Thanks to Erin Prais-Hintz for hosting this Challenge of Travel Blog Hop
First off, I must admit that I wasn’t really sure where Oceania was located.
But I liked the sound of it because it contained the word “ocean” in it, so I figured that I probably could not go wrong with a little arm-chair travel to any place surrounded by an ocean.
Since living in the Mojave desert, any body of water (even mud puddles) have become particularly appealing to me.
I chose to go with the surprise element and the luck of the draw (so Vegas!)
The country that I was provided to work with is Tonga.
Which by the way, is officially known as “The Kingdom of Tonga”.
I proceeded to research a little about the place. The things that I found fascinating about Tonga are as follows:
Those folks really appear to know how to enjoy a feast.
So, I decided I could most likely live there based on that fact alone because I really enjoy eating.
(photo credit www.symoonraker.com)
It is a refuge for the humpback whales and you can actually swim along side them!
(Photo credit to William Warmus)
They make the most amazing fabric designs using mulberry tree bark and decorate them with organic dyes.
These hand made works of art are called Tapa.
I know if I went there for a visit, I’d just have to get my hands into that action.
(photo from www.pacifictapa.blogspot.com)
There are 170 islands that make up the Kingdom of Tonga.
But I think I read that there are now 171 because a volcano erupted and busted one island in half.
(map from wikipedia)
The people in Tonga are very conservative especially when it comes to the manner of dress.
Women must dress modestly (upper arms covered, skirts at knee length or longer.)
On special occasions, the woman wear a decorative girdle over their dresses called a kiekie.
It can be woven or just long strips of material.
(photo from wikipedia)
I based my designs for the Challenge of Travel Blog Hop on the humpback whale theme and a spin off of the kiekie.
Tonga Whale Tail Wire Wrap Earrings (white coral and seed beads)
Tonga Whale Tail Macrame Necklace (Buffalo Bone, White Coral and Seed Beads)
Tonga “KieKie” Necklace (White Coral, Seed Beads, Chain, Misc. Beads)
Reverse Side of the “KieKie” Necklace (You know how I like to do that both sides wearable.)
And it is really comfortable to wear!
Tonga “KieKie” Macrame Earrings
Tonga “KieKie” Macrame Bracelet
And yup, it is reversible too.
Here is your free pass for more global travel, hop on board:
Name
Blog
Region Chosen
Inspiration Nation
Monique Urquhart
http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/
Africa
Burkina Faso
Niky Sayers
http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/
Africa
Egypt
Therese Frank
http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Africa
Kenya
Raychelle Heath
http://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/
Africa
Lesotho
Joan Williams
www.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.com
Africa
Mauritania
Sherri Stokey
http://www.KnotJustMacrame.com
Africa
Senegal
Regina Santerre
http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com
Africa
Seychelles
Raida Disbrow
http://havanabeads.blogspot.com
Africa
Tanzania
Kristi Wodek
http://livedinlife.blogspot.com
Africa
Zimbabwe
Sally Russick
http://www.thestudiosublime.com
Americas
Brazil
Melissa Trudinger
http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Americas
Mexico
Tracy Stillman
http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Americas
USA
Sandra Wolberg
http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.de
Asia
India
Tanya Goodwin
Asia
Japan
Susan Kennedy
Asia
Japan
Beth Emery
http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Asia
Japan
Lisa Cone
http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Asia
Japan
Tanya Boden
http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/
Asia
Japan
Inge von Roos
http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Asia
Laos
Erin Prais-Hintz
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Asia
Nepal
Dee Elgie
http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Asia
Phillipines
Carolyn Lawson
http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Asia
South Korea
Lisa Stukel
http://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com
Asia
Sri Lanka
Elly Snare
http://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.com
Asia
Thailand
Shelley Graham Turner
http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Europe
Austria
Mallory Hoffman
http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Europe
Bosnia Herzegovina
Paige Maxim
http://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com
Europe
France
Jenny Davies-Reazor
http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Europe
Germany
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson
http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Europe
Greece
Evelyn Shelby
http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Europe
Iceland
Holly Westfall
http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/
Europe
Ireland
Rebecca Siervaag
http://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Europe
Ireland
Toltec Jewels
http://toltecjewels.blogspot.com
Europe
Ireland
Lee Koopman
http://StregaJewellry.wordpress.com
Europe
Ireland
Laren Dee Barton
http://larendeedesigns.blogspot.com
Europe
Italy
Cindy Wilson
http://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.com
Europe
Norway
Kathleen Lange Klik
http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com
Europe
Poland
Shaiha Williams
http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Europe
Portugal
Jennifer Justman
http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Europe
Romania
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com
Europe
Spain
Lola Surwillo
http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Europe
Sweden
Kim Hora
Europe
Switzerland
Leanne Loftus
http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Europe
The Netherlands
Patti Vanderbloemen
http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com
Europe
The Netherlands
Marcie Carroll
http://labellajoya.blogspot.com
Europe
Turkey
Marlene Cupo
http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Oceania
Federated States of Micronesia
Ine Vande Cappelle
http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com
Oceania
Fiji
Tammie Everly
http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/
Oceania
Guam
Alice Peterson
http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Oceania
Kiribati
Elisabeth Auld
http://www.beadsforbusygals.com
Oceania
Nauru
Susan McClelland
http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/
Oceania
New Zealand
D Lynne Bowland
http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com
Oceania
New Zealand
Denielle Hagerman
http://somebeadsandotherthings.com
Oceania
New Zeland
Rebecca Anderson
Oceania
Papua New Guinea
Mischelle Fanucchi
http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Oceania
Samoa
Kari Asbury
http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Oceania
Solomon Islands
Cece Cormier
http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/ (YOU ARE HERE)
Oceania
Tonga
Emma Todd
http://www.apolymerpenchant.com
Oceania
Tuvalu
Debbie Price
http://greenshoot.blogspot.com
Oceania
Vanuatu
Stunning work as always Cece!!!!!
<3 <3 <3 <3
Thank you Malin.
I think you did a perfect job of capturing the feel of this island kingdom. Beautiful work, my hat is off to you!
First, thank you for opening my eyes to Tapas they look incredible! I just knew this hop would bring about those sort of discoveries. The jewelery you made from the inspiration is so fabulously detailed I love it!
I agree Oceania is a fasinating part of the world very few know or understand. You certainly drew out your country’s style in your pieces. Delicious (even if you can’t eat them!)!
what amazing work and beautiful designs!
Whoa! Cool! I like the side with a hint of blue best! You were so prolific! I really think you channeled Tonga!
wow you are sooooo talented.. I love love love your work.
Your macrame is gorgeous. I love all of your pieces. The colors are so pretty. I love the whale theme and how you were inspired by the kiekie.
These are simply gorgeous, CeCe! You have been a busy girl over in Tonga…
Wow! Your humpback whale-inspired designs are awesome! I have never heard of white coral (note to self to get some!) Where did you ever find the focal for that necklace..I love it! Your bead weavings is awesome, something I could never do! And, thanks for the bit of history of this 170—I mean 171— tiny island nation!
Beautiful pieces, and I love the two themes you chose for them!
Thanks for the tour! I love your jewelry pieces
What a lovely post !
interesting + stunning jewelry and a beautiful picture of You wearing some of it !!
Oh, wow, I really can’t say what piece you created is my favorite! They are all just amazing. But really, those earrings are so lovely. And wow, were you prolific on this challenge! Wasn’t this fun?
I’ve never seen your work before. I have to say your designs just blew me away! What a wonderful version of the keikei. Absolutely amazing!
Another place I didn’t know where it was! Your pieces are just gorgeous. I think my favorite is the whale necklace, so cool!
Another country that I am just now learning about. This blog hop is amazing and so is your jewelry. I really love the macrame bracelet.
Love, love, LOVE it Miss Cece! I think your macrame is fantastic. So intricate and stunning. I love the inspiration of the textiles and the things I learned about this area. The earrings are delightful, the way the stones are wrapped. And I am a nut about wearing things multiple ways so that fascinates me! Thank you for joining me on the journey around the world, Miss Cece! I always enjoy seeing where your inspiration takes you! Enjoy the day. Erin
Gorgeous pieces! I love your blog post, too! Thanks for sharing!
I chose the Oceania region too, eventhough I wasn’t even aware there was such a region. Tonga sounds like a very interesting place to visit. I’m always amazed and awed by your lovely macrame pieces! These are fabulous, and look like something a woman from Tonga would wear to a special ceremony.