Live to Learn: Anita's Ivory Carvings

The woman who I stayed with in Seaview was so fun to talk to. Traveled all over the world, super knowledgeable, just great to hang out with. Just when I think she couldn't be cooler she busts out
walrus and mastodon ivory carvings that she used to do. Turns out she is a stunning artist and I would
have never know if she didn't share these with me. I made a comment on how much I loved one of the
dolphin pieces and she insisted that I take it! So, wow, meet a stranger, stay at their house all weekend
go to a invite only circus night, learn about the island, talk story, and be gifted an original hand carved
ivory dolphin pendant. Only Big Island love.

She used to carve these ivory pieces, from extinct mastodon tusks...(rad). I asked where she would
source her ivory and she just said Russian Dealers. Sounds about right for getting highly prized,
and sometimes illegal ivory tusks of extinct prehistoric mammals. After making what she wanted
she would regularly travel to a small village in Bali India that specialized in carving ivory. After
spending a few weeks in this village she would take back the carvings that she had the craftsmen make
and sell them in markets. Traveling the world, selling highly prized ivory carvings and being a baller.
Thanks for the generosity and wonderful gift Anita!