Fine ceramics, tiny price

Folks in the know on the local ceramics scene will tell you that anything made by Daven Hee is a hot-ticket item. Hee’s technically sophisticated work ranges from whimsical trains to majestic pots. Case in point: vessels such as this teacup that boast little "legs" at the bottom, a Hee design other ceramists have taken to imitating. Check out the "Loose Threads and Friends" show at the Louis Pohl Gallery through Saturday to get a Hee-crafted teacup for the unheard-of price of $20. The gallery, at 1142 Bethel St., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays; call 521-1812. — Joleen Oshiro

Chopstick rests look like sea life

The person who has everything probably doesn’t have metal-clay chopstick rests by Gordon K. Uyehara, minisculptures to dress up the table for special occasions. Uyehara started by creating conversation pieces of art jewelry, but in looking for other directions to take his small-scale sculptures, he was inspired by a trip through a kitchenware store. His hashi oki come in a $190 set of five including three seashell and starfish pieces, a cuttlefish and puffer fish. Available at The Gallery at Ward Centre; call 597-8034. — Nadine Kam

Soaps’ scents rise from nature

Handmade soaps from the North Shore Soap Factory make perfect last-minute stocking-stuffers or a fragrant addition to a gift basket. An array of scents is created using a blend of kukui and macadamia nut oils and pure essential oils. A viewing window at the factory in the old Waialua Sugar Mill allows onlookers to watch the soaps being made. Two of my favorite scents are mint chocolate, made from locally grown ingredients, and mango papaya, which contains natural plant extracts and infusions of organic flowers and herbs. Boxed bars cost $5.49. — Nancy Arcayna

For the sports buff, forgo gear for tickets

Athletic equipment is expensive and tough to pick out for the sports buff in your life. But tickets to sporting events are a one-size-fits-all gift. Admission to the Sony Open, which runs Jan. 9 to 15 at Waialae Country Club, is just $15 a day or $50 for the week (www.sonyopeninhawaii.com). Football fans can get their fix at the NFL Pro Bowl Jan. 29 at Aloha Stadium. Tickets are $45 to $180 at ticketmaster.com.— Donica Kaneshiro

Aloha prints enliven scarves

Ever since my first Christmas here four years ago, I’ve been looking for "aloha" scarves to buy for relatives on the mainland. I’d find scarves with beach or ocean themes, but they were made in Indonesia or Brazil and didn’t have that authentic aloha feel. Now the venerable Reyn Spooner company has come out with scarves and handkerchiefs made from remnants of unused "lawn cotton," a very fine, soft weave the company no longer produces. The florid designs fairly reek with aloha. "A number of the designs were done by Reyn McCullough himself when he was still alive, so that’s over 25 years ago," said Suzie Metivier, manager of the Reyn Spooner Ala Moana store. They’re $21 each. The handkerchiefs are also available at the Reyn’s at Kahala Mall. — Steven Mark

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