It’s really hard to believe it’s been 10 years.

All month long I’ve been posting images from the Betty Belts vault on our Facebook page and it’s been interesting looking back at all the cool things we’ve done, with people we love. I begin to realize, I could write a book about it all…

Team Betty in downtown Ventura 2008

Team Betty in downtown Ventura 2008. From left, Sierra Partridge, Jeanette Ortiz, Mary Osborne, Bo Stanley and Hailey Partridge. © David Pu’u

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

Team Betty on the boat to go surfing in Bali. © David Pu’u

I am joyfully grateful to still be here, inspired and making beautiful things to express one’s love of the ocean. I want to extend a heartfelt message of gratitude to all of my mentors over the years, to my lovely surfing and ocean-loving ambassadors “Team Betty”, to my wonderful retailers, to my extended family in Bali who have grown with me over the years making ever better products and to all of you who wear and love my belts, jewelry and accessories and spread the aloha everywhere you wear them.

Donna with Bali HQ staff

Me and some of our staff in Bali. I am sharing photos from home on the iPad.

I am especially grateful to my husband, David Pu’u, who from the start was always there (I hired him for our first-ever photo shoot)… even long before we became an “item”… mentoring, capturing iconic imagery, inspiring me, helping to cultivate a brand, a lifestyle we love and live. David always understood what my deeper goals were in having a positive effect in our world.

David and I on a trip to San Francisco, a place that provides a lot of inspiration.

David and I on a trip to San Francisco, a place that provides a lot of inspiration.

Here are some images from that vault. Some of my favorites over the years. There are many more where these came from… Hopefully I will get to publish that book and share them with you one day.

Mary Osborne in a very early Betty Belts poster, 2003... photo: David Pu'u

Mary Osborne in a very early Betty Belts poster, 2003… photo: David Pu’u

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sierra Partridge of Team Betty, by David Pu'u

Sierra Partridge of Team Betty © David Pu’u

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Sierra Partridge in a shoot for Hobie Girl, wearing Betty B. Surfboard Resin earrings.

Hailey Partridge in a shoot for Hobie Girl, wearing Betty B. One of my all-time favorites from our first year of making upcycled surfboard resin jewelry.

Jeanette Ortiz wearing the Compassion necklace.

Jeanette Ortiz wearing the Compassion necklace. © David Pu’u

A favorite of Jeanette Ortiz modeling one of my red carpet sea glass necklaces in a tidepool on a private California beach.

A favorite of Jeanette Ortiz modeling one of my red carpet sea glass necklaces in a tidepool on a private California beach.

Me in the Betty Bus, an old favorite from the image vault. She now lives with some friends who provide her with a  comfy garage and more care and maintenance than I was able to provide. But she was with us for five adventurous and fun years.    © David Pu'u

Me in the Betty Bus, an old favorite from the image vault, circa 2005.  © David Pu’u

 

An ad we ran in 7Sky, a European magazine 2010.

An ad we ran in 7Sky, a European magazine 2010.