Classic Cocktail Set from Derek ...

Derek Yaniger is about to release details of his Classic Cocktail set created for him by the good people at Tiki Farm.

This Summer (Fall for you guys north of the tropics!)as featured in the premier issue of Tiki Farm's magazine 250 sets of these beauties will be available. Created with a "brand-spankin’ new sandblastin’ technique" they are due to fly off the shelves.

Keep checking back with Tiki Farm for all the release details.

Shag Shopping ...

It's been a while between Mai Tai's but I'm back with news of Shag's latest offering. A set of three Terrificaly Tiki hanging lamps.

With the Stock Market stooping to new lows it would seem that these lamps are a rare sound investment! This NEW Limited Edition SHAG TIKI LAMP SET includes Three Tiki Themed Lamps measuring in at 8" in Diameter x 24" high each!

This set of three lamps will only be sold as a set and are limited to 50 signed & numbered sets. You'll need to act quickly if you want to acquire a set of these.
If these cool lamps weren't enough on their own, they come complete with Three Mini Prints by SHAG to compliment each of the lamps. Each of these mini prints is hand signed & numbered by SHAG and are a must for the SHAG completist.

Available for $750 US downgraded dollars from M-Modern.

Tiki Farm Magazine ...

Keeping up to date with all the great new creations coming from Tiki Farm is tough ... as they pointed out in their latest newsletter they've been asked to create mugs for designers, restuarants and events across the world ... even those far flung places like Australia!!

To help out they are going to print with the very first copy of the Tiki farm Collectors magazine...

We decided the best way to keep all of our collectors “in the know” is with our new magazine. For years now, we’ve been fielding so many questions about “what’s coming out”, “what events are coming up”, “what artists are doing new mugs”, etc. We’ve been asked for years to do a magazine.

Also if you weren't able to get to any of the events held this year but still want the mug (and maybe a t shirt) then get down to the Farm today as the surplus stock is being sold now...

Visit the Tikiyaki Polynesian Village Resort ...

As I mentioned in my previous post the Secret Island is currently under the firm grip of an Icy Winter... 16 degree maximums inside a bamboo hut has me wishing for Summer and/or warmer climes!

I stumbled across the Tikiyaki Orchestra Village Resort and found a really good deal. Not only to you get the keys to room 151 for a week in the sunshine you also get a copy of the Tikiyaki Orchestra's new album Aloha Baby and a whole heap of booty that Tiki aficionados swipe from reputable Tiki establishments ... you know the mugs, ice bucket, matches, ash trays ... need I go on?

Here is a little more about the hotel itself...

"The Tikiyaki Polynesian Village was constructed at great cost on the golden sands of Waikiki Beach. The well known architectural firm of Dewy, Chetham & Howe was contracted to draw up the plans and build the tropical destination. All the interiors were contracted to be designed by I.M. Bland-one of Hawaii's greatest interior designers. I.M. Bland chose the decore of the Shanghai International Trading Company (ShITCO) as the outfitter for the well appointed room. ShITCO was chosen for its hand made Island look featuring carved furniture made of real Polynesian driftwood and other found artifacts."

Aloha Lanes just one of the substandard facilities available to guests!

Tiki Light eBay Auction ...

Here on the Secret Island depite or relatively closeness to all things polynesian there really is little Tiki infuenced design or decoration. Trips to thirft stores, markets offer few rewards, even to a hardened beaccomber like me. I often return home empty handed...

eBay can cough up the odd local gem and reveal a tantilising glimpse of what else is on offer overseas ... oh if we didn't have to pay postage! ;0(

I've been watching this little Tiki Lamp for about a week or so, being offered up by a seller in South Australia. I'm not sure if they knew what they had or if they were offering an item and were interested in what it would go for!

"The most intricate detail on this fantastic 1960’s New Zealand lamp. Features Maori tiki’s galore – all different. Have never seen another like it. It is large and so very heavy. I don’t know what it is made from… it feels like a resin but has the weight of stone – definitely not ceramic. Either way, it is superb and around 50 years old!

The design is all the way round the lamp base… it looks great from any angle. Thoroughly inspected and there is no damage to the lamp base, it is really really nice. The shade is a neutral colour and has a subtle woven pattern. Stunning focal point in any room. Fantastic large size measures : 76cm (tall) x 100cm (circumference). Unpacked it weighs : 4.3kg"

I would have loved this but it was soon out of my price range. It ended up selling for AUS$358 which when converted is slightly more in US dollars. It set me thinking... is the rarity of such items here pushing the price up or would this have reached a similar price in the US.

Tiki Farm: Von Franco Ashtrays ...

In a short term departure from mugs Tiki Farm have created from the artwork of Von Franco two new ashtrays.

Done up in “Purple Haze” and “Mellow Yellow” glazes, the ashtrays are further finished in an authentic mother-of-pearl overglaze! Each ashtray features 1 cigar rest and 3 cigarette rests.

They only have 250 of each color so the supply of these is limited. AND… are you ready for the price? Their Smokin’ Joe ashtrays are only $11.11 each!

Get down to the Farm quickly!

Reviewing iPhone Cases Tiki Style ...

It's been a while since Tiki Talk (on of my favourite Tiki Blogs) drew my attention to a rubber iPhone case for the third generation model.

But having upgraded to the 4G version I'm looking for a new case to replace my rather nondescript black one, the reception is remarkably good here on The Secret Island. I was disappointed that the makers of the case above don't have a 4G update and so it was onto the internet to find the best of the rest and I thought I would share...

#3. Tiki Amakua skin from Skinit.com


This one comes in at $14.99 and is a front and back skin. Not a bad look but offering minimal (none!) protection against drops but will keep those scratches at bay!

#2. Magma iPhone 4 Slider Case from Cafepress.

The Magma Tiki iPhone 4 with this back cover, two-piece case. It features a removable bottom (with a soft grip for easy handling) that slides off for quick docking. A hard plastic design protects from scratches.

• Fits iPhone 4g
• Hard-shell two-piece protective case
• Sliding case, with removable bottom for docking
• Felt-lined inside
• Easy access to all controls
• Apple® and iPhone® are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries

They also have the Eclipse... both available for $25. Cheap when you consider the price of a replacement!

#1. Tribal iPhone 4 case by Grove.

Okay, okay so it's not strictly speaking a Tiki but my choice case is hard to resist. Part of its artist series (Jonny Wan, UK) this skull design has all the trademarks of a quality tattoo etched into bamboo. Each case is created from a piece of bamboo with a scary amount of accuracy. The back is a mere 0.075" while the whole thing weighs .6oz!

You might not even notice its there ... even your wallet will feel lighter! But I guess at $89 and taking into account the style and workmanship you certainly get what you pay for!

Professor Papaya’s Wild Wahine Bikini Machine...

Derek Yaniger has been as busy as usual with details of new works being published or as Derek himself would put it "I got lots to lay on ya’…so lend an ear and I’ll commence to beatin’ my gums!!"

First up PosterPop Derek will release sixteen new sticker and t-shirts designs. Pictured here is false idols...

Now here on the Secret Island we like our wahines of the week, but sometimes a week feels like a long time between Wahines! Professor Papaya might just have the solution in the form of a new piece for the upcoming Tiki Caliente 3 art show to be held in Palm Springs from May 20th ’til the 22nd. Entitled “Professor Papaya’s Wild Wahine Bikini Machine” this is Derek's only contribution but is sure to sell!

Shag's Still Life with Cocktails ...

Shag has released a new set of twenty small ink and acrylic paintings. Measuring in at 25cm x 33cm these two-color original drawings will be shown to the public at M Modern Gallery Opening Reception on Friday, Feb. 18, 8 - 11 pm. Its free and open to the public so if your anywhere near Palm Springs get there...

SHAG will be in attendance to meet & great you as well as sign prints, books & merchandise purchased from the event.

Apparently the first three customers we contacted the gallery bought six of the twenty! So you'll need to be quick if you want one!

A new exclusive Print titled "Welcome to Palm Springs" will also be on offer at a special price throughout the weekend. There will also be more Artist Proof Prints (of previously Sold Out editions) than they time to count, plus other SPECIALS like SHAG's Disney "Pirate Boy" on SALE for $20 each (regularly $60 each).

See all twenty originals - SHAG Still Life (with cocktails)

Derek Does it Again ...

Derek Yaniger has been busy over the last couple of months by the looks of things and the results are spectacular as always...

First up is a set of beatnik bongos ...

Here we have the launch of the Derek iphone/ipad Wall-o-matic backgrounds, probably the best $1.19 (AUS) you'll ever spend.

And finally my personal favorite a hand-painted vintage ukulele for an upcoming Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Vegas...

Find out more from Derek Art News.

Shag: All at Sea...

Despite his recent accident SHAG continues his prolific works for Disney. This Summer (... Winter for the inhabitants of the Secret Island!) Disney will release the full Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary collection. I can hardly wait to see the prints and piles of merchandise that will be made available before I bid for them with hugely inflated prices on eBay. 

"Top Deck" by SHAG

In addition to the amazing artwork that Shag has created for Walt Disney World, he has also created new artwork for the Disney Cruise Line! SHAG’s Disney Cruise Line artwork captures the magic and excitement of the Cruise Liner and and the tropical island paradise of Castaway Cay, Disney's very own Island!.

'Island Intermission' by SHAG

"The talented teams at Disney Theme Park Merchandise have pulled elements out of each of the paintings and applied them in fun and creative ways to commemorative merchandise keepsakes. SHAG’s artwork for the Disney Cruise Line can be found on charm bracelets, designer apparel for men and women, postcard sets, as well as home goods such as a tumbler set and coaster collection."

If you want to check out what is available take a look at Tiki Chick's Blog.

If you've not seen the Disney Dream check this video clip out ...



... I'll be sure to give it a wave as it passes on the horizon.

It's Friday ... It's Fez Friday ...

The fez is named after the city of Fez, the metropolis of Morocco, which was the seat of numerous schools, libraries and a famous university. Fez formerly had a monopoly on the manufacture of Fezes as it had complete access to the juice of the berry used to color them.

The Fez Friday movement seems to be gathering pace, with a Fez Friday Facebook page as well as the Fez-o-rama Blog.

If you want to get your Fez on then you can look no further than Fez-o-rama who specialize in unique fez hat designs ranging from Tiki and Honu patterns, to Monkey and Gorilla fezzes. There are also modernist retro fezzes with far out patterns like the Atomic and Clockwork fezzes all hand-made in the USA.

Plastic Wahine of the Week: Hula Girl Lego Mini Fig ...

I know how visitors to The Secret Island love the Wahine of the Week posts! For some of you Tuesday has become the favourite day of the week! Well I like to give visitors what they want so here's another. Presenting Hula Girl ...

As reported on Tiki Talk LEGO has taken a page from the vinyl figure toy and trading card market and started selling a series of highly-themed minifigures in sealed “mystery” bags. The figures typically include special accessories, a display plate, and leaflet describing the character. The idea is that kids (and collectors) will purchase the minifigs like trading cards, swapping the duplicates with friends.

One of the latest figures is a very cute Hula Dancer. Part of the just released Series 3, she comes with a “grass skirt” and maracas. Buy LEGO Minifigures Series 3 at LEGO.com for $2.99 a pop. If you want to avoid the lottery of the random bag then check eBay and Amazon where there are plenty available (with the inflated prices of course!)

Appleton Estate Tiki Mug Design Competition ...

October 2010 saw the highly anticipated release of the new Appleton Estate Rum Tiki Mug. Although long associated with tiki, this was the third year that Appleton Estate designed their own, customised Tiki mug for people like me.

2008... front and centre.

The Appleton Tiki mug has received an almost cult following and can be seen to grace many of the top bars and bartender’s homes around Australia.

2009 Going, going ... gone!

Last year’s design of the ‘Appleton Rum God’ was the best yet. Designed and manufactured by Tiki Farm’s Holden Westland and Appleton Estate, “the mug far surpassed previous designs,” Holden explained.

2010 Their best yet!

In 2011 Brown Forman is giving you the chance to achieve immortality by being the brains behind their latest Appleton Estate Rum God Tiki Mug design. “We want to give you, fans of Tiki and lovers of Appleton Estate Rum, your chance to become etched in history by creating your own piece of Tiki immortality and designing the 2011 Appleton Estate Rum God Mug,” states Darren West, Innovation and Agency Brand Manager for Brown Forman.

Creative genius is demanded for this year’s challenge. Is your Rum God stranded on a deserted island with nothing but beautiful scantily clad natives and a lifetime supply of Appleton Estate Rum? To start with, all they want is for you to bring your inspiration to them in words. Entries will be reviewed by their panel of judges who will select their top three Rum God creations.

“Should your story be one of the three chosen finalists you will then work with Tiki farm to design and bring your Rum God to life in the form of the next Appleton Estate Rum God Mug,” West says. Once the top three are designed the choice is turned over to the bar tending community with the mugs and their stories going on-line to be voted for by the industry.

The winner takes a once in a lifetime trip to Jamaica where they’ll spend time with Appleton’s Master Blender Joy Spence and visit the estate. Runners-up will receive a bottle of the limited release Appleton Estate 21 Year Old. Deadline for submissions is Sunday 13 March 2011. Good luck! Click here for more info.

New Shag Prints ...

Shag is releasing two new three colour serigraphs which regretfully don't feature any Tiki's but still might be of interest to visitors to The Secret Island.

Measuring in at 23cm x 34cm Shag's newest print set, Blue Bed and Purple Chair is available at $125 for the pair! Available from the Shagmart.