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

Portfolio

Hi all!

I am beginning a new project- a portfolio of my work.  I plan on designing it catalogue style to show examples of what I've created and hopefully to inspire some more special orders.  It'll have tabs for each section...necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pet accessories, etc.  And you'll be able to browse its pages at the Bamboo Eater in College Park, where my jewelry display shelf has it's permanent home!

Shout outs go to Bryan Haddad, owner of the Bamboo Eater, and Will Mick, employee of the Bamboo Eater and also my wonderful boyfriend, for the inspiring idea to create this portfolio.  And to Kelly, my new friend who will be sharing her photography skills in the making of this project.

I am looking for suggestions and helpful tips to make this project one of a kind!

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!

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

Pictures!

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

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