Restocked

Yesterday I brought a new set of bracelets over to The Bamboo Eater.  Restocking my shelves.  I don't have any pictures for you, but I can tell you about this really awesome tie-died hemp that my boyfriend got me for Christmas.  It's awesome!  So many colors...blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green...and all in between.  Hopefully I'll get some good reactions at the store.

Haven't sold anything on Etsy yet.  And I'm a bit disappointed.  But I really can't dwell on it too much since I haven't been putting in the effort to advertise.  Really gotta get on that.  My boyfriend (his name is Will by the way, so in the future, that's who I'm referencing) suggested we take another trip to DC, sit on the mall and sell some of my stuff.  He also offered to come with me to a craft fair!!!!  I am so exicted that he wants to come to one!  First I need to find one and get the entrance fee, but beyond that, I will have my love there to help promote and sell my crafts and best of all, to keep me company! 

Also, on side note...my plants are doing well!  I have all my herbs inside for winter, and they have their own little shelf by the window.  I love that each one has it's own personality.  They're my babies.  :)  My minty mint has been a little cranky lately.  It kept drying out so I cut it all down, and now I have little tiny new sprouts!  Can't wait until I can use some in my drinks again.

Danielle
Create Peace

New Years Resolution

I hate when I come across a blog that starts with "Sorry I haven't posted in awhile.  I've been busy."  Well, as much as I hate reading it, I've been busy lately.  And unfortunitely, not with my crafts!  So instead of sharing any recent business updates, how about I take this opportunity to share a bit more about myself.  :)

My name is Danielle and I'm 22 years old.  I work 2 jobs, one of which I just received a promotion!  Woo!  I am not currently taking classes but I plan to finish my degree when I can afford it.  You may be thinking, but you just said you have two jobs?  I do, but I'm also in debt.  And not dependent on my parents.

Recently I made a few small changes in my life.  New Year, new me!  And I plan on sticking to it!  I made several New Year's Resolutions actually.  First, I made a budget.  My parents had been bugging me to do this for so long now!  I promise myself that from now forward, I will chip away at my bills and get myself out of debt.  I also am going the natural route when it comes to food and home/beauty products.  Eating organic when possible, and of course, more fruits and veggies.  I fully support the vegitarian lifestyle but I'm going with what I think is a more natural animal kingdom approach and simply limiting my meat consumption.  More whole wheat is also part of my plan.  I got a new face wash by the YES To Carrotts brand and i love how soft it makes my skin feel.  Made my own bath salt with lavendar and almond oils. Also switched both my deoderent and toothpaste brands to Tom's All Natural.   Eventually I'd like to completely switch over to products that are both safer for me and safer for the envirionment.  But as I am not a waster, I must finish out what I have on hand first.  And also trying to take better care of my surroundings.  Doing chores more regularly rather than being lazy.  I even made some of my own cleaning products, with vinegar and baking soda mostly.  No harsh chemicals is good for everyone! 

All in all, the new me is a little bit more aware, a little bit more active, and a little less lazy.  This is hopefully the start of something great!

Thanks for reading,

Danielle
Create Peace

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