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 been blessed this year with a new Henna Partner, Jamie Olson of RiverHenna.

She is a natural Henna artist. Only just starting out in the Henna business since the beginning of 2010 she is progressing extremely fast, quickly developing  her own style and is very dedicated to learning all she can as fast as she can. Jamie and I make excellent business partners as we approach the art from the same perspective. To begin with, we are obsessed, how can we not be? And we are in it for the connection. When you sit to Henna a person it can be very intimate, people share their personal lives with you and you get a window into their psyche. We both have a very positive attitude and we love people. 

I’m so happy Jamie has decided to make this a career path for herself. Find her on Facebook

Please come to the market this weekend and meet Jamie for yourself.  You are going to love her. We also have new Henna Kits, Henna cones filled with paste and gift certificates for sale. This weekend is going to be beautiful please come and share it with us.

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.

100 Boxes On The Wall

Well Ladies and Gents I have Henna and Do I ever have A LOT of Henna! 100 boxes to be exact! Email me and I will give you such a deal. About 1/3 of this Henna will go into making Henna Kits, 1/3 made into paste for applying at fairs and private appointments and 1/3 sold to other Henna Artists. This Jamilla pure Henna is the fresh 2009 crop and is body art quality, but it can also be used to dye your hair.

Glitter Wheel

We also have new glitter in. Yay! I love glitter, this time I got some very different and cool colors and I can’t wait to get creative with it. Glitter is applied to wet henna paste to bling up your design.

Glitter Toes

The glitter will stay on until the paste comes off and it has no affect on whether or not your design will stain, it is just for fun and if you wish to have it it is included in the service. I recommend glitter be used only for outdoor events as the stuff does get around!

Henna Moon Kit

New and Improved Henna kits. Henna Moon Kits include
· 35 Grams of Jamilla Henna
· one .12 oz vial of cajeput oil
· 2 applicator cones
· 1 j’bottle with .7mm tip – so you can use your paste again and again!
· zip lock storage bag
· Instructions, designs and aftercare.
All you need is a little sugar and lemon juice and some willing friends!
What is new to the kit is the J’bottle or Jacquard bottle. This is an art bottle that will increase the kit’s longevity. When you mix up all the paste and freeze it now the kit can be used more than once. This bottle can be stored in the refrigerator between uses ( I would not recommend storing it in the freezer as the plastic may crack). I more than anyone realize how difficult it is to make a Henna cone and that they are really only a one use item. Including the J’Bottle guarantees you will be able to use your paste more than once. I’m still including 2 applicator cones so more than more than one person can play at a time. Its just more fun that way! Also if anyone is interested I am more than willing to show you how to make cones. Just come by and see me at the Farmer’s Market and I’ll show you my mad cone making skills!

Henna Moon Henna Kits are $20 each and make a great Mother’s day gift.

And so do Henna Moon gift certificates!

Come see us at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market this Saturday May 8th for the annual Mother’s Day Extravaganza. I understand there is a raffle and that all the Market vendors have donated an item for you to win.

Thank you to all the Mom’s out there, for having us, protecting us, loving us and being on our side. There is no one like your own Mom!

And if you have not done so already, why don’t you go give her a call? You know you want to.

Happy Mother’s day everyone.

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!

Recently I was honored to do Henna for the local and very talented theater troupe at the Fairhaven College. They put on a Midsummer’s Nights Dream. And the makeup was fabulous! It was a very special night. Please enjoy more photos of the event on Henna Moon’s Facebook Fan Page
Hope to see you all at the Market this Saturday  April 3rd 2010.

Happy Spring everyone.

Chele 30JAN10

Blessed Brigid’s Day
Chalice well Photo Credit unknown

Welcome to another year at the Market. Come and see all that Bellingham’s community has to offer you. Welcome Summer!