Aquababie Handmade

Posted Under: interviews, products

Sometimes you never know what people are up to, especially fellow bloggers. But I pride myself on being on the case. When I visited Aquababie’s site and she said that she had a new venture I wanted to interview her because I love supporting people! So, let me introduce her new venture Aquababie Handmade! Here’s what you’re about to venture into and much more…meaning don’t forget to check out the bath and body products and the gift sets!

Describe your passions about what you do.

I absolutely love creating with my hands. When I first began creating, a chord struck in me and I was instantly hooked. Now I stay up hours at a time totally caught up. I feel a little bit of me goes in every piece of jewelry or every scrub I make. Hopefully my passion for my art comes through in my work. The highest compliment to me is seeing a repeat customer or someone telling me that they love my work.

How did you become interested into bath and body? jewelry?

I’ve always been a hands-on type of girl. Growing up I asked for dolls, tea sets and chemistry sets. I can say that both my crafts started off as hobbies only. In reference to the bath products, I’ve always loved to indulge and pamper myself. I think most women do. And being the experimentalist I am, I decided to try my hand at making products for personal use. I found information online and I read books. I would give products to my friends and family. After a time, folk would ask me about selling the products. I considered if I really could do this and in 2002, my bath line Aqua Essentials was created. I created the blends myself by pouring through books about aromatherapy and its effect on the body, mind and spirit. That’s how I decided on the scents and it’s been full steam ahead since then.

The jewelry started as a personal challenge. I would go to fairs and festivals, always bringing home a little something. In 2004, I purchased the cutest memory wrap necklace. I got it home, looked at it and decided I was going to make one of my own. I took a visit to a local bead shop and I was immediately hooked. I would make pieces for my mom and myself. When folk began purchasing the pieces right from my neck, I thought I might have a little something going!

What was the impetus for the creation of your site?

I’ve been doing both my bath products and jewelry simultaneously since 2004, but I haven’t been able to have them on one site. Each one is different. With the bath products, they’re pretty constant. I have the same types of products. I’ve had an existing site since 2003. But the jewelry is totally different. Within a week, I might have produced several pieces of jewelry. I resorted to using my jewelry blog as a primary selling place. I realized earlier this year, I really needed more of a storefront website, where both aspects of my crafting life could be showcased equally. I also had to find a way where I could have the control to update the website as needed. I took it upon myself to redesign my website and the result is the recently relaunched Aquababie Handmade website.

How do you balance your creative side with the rest of your life?

Sometimes it can be tough to make sure I get to play with my crafts. I work full time as a chemist. I also teach yoga. Crafting acts as my relaxation. I try my hardest to interweave all aspects of my life together. While I’m at my regular job, I’m thinking about what I can do with something I was working on the night before. And if an idea pops into my head, I always write it down then and there. I’m always afraid I might lose it. And it also helps to have someone in your life who understands when you need to feed your creative monster.

What’s your creative process?

I have my own space in my home dedicated strictly to creation. I have specific areas in my studio for my jewelry and bath products. When I’m creating a new piece of jewelry, I try to think what type of woman would wear this. Would I wear it? Sometimes I will see some beads and instantly picture what I can do with them. Sometimes I buy what I’m drawn most to. They might just be sitting on my shelf until the moment is right. I’m a confessed beadaholic, so I have so much to choose from. I might string something, hold it up and and see it isn’t going where I thought. I just start over. It’s just part of my process. I also love finding something old and fabulous at a flea market or junk store, dismantling it and creates something fresh from it. Right now I’m also working with polymer clay which is opening up endless creative possibilities!

When I come up with the idea for a product or a new scent, it goes through some trial and error. For me this just like chemistry. In creating bath products, it helps to keep meticulous notes. I keep a binder full of my scents and product recipes, plus information for new things I would like to try. I have to try it out on myself first. I also solicit friends and family to be product testers and I seek honest feedback. That’s the only way I know my customers will be satisfied.

Lastly and the most important, I crank up my music and just have fun!

Don’t forget to visit Aquababie Handmade today. All visitors of Princess Dominique Dishes Pop Culture receive 10% off total purchase until September 30, 2008 by using code: AQUA.

The Candid Interview Excerpt

Posted Under: interviews

In the interim of praying for something to happen that will allow comments, I thought I’d post an excerpt of the candid interview that is currently on my LindaDominiqueGrosvenor.com website:

Why did you start Princess Dominique Multimedia?

“I’ve offered my talent to more than just a few companies, but with no stake in the companies other than the modest royalties and the advance that ranged from very skimpy to none at all, I was led to implement a long-overdue idea–Princess Dominique Multimedia.”

How has the reception to The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate been so far?

There are people who support me no matter what I do, be it poetry, fiction or non-fiction. At times they appeared to be more excited about the project than I did. Then the pre-orders started coming. I started getting calls and emailing telling me to “hurry up” or asking, “what’s taking so long?” so, once the book was finally available, word spread pretty quickly and it appears that The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate was well received. It is moments like that that truly make me proud to be an author.

How come all of your books aren’t featured on your website?

Sadly, I’ve severed contact with several publishers who have published some of my earlier works, so, I no longer promote the books they’ve released on my website. I have to wholeheartedly buy into the way a company does business to support them and I can no longer do that with all of them.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Oddly enough I only listen to music when I’m writing a love scene or trying to evoke a sensuous episode between two characters. Maxwell, Floetry or Kem is perfect for that. The music makes the moment come alive for me and I can visualize it all in my head, then my job is to just hurry and get it down on paper before I miss it. When I write, unless my characters are in a cafe or nightclub the scenes are often devoid of music as I’d rather fill them with everyday sounds like car horns, barking dogs, ringing telephones and doorbells. That’s more realistic to me than stark silence.

What won’t you give up no matter what your age?

Laughter. It keeps me young. Nobody believes how old I am.

Are there any authors who inspire you? What else inspires you?

I absolutely love Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street–vignettes are my favorite. I’m a fan of Sanchez, Pablo Neruda and Carlos Fuentes for obvious reasons. When writers write, their words should always paint a picture like that. Music does it for me. Nature inspires me as well; trees, grass and that sort of thing. When I write a book it is an invitation to come inside the world of my characters. I take that very seriously. I urge my readers to approach my books with an open mind and not expect the “traditional” kind of story because I know that oftentimes my characters’ world is nothing like their own. It’s my job as a writer to transport you with each page and if you read my books and feel like you’ve been there, then I’ve done that.

What do you think of society as a whole?

People routinely die to be beautiful and live to be vain. I mean they are literally dying on operating room tables because they want plastic surgery to look like some woman in a magazine who–minus the air brushing and PhotoShop manipulation–doesn’t even look like her true self. I don’t think its wrong to want to look your best or enjoy nice things–especially since you can’t take them with you, but you also have to make certain that in your wanting and desiring beauty and things that they don’t in fact become your god.

Do you mentor other writers or aspiring writers?

Very few.

If you could offer one single piece of advice to aspiring writers what would that be?

Learn the craft of writing. Don’t be swayed by a flash in the pan or dollar signs and promises of multi-book deals if you write in a particular genre. The industry is fickle and ever changing. Simply write the best book you can. Writing good books is work, but if you put in the work and dedication it takes to turn out a well-crafted product, readers will know and you’ll have fans for life.

It appears as if you like to play dress up, is there something we should know about that?

Well, you should know that I like to have fun and dressing up and wearing high heels is fun for me now. I’m enjoying the make-up and the hair aspect of it and I appreciate my body so much more now than I did when I was twenty. I can truly say that I’m living the glamorous life. It hasn’t always been that way, but it is now–so I’m enjoying it to the fullest.

Aside from your make up, what are your essentials for a night out?

A CD of my favorite lovelies; Maxwell, Floetry or Kem, preferably–to set the mood. High heels, very high. Lavender or tangerine oil for my hair, Eclipse mints for that kissable freshness and a fruity body lotion and lip gloss too.

If you could go back and speak to your 25 year old self what would you tell her?

Leave those pretty boys alone–and stop trying to save every emotionally unstable man you run across–turn them over to God and let Him deal with them because they’re so bruised they’ll never see your truth worth anyway.

I’ve heard about all the negativity that goes on in this industry, what are your thoughts about that?

It goes on in every industry. My prayers are for everyone who needs a life, to get a life.

When all is said and done what do you want people to say about Linda Dominique Grosvenor?

Whatever they want.

When you meet God at the pearly gates what do you expect He’ll say to you?

Daughter, it was rough, I know and I’m glad you made it spiritually intact, but no you can not bring all those shoes.

Log on to the official website to read the candid interview in its entirety.

Princess Dominique Interviews Nneka Hurley Handbags

Posted Under: fashion, interviews

Nneka Hurley birthed her handbag business in 2005. She says she officially started the handbag line while living in Philly. Nneka says that her handbags and clutches really speak to the trendsetting woman and they work well with your daytime looks as well as your hot evening looks. Keyshia Cole, Vivica Foxx, Eve and Angel of Concrete Loop all agree. Although she’s probably up to her ears in fabric, Nneka took a minute to answer a few questions for Princess Dominique Dishes Pop Culture, because we love her stuff and you know we have just got to know more.

Nneka your bags are everywhere. We’ve seen everybody from Eve to Top Model Bre rocking your clutches. What inspired you to launch a business making handbags?

In 2005, while out fabric shopping, I was inspired by a funky print and decided to make a small bag out of it. After receiving several compliments, I made ten more bags and ended up selling them all in one weekend. It was then I had my “Ah-hah” moment. I stepped out on faith and Nneka Hurley Handbags was born.

I’m certain that as a business woman you are proud to see anybody thrilled enough to polish up their outfit with a Nneka Hurley Handbag, but who would you ultimately love to see sporting one of your designs?

Sarah Jessica Parker, Oprah, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Halle Berry, Kelis …. the list just goes on and on.

You said funky prints and unique fabrics inspire you, what else inspires you and how do you settle on a name for your bag designs?

Everything inspires me from music to fashion to my culture. To name the bags — I just brainstorm all the things I think of when I look at it. Sometimes I have a theme. Like my Fall/Winter line were all the middle names of friends.

What is the most popular bag you’ve produced? What is price range of your bags and will they be available in stores?

The most popular bag has been the Lynette Bag. The price range is currently $85 to $195. They are presently available by request online but they will be in stores soon.

I’ve got a Lynette Clutch on order and it’s my favorite design out of them all. Would you be willing to or have you ever custom designed a bag for a customer?

Currently, I don’t do many custom orders.

What does faith play in how you run your business? And where do you see Nneka Hurley Handbags in the next three years?

Faith plays a HUGE role in my life and my business. Its what motivates me to pursue my dream. I’m a firm believer that without my faith in God, I would be nowhere. I am thankful that I am able to do something I absolutely love to do, but its not always smooth sailing. You have to pair that faith with hard work and there are days you get discouraged, days you second guess yourself, days that you are just simply tired (especially still having a full time job). Thats when real faith and passion come into play. Its also the reason I now include a note of inspiration in each bag. I feel it adds a special touch and offers my customers a small piece of the faith that has kept me going.

Next month, I will be launching my Spring/Summer 08 line and I’m very excited about that. It includes bright colors, bold prints, and over-sized styles. Over the next three years, I look forward to making my mark in the industry as well as extending my line to leather goods, diaper bags, and travel luggage. I hope to have my bags available all across the country.

You can visit Nneka Hurley Handbags at: nnekahurley.com or log on to her Myspace page at: myspace.com/bagsbynneka.

The Black and Married with Kids Interview

Posted Under: interviews, technology

What inspired Black and Married with Kids?

We wanted to provide a positive face for black families with a mother and father in the household. We didn’t feel like that was being represented enough.

Who runs the site? Do your children have any input?

Just the two of us, the kids don’t really have any input other than giving us material to write about without knowing it, ha ha.

Do you find that black men and women who don’t have children frequent your site as well as singles?

Definitely, I think it’s a pretty good mix of people that are single and married, with or without kids. Our single readers have a lot to add to our conversations, especially concerning relationships and sometimes they provide questions to us that they want us to present to our married readers to get feedback.

Your site does very friendly movie reviews. Do you have any plans to include books?

In the future we plan to expand beyond movies and music to books, plays, events etc…

What is the weirdest thing or question you’ve encountered running the site so far?

All of the questions have been really good but what probably surprised us the most was the response we got to a user question about why married couples don’t wear rings. We thought it would be a post that didn’t generate much discussion but actually it turned out being a hot topic.

What do you find are some of the most popular features on your site?

Definitely the relationship talk. People can’t get enough of it. Some of the topics we’ve covered are how long is too long to date if you want to
get married, why are there so many single black females, beware of advice, and what to do when no one agrees with your relationship.

Are there any plans to feature a couple of the month or run contests for visitors?

You must be a mind reader! Actually we’re starting that feature this month and will do at least one couple a month. When we first started that was one of the main things we wanted to do, show that there are plenty of successful black couples contrary to what you see and hear about us as a people.

I love how you cover politics, entertainment and deal with relationships. It’s a wonderful mix. Are there any plans to add other categories?

As topics come up we add them, the site is flexible and we want to talk about what’s on the mind of people that are black and married with kids. Sometimes, that’s politics, parenting or relationships and sometimes it’s as simple as if I only have a babysitter for one night, what movie do I want to see and is it worth me dropping twenty bucks a piece on the tickets?

What do you feel are the major benefits that visitors will acquire coming to your site?

We think they’ll get a good perspective of a real couple. We’re not perfect but we are in love and we do love our children. We’re living life
day by day and not taking anything for granted and we want to share that.

What do you say to those who say that you’ve alienated those of non-African American descent?

Most of our topics are not necessarily race specific and we think anyone can learn and identify with a lot of the issues we discuss. But we do want stress that the Black family is still alive and kicking. If we don’t who will?

Thanks to the two of you for a very interesting interview.

Visit Married and Black with Kids at www.MarriedandBlackwithKids.com.

Black Women are Leaving Myspace and Joining Rich Black Girls

Posted Under: interviews, technology

Black Women are Leaving Myspace and Joining Rich Black Girls. Professional Black Women and College students prefer Rich Black Girls because the members aren’t just collecting social contacts without benefiting from it. “In no way, shape or form does the site attempt to duplicate Myspace. The design isn’t like myspace, the method of contact isn’t like myspace. We believe that the style of our site is even better than Myspace, truthfully,” Tina Crawford explains. “I hope that I don’t put any one off by this statement, but there is absolutely no comparison.” Rich Black Girls has members who are in some of the most powerful organizations in the nation, if not the world. Princess Dominique wanted to dish a little technology culture and caught up with a rep for a mini-interview.

1. Why RichBlackGirls.com when there are already sites like Myspace, Facebook and Hi5?

Facebook nor Myspace offer the resources that we offer to our demographic: Black Women. Facebook and Myspace are sites that are very valuable to musicians and college students who want to “shoot the breeze” and socialize. However, there was no place for a Black woman who would like to empower herself, her community and so forth. Let’s face it, we have 2 strikes against us in this society: Black and a Woman. We want to level out the playing field by creating a space where Black women can connect and share resources, networking tips, business ideas, and etc.

Myspace and Facebook and Hi5 are so random. You can stay on there for hours at a time, and really accomplish nothing but decorating a profile and adding friends, many of which you more than likely will never meet. Rich Black Girls does not try to be a duplicate or replica of these already established brands. Our database is a membership database, not a social networking site. It offers our members to view “virtual business cards”, business listings, deals, job postings and etc, and industry help for our demographic. It isn’t a site where you spend hours at a time getting sucked in, and not accomplishing anything. It has a direct purpose and goal. And that goal is to empower Black women, and to connect those who are already powerful with one another. Anyone can join Facebook, anyone can join Myspace, there are no criterias that would distinguish someone who was serious about business development, community development, personal advancement vs. someone who just wants to chit chat all day.

2. Why is there a fee to join and what are some of the benefits of paying to join a networking group like RichBlackGirls.com?

There is a fee because we offer services that no other community does:

-Classes/Seminars
-Industry Articles
-Scholarships/Grant Information
-Investment Info
-Deals
-Meet and Greet offline
-The ability to Bid on other member’s projects
-Consistent Empowerment
-Audio Magazine
-Members can list their businesses and projects in our classified section
-We offer promotion for the business owner, mentors for the college student, and connections for the Black elite socialites

Other sites that have fees are $19.99 for Meet up, $1,000 for Women Launch, we believe we are very competitive, especially with all the content we provide. We also realize that not everyone can afford to subscribe, and to us that is a good thing. We only want to appeal to a certain demographic: Black women who can and will invest in their own self improvement.

3. Where do you hope to see RichBlackGirls.com in the next few years?

We have plans on visiting college campuses to interact and create leadership workshops for Black women. We are launching a television platform in the near future. Overall, we really don’t want or need “all the big publicity”, we just want those Black women who would like to connect with other Black women in power to do so. We plan on having a National Conference in the next couple of years, and we are excited about that.

We would like to thank you, and your publication. We think that you have a fabulous site, and will be telling the members about your blog.