Tower of Shoes! Khussa Dreams!

Those are some serious khussa Indian shoes! Susan, of Eyegasms Mineral Pigments fame, emailed me this picture of her current Beachcombers khussa collection.

How fun! I love that they are tucked in this little crevice between bookshelves.

One of the coolest things about khussa is they pack nice and tight, so you can pack a million of them when you travel without needing a boatload of space!

Here's to great collections!
Jody

Henna vs. Old Man Winter

This time of year I start getting emails from henna artists that are not getting as good of color from their henna as they typically do. Henna can be picky about temperature and winter is a different set of challenges than summer.

In summer, we have to be careful that we don't "cook" our henna. We have to keep it out of sunlight and not let it get too warm. When mixing henna powder in the summer dye release is often much quicker (often a just a few hours will yield good dye release). This also means that the henna paste can lose it's dying abilities quickly, so you need to keep your henna cool.

Mixing Henna

In the winter (even here in Florida) we have to be more patient with our henna. The same henna that would obtain full dye release in a few hours can take a full day or more in a cooler environment. I find that if my house is less than 70 degrees I need to let my henna powder mix sit 48 hours or more. I do this in stages. I mix my powder with my liquid (lemon, tea mix, or whatever I am using that day) and let it sit overnight. The next morning I add sugar, essential oils, and any additional liquid if needed. I let that sit again overnight and the next day I put the henna in applicators and cones for freezing. Sometimes I don't freeze the cones until the next day, giving the henna a full 3 days to sit.

Applying Henna

I am always cold, so I have to work extra hard to get a good stain in the winter. I get all my supplies together along with a candle, blanket, and cup of hot tea or glass of wine. I do my henna while I am all wrapped up in my blanket and seal it with lemon sugar. When my hands (or feet) get cold, I hold them over the candle.

Here in the store, if it is too cold, I have clients sit beside a space heater to make sure they stay warm while we apply their henna.

This winter, keep temperature in mind while mixing and applying your henna. Remember, body temperature is nearly 99 degrees. Even 70 degrees is a significant difference in temperature.

A fellow Floridain henna artist, Michael, gave me this tip to share...

"I have this thing called a "ThermiPaq"... basically it's a sand bag that you use for sore muscles and you can heat in the microwave or put in the freezer. I heated mine up for about 1.5 minutes and put that in the bottom of a cooler. I then covered it with a small towel and then laid my bottles of henna on top. This way, the henna was gently heated overnight even though the house was cold. I did that for 2 nights and the henna started turning a dark green/brownish color. I tried it after that and it works wonderfully."

Stay Warm!

Jody

Even MORE New Shoes!

More khussa shoes are here! Yea!

I have a couple of ivory styles especially for you brides out there. The 2 ivory styles from our January shipment are sold out in every size except 6, 11, and 12. This means you should move quick if you want the ivory shoes. The popular sizes will go QUICK!

I know it's cold, but it's time to think about new styles for warmer weather and I have a couple of gorgeous new styles in slides and open toes!
There are 24 or less of each style made, so if you want something, get it while you can!

Shop the new khussa today!

Jody

Dechoes Wine Not Wednesday Haiti Benefit

The first Wednesday of every month, Dechoes, the local trendy clothing resale shop hosts Wine Not Wednesdays. For February it was combined with a benefit for disaster relief in Haiti. I did henna tattoo and there was a silent auction.

We raised nearly $1000 for relief! Yea!

Check out some pictures...

Lara of Orlando Weekly.

Saucy Diane of Dechoes.
Ruth and Chyanne
Judy Colella, author of the MacDara Chronicles

Dechoes in College Park

Let's keep working together to spread good will to all!
Jody

Top 5 Valentine's Ideas for Couples Henna

Top 5 Valentine's Ideas for Couples Henna

1. Henna fun instructions on each other (kiss here, touch here...)
2. Henna a dainty chain of hearts around thigh, garter-style!
3. Henna sweet nothings on each other
4. Let him henna you while you are blind-folded so you can't see what's coming
5. Henna racy comments on the bottom of his feet

Purchase our extra large Couples Henna Kit here for ongoing fun! Only $34.99

Purchase a small Fun & Easy Henna Kit here for only $14.99!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Jody