Saturday Scoops

Artful creation with images set in ink gets stamp of approval

Rubber-stamping has taken on a new dimension, limited only by the stamper's imagination.

Now, with a bevy of new stamps in a rainbow of hues, marker pens, textured paper, paints, confetti, window plastic, foam and other accessories, the stamping hobbyist can create brilliant one-of-a-kind gift cards that become part of the sender's gift.

You can get ideas on this new wrinkle of stamping at the Taj of Honolulu booth at this weekend's Made in Hawaii Festival, which opened yesterday and continues 10 a.m.-9 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall and Arena.

Here, bears and bunnies, surrounded by palm trees or flowers, can be artfully "framed" with new stamping concepts that include stylus trims, decorative paper, raffia or ribbon adornment and even eyelet accent. With color swabs filling in the stamp margins, and picture-frame-type space in which to insert and seal in glitter or other moveable confetti, you can create scenic commotion with motion. With a computer printer, you can even add text; or hand-print a greeting message.

Besides Taj, Mari & Me and Rubber Stamp Plantation have exhibition spaces at the Made in Hawaii exposition. The event boasts a myriad of other locally made goods, from clothing to toys, from clocks to T-shirts, from jewelry to food.

Admission: $2, free for kids under 6. 533-1292.

Hold your horses! Rodeo events take on extreme format

Dust off the cowboy hats for a day of horsing around at the 2002 Nissan Extreme Rodeo, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. today at Kualoa Ranch. The day begins with ... now hold your horses! ... the Ko'olau Mountain Oyster Cook-Off (yes, a bull testicle cook-off), followed by paniolo competitions like wild cow milking, team roping and a "dash for cash," where ribbons are placed on bulls for brave contestants to retrieve.

"We have a few events that aren't your standard rodeo events," organizer Terry Shintaku said about the extreme format. "It'll be pretty chaotic."

But it's a family-oriented affair, with stick-horse races, pony rides and a petting zoo. There will also be cowboy crafts, roping lessons, a horseshoe toss and lots of food. Admission is free; parking is $3. Designated proceeds will benefit Mental Health Kokua. 220-1874 or 754-3395.

Brunch, music, movie in Kapi'olani Park

What, you haven't been to a "Brunch on the Beach" yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Tomorrow's brunch is super extra ultra special, because it's paired with the 20th annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival.

That means great music, lots of food to sample (purchased with scrip), craft booths and more.

The music begins at 9 a.m., the brunch at 10 a.m. in Kapi'olani Park. Admission is free. For the slack-key fest, call 239-4336.

Then there's the free movie, "Ocean's Eleven," as part of the neighboring "Sunset on the Beach." "Ocean's," the remake with George Clooney, Julia Roberts and a bunch of other stars, will be screened at 7:30 p.m. 523-2489.