Email from Chelsey Smith

I received an email from Naturally Beautiful Hair blog reader, Chelsey Smith. Chelsey is a model and loves her natural hair.
"Hi my name is Chelsey Smith, I reside in New Orleans, LA. Currently I attend University of New Orleans where I am a junior, and lovin it. I love being Natural, which I have been for a year, I feel it brings out the beauty in  my true beauty. I'm striving to break into the industry of modeling and also modeling for natural hair."

Featured Reader - Ms. Bar B

I love Barbara's (aka -Ms. Bar B) hair cut, and what a beautiful smile! Also, see a photo below of her and lovely daughter.

Jewelry by Rocquelle

I love my new necklace!! The front of it is cute with the pearl and chain combination. It's dressy enough to wear to work, but would also be cute with a cocktail dress. I also love the back, with the animal print ribbon. Just a touch of naughty and nice! Great combination... ;-).

This necklace was created by a Jewelry designer by the name of Rocquelle. Here is more about Rocquelle, her contact information and where you can see more about her and her jewelry line.

I am a 24 year old fashionista, stylist, closet auditor, crafty d.i.y.er (my made up word, lol) and philanthropist from Houston, TX. When I am not working in the fashion arena, you will find me in the schools as an Community Outreach Associate for Girl Scouts, or spending time with my family and my awesome Babe! After experimenting with creating jewelry and accessories from a variety of sources to rave reviews, I decided to turn my hobby into a business venture, Eclectically Feminine Jewelry and Accessories! I love all things feminine (I am very much a girly-girl) and lovely,especially pearls, which is evident in my eclectic yet feminine designs.

Rocquelle also creates custom pieces. So if you have something in mind, email her the details of what you want. You can read more about her at Eclectically Feminine or you can email her at eclecticallyfeminine@gmail.com.

Need A Voice? Co-Write!

Want to share advice, information, your journey, pictures, art, poems or more?!? I am looking to expand the knowledge that is shared on this blog. If you have a story to share, but are to busy to create your own blog, you can have your story published here with full credit to you. You can also submit information as an anonymous writer if privacy is important to you. If you would like to have a piece written by you, published on this blog, email me at naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com with your submission and include any related photos and or links.

Featured Reader - Valaira Sa-Ra Smith

This weeks featured reader is multi-talented Valaira Sa-Ra Smith. Valaira was born in Bronx, New York City of West Indian decent and currently reside in Atlanta. Georgia. She is a model, actress, entrepreneur, trained dancer, songwriter and a vocalist.

ABOUT GOING NATURAL

““I have been natural for 2 years now. My husband and my soul-mate-sister were my inspiration for going natural. I have always had thick wavy hair. I was getting relaxers every six months, to relax the waves. My husband and soul-mate-sister would tell me that I did not need a relaxer, so I decided to make the transition in 2007. I did not do the Big Chop, but transitioned by doing braid outs, twist outs and pony puffs. I have also become a product junkie trying to figure out which products works best with my hair type. Right now, I am loving Carol’s Daughter’s Hair Milk for moisture and Lisa’s Hair Elixir for a healthy scalp. I also like Miss Jessies products, but they are a little on the pricey side.

Today I am finally at one with my natural hair and am planning a natural hair meet-up in Atlanta with a sister who was also my inspiration on youtube. I utilized sites such as Naturally Beautiful Hair, Urban Curlz, Mane and Chic and many more for styles, inspiration, tips, and Advice. Today I am still utilizing these sites because I love learning something new everyday and am having fun getting to know my hair!"

Featured Reader - Natty

Natty contacted me a while back, and I was very impressed by her blog. She is a designer who crochets and creates various crafts. I asked her a few questions, and here's what she had to say:

1. How did you learn to crochet? Today its very easy to learn crochet/tricot, the world of Internet brought us that blessing. I first learned the basics from my family (grandmother and mother) but the Internet is where I most learned and where I learned to expand my creations into "modern" creations. I read blogs, participate in google groups and watch youtube videos. There is teaching in every language, from the Latin and German languages, to the Arabic and Russian. For English speakers here is a start and I cannot forget to mention my first online teacher Elaine Crochê (Portuguese).

2. How do you decide what you are going to make? Well it is hard I confess... I have a list of things I want to make and I try to start on the things I need for me at that moment. Now that its summer, I tend to make more bikinis and tops in terms of clothing.

3. Do you sell your items? Or make custom orders? I sell my items, but they are custom made because I don't enjoy that factory feel of making the same product over and over again. And this is an advantage for the people who buy from me because I do it especially for them. I don't use patterns as a sure thing, I try to adapt the design with and to the client and try to make every piece special.

4. What part of the world do you live in? I live in Portugal, which is a country in the southwest Europe. We form a peninsula with Spain - Iberia Peninsula. So to North and East we have Spain, on the South the Atlantic (and Morocco’s) and to West is the Atlantic again. We also have two sets of islands - Açores and Madeira.


5. How has your culture or environment influence your creativity? I guess I am a mix of many cultures that my country has. Portugal has been under the power of the Arabs, Romans, Celts, Spain and others - all those cultures left their legacy here. We cannot forget the role that Portugal had during the "Conquer of the Seas" during the XV century and of course our African/Asian colonies. In my works I try to show myself as the citizen of the world that I am and not just Portuguese, even tough I love and embrace my nest. My biggest influences comes from Africa, I have a heart connection to Mother Africa ever since I was born (my mother says so). My family is a big influence as well. Both my great grandmas made loom work, crochet and other crafts. One of my grandma’s hand-made jewelry and the other is a seamstress, who crochets and does beautiful traditional Portuguese rugs - Tapetes de Arraiolos. I guess it's genetic as well!

To read more about Natty, check out her blog at Natty Crafts. The blog is in the Portuguese language. For assistance with translation, go here. She has also been featured on the Naturally Beautiful Hair Website: Reader Appreciation & Style page.

Reader Question For You!

I received an email question from a Naturally Beautiful Hair blog reader, by the name of Sheena. She would like to ask you all some advice. Here is her email:

"I have been natural now for 4 Years, and about a year ago I decided to lock up my hair. I have been doing research, reading blogs, watching videos, learning, learning and learning, and I am sooooooooo ELATED that I have found your site, glorifying something that means so much to me that a lot of African American women and society turn their noses down to. I love my natural hair and I LOVE your site for giving me a place that gives me soooo much information and connects me with other natural women that may have experienced or are experiencing some of the trials that I have went through and currently going through. I don’t want to make this too lengthy because I know I could gush on and on about how happy I am to have found your site."

Sheena's Questions:

"My reason for reaching out to you, is to see if other natural woman have any tips on taking care of their children’s natural hair. My daughter’s hair coils are not as tight as mine’s, her hair is extremely soft. I find her hair ripping out anytime I take her little ponytails out. Her hair is soft and wavy but it becomes very dry as well and I’m not sure what I can put in it to prevent breakage, and keep it moisturized. I would like to stick to all natural products. I currently re-twist and style my locs w/pure Shea butter and a natural oil, but it is not effective in my daughter’s hair. What else should I try? What other ways should I style her hair to prevent ripping?Attached are a few pics of myself and my daughter!!!Thank you soooo much for your time."

To give Sheena your advice, email her directly at SHector@kaplan.edu, or reply to this post with your comment.

Loc "Bun-Hawk" from Shianna

Naturally Beautiful Hair blog reader, Shianna, sent me an email surprise... She read a previous post on creating a Loc Bunhawk, and gave it a try.
Thumbs up Shianna!

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**If you have a cute style, in any hair texture, that you want to share on this blog, email it to naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com. And request that your style be posted as a featured readers hair style.

Featured Reader - Shainna

Featured reader Shainna sent me some lovely pictures, showing off her cute loc style. Love the curls! To see more about Shainna, go to her website and or see her video journey here.

Interveiw with Angela + Cute video!

I saw this really great video of Angela (below), doing a creative and cute hair tutorial video - and it came out great. Love the music, personality and the way she put it together. I contacted Angela, and she agreed to do an interview for NBH Blog.

1. What is creativity? Feeling free enough and comfortable enough to go outside of the box. Being innovative and not being unafraid to do something different to make a statement.
   
2. How do you express yourself through art? I express myself through crocheting mostly. I paint and draw occasionally too.
3. How long have you been Natural? I have been proudly sporting locs for two years as of June 8th 2009!
   
4. What's been the low and highs of your natural journey with loc'd hair? The abs worst thing about having dreads was the 1st 7 or 8 months when they were new. Maintaining them and babying them for that long was a pain, but it was well worth it after! The best part about them are they are beautiful, and fun. AND they're the easiest hair i've ever had! (minus the 1st several months). - :D♥OH

Poetry from Als Simmons

Thank you Als for submitting your poetry and for this peaceful photo. Look below her photo, to read her poem - Stripped down like Nature

Me
Stripped down like nature
To the naked depths
And makeup-less core
Imperfections revealed
Scars of Life
Birth and Death
Celebrated

My roots have been planted
Deep within every crevice
Of the Earth’s floor
My Life has become
Part of Life’s Lore
I’ve been
Stripped down like nature

My Self-consciousness
Exposed
Only to realise
My doubts make me human
Rough edges and random quirks
Transforms to uniqueness
Stripped down like nature
Silence is revealing

I am me
Only one
Stripped down like nature
Changing like the seasons
By the many actions and externalities
Transformed but not lost
Aged yet still youthful
Moulded to the will of the transparent

Fate I believe
Altered and shaken
Renewed never crushed
Stripped down like nature
My Identity
Where I’ve come from
Where I’m going
Strengthened by will not might
Secure

Stripped down like nature
Uncovered
By the wisdom of living
Contained by the traditions
Of unknown mysteries and
Acknowledged belief
Cloaked by a thousand prayers
And endless whisperings

My nakedness touching
Pressing on bare earth
My arms
Stroked by subtle trees
And the delicate branches
Of conviction
My essence is caressed by the
Eternal wind of Faith
Stripped down like nature
I am me and me is One

14th April, 2009

- from Als Simmons
Her blog: Theories of Anything

Lobster Tail Style from Kalia

Kalia shared this amazing sisterloc style, on her blog Kalia-dewdrop. She did a modeling job and had to create her own look for the show, and came up with the "Lobster Tail" look. Read here to see how she put this look together:Lobster Tail on the Runway.

Kalia's Siserlock's

I have always been very curious about sisterlock's. I have all these questions, like how do you keep them from joining together? Is the maintenance much different then loc's? It is expensive to have a sisterlock specialist maintain your hair? How long does it take to tighten each sisterlock? etc...

I really admire the style, and think its very beautiful. If you also have these or other questions, please check out Kalia's blog Kalia-dewdrop's blog where she has information on her experience with Sisterlocks.