Category Archives: Objets de Tiki

Tiki Halloween Decorations – Shrunken Head Pumpkin

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Objets de Tiki and tagged with , , , , , ,

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I’m not normally very crafty, but when I found instructions on how to make a shrunken head pumpkin I decided to give it a go. It was a fun way to add some Halloween decorations to the tiki room in our new house, and it wasn’t too difficult. The most annoying and time-consuming part was poking holes in the top of the foam pumpkin and threading the raffia through them.

INSTRUCTIONS (via Michaels.com)

Materials List:
Small Gourd – White
Multi-Colored Raffia
Craft Foam – White
Wiggle Eyes
Wooden and Colored Beads-Assorted
Exacto Knife
Pencil
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

Step: 1
Cut a hole in bottom of Gourd, large enough to fit your hand inside.

Step: 2
Cut a series of 16 holes in the top, in a circular pattern. These should be large enough to thread double-thick strands of raffia through.

Step: 3
Thread double thickness of raffia down through a hole in the top, and then thread it back up through the hole next to it, so the ends of raffia stick up out of the top of the Gourd like hair. Repeat until all holes are filled. You may use different colored raffia to create a custom look.

Step: 4
Gather raffia into a ponytail at the top of ‘head’, and wrap with loose raffia.

Step: 5 (I skipped this step)
Cut out a bone from white craft foam and hot glue behind wrapped area of raffia.

Step: 6
Draw on face with a pencil, and carefully cut out with Exacto knife. You may carve only the surface to create a relief effect, as shown.

Step: 7
Cut holes on top and bottom of mouth line and thread raffia through the holes to create a stitched mouth.

Step: 8
Hot glue wiggle eyes in place.

Step: 9
Select two strands of raffia toward the front of the ‘head’ and string with wooden and colored beads. Tie a knot in the end and trim to desired length.

Do you put up any tiki-themed Halloween decorations? Tiki Central has a thread on Tiki Bar Halloween Decor that can give you more ideas. Happy Halloween!

Related Posts:
Enchanted Tiki Room Painted Pumpkins at Disneyland
Halloween 2010 Art Show at the Tonga Hut
Spooky Tiki at Halloweentown in Burbank

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Tiki Carver at The Westin Princeville – Kauai

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Objets de Tiki and tagged with , , , ,

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Blame my sporadic posting on an especially jet-setting July. We just got back from New York, but earlier this month we were lucky enough to spend a week in Hawaii on the island of Kaua’i.

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Even looking back at my own photos I can hardly believe how beautiful it was. From the Kalalau Valley (above) and the Na Pali Coast to Waimea Canyon to Hanalei Bay, the landscape was so varied and breathtaking.

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I knew there would be some tiki sightings on the trip, but I hadn’t expected them to start with the resort we were staying at. Everyday a couple local vendors would set up by the plantation-style main building of The Westin Princeville, and on our first day there happened to be a tiki carver.

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He was mostly whittling away, much to the fascination of passing children, but I thought it was an interesting juxtaposition when he started working on his iPad. In addition to tikis in many sizes, he also had carvings of turtles, whales, an octopus and other sea creatures.

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An intricately detailed (and heavy!) war club with rope and feathers caught my eye, but I decided to think about it instead of purchasing it on the spot. Of course, when I came back the next day he had already sold it. I later saw some of his carvings for sale at Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art, but more on that soon.

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Old Navy – Tiki Aloha Shirts & Tropical Pajamas

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Objets de Tiki and tagged with , , ,

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A week or so ago I headed to Old Navy to stock up on some summer clothes for our trip to Kauai. (Next weekend!) The Burbank store must have been on the same Hawaiian wavelength since they had a bunch of Aloha shirt styles in the men’s section.

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Naturally, the most notable of the lot was this white and green one with spooky looking tikis, palm trees, thatched huts and tiki torches. (Close-ups here and here.) They were on sale for $15.50 from $25, so I picked one up for Mr. Baseball so he can blend in at tiki shindigs.

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This cobalt blue number caught my eye as well so I picked up a size small for myself (even though I tend to prefer tiki dresses or skirts). Unfortunately, these shirts don’t seem to be available online, but they do have tiki printed boxers.

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The Hawaiian theme continued over at women’s sleepwear with “lounge pants” ($12) printed with pineapples and hula girls. Oddly enough, these aren’t online either, at least not these particular pairs. (There is a tropical blue floral style, though.)

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These purple pajamas with umbrella drinks were kind of cute, but they would have been better with a design of tiki mugs… 🙂

Previous Posts About Tiki Fashion:

Tikis in Anthropologie’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection
Aloha Wear at Home With the Beachcomber Store
Harajuku Lovers Purse Featuring Pink Tikis