Create-Your-Own Bajidoo Bangle Kits!

I am sooooo excited about this new product! You all know what a huge fan I am of Bajidoo Bangles, right? Well Brenda, of Bajidoo Art, has created these kits so you can make your own Bajidoo bangle using HER Bajidoo art! Seriously!

You don't have to have the slightest artistic ability to create a gorgeous Bajidoo bangle, and best of all, it's easy!

I was lucky enough to get one of the very first test kits and look what I made! In less than an hour! I can't wait to do another one. It'll be even better!

What a fantastic gift these will make! A true piece of wearable art that anyone would be delighted to wear, yet you also get to make it yourself, and at a great price!

There are 5 kits to choose from, each with different art, "Henna Fusion," "Regal Feline," "Roses and Ravens (Urban Goth)," "The Debutante", and "The Princess of the Dune (Tribal henna Fusion)". Get multiple kits and mix and match the artwork!

Kits will be available at the store starting Wednesday for only $19.99!

Want to see it in action? We are delighted to host Brenda of Bajidoo Art for a bangle making demo here at the store!

What: Create-Your-Own Bajidoo Bangle Demo Workshop
When: 2nd Saturday On the Drive, Saturday November 14 at 7:00PM
Where: Beachcombers Bazaar
2525 Edgewater Dr, Orlando FL 32804
Cost: Just purchase whichever kit you want! The workshop itself is FREE!

The workshop is free, but there is limited seating. If you'd like to reserve a table spot, please email me, ASAP.


See you there!
Jody

New Glass Bangles on the website!

The store has been keeping me busy, and I apologize for taking so long to get some new glass bangle sets up for purchase. That mistake has been corrected!

I have 20 new bangle sets up for size 2.6 Small and size 2.10 M/L. I have fewer for size 2.12 XL, but I have more working!

There are some exciting new sets up using the fancy wedding style bangles in bold fun colors.

I love this Indian bangle set with a trendy combination of pink, silver, and brown.

Turquoise blue and lime glass bangles have been a huge hit lately. I've added some golds in this set to give it a fun fall look.

Have fun bangle shopping!
Jody

Tickets For "A Tribal Garden"

Now available at the store and online!

We are proud to sponsor Florida Tribal Dance's annual dance gala again! Every gala is better than the last, and after hearing a preview of what's to come...I can't WAIT!

Sunday November 1
Doors Open at 6:30 (show starts at 7:00)
Location: Sanford Civic Center
401 E Seminole Blvd, Sanford FL 32771

Tickets are ONLY $15 in advance ($20 at the door). This is a bargain price for the show will see!

Tickets can be purchased at our store in College Park, Beachcombers Bazaar or at Divine Mother Earth in Sanford. You can purchase them online at www.BeachcombersBazaar.com.

Join us for a show you'll never forget!
Jody

October Workshop Henna Tattoo Basics Sold Out

Our Simply Henna Workshop: Henna Tattoos for Beginners is sold out for the October 28, 2009 class.


For those of you signed up for the workshop, I can't wait! It's always a blast! You will get plenty of henna to play with during and after the class, and you will be rip-roaring-ready-to-henna-everything-within-reach by the end of class!

The next basic class will not be until 2010.

Here's to henna!
Jody

Edgewater High School Homecoming Parade

The annual Edgewater High School Fighting Eagles Homecoming Parade is...

Thursday, October 15 at 6:30

Expect fun floats, the EHS band (The Pride of College Park), candy, and more!

This was a fun community event last year, and we are looking forward to it again. Stop by and grab a curb in front of Beachcombers Bazaar to watch the parade!

The parade begins at 6:30 so come around 6:00. We'll stay open until the festivities have died down.

We will also be hosting our monthly Guild of Orlando Henna Artists meeting that night, so be on the lookout for Orlando's local henna talent!

See you there!
Jody

Special Needs Belly Dance Recital

We love supporting our special needs belly dancing friends in Altamonte Springs. Please show your support for this fabulous group by going to the show. It's only $2.00 and it's a fantastic show.

Friday, October 16, 2009 from 7-9pm
Eastmonte Park Civic Center, 830 Magnolia Drive, Altamonte Springs, Fl 32701
Doors Open at 6:30pm

Featuring:
The City of Altamonte Springs’ Special Needs Belly Dancers “Troupe Moumayaza”

Special Guests Include:
Shimmy Knights of UCF & Orlando Belly Dance

Cost: ONLY $2.00 at the door - spread the word!
Lucky chance drawing & Light refreshments available for purchase

All Proceeds Benefit Special Needs Belly Dancers – “Troupe Moumayaza”

HELP SPREAD THE WORD

Click here to print a flier about the show.

Hope to see you there!
Jody

Henna Design Book Studio 3

That's right, our new Studio 3 Henna Design Book is out with all new henna designs!

This book contains 20 full size hand designs and more than double that of individual henna design elements. Ideas for modifying designs will help increase your henna vocabulary and speed your freehand henna technique. Of course complete instructions are included along with sealer info, tips, tricks, and more!

Purchase Henna Design Studio 3 here.

I try to make every book better than the last, and this one is a gem with henna symbolism and exciting new design styles.

I hope you like it!
Jody

Jazz Fest On the Drive 2009!

College Park's free yearly Jazz Festival is going to be better than EVER!

Saturday October 10, 6:00-11:00

Featuring...

Sam Rivers and the RivBea Orchestra
&

Shak Nasti

Beachcombers will be open with specials and henna for your pleasure. We will be right behind the stage this year, so we have great seats for listening to the music without being packed into the crowd!

JOIN US!

See you there!
Jody

Instructional Henna CD by Bajidoo!

Brenda, of Bajidoo Art, has created a fantastic henna instructional book, "Henna, Self Taught". I'd love to offer it (it's beautiful), but it's not in our price range. Luckily she has put the book on CD and added a bunch of great information to it!

The Henna CD eBook is awesome! It includes...

• Complete printable "Henna Self Taught" e Book on CD
  
• Printable henna designs
• 2 Henna How-To Videos
• Henna Design Gallery
• Brenda's online portfolio
  

The Henna CD covers the basics of henna including mixing henna, but it goes into depth about creating artistic henna designs easily. It really breaks up the artistic part of mehndi and makes it easy for anyone, no matter what artistic ability you have (or don't).

The CD is a bargain for what you get! I immediately bought one for myself. I have a limited supply of these, so if you want one, get it before they are out.

You can purchase the "Henna, Self Taught" CD e Book here.

October Henna 101 Workshop: Mehndi Basics

Simply Henna Workshop: Mehndi Class
Henna 101: An in depth introduction to the basics of henna tattoos. Everything you need to be comfortable and confident doing henna.
A hands on "how to" henna class for henna beginners to intermediate henna artists. Taught by Jody of Beachcombers Bazaar. The only thing you need to bring is yourself and a smile. A comprehensive henna kit is provided. Feel free to bring henna you already have if you have questions about it.

When: Wednesday October 28, 2009
6:30 - 8:30pm
Where: Beachcombers Bazaar
2525 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804

The workshop will cover...

• Henna history & traditions
• Different kinds of henna
• Henna tattoo safety
• How henna works (color & longevity)
• Mixing henna basics
• Try different application techniques
• Henna aftercare and storage
• Includes complete henna workshop kit
• and more!

Cost: ONLY $35 per person
Cost includes workshop and complete henna workshop kit (no substitutions for kit products).
Additional product will be available for purchase after the workshop at discounted prices.

Payment must be made before the workshop by Visa, MasterCard or cash.

Space is limited! Only 10 seats available.
This workshop will sell out, so don't delay (6 seats have already sold).

Sorry no coupons or discounts are accepted for workshop registrations.
No refunds due to limited seating.

How To Register:

• Online Registration and Payment
  Your invoice is your ticket, so remember to print your invoice.
• Phone Registration: 407-236-7878
  An invoice ticket will be emailed to you.
• In Person Registration: Beachcombers Bazaar Store
  Receipt ticket will be provided.

Print information here.

Questions? Email Jody
Directions Here

Woo Hoo! More New Shoes!

There is nothing better than new shoes!

Just to tease you, our new khussa shoes are in, but not yet on the website. I'll have them pictured, inventoried, and ready to buy in a couple of weeks!

It's a small order, but gorgeous. They are the rest of the new cushion line that we've tried. These are sized to be about a half size bigger than our regular shoes.

• There is a spectacular royal blue with holographic sequins that lean towards violet purple. These turned out so much better than I even hoped for.
  
• A stunning jade green. It's a teal/jade/green color and perfect for wearing with greens, blues, purples, and browns.
• A new lemon cream style. Same color as our current lemon cream shoes, but in a different beading pattern.
• A warm maroon red with darker burgundy sequins is a show-stopper. I love love love these shoes!

Check the website, www.ShopBeachcombers.com often or sign up for our email list to be notified when they are ready for purchase.

Our order of regular style shoes is nearly ready as well. I hope to have it before the holidays! It contains our standard style shoes along with a boatload of brand new styles!

Hope the wait isn't too much torture!
Jody

Surprise Bargain Grab Bags!

Wooooo Hooooo! Let's have some fun! We have been brainstorming for a fun special to offer in the store and our friend, Violet, came up with something perfect, especial for this month of celebrations.

Surprise Grab Bags!

That's right, bargain bags of Beachcombers stuff! Each bag is only $20, but you will have no idea what's actually inside the bag!

Every bag contains $40-$80 worth of merchandise inside!

What could it be? Bindi, bangles, henna, shoes, a Bajidoo bangle? Something completely different? You won't know until you buy it and open it!

We have a small selection of these made and once they are gone, they are gone! Get your Grab Bag today and SURPRISE!

Jody

2nd Saturday On the Drive Fun!

I can't wait for this 2nd Saturday On the Drive! Guess what's going to be here?

The Seminole Community College Planetarium! They will have a solar telescope to look at the sun and a solar system simulator! I admit it. I'm a science geek and can't wait to run over to their exhibit.

The planetarium exhibit will be set up in the French Nest courtyard (who will be serving wine and cheese!). find out what else is going on for the September 2nd Saturday at www.OnTheDrive.org.

We have fun stuff going on as well!

Drumming & Dancing
We are also going to have fun stuff going on! We will have the ever popular community drum circle and tribal dancers from Florida Tribal Dance! Anyone can join in the drumming and dancing, so this is a great opportunity to see if tribal dancing is right for you. Lacey, the director of Florida Tribal Dance is around to answer questions.

Henna Tattoos
Of course, we will have our henna tent set up beside the store!

Eyegasms Handmade Mineral Pigments
Susan will be here with her FULL selection of Eyegasms Mineral Pigments along with testers. She is an expert at matching up colors with skin tones.

Beachcombers! Specials
Buy 4 bangle sets, get the 5th set FREE!
Buy 3 Indian tunics and get $5 off EACH shirt!
PLUS all of our anniversary specials!

September is going to be a great month for 2nd Saturday! Stop out to join us!
Jody

1 Year Anniversary of the Store!

Woo Hoo! September is our 1 year anniversary for our store, Beachcombers Bazaar, in College Park Orlando.

We have been a full time online business since 2004 (5 years) and now a retail shop since 2008 (1 year). Pretty cool yes?

This is an accomplishment that we are proud of, and we want to celebrate with you all month!

Anniversary Specials for the month of September...

5 Years = 5% OFF all purchases over $25!
Buy 4 Bangle Sets, Get the 5th Set FREE!
30% off Journals and Cards!
Free henna tattoo with any purchase $50 or more!

September's 2nd Saturday On the Drive will be the best yet, including a planetarium exhibit! Be sure to join in our community drum circle with the tribal dancers!

Henna Applicator Bottles

Henna applicator bottles are normally the easiest way to apply henna, especially for someone new, because they are very natural to use. We offer a fantastic selection of soft squeeze bottles and applicator tips that are interchangeable.

We have our soft squeeze bottles specially made for us, so they are extra soft and can be used with either Moroccan tips or Jaq tips (both tips require a coupler to work with the bottles). We offer one ounce bottles and half ounce bottles.

1/2 oz Soft Squeeze Applicator Bottles
This is the bottle size I suggest for people new to henna.
These are what is generally used for henna application. They need to be refilled more often, but they are easier to work with and create less waste.

1 oz Soft Squeeze Applicator Bottles
These are nice if you need to do quite a bit of henna. You'll save time with fewer refills, but you will have more waste and need to use more henna to keep it filled.

Now that you know about the bottle sizes, you need to select the applicator tips to use with your soft squeeze bottles.

Jaq Tips
These are the most common applicator tips and are offered in three fine to medium sizes, .05mm, .07mm, and .09mm. Jaq tips are stainless steel and require a nip to work with our soft squeeze applicator bottles.
Pros

• Precise and reliable
• Long lasting
• Easy to use
  

Cons

• Only 3 tips sizes
• The nip must be pulled out of the bottle to refill the bottle with henna
• If you don't take good care of them the tip can separate from the cone
  

Many henna artists started off using these tips and will use nothing else. They are a classic option that does the job very well.

Moroccan Tips
These are a bit newer, and aren't seen as often, but they are AWESOME! I like to think of these as the next generation to the Jaq bottles. They used to be paired with squeeze bottles that were harder plastic than the Jaq bottles, but now we've had special syringe caps made that work with the softest squeeze bottles available.

If you are currently using Jaq bottles, our syringe caps and Moroccan tips will work with them!

We offer Moroccan tips in standard plastic/stainless steel tips and also a polished stainless steel variety that is exclusive to us. Moroccan tips require a syringe cap to work with our soft squeeze bottles.

The standard Moroccan tips (plastic) are offered in five sizes from fine to large, gauges 19, 18, 17, 16 & 14.
The stainless steel Moroccan tips are offered in five sizes from super fine to large, gauges 20, 19, 18, 16 & 14.
These are the tips I suggest for anyone looking to do henna for more than a few of times.

Pros

• Precise and reliable
• The stainless steel tips are polished on the inside of the tips as well. This allows the henna to flow beautifully.
• Five tips sizes available
• The stainless steel tips offer the smallest possible size (20 gauge)
• Easy to use
• To refill bottle, just unscrew the syringe cap
  

Cons

• The standard plastic tips will degrade over time
• I can't think of any cons regarding the polished stainless steel tips!

If you are unsure you can always try one of our combo applicator kits that contain multiple tips that can be used with the same bottles.

Personally I either use a mylar cone to apply henna or the Moroccan Stainless Steel tip applicator bottles.

Henna Tattoos...Jody Style!

Henna is a wonderful thing! It can be anything you need it to be... healing, spiritual, relaxing, an energy generator, or just plain fun!


Most people are familiar with henna in one of two ways, henna as a part of Indian weddings or henna tattoos at festivals. Henna can be both of those things and so much more.

Wedding henna is typically done by a professional henna artist hired by the groom's family. The bride will often get her henna done the day before the mehndi party and at the party will have gilding paste (to match her outfit) applied to the henna while guests are getting henna done. Sometimes there will be one henna artist for the bride and one for the rest of the guests.

Wedding henna is typically traditional freehand henna designs and goes from fingers to elbow and toes to knees. The grooms name is hidden in the henna for him to find on the wedding night (wink wink). Things don't bode well for a man that doesn't find his name in his bride's henna!

Festival henna is often fun and quick. Normally, there will be a selection of henna designs for you to choose from with a pre-marked price. The henna artist will typically make any modifications to the design that you would like. Hopefully you have found a festival henna artist that freehands henna instead of using transfer paper to trace designs. There is often a line and the henna artist must work quickly, but it's a great way to get a fun henna tattoo!

Aside from these henna experiences, henna can be done one-on-one or with a henna artist hired for a private party. I like to share our fantastic Orlando henna artist community with everyone whenever I can, but I also love to do henna myself.


When I do henna here at the shop, I like to use the energy within you and your personality to create a custom henna design just for you. Henna helps with the energy flow within your body and I want to direct those energies in a positive way to connect you with your henna. If you need empowerment, or healing, or balance, or whatever, I want to help you find it.

You should feel wonderful when you have henna on! If you start feeling bad or negative when you are wearing henna, look at your henna tattoo or touch it. Reconnect with your henna and allow that feel-good energy to flow!

For me, this is what henna is about. It's not just a cool temporary tattoo, henna is powerful!

No matter how you get henna done, enjoy it!
Jody

Tour Of College Park Fun Run & Walk

Today is the Tour Of College Park Fun Run sponsored by Fleet Feet and Harmoni Market. It's a small 5K run/walk through College Park starting at 7:00.

Harmoni Market will be presenting a $21,000 check to the Mayor for the Burhnham Institute. Yea for a good cause!

We plan to be outside the store to cheer the runners on. We'd love for you to join us! Bring a chair and perhaps a snack. I'll provide the wine! I may even break out some henna...

See you there!
Jody

Handmade Beaded Headbands

I am delighted to tell you about some of our local artists, Rose & Jo Designs. Rose & Jo are actually two people, Kimmy Jo and Jessie Rose, of Lee Middle School right here in College Park.

These young entrepreneurs started making their fantastic headbands because they were looking for something to make their outfits POP. Here's what they have to say...

"We devote about 35 minutes to create each headband using high quality and vintage beads. No two are alike! You can carefully position the flexible petals however you desire. All our pieces are double wired for strength & durability.

Each piece is a little story of love and life. We hope you choose to make it part of yours!"

We proudly off them at the store for ONLY $13.99! Stop in and try on a little happy!

Jody

New Fancy Bangles ONLY 4.99!

Check it out! New fancy bangles to mix with your glass bangles!

These bangles are exclusively available at our store. I have acrylic bangles with dabka decoration and also wired glass bangles with floral motifs in a great range of colors. There is even a selection of basic jhumka bangles.

The best part? You don't even have to buy a full set! They are available in small half size sets for only $4.99! Mix and match as you will!

Happy Shopping!
Jody

THIS Saturday, 2nd Saturdays On the Drive

This is turning into quite a monthly event! 2nd Saturdays On the Drive is a local College Park movement to get some fun and action happening along Edgewater Dr, once a month!

2nd Saturdays On the Drive is a free event held on the second Saturday of each month from 5:00 - 9:00 PM celebrating community, art, culture, music, shopping, and dining in College Park, just minutes outside downtown Orlando.

College Park comes alive with local artists, vendors and entertainers along the Edgewater Drive Business District. Businesses open their doors to patrons for food, fun, and shopping!

Come hang with us THIS Saturday! Henna guild members, Florida Tribal Dancers, Eyegasms, and vendors!

For more information or to get vending details check out the website,
www.OnTheDrive.org

Gypsy Festival 2009: Fiesta Gitana

It's that time again! This Saturday is the annual Gypsy Festival by Gypsy Circle Productions and Nina's Botanica and Boutique.

This event is always an absolute ball! I am bummed out that we have to miss it this year, but hopefully you can go and have fun for us.

Check out an amazing Gypsy Market featuring art, jewelry, fabrics,clothing, music, henna, fortune telling, and food! Enjoy live dance and music performances and a fashion show by Florida Tribal Dance. Belly dance, tribal dance, flamenco, Hungarian, and Indian dance will be there!

It's ONLY $10 for this show!

Saturday, August 1
12:00 - 6:30
The Grand Ballroom at Hawthorn Suites
(near Orlando International Airport)
7450 Augusta National Dr., Orlando FL

Have fun!

Henna Tattoo on a Bet!

Melissa lost a bet with her fiancee playing a game of pool. The bet was that the loser would get the winner's name tattooed on their body. Though, she is typically the better pool player, Melissa lost this round.

...or did she?

The exact words that were used for the bet was she had to "get a tattoo of his name on her body". Since there was no specifications other than that, Melissa outsmarted her fiance and got a henna tattoo!

Henna is a permanent stain and does not fade away. The "fading" of the tattoo is actually your skin cells exfoliating off.

Melissa came in the shop last week for a henna tattoo of her fiancee's last name. The tattoo was to be 4-6 inches high and on her lower back. It turned out to be fabulous!



She picked out a style of letters that she wanted and we made a few changes with some of the letters. We made the design a bit smaller in the center widening as it expanded to both sides. The entire henna design was free-hand.



Enjoy your spoils, Melissa!
Jody

New Sign and Awnings for Beachcombers Bazaar!

WOW! I found a blog article that I forgot to post! Better late than never, lol!

What do you think of our sign and awnings at our retail store in College Park Orlando? It certainly makes the store easier to find.

Bright purple awnings are on the Edgewater Dr. window and the Bryn Mawr St window.

Our fabulous new sign over the front door is gorgeous lit up at night, and how about the henna inspired designs above it? It works beautifully with the hand painted henna designs inside the store!

Look closely and you will see our logo eyes "etched" on the windows.

We must send out a BIG "thank you" to Angela, Julie, and the rest of the team at Vital Signs Orlando for the amazing work! If you need a sign for your business, consider this a rousing endorsement for Vital Signs. Not only are they beautifully creative, but their work is top notch and they are incredibly professional.

Let us know what you think!
Jody

Yea! New Indian Shoes!

You've been waiting for the new khussa styles, yes? Woo Hoo! They are here and ready to be purchased!

All new colors and styles including the long awaited white bridal khussa shoes!

Size 5 Indian Shoes
Size 6 Indian Shoes
Size 7 Indian Shoes
Size 8 Indian Shoes
Size 9 Indian Shoes
Size 10 Indian Shoes
Size 11 Indian Shoes
We've done something new and exciting with this new order of khussa flats. We've added a small cushion between the bottom leather sole and the inside leather sole. To accommodate the extra cushion, we've increase the length of the khussa flats by about 1/8the of an inch. This means instead of a size 6 shoe fitting a 5.5-6, a size 6 shoe fits 6-6.5.

We'd love to hear feedback about if you like this better than our traditional style shoes.

Happy Shoe Shopping!
Jody

Store Closed June 25 - June 30

I apologize for any inconvenience, but the store will be closed Thursday June 25, Friday June 26, and Saturday June 27, while we attend a wedding in Ohio.

The store will re-open Tuesday June 30.

You may not know, but Beachcombers Bazaar is a family business. It’s just my other half, Asad, and myself. We occasionally have Jazzy (daughter) help out along with additional family and friends that we bribe and beg, lol!

While we are gone, the Orlando store will be closed, and we will still be taking online orders, but shipping will be delayed until we return. Emails will take longer than normal to answer during this time, so please be patient.

If you need a henna tattoo while we are away, I suggest you visit our local henna artist page here...
http://www.shophenna.com/henna_artists.htm.

We have exciting new things happening when we return including 13 pair of brand new khussa shoes!

Thanks for your patience!
Jody