New Moon

Over delicious rhubarb margaritas lovingly created by Elaine from The Radical Rolling Pin, I’ve had some very firm yet loving encouragement from this dear friend to begin my blog again.  I cannot say how much I appreciate and love my friends and community. They are so very dear to me and I appreciate their ability to love me and tell me what’s what at the same time. Thank you Elaine for your special kindness.

I’ve begun Hennaing djembe drums. One at a time as the opportunity presents itself.  Hennaing drums is a new experience, nerve racking yet exciting for the permanence of it all. Because the skin of the drum is no longer alive, the design will not fade, unless drummed away.  I’m honored to have opportunities to Henna these sacred objects.  So I begin with my volunteers, and I do my best to match design to drum with the spirit of the owner as well as the spirit of the drum.  I’m happy to begin sharing some of these sacred creations as they fill me with joy to design and craft.  This particular drum sang if you sang into it. Very magical, but each drum has its own magic as you would know if you have ever played one of these.

New Moon Drum

Today is the New Moon.  A time for new beginnings.  I spent today renewing my space and recharging. Since I’d already done a cleaning and clearing on the house I decided to begin today with my deck, making  sacred space for me to be with nature, watch humming birds do Henna or whatever.  Soon summer will start and justify this summery scene, It will start right? It’s still a work in progress but feels homey.

Deck Before

Deck After

******************************************************************** I felt recharged just cleaning in the sun.  Removing everything from the deck, I swept away all the dirt with any negative energy and moved the four planters to the front yard that he will soon come to claim. No longer will I have to look at them as a reminder.  The deck still needs a paint job but I’m not going to worry about it this year, next year I hope to have it redone. I got a new folding bistro table and some colorful place mats. After I was finished, I sat in the sun, ate breakfast and drank coffee. It was 1:30pm. The hummingbirds came and hovered over me to investigate. They had never come so close.  It was a very good day. Blessed New Moon to you and yours, may your new beginnings bring you joy. – Chele

New Moon Setting Over Bellingham

I have no other words for this but my gratitude to all involved.   I know both Kelsey and Jordan are going to go on to be a big success in their respective fields.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my art.

Wild Wild West!

Morning Henna friends. It has been a while since I have posted, and I have something fantastic to share. Western Washington University Student Jordan Stead approached me wanting to do an article on Henna for the Kilpsun Magazine (a WWU publication). The theme being color he wanted to explore Henna from that angle. However very nervous, I was of course honored! I met with him at Woods Coffee at Blvd Park and we did the initial interview.  He was very nice and asked some very good questions. He also got in contact with several of my Seattle Henna friends and mentor.  As their many years of experience would be a great asset to his article as they are to me.

"A dame that knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up." ~ Mae West

“Personality is the most important thing to an actress’s success.” ~ Mae West. Kelsey has got it in spades!

We set a date to come to my home to photograph my model the lovely Kelsey Marie Bujacich.  Our first job, on Wednesday was to apply the first layer of Henna which took about 3 hours.  Then on Friday we met again to apply the two tone affect. On the day of the shoot, while Jordan photographed us, I applied glitter embellishments to the back piece of the design, and after Henning her left arm, I applied glitter to the wet Henna.  My hope was to show the progression of Henna, 3 days cured, two tone affect with gel glitter embellishments and freshly applied Henna with powder glitter. I was pleased overall with the effect and Kelsey was an absolute pro at showing off the Henna to its best advantage. I’m so lucky to have met her. 

Jordan and Julian Set up

Photo Journalist in the Field

 The day of the shoot was amazing. Jordan arrived with his assistant and photographer Julian who did the entire stand in work for lighting, which amused Kelsey and me greatly.  I have never seen such dedication and professionalism in a student photographer.  It took him a total of four hours to complete the shoot including set up and I think he took over 400 photos. My house is pretty small and at one time I believe his elbow was wedged into my garbage disposal!  After the inside shoot and a quick costume change for Kelsey we went outside in the woods behind to do portraits. Jordan also shot Kelsey rubbing off the dried Henna and glitter to expose the bright orange uncured Henna stain. The difference in her arms was dramatic as it showed uncured just removed and 3 day old cured Henna side by side in the same design.

Dedication!

Photo Journalist in the Field - Jordan Stead

Jordan said he was really happy with the photos he took and we all are very encouraged that the article will be chosen for the Klipsun based solely on my confidence in Jordan as a photojournalist.  I asked him when I would be able to see the photos  as “I’m sure you need to mess with them a bit before they are ready” And he said, “as a photojournalist, using Photo Shop is unethical”. I’m sure that has been one of the many factors that went into making him a fine photographer. He has to get it right the first time. All the photos you see here are my record of the event, his photos were 1000 time more fantastic and I can’t wait to see them again.

"Whenever I'm caught between two evils, I take the one I've never tried before." ~ Mae West

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." ~ Mae West

Overall it was an incredible day and even if it does not make the magazines final cut, I will have some lovely pictures for print work and I know I would hire Jordan in a nanosecond for any photography work I may require. You can see more of his work here. 

"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it." ~ Mae West

"I like restraint, if it doesn't go too far." ~ Mae West

Jordan is also planning to come to the Bellingham Farmers Market May 1^st to complete his photo essay with someshots of Henna Moon in action. Please join us, get some Henna and meet a fine up and coming photographer.  I’m so happy and grateful I live in a town filled with so many positive creative people! See you in a couple of weeks Bellingham!

Chele 30JAN10

Blessed Brigid’s Day
Chalice well Photo Credit unknown

16-Jan 2010  

I celebrate the Wheel of the Year, eight holidays around the calendar. Following the seasons and turning the Earth. Last night I was part of a celebration in which all eight were represented and honored. Each person was the embodiment of their chosen holiday.  At each tuning I felt the quiet cold of spring, the intense heat of summer, the sweet crispness of fall and the little death of winter..I was honored to manifest Yule and it was quite an experience for me. As the wheel we danced around the Goddess and Holy King! I felt as if the Earth was singing with us, knowing we were honoring her in her full aspect. It was beautiful!

Today I feel invigorated recharged and ready to continue through the rest of the dark time of this year. Ready to meet each of these points on the wheel again as we turn to meet them. On Monday Dec 21,  Winter Solstice, the Earth will pause in its journey of tilting away from the sun, then it will start to tilt back and as it journeys around the sun the Northern half will turn to face it. In Australia they are celebrating the longest day while here in the North it is dark and cold.

Each turn of the wheel has an inherent beginning and ending with in it as does each day of our lives has a sunrise and sunset. Beginnings and endings are built into everything we do and the Wheel of the Year brings that home.

I feel so blessed to be a part of the Stella Maris Community and I want to thank all of the people who made last night a wonderful experience for us all.

I’m further blessed by the opportunity I had in meeting a new friend and experiencing her Solstice tree that she lights with actual candles. Each candle is lit with a wish and we watched them burn down, playing music, taking photos, doing Henna (of course!) and enjoying each other’s company. I was in awe of this sight. Each candle was held on by an antique holder and we all had the job of watching the tree to be sure a fire did not start.. what a sight!

Welcome Holy King Lord of light!! Bless us all on this night.

Happy Winter Solstice and for you down south Happy Summer Solstice!

PS: I am so looking forward to the new year of Henna and friends of Henna. I’ll be at the Farmer’s Market again this year, SummerStar, Northwest Lammas Festival and the Psychic Fair up at the UU Church on Yew Street. I’m very excited to get working again.

Here is looking forward to the 1^st day of Spring , Feb 2 Imbloc!  Stay warm out there! Love to all…

I hope you all stayed cool out there while we were on hiatus. I went on many adventures, Vancouver Washington to see “She Who Watches” (Petroglyphs  along the Columbia River) among other things, A tour of Washington’s many volcanoes. I communed with nature and friends for Lammas the Harvest of the 1st fruits. And realized just how hard I had been working that I had lost touch with so many great people. Love to you all and thank you for your patience, unwavering faith and caring.

I saw bats emerge from their sleep under the full moon at Hovander park, Almost got eaten by a Bear in the North Cascades National Park (sounded like a bear I swear) and saw the new baby Beluga whale at the Vancouver Aquarium. Of course I Hennaed many, many long distance friends. I was very busy during my time away from the market and have many new designs to share with everyone.

I was looking over my email and received a nice note from Rick, Coordinator for the Farmers Market. He wanted to be sure I had not melted and stated, “your customer base have constantly been asking for you”. Thanks for sharing that Rick! How sweet to be missed and wanted. I look forward to seeing everyone again too!

And soon! We are coming back to the Market tomorrow! I just made a fresh batch of Henna with frankincense, sweet orange and bergamot, yum yum! Now it is sitting under some rose quartz soaking up love and under the Tarot card “the Sun” soaking up the happiness just for you . I tell you, Jenny and I am well rested and ready to get back to work.  Looks as if Saturday will start out cloudy and turn into mostly sunny, so dress in layers and come see us.

I want to hear all about your heat wave stories.. Isn’t it great the world is back to normal?.. i.e. wet.

I’ve been a very busy bee since I wrote last, please check out my all new flicker page which I revamped and added a lot more photos for you to look at. On June 20, Midsummer, we Drove to Eugene, OR. There I Hennaed the belly of friends of mine about to have their 1st child. We almost didn’t make it in time as the false contractions had us thinking she was having that baby that day!

Then onward to Ashland, Oregon for the RawUnion festival. Ashland was beautiful, the food was amazing, I felt incredible eating it and I was re-inspired to gain better health. I discovered this fabulous website RAWFU http://www.rawfu.com/. They have a fantastic online community of people supporting each other in good health. Recipes, photos, ‘facebook’ like interface, everything! Check it out if you are interested. I had a Henna Healing booth at RawUnion and I felt it was a big success. I really enjoyed connecting with people and helping them with their various transitions. (More to come on Henna healing at this website soon.)

This Saturday I’m back at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market and I am very excited. One of my favorite holidays and there are many events going on in town and I hope you make the market one of your stops! This weekend I will have a new addition to my booth, Lately I have been so busy at the market I have reluctantly had to turn people away. Luckily Jenny Gerfen has come into my life and has agreed to work with me at the market. She is a great artist and has a style all her own. Her positive and bubbly personality fits right in with me and I know you will love her too. Come see me and meet Jenny. I miss everyone; I sure hope I will see you there. I’m only bringing Red, White and Blue glitter and we are going to have a rockin’ time. Whatever you do decide to do I hope you enjoy your weekend! Yours Chele

Hello all I hope you had a wonderful week. It was sure a beautiful one!  This week has been super busy for me. I had the Market Saturday where I did some really great work and had only a tiny bit of memory on the camera to take photos~! I did lots of feet this time and really enjoying it!

Then I had another private party and pregnancy belly!

 I just love doing Bellies!..

This weekend will be the beginning of a 3 week break from the Farmer’s Market. I will not be back until July 4^th.  I decided I needed a change of scenery.

Instead come see me this weekend at the Woodside Spiritual Center’s Metaphysical Fair and Silent Auction. This will be 8 hours of spiritual awakenings! Come see Tarot readers,

 Crystal healers, massage therapists, Aura readers and much more.  I will be offering Henna healings and Mainstream Henna as well.  The event is free admission so please come and join us!