Etsy Link

My Etsy account is now up and running!  If you are interested in browsing or purchasing any of my handmade hemp items, please visit http://www.createpeacehemp.etsy.com/.

Danielle
Create Peace

Nature Inspired

I admire details.  Especially in nature; there is so much beauty in the details of nature.  Whenever I need inspiration for a new piece of jewelry, all I have to do is look out my back window to the landscape. 

I mentioned a few posts ago that I was working on a new design.  Well, here it is.  This one is called "Last Leaf."  My inspirational image was a fall tree, bare of all it's leaves save one.  It's branches delicate and knotted.  From a piece of broken jewelry, I repurposed a green glass bead that to me looks like a hypnotic leaf.  I paired it with some complimentary black beads and finished the necklace off with two braided ties.

Nothing beats the pride and accomplishment I feel when I hold a newly finished piece of jewelry, especially one like "Last Leaf".  I always think, wow, I really made this!  My own two hands are responsible for all these little details, and I feel closer to nature through those details.  And I can't forget to mention that the main component of the necklace is a natural material: Hemp! 

I hope the future wearer of this necklace will take a moment to admire nature and all the beauty in it's details.

Like this item?  Purchase it at:

www.etsy.com/listing/01234567/last-leaf-hemp-necklace

Danielle
Create Peace

Red Hue

Silvia at Red Hue

Thought you might like to meet one more important person to my business.  Meet Silvia.  She is the owner and designer of a little shop called Red Hue Boutique.  Her shop sells independent and alternative clothing, as well as handmade items.  One of the things I admire most about her clothing line is it's sweatshop free!  The Red Hue clothing line is hand assembled in an atelier style workshop in El Salvador.

I heard about Red Hue through my friend Toni, who happened to take the picture you see above!  She was helping me out with ideas of how to expand my craft business.  Long story short, I am now proud to say that you can purchase my handmade hemp jewelry at TWO local retail shops: The Bamboo Eater and now, Red Hue Boutique!

Also, hint hint for University of Maryland College Park students!  Red Hue will give 10% off when you show your student ID!

http://www.redhueboutique.com/

The Bamboo Eater

Last summer, my new friends Shaun and Brian made a bold decision.  They opened up their very own tobacco and pipe shop called The Bamboo Eater.  I heard about the place through word of mouth and instantly a light bulb flickered in my head.  That's the moment my hemptastic career began!  I checked out the store and asked the owners if they'd be interested in selling some of my hemp jewelry.  They said YES!  I brought a bunch of necklaces and braclets to them and they offered me a deal.  60-40 split, I take 60% and I set the prices of the jewelry.

Shaun (Left) and Brian (Right)

Owners of The Bamboo Eater

I just pop by the store form time to time to check if anything sold.  It's like receiving surprise money!  And I'm proud to say sales are good!  Since then, I've brought them more and more stock, and I expanded to also sell ancklets and rings as well. 

I would have to say my proudest accomplishment has been creating a unique display for my jewelry.  I found a heart shaped shelf among a pile of discarded furniature in my neighbor's yard.  Took it home and turned it into something awesome!  As you can see, I hand painted it using acrylic paints.  Each of the three shelves has a different theme, and the sides are a collection of peace inspiring designs.  I used an old tiki torch, also found in my neighbor's give-away pile, to create a necklace hanger.  Shaun and Brian loved it!  I even painted the name of the store and hopefully it will be there for as long as they are. 

            Top Shelf                                                                Middle Shelf                                                            Bottom Shelf

You can visit The Bamboo Eater at:

9935 Rhode Island Ave, Hollywood Square, College Park, MD, 20740

Also visit their website for directions and for more information:

thebambooeater.com

Peace and Love,

Danielle

Create Peace

Currently working on...

Right now, I am sitting on my basement floor listening to "All Right" by the Beatles on the vynal player.  My boyfriend Will is taking some pictures of my latest project.  I like having a second artistic eye to help see the angles I don't.  The project, by the way, is a necklace using a pattern I've never made before.  I learned it in a book I just found..."Making Beautiful Hemp & Bead Jewelry" by Mickey Basket.  (Even the author's last name says 'crafts!') I realized I have only been using two different knots in my jewelry, a square knot and a half-square knot.  The book teaches several other knots and while I'm really excited to try each and every one, I have to say I am a little intimidated by some as well.  Master one at a time I suppose, and as for me, I'm still on the square knot!  Only this time, I added more strands of hemp and I'm alternating a row of one, a row of two, a row of one, a row of two.  I had to mount the strings to a pencil to keep it steady, another first.  So far, so good.  Made one oops but i just took out the knot and went for the second try.  Looks kind of like lace.  Very sturdy, natural lace.  I don't want to totally give everything away yet, so have a peak and check back again soon to see the final result! (Hint: nature inspired!)



Danielle

Create Peace 

Here I am!

Peace and well wishes from Danielle!

About a year ago, I was lounging in my livingroom when my then roommate Heather walked into to the room with a big bag from JoAnn Fabrics.  'Ooooo!' I thought, 'I love arts and crafts!'  Of course, my mind jumped immedietly from wanting to know what she was making, to me needing something to occupy my hands as well.  Turns out she had bought some hemp cord and beads to make hippy jewelry.  Heather was kind enough to measure out some hemp for me to get started.  Instantly I had flashbacks to summer camp, making friendship braclets at the arts and crafts station in the small pavilion next to the lake. Ahh, good memories!  By the end of the night, I had made a braclet for myself, a necklace for my boyfriend, and a dog collar for my puppy.

Long story short, I am proudly in the beginning stages of creating my very own business!  Woo hoo! I call it "Create Peace: Handmade Creations in Support of Peace."  I design hemp jewelry and I spread the word of peace.  I hope you will join me in being kind to your neighbor and to mother earth through eco-friendly hemp.

Danielle
Create Peace

My Handmade Hemp Door Curtain