The Wood Project

So... finally I started a project that has been in my thoughts and dreams for quite some time. Im happy to say I'm proud of the result. I just finished my first batch and soon will start working on the second, bolder, batch :)

I have been working with wood since I was a child. Having a dad as a carpenter gives you easy (and free) access to all kind of wood, nails, hammers, sandpaper... but most importantly those huge wood cutting machines. 

I haven't found a brand name for these yet. Perhaps it will be something on the lines of 'inspirational messages on wood' or simply 'wood signs'. I'm trying to brainstorm something more catchy to be honest :)

So first I started with text of my most adored quotes and simple designs.

Then I started putting in drawings. My favourite part is actually before I get to the drawing part. The wood treatment part. I wanted to give a vintage effect with prominent wood veins. It took a lot of sanding, both hand and machine, and colour application and drying waiting time. 

Then I did some mandalas and tried on some new background colours. 

Later I experimented with some photo transfer technique.
This technique opens up a new world of possibilities with these wood signs, as you can practically copy everything you want, as long as its printed on a piece of paper. The only downfall of the photo transfer is that it takes too long to dry.

One of the wood signs was made as an anniversary gift to my best friend Fiona and her husband James.
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And these are my absolute favourites.

The trick is always to do something that you love. And then work doesn't seem like work anymore, but a brilliant way to spend your time. You get immersed body, mind and soul into the thing you are doing and you tap into a zone where you are free of your daily worries and million thoughts... it's almost as if nothing else matters. 

Yes, I like it when I'm surrounded by a storm of ideas, strong winds of imagination and thunders of inspiration.

It definitely brings out the best of me <3

Stay tuned :)

Boho Dream Catchers

According to Konrad J. Kaweczynski, "Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through a dream catcher... Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day. While good dreams would pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper."

This is a giant dream catcher - the circle is an actual hoola hoop. It has over 40 feathers, 30 beads and 20 charms. It is the very first dream catcher, handmade by Bohemia. It was done on commission for a customer and themed with his bedroom's colour scheme. 

But to pay due to the name Bohemia, we had to do some real Boho dream catchers.

Here are the first we made ... 

These are not the traditional, native american dream catchers. Instead of the net they have a mandala made of lace. Along with beads and feathers, they are also have string, lace and several charms. 

The entire embellishment is of organic material; wood, horn, coconut, feathers of non-endangered species and strings of hemp and organic cotton. 

They are 20cms in diameter and some are as 90cms long. 

If you would like to order your own dream catcher, contact Bohemia.

www.facebook.com/bohemiamalta

<3

From the Herbs of the Himalayas

I feel pretty comfortable when I say that all the travelers who have been in India have at one time or another came across, tried, and loved a product from Himalaya. 
Not only they are inexpensive, herbal and organic, but they also smell divinely nice!

I have personally made my wonderful discovery of Neem through their products. Neem is a tree and its leaves, fruit and seeds contain an incredible variety of healing properties. Women in India have used neem for over 4000 years. One of its greatest properties is skin care. But neem is also antiviral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. 

The new WELLNESS SECTION at Bohemia

Himalaya Herbals is the first brand that makes it to the Wellness Section at our shop.
The range consists of shampoo, conditioner, face mask, face wash gel, face scrub, face foaming gel, multi-purpose cream, dental cream, eye make up remover, hand soap, moisturizer, body lotion, lip balm, anti-wrinkle cream and hand cream. 

We love Himalaya Herbals not only for the wonderful products they produce, but also for their corporate philosophies. These are:

Himalaya's herbs are organically grown. We follow inernational Good Agriculture Practices in the cultivation of our herbs. In fact, we go beyond GAP rules, which permit use of synthetic fertilizers in very small quantities. Himalaya stays away from using any form of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in its farming. We like our herbs to be grown in an eco-sensitive way so that we protect the earth and harvest herbs with all its natural goodness.

To protect herbs from insect and pest attack, we make use of prophylactic sprays like Neem Oil. This acts like a natural insect repellant. It is sprayed on the plants at least 45 days before harvest, so that when the herb is harvested there is no residue of Neem oil.

Himalaya opposes animal testing. Cosmetic products should never be tested on animals. There is no way to justify pain for profit. The notion that a cream or lotion which makes us look and feel good, has been developed by testing on animals is sad and in this day of scientific progress, absolutely unacceptable.

None of the Himalaya Herbals cosmetic India products are tested on animals and they never will be.

We Respect Life. All life.

Sustainability for Himalaya is about protecting the planet so that we can secure our future and the future of our children.

At Himalaya, we make sure that collection of herbs is done on a sustainable basis. The 'pedigree' of the herb, which shows its availability, region where it is present, quantity and other details of its history, is tracked and recorded, to ensure that there is no excessive collection. Farmers are trained in sustainable harvesting and local conservation, thus making them active participants in securing their environmental and economic future.

Himalaya's vision of development is holistic. We believe it is important to invest in the community. Our profits allow us to make deeper and more meaningful investments in the communities in which we operate. 
We have initiated several contract farming programs to source ingredients and herbs from small and marginal farmers. Our philosophy is to economically empower local communities in a way that transforms them into active participants in the process of development. Many contract farming programs focus on generating employment for women.

The Natty Workshop at Freedom Fighters Reggae Gathering

Keep Calm And Get Dreadlocks Malta were invited to host a Dreadlocks workshop at this event; Freedom Fighters Reggae Gathering, held at Razzett L-Ahmar, in Mosta.

It was a fantastic event, with other workshops and activities going on including a short documentary, a Healthy Living talk, a poi workshop and then of course Raggae music!

Some shots from the Natty Workshop.

The location of the workshop was an ideal shanti cozy corner, outdoors yet protected from the wind and the cold.

Our friend and client, James aka Salted Dread, during his sound check.

And last but not least, thank you Matthew & Francesco, aka Freedom Fighters!

New project for Nepal

Maya Universe Academy is a school in rural Nepal where the parents give time instead of money in exchange for their children’s education. This innovative funding method allow parents to work at the school for two days every month instead of paying money. During these days, parents work to produce agricultural and handicraft products. One of these are these beautiful bracelets that are made with real gemstones hand carved by them.

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Each bracelets cost €16, and they come with a colourful postcard depicting the children themselves.

There are many opportunities for volunteers at Maya Universe Academy. The school provides food and accommodation to volunteers who commit themselves for at least 5 months. Short term volunteers and guests and charged only 10USD per day for their stay. It is a once in a lifetime experience and we encourage all those who can to try it. 

Some volunteers have had this wonderful idea of taking professional photos of the bracelets and create a website so that they can increase the exposure. 

For more information visit

https://www.facebook.com/maya.universe.academy.nepal

Pay It Forward - Nepal

This is a group picture of 32 children from a poor village in Chitwan, Nepal. Each of them just received new school stationery including books, copybooks, pencils, erasers, a woolen hat and some biscuits.

This was a project entitled 'Pay-It-Forward Nepal', and it was done in collaboration with Bohemia, our dreadlock salon.

The term ‘Pay It Forward’ is an expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed of repaying proceeds to others instead of the original benefactor.

This project took place from May to October 2015. Through this initiative, customers and friends were encouraged to donate pieces of jewelry that they do not want anymore, and were put up for sale to other customers. People who were interested in buying this second hand jewelry were free to place their own price from €1 to €5.

“Luckily my family and friends were not affected by the earthquake, but friends of friends were. As it is my country, I felt I need to do something to help”, said Nakul Gautam, the owner of Bohemia.

To buttress his point, he said, “In 5 months we collected 70 euros, which we topped up to 100. Perhaps in Malta it might not seem to be a large sum, but in Nepal it becomes a meaningful sum in a poor jungle village. The money was used to buy new school books, erasers, pencils, biscuits and woolen hats for 32 children in a small jungle village of Chitwan, 5 hours trek from Shaktikhor.