The Betty Blog

Betty Belts in the Media: Donna’s a Cover Girl!

donna — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:06:55 +0000

Wow, I’m blown away!

I’m a “Cover Girl” today!

Check out this inspiring article below from this week’s VC Reporter…

Betty Belts Owner/Designer Donna von Hoesslin graces the cover of the VC Reporter with one of her all time favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Commerce, Compassion and Community

by Claudia Pardo McFayden

The sweet scent of African freesia wafting through the store and onto the street entices visitors into the carefully decorated eclectic space that is Betty Belts. Cradled in a corner just off the beaten path in Downtown Ventura, the cozy yet vibrant ocean-inspired accessories shop, owned and run by Donna Von Hoesslin, is replete with beautiful and unique jewelry and accessories — ceramic necklaces, metal pendants, leather cuffs, colorful scarves, elaborate belts, cute beanies, intricate hairpins and more. It’s a delightful bazaar of one-of-a-kind, handmade treasures.

Established as an online store back in 2003, Betty Belts, also known as Betty B., is older than its current brick and mortar location. It began as a wholesale and online brand of belts in Santa Cruz, with a later addition of jewelry. “The brand existed before I opened the store,” says Von Hoesslin. Operating out of a warehouse on the basis of win-win — people, environment efficiency and women’s surfing, Betty B.’s promise has been to show up in the community while offering a unique and accessible product.

A surfer herself for more than 10 years, Von Hoesslin finds her inspiration in the beach and in her time spent out in the ocean. It was her passion for surfing that caused her trepidation about opening a retail store. “I didn’t originally want a physical location,” she admits. “I was afraid I would not have time to surf, have a life.” Her boyfriend and biggest supporter, David Pu’u, Santa Barbara native and celebrated photographer and filmmaker, encouraged her to get the space. Von Hoesslin took her board out to sea and found her answer in the place that inspired it all to begin with. She opened Betty Belts in 2007. “It was the best decision I ever made.”

Since then, Betty B. has become a hub of connectedness in the community. Offering an array of uniquely designed jewelry by local artists and artisans from Bali, it remains true to its original promise: to contribute to the community and build relationship through a unique product. Work by local artists including that of the skillful Hands of Stone, a group of women who make eco-friendly ceramic necklaces with ocean-influenced elements, Kathleen Fitzgerald’s one-of-a-kind, exquisitely crafted, hand-made earrings; Guy Q. Goods’ metal jewelry for men and women; Lise Solvang’s cozy alpaca and bamboo knits; Tiki Tony ceramic tiki necklaces; and David Pu’u’s attention-demanding prints that serve as the main wall décor in the shop.

Women are especially responsive to Von Hoesslin’s enriching collaboration with the artists, not only the female patrons but all the women who become interconnected through Betty Belts. There is a tangible female bond that begins with Von Hoesslin as the connector and is often sparked by chance meetings at Betty Belts. “I introduce women who come to the shop to each other, and cool things happen,” she says. One particular connection is mothers and daughters.

“They wear the same jewelry. I dig it,” she says. Often she will find the mothers coming back to the store to purchase a new piece because their daughters are wearing theirs. The common faux-pas of being caught wearing the same accessory is instead a thrilling commonality among her female customers.

A recent collaboration between Von Hoesslin and what is affectionately knows as Team Betty, a group of female surfers who have become essential in the promotion and marketing of Betty Belts, resulted in the personal design of a piece of jewelry by each of four local sufers: Mary Osborne, Jeannette Ortiz, Hailey Partridge and Sierra Partridge.

Together with Von Hoesslin and Pu’u, they traveled to Bali, where they worked and executed this creative project.

In addition to working with local artists, Von Hoesslin employs several artisans from Bali, where most of the pieces are made. Having worked for close to seven years with the same artisans, Donna has established a work ethic based on fairness, skill, good quality and, most important for her, community…

Continue reading here:

http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/commerce_compassion_and_community/7661/

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Modern Procrastination (Seth’s Blog)

donna — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:53:19 +0000

Don’t miss Seth Godin’s Blog today Modern Procrastination.

I’ve fallen victim to this… But usually I challenge the Status Quo. In fact I now no longer acknowledge the existence of it… Food for thought. Short read. Seth is always brilliant. Read his new book “Linchpin” if you want to really make a difference or of you just want the ultimate early adopter status symbol on your desk…

Seth's new must-read book Linchpin

A New Year of Appreciation

donna — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:11:40 +0000

The beautiful Balinese people who I have been working with for six years now on the production of Betty Belts and Betty B. can teach us a lot about generosity, love and appreciation. One thing I have never seen among the Balinese is a sense of entitlement. They practice gratitude every day with their daily ritual of offerings and frequent ceremonies. It’s mind-boggling for a westerner to see how much of their productivity is spent (not wasted!) on offerings, but eventually you understand that it is what makes them who they are and it would be a terrible thing if that should ever change. As a society, they have a balance that is enviable for the rest of us. It’s why we are so enchanted with Bali.

So I’d like to offer up a post about Appreciation in the New Year because I know it will enrich our lives to practice more of it. There is so much to appreciate. Always look for it.

Tell people you appreciate them.
Tell God you appreciate him and what he has given/created.
Look around you and appreciate what you have, because there is always someone out there who has less to appreciate than you do.
It might not be an easy habit to develop, but it will benefit so many that the benefits will be innumerable.

I appreciate you.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for enjoying.
Thank you for keeping the Betty Brand pulsing in these unsteady times.

I’m wishing you a new year (a lifetime!) of love, sweetness, joy and most of all, appreciation!

Smiles from Ventura,

Donna von Hoesslin

Owner/Designer at Betty Belts/Betty B., Member Team Betty

P.S. For more frequent updates than I offer on this blog (plus great insider specials), please become a fan of Betty Belts on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

Betty B on the Green T Show!

donna — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:58:36 +0000

Check out “Green T” Tamara wearing the Betty B. “Hala” recycled glass necklace and wood peace earrings at Nicole Sherwin’s Green Lounge!

Green T at the Green Lounge with Nicole Sherwin

New Designs!

donna — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:29:20 +0000

Our sweetest new designs are ready for you!In time for your holiday giving and wishing.

Here’s a taste, click on any to go see the rest!

With lots of love from your favorite Betty!

Come see my new sea glass designs and why beach glass is such a cherished ocean gem for the most unique jewelry!

Come see the new Karma jewelry.

And my beautiful new “Shawn” leather cuff named after the wonder woman Shawn Alladion of famed K38 Rescue and Team Betty!

More at www.bettybelts.com

PS Use the code FRIEND at checkout for 10% off your order!

Partridge Twins Featured in Good Times, Santa Cruz

donna — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:48:30 +0000

Sierra and Hailey Partridge on their way to a surf session at their home break Steamer Lane. Copyright David Pu'u

Read about Sierra and Hailey Partridge of Team Betty in this great article on the Good Times Blog.

More Than Meets The Eye

by Kelly Vander Kaay

The Partridge twins prove powerful role models
Despite the packed schedule that comes with being in demand, or perhaps in order to give thanks for the associated good fortune, Sierra and Hailey Partridge generously donate their time to numerous charities. To watch the twins execute exquisite carves off the lip of an overhead wave or see them smiling sweetly from their window ads at the O’Neill Surf Shop on 41st Avenue in Capitola, you wouldn’t know that these local surfers-turned-models were… (read rest of article on the Good Times Blog)

The Struggle These Days…

donna — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:05:04 +0000

… Perfectly explained by Seth Godin in his Blog today.

I’m a big fan of Seth’s Blog and always recommend it and his books to people I mentor.

If you can only subscribe to ONE blog, make it Seth’s.

Note From Bali: Enchantment (from August 30th)

donna — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:01:14 +0000

Enchantment is the word that flows through my mind throughout this trip. Bali is incredibly enchanting.

Inspiring…

Gorgeous…

The land of the Gods.

We are almost done here. I’ve been working on new designs with my artisan friends and also with each of the young women from Team Betty who joined us for a portion of the trip. Mary Osborne, Jeanette Ortiz, and Sierra and Hailey Partridge. We surfed, we designed, we created beautiful images. David Pu’u and Aaron Marcellino are along documenting everything in stills and motion for several editorial features and, very excited about this, a film.

Below are some of the images from the trip. Please also read David’s blog, as he has been posting several chapters of our adventure here.

Smiles from Bali!

Donna

Welcome Message from David Booth of East Bali Poverty Project. Copyright David Pu'u

View from the upstairs bedroom at the villa. David shot time lapse of the rice field harvest for an entire day. copyright David Pu'u

Breakfast: Nasi Goreng. Copyright David Pu'u

On the boat to Kuta Airport Reef. Copyright David Pu'u

Sunset at Kuta Reef. The girls are surfing. Copyright David Pu'u

East Bali Poverty Project School Students Line Up for Independence Day Ceremony. Copyright David Pu'u

Mary Osborne and Jeanette Ortiz of Team Betty with the kids from East Bali Poverty Project. Copyright David Pu'u

David filming East Bali Poverty Project festival with his Canon 5D.

One of the students of East Bali Poverty Project weaves Vetiver grass, which is the miracle plant for many of their sustainability projects

Hailey at the edge of infinity. The drop below her is several hundred feet down to the Agung River. Copyright David Pu'u

Sierra modeling a Stewart+Brown dress and the Betty B. "Bo" leather hoop earrings. Copyright David Pu'u

Hailey Partridge looking stunning with Stewart+Brown. Copyright David Pu'u

Sierra Partridge looking sexy in an O'Neill bikini at the pool. We did a lot of shooting in this pool. Copyright David Pu'u

Sierra at a ceremony at Gusti's house tasting the blessed rice cakes. She is wearing the Betty B. Sea Glass drop earrings. Copyright David Pu'u

See more images and read more about this trip on David’s Blog www.davidpuu.com/blog

A Distinctive Style Magazine Interview

donna — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:51:34 +0000

http://adistinctivestyle.com/

This is an awesome online magazine, complete with soundtracks and short videos to go with the stories, a very hip must-read (See Kate Hudson on the cover). It’s the Vanity Fair of the sustainability movement. And even better, there’s an interview with me in it where I got a chance to talk about some of the cool things happening with Betty Belts and Betty B.. Just click through to page 86-87 to check it out!

A Beautiful and Inspiring Bali Documentary (Coming Soon!)

donna — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:07:18 +0000

Here’s the synopsis for the documentary we are shooting while in Bali shortly. This is going to be an amazing trip and I am thrilled to be able to share the making of my designs and the good energy that goes into them with the rest of the world. Stay tuned! Love, Donna

Mary Osborne floating over coral reef

Organic Reprisal
By David Pu’u

We leave the troubled shores of the U.S. soon, for the exotic environs of Indonesia where Donna von Hoesslin’s creative muse lies, on the Isle of Bali.

The excursion will be a little different than Donna’s usual solo pilgrimage to her mecca of creativity and harmonic bliss. This time she brings along a group of young women whose names have become synonymous with her Ventura-based fashion accessories company, Betty Belts/Betty B.

The group will experience the process of design and symbiosis that occurs between U.S. and Balinese culture through the sustainable philosophy of Donna’s eco-based product line.

Taking an ensemble of beautiful, talented young athletes, and throwing them into the chaos, mayhem and exotic allure that is this ancient Hindu-based culture, will launch the crew on a voyage of discovery, designed to acquaint the uninitiated with what really goes on behind the scenes in developing the
humanitarian ethics of this unique company, whose product line is emblazoned with the names of an extensive collection of powerful and talented water women.

Film makers David Pu’u, Aaron Marcellino, and Jason Wolcott will take the viewer on a richly textured, exotic and visceral look at Balinese culture that examines the impact one woman’s personal vision can have on two very separate cultures.