Giveaway time!!! It's almost the end of the year and what better way to celebrate then get a FREE henna session OR FREE SMhennadesigns product! Giveaway ends December 31st at 11:59pm, open to US residents only, ages 18+. See Rafflecopter's Terms and Conditions to enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Update on SMhennadesigns Aug2012

I'm working on another website at the moment, can't wait until it is published! I honestly hated the old one, it was so boring (although purple is my favorite color). I hated the layout, hated that I couldn't do more to it, basically it wasn't ME. Hopefully I will have the website published fairly soon.The downside is that I can't use my old domain name (www.smhennadesigns.com) since Vistaprint wants me to pay to use that domain name now :/  Any suggestions on what I can use for my new one?
*UPDATE 8/16/12* MOST OF MY WEBSITE HAS BEEN DONE-CHECK IT OUT. ALSO, I WILL BE KEEPING SMHENNADESIGNS.COM YEY!! FIGURED THINGS OUT JUST HAVE TO PAY MORE THOUGH =( OH WELL. 

Next, is my logo. A wonderful, patient, creative friend of mine helped me with my logo (or watermark) for my pictures. It is so much better than what I had originally created. I am thankful that she had helped me out because I love the new one better. What do you think? (see below of my old and new one)

Old: (you may not see smhennadesigns.com written on top since it will blend in with background)

New:

It looks so much more uniformed and simple, and looks great on my pics =) check it out: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.153154228148513.32489.152581648205771&type=1

Unfortunately, if I do end up changing my domain name, my logo needs to be changed as well! ugh...

Still working on changing my business cards because i'm bored of those too now lol. It was just to get started, and I didn't like it SO much to begin with as well. *sigh* It's a lot of work to do on my own along with work and school, promoting my business, managing it, expanding AND creating new items/ideas/designs quickly.  

Any volunteers ? :D feel free to help a friend out if you can help with any one of those things. I'd love  you forever! ok...well, maybe I'd love you enough to share my reeses with you! (and you might know how much I love my reeses!) 

I came across a post on facebook about a craft event in the city. I checked it out, visited the site, facebook page and really liked what I came across. I was so inspired and excited by it and found such great crafts to collaborate with my own crafty side. So I decided to attend. It's something I wanted to do for ME. Something I always wanted to take time out for but never really got the chance to. And so I went. At first I was a bit hesitant, since I walked in there by myself but as I looked around I became more comfortable because of the setting and the crafty people! The place was called LOVE SHINE (http://www.loveshinenyc.com/servlet/StoreFront)  and the amazing event was The Crafty Chica's visit to NYC (check out her site:http://www.craftychica.com/) . There was great live music, cupcakes and crafts!! whats not to like. I was so ecstatic to meet her because I was already so inspired by her work. It just gave me reassurance and opened up my mind to so many possibilities. I would love to make art my full time job, because I love it passionately, more than most of you may know.  If I could do something I love, AND make money doing it, this is one of the things I would do. 

Since then, I gave myself a little push with my Henna business. Although I work a full time job, am still continuing my education, I always make time for my art. I have to, for me.  I hope to one day be an inspiration to someone, anyone. Whether they be right down the corner from me, or from across the globe. I want to touch someones life, and one way is through art. I want people to remember me, know me and my work. I want them to see how much of my passion is put into it and I know one day, I will get there. InshAllah. Until then, I will keep climbing the ladder until I reach to the top.

For now, that is all. and I haven't blogged for a WHILE, I know. It's something I did for me, whether someone read it or not.  but I'm back and want/need to share my thoughts!

SMhennadesigns Update

Gift Certificates now available!!!

Perfect gift for any age, and any occasion! 

A flyer I made

Rack Cards: Since I get a lot of questions about Henna, I thought I'd have these out at my events. All your Henna Questions Answered!

 Back Side

Another Flier I made, Idk which one I like better!

Please tell me what you guys think! I would really really like some feedback so I know what my clients like best and what I can add/change/fix all that good stuff! Just for you guys!

Update on SMhennadesigns

Here is an update on my website:
http://www.smhennadesigns.com/default.html


Please let me know what you think. I have made a lot of changes to it. I would like to know if there is anything you think I should add, take out, etc. 

I finally made a fan page, it is on the top right of my page, but here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/SMhennadesigns/152581648205771

Please 'Like' and support me, I would really appreciate it =) 


FB profile for Henna: 
https://www.facebook.com/smhennadesigns12 Add me =)


Also, I am now accepting Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover! :D 






Thanks <3 

QOTW!

(Question Of The Week)


So I missed one week of my QOTW! did u miss me? I hope so! =)  I've just been so busy with my final and with my Henna stuff. Trying to book events and prepare for them mostly!  Well here it goes,


I find it quite offensive when people try to underpay me for my Henna work.  It requires a lot of time, skill and passion. What annoys me is when people don't complain about going to a beauty parlor for example-to get their henna, makeup, hair,e tc done or shopping at brand stores for ridiculous prices, but when it comes to a freelance artist/craft (any kind) you don't think they're worth THAT much?! smh.  It is just like any other job, and we expect at least some appreciation.  

If you are an artist, what is one of the most bizarre things a customer has said to you or asked for? 
If you fit in the 'customer' category, please feel free to give your opinion about this and if you shop with local artists in your area.

I feel extremely good about crafting! Doing my Henna to be exact (Or photography, and all the other crafty things I love). It honestly makes me feel SO good and I definitely see it getting somewhere in the near future. I just wish I focused more on it before but I had a lot to accomplish then. I guess it is all happening when its the right time! I don't know if it might seem weird, but deep down I feel so passionate about these things. I hope the passion shows in my work because every single piece I do, I make sure it satisfies ME 100% first.  If it touches my heart, then I feel good about passing it on to others (the things that I do sell).  If I had the money, I would definitely quit everything else and choose this as my career. With the nursing career I chose, I would like to try my best to squeeze the craft in somewhere. I refuse to leave it behind.


Here is an update of my new works =) 


Please give me some feedback, as it helps me decide which colors,designs,products are liked more! Thanks !! 


My new logo:

I finally managed to work on my website! I will be trying it for about a month and depending on how it goes I will either keep it or close it! Let me know what you guys think! Please =) I need some kind of feedback, I would appreciate it <3 


http://smhennadesigns.vpweb.com/

New projects!

So far I have been keeping up with my goals! Below, are pics of my new projects I've been working on. After going through SEVERAL glue seals, I finally found the right one! I've tried about 3-4 different seals, and finally with the right one I can bang out these crafts in a jiffy.

The first is a photo frame.

• Fits a 4x6 picture
• Wooden frame
• Decorated with Henna patterns 
• Sealed with a glossy and glittery finish

Second, A Jewelry box

• Wooden hinge box
• Decorated with Henna patterns
• It is unfinished, still working out the design in my head =) will post up pics of the finished box in a few days

Third, A candle

• Scented medium sized purple candle
• Decorated with Henna patterns
• Sealed with a glossy and glittery finish

The other 2 candles are not sealed with a finish yet, still working on it =) I have more exciting projects in my mind (hint: has to do with henna as well!)

If anyone would like these items customized with names/text, different sizes,colors,designs  please do let me know. They are great personalized gifts for birthdays,baby showers,weddings,centerpieces for events(candles), and almost everything! 

Spring 2012 Goals!

My goal for the next few weeks: 

• Organize a Henna Party! I'm deciding on a date to have a little henna picnic which will include henna, photo-shoots by me, and snacks! Deciding the location at the moment, most likely Central park or a park in New Jersey.  There will be a fee of only $5 per person to come to the picnic OR only $10 to get your henna and pictures.
• Focus on my Henna and Bangles page. This includes, coming up with new ideas to promote it, new items to put up, etc
• Work on some henna candle centerpieces for my friends baby shower
• Work on my website for the Henna page
• Have fun :D 

If anyone has any suggestions for a nice place (preferably somewhere with flowers and trees) Please do let me know as well as if you would like to be a part of the picnic!   

Greenport, NY Tall Ships Festival

I'm super excited and preparing to be a part of the Tall Ships Festival in Greenport, NY on Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-28)! 


It is basically a celebration of the Tall Ships coming to Greenport, and its focuses on the history of Tattoos & their significance during the war.  The celebration will also be about how Tattoos evolved from tribal rituals to today's mainstream.  There will henna tattoo artists, tattoo style arts & handicrafts, face painting, and much more! 


Here's the link for the Tall Ships Challenge: http://www.sailtraining.org/tallships/2012atlantic/index.php


Feel free to drop by and enjoy the celebration AND see me =) 

Something to keep me busy!

Along with many of my other passions (photography, henna, sewing, painting, drawing, scrap-booking) , jewelry making is one of them! I keep jumping back and fourth from all of these and always love to stay busy. For as long as I can remember, I've been a crafty person. Sadly, I've been slacking due to my busy schedule and trying to focus a little more on my BSN. 

Although my career goals are heading towards the Medical field, I cant imagine myself doing JUST that.  My long term goals are to be an awesome photographer and henna artist  and to do it professionally for parties, weddings, etc. and also to open up a shop and teach people! It wouldn't be bad to make money along the way (: 

One of my resolutions for this year is to get back to crafting, and I've been doing a pretty good job so far! 

I can honestly admit, that after last night while making some of the bracelets below, I had such a GOOD sleep.  It really made me feel relaxed and more passionate about my work. 

P.S. Don't forget to check it out on fb: 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002444010201&ref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/smhennadesigns