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

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…

Currently I’m in Atlanta for a SharePoint Conference or “geek” Heaven or Hell depending on who you talk to.  Luckily two Henna artists near and dear to my heart live in Atlanta and were sweet enough to come see me last night.

 Barbara of “Admired Beauty”  and

Samantha from “Henna Odyssey”.  I had the pleasure of meeting them in California at the Henna Caravan conference. Barbara arrived covered in hers and Samantha’s beautiful Henna designs. Samantha was Henna-naked and ready for painting.  We went out to dinner to get reacquainted and then were attacked by a parrot before we returned to make with the Henna!  I wish my window could open as the Atlanta night was filled with sweet sounds of what Samantha calls “an abundance of critters”.

I was so honored to design Sam some slippers and Barbara gave me 2 beautiful designs on my foot and hand.  Barbara also make beautiful jewelry of which I was gifted a piece. Soon she will be up and ready to sell. They are both so talented! Too soon the night was over. I miss them already. We had such a great time. I gave Samantha my “Kree cone” as she has issues with RMS as well and now I do not have Henna to play with for the rest of my stay.  :( (Come back Girls!!! I miss you already!)  It was bittersweet visit as I wish they lived closer and hope (hope hope) they will come out my way some day. I tell you what, I will be seeing them at any conference they intend to attend. I love you ladies!

I’ve worked the last 2 weekends at the Farmer’s Market and this weekend, September 26 will be my last Market day until Halloween.  Mabon(fall equinox) and Samhain (Halloween) are my favorite holidays and I will be doing it up for the booth this year as market day actually falls on the big day.  After Oct 31, my Market season will be over but I believe the BFM continues until mid December. There you can find many many gifts for your loved ones. Also gift wise, I suggest you check out Etsy. Etsy is a fantastic site full of homemade and handmade goods from all over the world. On Esty there used to be a “buy local” special search. I can’t find it now but how cool if you could keep to your searches in your area. A fine site to spend money on. In December I will blog more about local gift giving and gift making as I am a firm believer of staying away from the “soul sucking mall” as much as humanly possible.  

On Flickr I have posted many new photos for you to play with … I hope I will see you this Saturday for More Henna fun.  Here’s some love for you from Atlanta!

XXOO

Chele

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.