The Artist Corner: Introducing Noel Hathman

Welcome to our new installment, "The Artist Corner"

where we shine the spotlight on various artistic members [up and coming & established] within the Humbly, Peax & Love community. After all, the Earth without ART is just 'Eh'..

Meet our first featured artist/creator of Eargasm & Loc Swag, Noel Hathman!

HPNL: Who is Noel Hathman? What are your core values? Your passions?

Noel: Although I live in Dallas, I'm a Cali girl! Very bubbly, fun, energetic, and a bit of a clown at times =] I love to make people laugh and I LOVE doing for others. I'm definitely a HUGE humanitarian, and avid animal lover/owner. I've always got something new to show to friends and family. I joke about becoming a hippie but the more I think about it, the more it doesn't sound like a bad idea LOL.

One of my biggest core values is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Cliche', I know, but I govern myself in this way and I love being a sweetheart. I'm passionate about nearly everything I do, but to name a few, my passions include food, art, music, animals, outdoors, jewelry, colors, and family.

I think that people can sense my individuality and independence with the way that I walk, dress, laugh, dance, treat others, and treat myself. I don't fit into any molds or categories and I like that just fine. It took me a while to become the woman I am and she's continuing to evolve into a beautiful human being!

HPNL: What type of artist are you? (healing? visual? musical? multiple?)

Noel: I'm a jack of all trades kind of artist! I aim to heal, accessorize, stimulate both visually and auditorally [that's going to be a word today lol], appetize, and enlighten the masses.

HPNL: How did Eargasm & Loc Swag come to be?

Eargasm was born of my DIY spirit. If I can't afford to buy something, I make it! I love working with my hands and I love the satisfaction I get when I re-create something I desire. I wanted to make a few ear cuffs for my accessory arsenal and so many people loved it that I decided to make some for my friends. Then more people wanted cuffs so I was in business! I started making earrings as well because I figured it was another great way for me to be creative. I evolved into Loc Swag because a friend of mine told me that I could probably make loc jewels in the same fashion as the ear cuffs with my own twist and flair. I'm glad she did because folks love 'em!

I've never had locs but I am in the process of growing out my hair so that I can start my locs in about a year! I plan to have these AWESOME gold/platinum/blonde locs with my original Loc Swag loc jewels adorning my crowning glory. I can see myself now... An ethereal, sarong wrapped, raw foodist with earthy jewelry and my locs - Taking on the world =]

I absolutely LOOOOVE natural hair! It's so beautiful and diverse! From kinky coils, to loose curls, to bantu knots, twists and braid outs, if it's natural, it's amazing.

HPNL: How is your art sustainable?

Noel: A lot of my jewelry has been re-purposed. I've used existing jewelry that I had in my collection or I find items on sale and make new, exciting and beautiful pieces!

HPNL: Where do you distribute your art?

Noel: Currently I display and distribute my art on Facebook (Eargasm, Loc Swag) and at local events here in Dallas. I plan to expand to Tumblr, Twitter and hopefully soon (with the help of HPNL), my own website!

HPNL: We look forwarding to assisting in your expansion!..So you know we love food..What kind of diet nourishes your spirit?

Noel: Ah, food... Among the things that bring me happiness, food is definitely near the top of the list. The kind of diet that nourishes my spirit would definitely be the Raw Food Diet. The more I learn about it, the more I'm excited about it. A lot of people think it's a radical and extreme lifestyle but I think the concept of a completely Raw diet isn't as far fetched as people make it seem. It's nourishing and nurturing, light, yet satisfying, juicy and colorful, flavorful and fulfilling. On top of all of that, IT'S THE WAY WE'RE SUPPOSED TO EAT! =] I've become much more creative and experimental with flavors, colors and textures as a result of eating Raw and I just FEEL better. I get this "food high" that is indescribable and now that I've found what I believe to be diet perfection, I ain't turnin' back!

HPNL: Here's a fun one..we saw that you liked shipping container houses, tell us about this!

Noel: Ohhh shipping containers. How I love thee! Okay, think of this for a moment: you have a ceiling, a floor and four walls that are fire proof, earthquake proof, hurricane proof, bulletproof AND float-able. What I've just described is a shipping container in it's raw, unfinished state. you get anywhere between 180-450 sq ft of living space with just one container depending on the size you purchase and you're able to expand your space by stacking the containers (up to 8 containers high), placing them side by side and cutting out walls, or even placing them in abstract and out of this world shapes limited only by your imagination.

These containers cost anywhere from $FREE.99 to $5,000or cheaper!) considering your fixtures, finishes, how large you want your home to be, etc. but being a minimalist, I could see myself in two 9X48 containers side by side which ends up being about 864 sq feet with my girlfriend, our cats, and Lola our toy poodle living on a nice patch of land near the water in a beautiful setting like Jamaica!

There's so much more to say about these shipping container homes but for the sake of not rambling on I'll leave you with this thought. Imagine, once more, living in something designed and created by your own hands, in the surroundings of your choice and it's PAID OFF in a few short years as opposed to being chained to an obscene mortgage that you'll be paying for a large part of your adult life. Wouldn't you rather travel and see the world, work less and be nearly worry free?! I know I would =]

HPNL: We love your ambition! What else can we expect from Noel in the future?

Noel: You should expect my new line of hair, skin and beauty products. I'm using profits from Eargasm to expand business with a new line of hair, skin and beauty products that are going to be completely Fair Trade. I think it's important to support those who work hard for themselves and their families and being the humanitarian I am, I love the idea of making a difference with my business =]

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We adore Miss Noel! She even did us the favor of sending us some samples for review and the mail brought goodies today! Check out our Eargasmic pieces!! :)

So this was originally an ear cuff but we have tiny ears! So with the artist's permission and an added earhook, voila! I now have a new (and very unique) earring :)

Left: The perfect blend of leather, wire, and gentle, earthy-ness :) I love these earrings!!
Right: Loc Swag accessory! We will have to catch Johnee' wearing it for a follow up! :)

Thanks Noel! I'm sure this isn't the last time we hear from you!