Completely Coastal Unplugged: An Interview With Maya Nagel

I recently caught up with my friend Maya,  creator and author extraordinaire of one of my favorite blogs, "Completely Coastal" and requested an interview with this remarkable lady. So here's an unplugged look; sort of a behind the scenes from Maya Nagel- the inspiration behind Completely Coastal.

What was the driving force behind the creation of “Completely Coastal” and when did you publish the first blog?

My love for the sea and the coastal living life style! And I wanted to do something with that. So I started a blog in early 2008, not knowing where I was going to go with it, meaning with no clear direction. It took me about half a year to get a vision of what I wanted to create. So I deleted all posts prior to August 2008 and began to focus on decor, art and crafts, later also including books and movies. I think I changed the layout at least five times until I arrived at what I have now.

Maya's model yacht.

 What are your personal favorite completely coastal products that you own.

Inspired by my post "Display Idea's for Model Yachts",  I finally bought my own model yacht which is on display on top of my TV cabinet. And I love it! Link to model yacht article.

Maya's hand-painted shell tea light holders

 Then, featuring so many great craft projects on a regular basis, weekly actually, I finally did (a little) project myself and painted some local large shells, using them as tea light holders. Link to painted shell tea light holders.

Lighthouse photo pillow

Another favorite of mine is something I won in a giveaway. A custom made photo pillow. I adore it. The artist made it with one of my photographs, the Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport, RI. Link to Lighthouse photo article.


Are there others that you are considering adding  to your own home?

I'd love to eventually have a few model lighthouses and fishing glass floats! See these posts:

Collecting Lighthouses:
http://www.completely-coastal.com/2010/04/collecting-decorative-lighthouses-on.html

Fishing Glass Floats for your Home:
http://www.completely-coastal.com/2010/06/japanese-fishing-floats-for-your-home.html

 What are your favorite colors - Favorite music - Favorite Completely Coastal designs?

Blue-gray, blue-green, orange,  beige, white - oldies - I love everything I post, haha! My favorites I'd say, which I'd like to have in my next home would be some cool nautical wallpaper!! Link to subcategory Wallpapers  And I will be having more examples coming up too.

 How has Completely Coastal changed since it’s beginnings?

It's become more focused and I'd like to think more "beautiful". Also, since this year, I have lots of advertisers, all awesome quality sites that I'm very proud of having on Completely Coastal, such as yours!!


What’s beyond the horizon?

Better and bigger, I imagine!

Thank you Maya. Your an inspiration to us all! Coastal Creations & Design.

Surf Art- Paintings by Rick Romano

Rick Romano is a Virginia Beach artist who has made a living drawing and painting in the saltwater environment he's grown up with. An avid windsurfer and surfer for over twenty years, Rick is forever inspired by the timeless beauty and power of the sea. His unique style colorfully reflects his passion for the ocean worldwide. In his earlier years, many of his works were of coastal landmarks such as old beach cottages, lighthouses and popular beach locations.

 Today with the growing demand for tropical and surf-related themes, Rick is devoting his studio time for exactly these themes. Rick quotes, " For most of my early years I drew surfers and waves, with palmtree beaches. Now that it's in demand, I get to return back to a childhood dream and paint surfing for the fun of it."

Surf art by rick Romano

"Way Outer Reef" by Rick Romano

Each individual Limited Edition that gets matted, is then hand-painted with various colors washes, highlights and heavy brush paint applications right on the mat and print it itself. Each print is done this way and no two are exactly alike. this allows the collector to own an original in a very limited edition, at a third of the cost.
Although Rick Romano editions are produced with the highest quality inks and material available, utmost care should be placed upon hanging of artwork. Always avoid hanging art in direct or indirect sunlight.

Art By Rick Romano showroom - now open in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where you can find new originals, new prints, picture framing, works in progress, new ideas, and unlimited creativity. Located at 593 S. Birdneck Road, Suite 101. Call (757) 425-3590.  You can visit his website at http://www.rickromano.com/

"Nights of the Black Flag" Paintings by Donna Lee Nyzio

"FIRE"

Three new paintings by Donna Lee Nyzio are now on exhibit at Skipjack Nautical Wares and  Marine Gallery. Click here to visit Donna's page at Skipjack Marine Gallery. These three paintings were created as part of an exhibit titled "Nights of the Black Flag" that was recently on display at the North Carolina Museum of History and again at the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Pictured above: "Fire" acrylic, gauche painting on hot pressed illustration board by Donna Lee Nyzio. Two pirate ships, the "Meka II abd the "Royal Liste" fire upon each other in close battle off the coast of Wilmington, N.C.. Measures 17 X 34 and 29 X 46 inches framed.

“Knight of the Black Flag”

“Knight of the Black Flag” by Donna Lee Nyzio. Acrylic gauche mixed media painted on hot pressed illustration board. 39" X 30 ½" framed. Blackbeard the pirate aboard the "Queen Anne's Revenge with firing cannons and ghostly visions of departed pirates in the background.

"Dawn in the Rigging"

Dawn in the Rigging” by Donna Lee Nyzio. Female pirate aboard the “Meka II” off the coast of Beaufort, N.C. Acrylic Gauche mixed media painted on hot pressed illustration board. 31 ½" X 39 inches framed.

To read about the exhibit, visit these links. "Knights of the Black Flag" at the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

http://www.carteretnewstimes.com/articles/2008/08/06/news-times/news/doc4899bea40f8fd689979191.txt

BARBARA JACKSIER'S WATERSIDE COTTAGES

Waterside Cottages Cover. Photography by Dan Mayers

Waterside style decorating is a great way to recapture your past or create an exciting new future.
Author Barbara Jacksier grew up in Brooklyn, New York, home to what may be the most famous beach in the world -- Coney Island. Her family lived in an apartment a few miles inland but each year they would spend their summer vacation at the shore. Barbara loved everything about living close to the water, including the sound of the waves, the pastel painted bungalows and the beachcomber’s keepsakes. Her memories of those beloved summer getaways inspired her new book, Waterside Cottages. It celebrates coastal style décor and makes the perfect summer reading.

Boathouse Living Room. Photography by Dan Mayers

When I was a child, my family and I spent our summer vacation at the beach. We didn’t stay in hotels. Instead, we rented small houses with easy access to whatever beach we were near. Those houses were called beach cottages, and I’ve loved them ever since.

In Waterside Cottages, I’ll take you on a cross-country tour to visit fourteen homeowners. The houses differ greatly in their decorating schemes, yet all have the ability to instantly transport you to the water’s edge. Some are centuries old and others built recently. A few boast vibrant Caribbean colors or nautical hues, while others rely on an all-white palette for a sense of serenity. Some feature rooms filled with accumulated treasures; others celebrate simplicity.

Photography by Dan Mayer

Whether they are primary residences, artist’s retreats or weekend getaway, all of the cottages in my book offer their owners and guests a place to enjoy time together; to chill out; and to feel sheltered and protected from the raging sea and the world outside. I hope you’ll use the book as a tool for translating a love of the waterside into successful decorating schemes.

Photography by Dan Mayer

Of course, as my mother told me, living near the water isn’t a necessary part of living beach house bliss. You can feel close to the sun and surf wherever you live when you decorate with waterside style. Visit Barbara’s blog at http://barbarajacksier.blogspot.com/

Nautical Jewelry: Sail Away With Classic Sterling Silver Sailboat Jewelry by Barbara Vincent

Sterling silver nautical sailboat necklace from the Barbara Vincent Collection

Set sail this spring in style with sterling silver nautical sailboat jewelry from the Barbara Vincent Collection- perfect for daytime or evening. These distinctive nautical designs reflect her passion for fine sterling silver jewelry and celebrate her enthusiasm for sailing and a coastal lifestyle.

"HOPE" sterling silver nautical necklace from the Barbara Vincent Collection

Choose from Barbara's J boat, sloop, schooner and sailboat racing with spinnaker flying and her most recent design simply titled "Hope."  These nautical designs are available individually as pendants for necklaces or as a collection. (see pictured above) Complete the look with Barbara's matching sailboat earrings.

Sterling silver hoop earrings with a rope design from the Barbara Vincent Nautical
Jewelry Collection. Designed to complement the "Hope" pendant. 

The sterling silver Schooner pendant. The Schooner is all dressed up under full sail
 and is polished to a mirror finish. A perfect item to dress up your wardrobe.
Available with sterling silver snake chain and matching sterling silver earrings.
A classic design from the Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry Collection.

"Schooner" earrings rendered in sterling silver from the Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry
 Collection. Polished to a mirror finish. Wonderful paired with the matching pendant.

Sterling silver charm bracelet with nine nautical themed sterling silver charms.
 From the Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry Collection!

The sailboat collection is also available in 14 kt. gold.  Click here to preview the total Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry Collection exclusively at

Seascape Oil Paintings- Marine & Nautical Art by David M. Weiss

"The Ocean View" oil on canvas by marine artist  David M. Weiss. 18 X 24 inches

    "Painting is my way to Peace"

   David M. Weiss

Water has always played a part in my imagination, it is a calming force that resonates through many of my marine paintings. In the past I focused too much on my plein air studies or photo references when I was creating a nautical painting. Now I search for ethereal and mysterious moments that may only be experienced once in a lifetime. I want the viewer to be able to absorb those moments. I am looking to express peace, if only for myself.

"Sunset on the Cape"  Original oil on canvas nautical painting of Cape May, New Jersey by marine artist David M. Weiss. 18 X 24 inches.

"Lighting the Way" Finding hope in the midst of darkness. Oil on linen by marine artist David M. Weiss. 22 X 29 inches.

"Night Sea"  Nocturnes are one of David's favorite subject matters. This painting is no exception. Oil on canvas and painted on edges. 20 X 36 inches

David Weiss creating a new marine painting during a one man show of his artwork at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery.  You can visit David M. Weiss new marine art website at Seascape Oil Painting.
You can also see a large collection of Davids painting by visiting Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery.

Nautical Belts- Spruce Up Your Warm Weather Apparel

Sailor Macrame Belt from Skipjack Nautical Wares

Looking for the right nautical belt to spruce up your warm weather apparel? Here's a few sea worthy nautical-inspired belts that certainly fit the bill.

The sailor Macramé braided web belt  in natural line with full grain leather belt ends and solid brass buckles. Available in black, natural (see pictured above)  navy, khacki and olive.  Sizes from 32 to 46 in stock. Other sizes available upon request. All belts are 1 ¼”.  Choose from Skipjack's collection of nautical belts for men and women at:  Nautical wears at Skipjack

Men’s marlin needlepoint belt from Vineyard Vines. 100% wool needlepoint, leather tab with embossed whale and brass buckle. Comes in sizes 30” – 44”. View Vineyard Vines collection of nautical themed belts at:  Vineyard Vines

Nautical Belt and Buckle - Leather Belt in White, Red, Silver and Antique Black, Buckle in Copper and Silver by Moxie & Oliver.

This is a new collaborative piece between Moxie and Oliver and Andes Cruz, a Canadian metalsmith. The belt is the Ahoy pattern in red, white, and silver with an antique black wash, and the buckle is an anchor in silver and copper.

They start with a thick piece of tooling leather and cut, brand, and dye it before applying a protective wash to keep it safe from the elements. The thickness of the leather and the process that I use is designed to give my pieces a much greater longevity.

They will size this belt to order, so, please send your size when ordering. For women send your measurement where you like to wear your jeans and for men, send your pants size.

This particular belt is 1.75" wide and the buckle is made to fit a 1.5" belt. The buckle is removable, so you could use it on a different belt, or use this belt with a different buckle.  Moxie & Oliver

Nautical belt buckle...High Seas

This vintage nautical belt buckle is sure to turn some heads. Image has been transferred to leather & is then set into an antique finish nickel buckle. A special sealant is added for extra durability. Ready to go on your favorite snap-on belt!!

Italian leather belt straps are available. Arrives gift wrapped! Buckle Measures: 3" x 2" (7.6cm x 5cm) Will fit any snap on belt from 1" (25mm) up to 1.5" (37mm) wide. AreteDesigns by Beth Spatafora

Elegant and bold, Orvis braided web belt pairs rich dark brown leather with fine Italian linen and a solid brass buckle set to create a handsome complement to jeans, chinos, or your favorite dress pants. Micro-adjustable for a perfect fit. In khaki, navy. Even 1¼" wide. USA of imported materials. Even waist sizes: 32-46. Order same size as pants size. Orvis

This is the Cape Cod Cat Boat buckle in 1 1/4" antique nickle silver over brass with a plain 1 1/4" belt. Handmade on Cape Cod by local craftsman and women . The nautical themed buckles are made using a traditional lost wax process. Also available in brass. Check out their other great nautical designs!  Belt sizes range from 26" to 56"  Cellar Leather

For other Coastal Creation & Design featured nautical belts for men and women, go to: Nautical Belts for Men & Women