Mother’s Day is special around here. It is a reminder of what brings us into this world and inspires us.
I am blessed, as a designer, to get to be a part of your story in a small way. Well, I just love that. It warms my heart every time.

A message of love to moms from David Pu’u and Ocean Lovers

Today, Mother’s Day, I will be in the shop and I will get to see some of you who are bringing mom in to pick out something nice. I can’t tell you how wonderful that feels for me! Thank you for that.

- Donna von Hoesslin (Pu’u) , Designer, Owner, Ocean Lover

All month long I’ve been posting images from the Betty Belts vault on our Facebook page and it’s been interesting looking back at all the cool things we’ve done, with people we love. I begin to realize, I could write a book about it all…

Team Betty in downtown Ventura 2008. From left, Sierra Partridge, Jeanette Ortiz, Mary Osborne, Bo Stanley and Hailey Partridge. © David Pu’u

Team Betty on the boat to go surfing in Bali. © David Pu’u

I am joyfully grateful to still be here, inspired and making beautiful things to express one’s love of the ocean. I want to extend a heartfelt message of gratitude to all of my mentors over the years, to my lovely surfing and ocean-loving ambassadors “Team Betty”, to my wonderful retailers, to my extended family in Bali who have grown with me over the years making ever better products and to all of you who wear and love my belts, jewelry and accessories and spread the aloha everywhere you wear them.

Me and some of our staff in Bali. I am sharing photos from home on the iPad.

I am especially grateful to my husband, David Pu’u, who from the start was always there (I hired him for our first-ever photo shoot)… even long before we became an “item”… mentoring, capturing iconic imagery, inspiring me, helping to cultivate a brand, a lifestyle we love and live. David always understood what my deeper goals were in having a positive effect in our world.

David and I on a trip to San Francisco, a place that provides a lot of inspiration.

Here are some images from that vault. Some of my favorites over the years. There are many more where these came from… Hopefully I will get to publish that book and share them with you one day.

Mary Osborne in a very early Betty Belts poster, 2003… photo: David Pu’u

Sierra Partridge of Team Betty © David Pu’u

Hailey Partridge in a shoot for Hobie Girl, wearing Betty B. One of my all-time favorites from our first year of making upcycled surfboard resin jewelry.

Jeanette Ortiz wearing the Compassion necklace. © David Pu’u

A favorite of Jeanette Ortiz modeling one of my red carpet sea glass necklaces in a tidepool on a private California beach.

Me in the Betty Bus, an old favorite from the image vault, circa 2005.  © David Pu’u

An ad we ran in 7Sky, a European magazine 2010.

The bag is loaded with features which you can read about here. My favorite is the deep front pockets that hold two long water bottles perfectly. (That’s where my Kleen Kanteens go).  I wanted to create a bag for a no-nonsense active person (like me) who doesn’t have a lot of time on their hands and would like a super durable bag that can be used every day and goes with almost everything.

Hemp Bag Side Detail

Hemp is the most durable of fabrics and also the most sustainable. Consider a few more facts about hemp (source: Hemp Technologies):
• Hemp does not require herbicides or pesticides.
• Hemp can be grown in a wide range of latitudes and altitudes.
• Hemp replenishes soil with nutrients and nitrogen, making it an excellent rotational crop.
• Hemp controls erosion of the topsoil.
• Hemp converts CO2 to oxygen better than trees.
• Hemp produces more oil than any other crop, which can be used for food, fuel, lubricants, soaps, etc.
• Hemp nut is a very healthy food, being the highest protein crop (after soybean) and high in omega oils.
• Hemp can be used for making plastics, including car parts.
• Hemp makes paper more efficiently and ecologically than wood, requiring no chemical glues.
• Hemp can produce bio-fuel and ethanol (better than corn).
• Hemp can be grown more than once per year.
• Hemp fibers can make very strong rope and textiles.

In 1916, the U.S. Government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees need to be cut down. Government studies report that 1 acre of hemp equals 4.1 acres of trees. Plans were in the works to implement such programs (Department of Agriculture).

Betty Belts ♥ Ocean Hemp Belt

My ♥ Ocean belt is reversible. Blank on one side, embroidered on the other. It’s 53″ long and one size fits most men and women.

Betty Belts ♥ Ocean Hemp Belt

I consider this whole Black Friday hoopla a race to the bottom I do not want to participate in as a retailer. I would rather join the race to something different, something human and out of a space of generosity for others not so fortunate, not out of greed.

It’s so funny because my daily read Seth Godin blogged about this very subject today: In a Hurry to be Generous

So here it is, my Thanksgiving Weekend Special:

• All Weekend Long Thursday-Sunday we are donating 25% of all sales in the online shop to Clean Ocean Action, a cause currently devoted to coordinating a rebuilding, recovering, and restoration program for communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.
• And 25% of all Ventura shop sales on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be donated to Clean Ocean Action.
• I have a free surprise gift for all shoppers on all three days who come in to the retail store and spend $25. What is it? Come in and find out!
• Saturday is a big day for AMEX users, as they can get a $25 statement credit for shopping small and that includes Betty Belts. Sign up now if it’s not too late (offer is capped): https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/Shop-Small/

Throughout the weekend, I will be posting how much money we’ve raised so far on the Betty Belts FB page as tie allows. Thank you notes go out to all making online orders here stating the amount from their purchase that gets donated. My first online order came in this morning and I am happy to say so far it’s $49.75. If you are planning on buying some of your holiday gifts from me and want to make a difference with your wallet, do it before Sunday night, please.

That said, we are planning another cause day December 2nd for Friends of the Ventura River.

Oh, lest I forget! My husband, David Pu’u, has jumped in and will be donating 25% of his royalties from his print sales until the end of December to Clean Ocean Action. Read about it in his blog: Tis the Season. Enjoy a tiny sampling of his work below.

“Gratitude” by David Pu’u Surfer: Sean Tully

Light Fantastic: Happiness by David Pu’u Surfer: Sean Tully

“Enlightenment” by David Pu’u

Sierra Partridge by David Pu’u

Pink Champagne Barrel by David Pu’u Surfer: Larry Ugale

The Girl on a Board Blog chose our sea glass gems as one of their top holiday gift picks. And why not? A sea glass piece from DvH and Betty B. is on every mermaid’s wish list!

Browse my sea glass jewelry here. Thank you!

Of course my upcycled surfboard resin jewelry is included, and it’s an honor to be in the same room with these other creative folks making cool stuff. I SO want that Skateback for the iPhone to match my resin pieces!

Some of the many unique objects made from stuff that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

This weekend I will be setting up my booth with my genuine sea glass and other jewelry and belts for Ocean Lovers at Earl Warren Fairgrounds in Santa Barbara. Come be fascinated by the world of jade, much of it from our California Beaches. View and buy art created by passionate individuals who are inspired by the ocean. Mediums include jade, shells, driftwood, sea glass and much more.

I will be bringing a beautiful selection of my sea glass jewelry and upcycled surfboard resin as well as other pieces for ocean lovers. And I will be sharing my booth with legendary artist and icon Greg Ray, who will be carving tikis on site. Greg has some amazing stories to share, so don’t miss this opportunity to meet him.

• Where: Santa Barbara Jade & Ocean Art Expo, Earl Warren Fairgrounds
• When: Sat.& Sun. June 16th & 17th, 10-6 PM  both days
• Free Parking and Entry

So when my first batch of upcycled surfboard resin jewelry was ready, I immediately assessed the scraps that were left over. I knew I would dedicate this remnant material to one very cool project eventually, but as many projects go, it sat on the table for many moons before I took action.

Here are the results. Surfboard resin bezel set in sterling silver by highly skilled craftsmen I am lucky to work with. Sleek and beautiful. For men and women both.

Now available in my web store too!

Earrings$42, Necklaces starting at $48

Read my story on the making of behind this unique jewelry!

Some of the actual Surfboards my jewelry was made with

In the beach community of Ventura, California, designer Donna von Hoesslin of Betty Belts draws inspiration for her jewelry designs from her love of the ocean and surfing. Together with surfboard shaper Dennis Ryder, the two decided to capture and repurpose excess resin left over from the surfboard building process.

—Brittany McVicker

BETTY BELTS
Upcycled surfboard mini-circle resin earring
$48
bettybelts.com 

My favorite kind of Easter Eggs.
My sea glass mini pendants in some gorgeous colors. Some of these are available online until they are sold. Don’t hesitate if you want one in a special color, as I only have a few in stock at a time. See available colors  here.