New Pictures and Big Decision

Hello!  Anybody out there???  I'm rethinking my desire to keep this blog...since it's not really attracting any readers.  I don't really update it often, and I don't really spread the word about it much either.  But never the less, I feel there's no sense in simply re-posting here what I've already posted on my facebook page or on Etsy.  (Both of which I have updated recently. www.facebook.com/createpeacehemp and www.etsy.com/createpeacehemp)  I have the link to this blog on my business cards so the new plan I believe will be to eliminate blogger from my list of sites just as soon as i run out of business cards and get new ones.  In the mean time, please enjoy these pictures and if there really is anybody out there reading, let me know so that I might rethink this decision.  Thanks!  And as always, peace!

Chinese Stag Beetle - Glows in the Dark!

Sasha modeling her pretty Dog Collar

Natural Hep Necklace with Jade Beads

Hand-blown glass mushroom pendant by Artist of Glass-X

Hemp Order from ABR

Grace modeling Flower hemp Necklace

Glow in the Dark Hemp Bracelets - 5 colors to chose from!

Hand-painted Peace Sign Keychains

Bryan's Banjo Strap

I created this piece as a special request for my friend Bryan Haddad. It's a hemp, hand-made, macrame banjo strap. It measures about 45 inches in length. I think by far, it's my most proud and detailed work to date.

Hemp Shampoo

Looking for a gentle and eco-friendly solution to hair care?  Look no further than Dr. Bonner's Pure-Castile Soap!

You may have already heard about Castile soap on your quest to becoming green.  I first saw it listed in a recipe for homemade shampoo, which I will share with you shortly.  I went out searching the shelves of the beauty isle in my local grocery store for the brand but was unsuccessful.  A really helpful women at Mom's Organic Market explained to me that castile soap is not a brand, it simply refers to a type of soap that originates in Castile, Spain.  It's made of all plant based oils, rather than animal products or man-made chemicals that you can't even pronounce.  And it's completely biodegradable and safe for the environment.  While the traditional method of making castile soap utilizes mainly olive oil, Dr. Bonner's uses organic hemp oil, organic coconut oil, and orgainc jojoba oil as well.  Even the bottle is made from recycled plastic, making me even more confident about my purchase.

Castile soap can be used in a variety of every day cleaners such as hand soap, laundry detergent, basic household cleaner, dish soap, pet shampoo, and even as a lather before shaving.  Today I'd like to share a recipe I came across for Herb-infused shampoo.

Organic Herb-Infused Shampoo

Ingredients:
1 cup Castile Soap
1 cup distilled water
1 cup herbs of your choice
5 drops essential oils of your choice (optional to add extra moisture and shine)
Plastic Bottle

Boil water and steep herbs for 30 minutes in the same way you would make tea.  Filter out herbs.  Combined infused water, castile soap and oils in plastic bottle.  Shake well before each use.

I chose the unscented soap so that I can try different herbs for a different scent experience.  You can also find pre-scented castile soap and skip the herb infusion if you choose.  I plan on using rose oil, euycaliptus, and chamomile.  And just a helpful hint when it comes to chosin your herbs, chamomile has natural lightening properties and should be avoided on dark hair.

I hope you consider adding Castile Soap to your green lifestyle!

Peace!

Danielle
Create Peace

Sold!

Just had my 2nd online sale with Etsy!  Shout out goes to Holly of College Park.  We met at my work and it made me feel amazing when she complimented the necklace I was wearing.  I passed on my website and woo hoo!  She doesn't know yet but I threw in some extra beads and a bit of jewelry making supplies since she is a new jewelry maker as well.  I look forward to getting together with you Holly!


Danielle
Create Peace

Updates!

When I started this post I simply wanted to say that I had updated my website, but then I realized that I have a few other noteworthy updates in addition.  I moved!  How's that for news!  My boyfriend Will, my dog Gopi and I found a new place nearby that's our own space!  It used to be an old garage, but now it's the sweetest efficiency appartment you have ever seen!  We have our own kitchen, space for a livingroom and a bedroom.  And I'm so siked about having our separate sides of the bed so it's like Will and I each get our own separate space.  Gopi loves it too.  She has her own back door and fenced in yard.  I've been clearing out the overgrown garden and strarted my very own compost pile.  And soon I'll have my vegetable garden out front.  Best of all, I plan to set up shop in the front of our house!  Plenty more details to come on that one, but I can say I'll probably be open Saturday's only and will sell my hemp jewelry as well as other eco friendly and homemade creations.  I can't forget to mention too that my parent's took back my car and took me off the family phone plan.  So I've been walking everywhere or taking the bus, and I got a new phone number.

Oh, and I can't forget the real reason I'm here...I updated my Etsy website and my Facebook page.  There's new jewelry for sale on Etsy and there's new pictures and links on my facebook page.  Peace and Love!

Business Cards

I AM SUCH A GOOF!

My business cards finally came!  Shout out to vistaprint.com, I got 500 color printed cards for $7 plus shipping.  Excitement aside, I made a mistake when I submitted the design.  Grrr.  I accidently missed a "W" in the url for my etsy site.  So, now I get to write 500 tiny w's.  But, I don't mind.  My business cards kick ass!

Soundry Success!

Peace and well wishes wonderful world!  I am here to report that my craft fair was a success!  I am so proud! I didn't sell as much as I was hoping to, but I made a total of $99!  $30 came from another artist who had me use his art as pendants with my hemping tecnique.  The rest was bracelets, necklaces, key chains, a ring, and one peace sign.  When you count the booth fee, gas, and the supplies for my table and product, I acctually broke even.  But hey, next time I won't need to get the stuff to make my table pretty, and I still have lots of stock to move around.  Plus, I met some great people, including the awesome Wagner family who was totally into hemp!  And I gave out lots of business cards.  Yes, that's right!  I said business cards!  Side note: I actually just ordered some kick-ass business cards online and they're not here yet.  The one's at the show were just simple photo copies, but I networked and that's what counts.  I was on cloud 9!  And to top it all off, I was even able to sneak away from my table long enough to watch Will perform his comedy routine.  He did great and I got it all on film.  Anywho, time for bed...the real world awaits me at 6am.  Enjoy the pictures!

Danielle

Create Peace

Peace Sign

Pictures!

Thought my page could use a few more pictures of my work.... Here you go!

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

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