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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, December 21, 2005

$1,080 raised from artists' ornaments

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

"Candy Cane and Christmas Tree Merry-Go-Round" by Mieko Markwart was one of two ornaments that took top online bids of $250.

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The bids are in and the festive ornaments from The Honolulu Advertiser's 3rd annual "Creations for a Cause" are en route to their new homes ... er, Christmas trees.

Philip and Mieko Markwart's ornaments, "Year of the Dog Christmas Dog" and "Candy Cane and Christmas Tree Merry-Go-Round," brought in the top bids of $250 each less than two days into the weeklong bidding.

After learning about the large donations, Philip Markwart suspected that the bidder might have been a generous family member.

And he was right.

His niece, Falisha Mamdani of New York, placed the top bids.

"I'm familiar with their work and I was really excited to see them participate," said Mamdani, 37, a financial consultant. "I just wanted to show my support, for them and for the (cause)."

A scene of the Mokulua Islets is what drew Kailua resident Myra Bayne to place the winning $145 bid for woodworker Gerhard Osterberger's "Star of Lanikai."

"Within the last few years I've been spending a lot of time out there, swimming and paddling," said the 32-year-old video teleconferencing coordinator.

The six Island artists raised $930 in online bids for The Advertiser Christmas Fund; donations will be used by Helping Hands Hawai'i.

An anonymous Santa has generously stepped forward to match the first $25 for each of the six donations. As a result "Creations for a Cause" raised a total of $1,080, just topping last year's total of $1,072.

Here's a breakdown of the results:

  • "The Miracle Also Gazes Into You" by Kate López, $45

  • "Christmas Plum Pudding" by Katherine Love, $60

  • "Candy Cane and Christmas Tree Merry-Go-Round" by Mieko Markwart, $250

  • "Year of the Dog Christmas Dog" by Philip Markwart, $250

  • "Crystal Keepsakes" by Sheila Ortiz, $180

  • "Star of Lanikai" by Gerhard Osterberger, $145

    A big mahalo to the talented artists and hundreds of readers who participated in this worthy cause.

    Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.