Happy Mothers Day!

“My daughter and I LOVE our rings!! We call them our ‘power rings’. I told her that since seaglass is something that has been “broken” and tumbled by the sea and comes out even more beautiful, that she can use it as a touchstone for when she goes through tough times. She has already used that thought, and the power of the ring, to get through something tough this week.” – Amy, Plum Goods

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

Today We Turn 10! Looking Back on a Decade of Betty Belts.

It’s really hard to believe it’s been 10 years.

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.

Find us at the Jade and Ocean Art Expo in Santa Barbara, June 16th-17th

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

Sea Glass Designs

Hello Ocean Lovers!

I have been designing sea glass jewelry for three years now, but failed to mention it much here on the blog. I’ve been told by many that I need to share this part of my art more widely, so please enjoy the pictures below and let me know if you have any questions about them.

We are in the process of re-doing the website and soon you will find more frequent updates and many new styles of double bezel set designs in sea glass pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings in many sizes and colors!

Check out the  Betty Belts Facebook Page for more frequent updates, inspiration, ocean love and opportunities to win your own ocean-inspired accessories!

Cobalt Sea Glass Double Bezel Set in Sterling

Sea Glass Mini Pendants

Sea glass cuff links and ring