) 732-3582 by Nov. 24.
> 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 26, Woodmore High School cafeteria, 633 Fremont St., Elmore. Residents of Allen, Benton, Carroll, Clay, Harris and Salem townships can call for transportation: (419) 862-9924. Reservations: (419) 866-9924.
> 4-6 p.m. Nov. 26, Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission Outreach Center, 670 Phillips Ave.
> 5 p.m. Nov. 28, Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission, 1917 Jefferson Ave.
Give Thanks Walk: Participants will raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by walking in this 5K event. 7:45 a.m. Nov. 21, Westfield Franklin Park, 5001 Monroe St. (800) 942-5533.
Homeschoolers: Turkey Talk. Students will learn interesting turkey facts and look for turkeys. 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark lodge, 4139 Girdham Road off Route 2, Swanton. $2. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.
Partners in Fun: Three- and 4-year-olds and their adults will listen to stories, play games and make crafts based on the week’s theme. 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays, 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg. $5 each session. (419) 874-4174 or www.577foundation.org.
> Thanksgiving Table: Nov. 24.
Gobble Up a Good Story: Stories about November’s favorite bird will be shared, along with related songs and crafts. 4-5 p.m. Nov. 24, Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd. (419) 259-5283.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
“Mary Wolcott’s ‘Southern Hospitality’ in the Maumee Valley”: Visitors can see how the Louisville, Ky., transplant would have celebrated the holidays in Northwest Ohio in the early 1800s. Noon-4 Thursdays-Sundays with guided tours at 12:30 and 2:30 through Dec. 19, Wolcott House Museum, 1031 River Road, Maumee. $5 adults, $4 seniors and $2.50 students. (419) 893-9602 or www.wolcotthouse.org.
Gloves for Love: Donors can bring new gloves to hang on the tree or string throughout the store for the Salvation Army to distribute for Christmas. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Dec. 20, New Beginnings Collectibles and Antiques, 114 S. Lane St., Blissfield. (517) 606-2560.
Christmas at the Farm: After selecting from 50,000 trees, families can visit the bake and craft shops and try some chili, cocoa and a variety of activities, including meeting with Santa. Reindeer and farm animals will greet visitors, and kids can ride ponies and the barrel train. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and noon-5 weekends, Country Lane Tree Farm, 3525 N. Bolander Road, Genoa. Trees, $40 and less. (419) 461-1298 or countrylanetreefarm.com.
Source:
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