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Global Art, Music and The Old World

4/24/2020

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Hey there, 
We've decided to take the "extra time" available now that we are social distancing, and not popping up across the country, to share stories. Stories are how people learn best, in my opinion. I see it happen every time I hold a jewelry making class and share the stories of the various beads from across the globe. When we closed down our physical store, we received a lot of concerned messages about not being available as a resource that people could learn from in Noblesville. We did listen and we are working to share as many stories as possible online. So, the first person we interviewed is an artist whose work we've followed for years via Instagram and her name is Jasvir Panesar.  


LHo Team: How did you end up on this journey? Were there teachers, parental figures etc that endured you had access to the arts?
Jasvir: My mum is an artist, and I guess she passed it on to me..
I did O’level art (GCSE) I never took it seriously, the art teacher always threatened to throw me out of the window... because she knew I had potential, however being a teenager I had other things on my mind. I got an A in art without really trying.
I didn’t go to an art school or take my art any further because I had a lot going on personally, so I hate to admit but I wasted that time of my career life. I gave up art all together. I guess it was only after I had my daughter, I was home a lot and decided to pass my time painting, that’s when I started getting orders for portraits from my friends and family. Some paid and most wanted a freebie. ​I was approached by many people wanting my art for their projects or business ventures. I was naive and excited that my art would be showcased. Little did I know it was just a way to get my art for free. I have learnt a lot since and now I’m very cautious of how I let anyone use my artwork.

LHo Team: What places on earth do you call home?
Jasvir: I was born in London, UK, When I was three years old my parents decided to move back to Kenya. I grew up in Nairobi, returned to London when I was 22. Currently London is my home, but Kenya will always be my first home.
​
I love America. It's one of my homes, A lot of times though, living in America feels like having to "choose sides" because identity here is so race oriented. You can't just wake up in America when you are a minority. I can say that because it's a load I realize I'm lifting specifically as I prepare to travel back to various African nations with our customers. Once we are at the airport and especially when we are flying via an African airline, I feel my body relax and put the weight of my color, hair and accent down. It's not like the other parts of Africa I lived in. When you are a minority and you wake up in America, especially when people are not social distancing and sheltering in place, every morning feels like waking up, remembering you have color (or difference) to you and figuring out how to appropriately carry your color (difference) in an acceptable manner in between everything else you have to do that day. Yes, it's a daily thing just like brushing your teeth or taking a bath. For those of us at LHo who were not born or raised here, it feels like having to walk around with a load on your head and shoulders that no one else can sees you are carrying. Sometimes, you think you are safe because you are still in your neighbourhood until the neighbour's child sees you eating fruit and comments out loud about you being a monkey to his friends (loud enough for you to hear) when all you were doing was trying to get your vitamins for the day. Sharing some of these experiences became very important to me because I have a lot of treasured customers who come and discuss race, justice, global culture, women's rights, the struggles that their adopted children, who might be of another race, face with me. I have been invited to dinners where we had to discuss immigration because they felt I was the person they could safely have a conversation with in a manner that birth growth. I am grateful for everyone who trusts me enough to want to discuss these issues and grow from these discussions. I however noticed that not sharing my experiences or the experiences and voices of others was almost a robbery in a way. A lot of the people who gravitate to our organization want a better world. They want to be part of building that better world and they want their children and grandchildren to be part of that as well. For that reconciliation to take place, our truth has to be shared so there can be awareness and from that hopefully, healing. We specifically wanted to know what inspires Jasvir because she creates outside racial lines. Sharing her story is our way of sharing "another existence" or a world where color isn't always such a source for turmoil. I have shared with LHo Team members that I didn't know I had color until I got here in 2004. I learnt it in under two weeks of arriving in America. I cried so hard that day and vow I was going to work as hard as I could to never allow anyone to box me because I had "color to me". Jasvir represents The Old World I lived in. The one where we celebrated difference through acculturation and enculturation. The Old World where we tried to grow from difference instead of look for ways to shame or automatically judge others for not being like us. 

LHo Team: What inspires you?
Jasvir: I love colour, I’m mostly inspired when I’m around colour of any nature, be it skin, nature, wildlife or even jewellery (especially African jewellery) because it is so colourful and vibrant. I love watching other artists create, that really inspires me. I’ll be honest I’m quite a lazy girl but when I have an art idea I forget to eat!

 I love to paint various African skin tones.LHo Team: What advise would you give emerging artists that are discovering their process and path? 

Jasvir: Be patient with the process. Experiment every time you have the opportunity. Learn from other artists. Watch YouTube videos. Create everyday. Have fun with art. Keep going and never give up!

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LHo Team: Why does your art cover and cross various racial, cultural and/ or religious lines?
Jasvir: Because I grew up in Kenya, around so much culture and diversity. I was mesmerized by the colours of the Maasai Culture. I have every necklace, bracelet and bag from the Maasai Market (bags full)!! I love to paint various African skin tones.
I feel they have so much depth and history in them. They have the perfect features and such beautiful and colourful head wraps. I love colour as you can see from my Instagram feed. It’s all colour!

LHo Team: So what is the most expensive piece you’ve ever sold. Tell us about it and what was it? Do you have images of it?

Jasvir: I did a portrait of a couple married for 40 years a few years ago. I sold that for £250 as it was a very large painting and needed a lot of detail. I don’t have an image of it unfortunately.

LHo Team: Okay, what about your most beloved piece of art? Why is it precious to you?
Jasvir: It’s one I did recently of an African woman. It was an experiment, I was trying out a fluid art technique with a glue gun and the portrait on top. It turned out so beautiful and has over 80, 000 views on YouTube.

​LHo Team: Who would you like to work with art wise and/ or create a piece of art for?

Jasvir: I don’t really know of any particular artist, but I always dream of seeing my work on the international catwalk someday. May be Gucci might come across my work someday... I can dream... :)

LHo Team: Where can people buy your art? Do you offer virtual art lessons?

Jasvir: I don’t have a website yet, but people can check out my Facebook or Instagram page..contact me if they like anything. I also have a YouTube Channel where you can watch the process to most of my paintings.

LHo Team: Is there anything else you would like anyone that bumps into our blog to know? 
Jasvir: I’m a self taught artist and I learn more everyday. I create art that makes me happy and is full of colour. I’m a rebel, very moody but extremely friendly. Hit me up!!

​Supporting indie is not hard and doesn't always have to involve you spending money (especially if you are not in a position to do so). You can support indie businesses and artists by liking posts or letting your contacts know about various artists you might have bumped into while doing life, in case your contacts do want to shop. Please follow Jasvir on Instagram or subscribe to her YouTube channel. That's a way of supporting her too. Below is the video from Jasvir that got 80,000 views, a playlist from our intern Shem and some of our latest designs on Shoptiques that hail from Maasai Market or have beads that were sourced from there. If you would like to commission a piece from Jasvir, get in touch. She is all types of awesome!!! We'll put up another post once her work in available within the US. 

We wish you good vibes, peace, love and a great weekend!!
Hugs and kisses
​The LHo Team. 

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Mugs, Wine Glasses and Podcasts

2/11/2020

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So social media can lead to great connections and finds. Via Instagram, we recently bumped into From Coffee to Wine, a podcast produced in Indiana by Jacqueline Martinez. Jacqueline is based in Greenwood, Indiana. I loved that she was "local" (yes, we travel. However, there are certain cities and towns that will ALWAYS be home to us. Indy is one of those places. It was the first state we resided in when we moved to America in 2004).

I also liked the name of her podcast and her hashtag #LetsBeHuman.
I asked her for the top three things she does to stay true to this hashtag and this is what she had to share:
  1. Have a "serve first" mentality
  2. Listen first. Talk second (if at all)
  3. When I do share, I'm very real and go deep quickly
    ​
In 2020, let's spend more time being kind and being human as opposed to making sure we tick all the boxes to impress people we might not necessarily truly care for. Let's spend time with those we value, doing what makes us happy and makes the world a better place. Your mental health will thank you for this. 

I also thought it would be GREAT to feature her because she's holding both a cup and a wine glass. 

I did not know that we could sell as many mugs and wine glasses as we have until the end of 2019 rolled around. We're still shipping out mugs and wine glasses and for that we are grateful. We hope they are serving you well as you go from tea/ coffee to wine and back to tea/ coffee again. To shop any of the mugs or glasses, simply click on the image. 

​We also featured one of her podcasts where she discusses how the podcast was born. Whenever we embark on a project, a lot of us struggle with lining things up in the name of perfection when really, we just need to begin. Listening to her process might inspire you to begin or continue yours (irrespective of whatever it is you are embarking on or moving forward with). Her vulnerability (humanity... #LetsBeHuman) might just birth your strength. 

Cheers
​The LHo Team. 
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London Is Shopping LHo...

2/20/2017

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So of late we have had the pleasure of shipping to a lot of fun and unexpected places. For those who keep up with us on Instagram & Twitter, we are often sharing the in-betweens of being a
​global-oriented Small Biz, in Downtown Noblesville, Indiana that ships as much as we do. Some of the international destinations we have been shipping to include the U.K. Given this new wave of traffic and interest our Small Business is receiving, we decided to invite Laura Bloomer, a London native, to share a portion of her fashionable world  as a fashion-photographer and this is what she had to say (and film) in regards to planning a fashion shoot in this lovely city:   

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Picture courtesy of http://www.universal-tourguide.com
A Day On Set: 
Shooting Rooftop locations with French model Nora Azz,
Styled by Ellie Dickinson of Topshop.
       Hair/ Makeup and Photography by Laura Bloomer.    
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​London embodies grace and elegance. While being a busy
major city, that reality is easily forgotten by the never far lush greenery and sense of rich culture.

Today we have access to all this from our rooftop location
in St James Park, Central London. Our team
consists of French model Nora Azz and Stylist Ellie Dickinson (reigning from Topshop glory).
Photographer/ Hair and Makeup are done by yours truly, Laura Bloomer.



​I’m excited to invite you to the behind the scenes insights of what happens on a shoot! This first note is pretty common, and a life skill really! Success for today starts the day before. In other words – we need to ensure we are prepared! Some shoots will have months of planning beforehand; this will consist of:
  • Finding inspiration / building a concept
  • Looking up trends, what’s going on in the world currently.
  • Putting together a team of like-minded individuals, who can help bring the concept to life.
  • Sourcing models and clothing for the concept.
  • Sourcing a location.
  • Locking down a date that works for everyone.

Back to my shoot preparation, I pretty much like to leave NOTHING for the actual day except for me just turning up. In my preparation for a shoot day, I will make sure I have the following things done:
​
  • Text everyone to confirm the date/time/address of the venue. Make sure everyone has your contact details and that you have theirs. I like to send out a calendar invite as well.
  • Create a Pinterest board and add everyone to it. Start collecting inspiration shots.
  • I link models to my get shoot ready list (available here) as a baseline. Everyone has different expectations.
  • I’ve had a model show up with completely greasy hair once that could just not be saved. Had to do a wet-look.
  • All makeup brushes completely cleaned/dried at least 2 days before (to ensure they are properly dry). I use
  • Sards laundry soap to clean mine after EVERY time that I use them on someone. Makeup artists – once you use a brush on someone, you can’t use it again on someone else – it’s not fair. It can cause break outs at the very least or even give someone skin infections/cold sores if the previous model was unaware they had something developing. This is really important.
  • I always bring snacks in my kit haha. Lollies for sugar/ energy and maybe some crackers/fruit/nuts just to keep everyone calm. I know I sure as hell get grumpy when I’m hungry!
  • Full makeup kit packed and ready to go night before.
  • Full hair kit packed and ready to go night before.
  • Check that camera memory card is completely cleared + my back up one as well. Place both in my camera bag.
  • Check camera battery is fully charged + the back up one as well. Place both in camera bag.
  • Pack your mobile phone charger.
  • Download a music playlist to use on set. I like to have a chilled version + a hyped up version.
  • Research your travel plan to get to the venue (don’t be late!!)
  • Have your outfit for the day planned the night before (less stress on the day).

 On the day:
  • Never be late. It’s just rude to make everyone else wait for you.
  • If you have organised the shoot, do a coffee run and pay for it. I just think it’s a nice thing to do.
  • Ask everyone what time they will need to leave. You must be respectful of this and not run over. Ask the stylist how many looks they have and get an idea in your head about how long you can spend taking images of each look. No one likes running overtime, be efficient
  • Spend the first 15 minutes talking with the stylist and makeup artist, organising the looks so you can map out which to do first. It makes the most sense to shoot the looks that match a more natural makeup first, as then the makeup artist can build up the makeup as the shoot progresses – instead of having to start again.
  • Play some music! Fun/ light/ chill – it really sets the mood.
  • Be positive! Make it fun! Tell the model how amazing they look. Tell the stylist how great everything is. It will build their confidence and create even better results! 
Photography: Jonathan Jato. HMUA: Laura Bloomer
Model: Jeremy Moineau
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Kansas City: Here We Come!!

8/5/2016

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Happy Friday Small Biz Supporters,
Our boutique is on the road this weekend. We're headed to Kansas City, Kansas, for Taste Of Africa Fest. We hope to see you there and if you see us, come up and say hi & take a few selfies with our team. If you would like to partner with us for an event, do get in touch. 

We would also like to extend a hearty thank you to Mayor Mark Holland, Jackie Carlson of The Office of  Planning & Business Services & Elijah Njogu, Founder & CEO of Taste Of Africa Fest, Kansas City for inviting us back for a second year. Choosing to partner with a Small Business for such occasions is what strengthens Small Biz America. We truly appreciate the opportunity. 
#ShopSmallBiz
Smooches
LHO Team
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Fashion Icon: Papa Wemba

7/16/2016

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World Music Lovers
are still mourning; Papa Wemba is gone!! 

It's heading to about 2 month since he past on but there was so much to this man that I could not pass up an opportunity to pen about him and the recognition he brought to Congo. His pioneering blend of African, Cuban and Western sounds became one of Africa's most popular music styles. But you can’t talk about Papa Wemba without talking about 3 things:

​1) 
His very soft angelic Rumba voice that transcended age: Originally, the term rumba was used as a synonym in northern Cuba for "party".  However various forms of rumba spread globally. America had a version and so did Africa by the 1940s and it was the likes of Papa Wemba who helped introduced the world to Congolese-Rumba with hits like: Maria Valencia, Est-ce que, Show Me the Way  and my favorite Proclamation.  Regardless of how old you were his music transcended generations. I could watch videos from the 80s with my parents and my parents could watch his new stuff that he had released more recently with me. In fact even before his death there were all kinds of renditions of his songs. Alongside is one track that was a especially popular in East Africa. Rail on as done by Oliver & Maryam.  


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