1. Fused-glass earrings inspired by the sea
Kaneohe artist Liz Guevin’s fused glass earrings ($30) caught my eye because of their beauty and uniqueness. The vivid dots of color remind me of an amber sky at sunset. Guevin says the ocean often inspires her handmade creations, which she crafts by shaping and melting cut or crushed glass in a kiln. When the colors fuse, the resulting patterns are random and organic. Thus, no two pairs of earrings are alike.
You can find her work, including earring and pendant sets, at Island Treasures in Kailua and the Koko Marina Center. Guevin also sells her wares at the Kailua Town Farmers Market at Kailua Elementary School — she’s there on the third Sunday of the month. Visit LizGuevinDesigns.Artfire.com.
—Nina Wu
2. Blemish Stick’s willow bark works
A certain young person in my acquaintance who would be totally mortified if he knew I was writing about this discovered Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick while in high school. Now in his early 20s, he still uses the spot treatment for occasional breakouts. (A certain mom I know uses it, too!) The roll-on liquid contains tea tree oil, which acts as an astringent, and willow bark, a natural source of salicylic acid, to remove oil and clean pores. Burt’s Bees products are sold at most variety stores; I picked up a 0.26-fluid-ounce blemish stick for $7.55 at Target.
—Christie Wilson
3. Biography delves into life and death of a Rolling Stone
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones’ signature hit, "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction." That anniversary makes music writer Paul Trynka’s recently published biography, "Brian Jones: The Making of the Rolling Stones" (Viking, $28.95), timely as well as fascinating history.
Trynka covers Jones’ life from his rebellious childhood through the founding and explosive rise of the Rolling Stones, and from there on to his tragic and mysterious death at age 27. Trynka makes a compelling argument that Jones was the most experienced and musically sophisticated member of the band, that he taught Keith Richards more about guitar tunings and technique than Richards generally acknowledges, and that Jones’ departure from the Stones in 1969 was the doing of Richards and Mick Jagger, as well as his own bad luck and ill-advised choices. In the final chapter Trynka dissects the numerous theories about the circumstances of Jones’ death that same year.
—John Berger
4. Plastic bottle’s slow-drip spout ends spills
I don’t know what goes on in your house, but my boyfriend knocks over the shoyu bottle at least once a week, resulting in a sticky pool of dark liquid. We’ve been looking for something to remedy this messy situation and finally found it. It’s a simple plastic bottle that holds a little over 250 milliliters and has a slow-drip spout with a cap. You can find this and similar soy sauce dispensers at Marukai for about $3.
—Krystle Marcellus
5. Silicone splatter guard prevents kitchen burns
Stir-fries make quick work of dinner. But what they make up for in cooking time could be lost in cleaning the stove of the resulting oily mess. While the traditional metal-screen splatter guard does a serviceable job, Kuhn Rikon’s silicone incarnation of the device takes it further. The Foldable Splatter Guard eliminates the threat of burns, and by exposing only half the pan at a time, it not only further controls splatter, but also helps keep all the ingredients in the pan while stirring. Plus, it stores nicely. A 12-inch version sells for $20; the 10-inch size is $16. Visit kuhnrikon.com.
—Joleen Oshiro
5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.
