I bought this bottle-cap trivet in 2007 from the gift shop at Hawaii’s Plantation Village, where I am a docent. I couldn’t believe that people still made these things, admired the workmanship and essentially saw it as an art piece.

These fabric-covered hot pads are made by our village crafters, who supply our gift shop with their handmade creations. Although I belong to the village crafters group, I do not make trivets. I tried and it’s so tedious.

Because each one is handmade in varied prints, no two are alike. These trivets are reminiscent of plantation days in Hawaii, when money was scarce and we made things we needed ourselves.

For the price of $10, I rationalized that I’d use the trivet, but then I hated to ruin the beautiful workmanship (I’ve ruined favorite potholders … yes, I have favorites), so I used it a couple of times, then displayed it like a doily, then finally relegated it to the kitchen to be admired.

I own about four ceramic trivets, a cork trivet and two bottle-cap trivets. Why? Just love them, just like to look at them. I also own over 40 potholders — lovingly used ones and others too nice to use, but that’s another story.

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Lorene Ono