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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Henna Art On Objects (Wood, Canvas, Candles...)

I have recently started doing henna on objects other than people.  SUPER FUN!

I'm still very new to this, but I want to share what I've learned so far.

When you henna objects, you have the choice of leaving the henna paste on or scraping the henna away and using the henna stain as your art. just like you do on the skin.

When you want to leave the henna in place such as the Unity Candle and the Canvas I hennaed, I've found my traditional Beachcombers Favorite Henna Recipe works well.  If the henna will stay on the item, it's important to not have too much cracking and for the henna to adhere well.  The sugar in the Beachcombers Favorite Henna Recipe helps with this.

Henna Unity Candle
You will also need to use a sealer of some sort or the henna will scrape away. For this candle, I wanted to use Candle Kote or Candle Luster, but I couldn't get them in time for the wedding. You can also use a dip style candle sealer, but upon reading reviews, I found it can be a bit tricky and I didn't have time for experimentation.

I ended up using a clear acrylic based sealer (don't use lacquer sealers as they can be flammable, even when dry). I sprayed five thin coats after the henna was completely dry, letting the sealer dry in between coats.

I think Modge Podge may work beautifully as well, so I may try that next time.

Henna Canvas Painting
This was a gift for my mom for Christmas. I used a standard canvas that was already stretched on a frame and painted a background with basic acrylic paint. I let that dry completely and then used the Beachcombers Favorite Recipe Henna to free-hand a henna design over the surface.

Like the candle, I let the henna dry completely and applied a clear acrylic sealer of the entire canvas in light even coats. As I recall I did about 8 thin layers of sealer because I had to ship it from Orlando to my mom in Ohio. It arrived safe and sound with absolutely no henna having fallen off!

UPDATE! March 2014 (3 years later)
This picture is still hanging on my Mom's wall with all henna attached. There isn't a single piece that has fallen off!

Henna Wood Box

This was a small balsa wood box I got for my Grandmother for Christmas and I hennaed it up! I decided that I was going to remove the henna instead of leaving the paste on the box.

I used my normal Beachcombers Favorite henna mix, but the next time I henna something with the intention of removing the henna, I will mix henna without any sugar in it so that it comes off easier. Applying dry heat helped to remove the henna.

I let the henna paste sit on the box for a bout a week then I removed the henna the day before I saw my Grandmother. The stain was a nice warm brown. The next day, I noticed the henna had already darkened slightly. I expect it will continue to darken over time just like a stain on the skin.

UPDATE! January 2012 (1 year later)
This Christmas, my Grandma had the box sitting out for decoration and the color has deepened to be so dark it's nearly black. It's a very deep walnut brown.

So there it is! My experience with hennaing objects so far! I plan do do a ton of other fun things with henna throughout the year, so I'll post more ideas and tips as I learn. I hope I'll hear from those more experienced than I, so that I can avoid mistakes or "learning opportunities" as I like to call them.

Henna On!
Jody

Learn more about henna at The Henna Learning Center here.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What a fun henna class!

Saturday was our winter henna workshop and, oh my, what fun!


It was the first time in a long time the class did not sell out.  I had 6 students in the class.  Tons of individual attention and plenty of jokes and laughter.  Perhaps I should further limit the size of the henna workshops to eight.
I think I've imparted some serious henna addiction to these students!
Until the Spring henna class!
Jody

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

300,000 New Glass Bangles

Whew!  Our glass bangles came in just before Christmas and I am slowly but surely making a dent in organizing and cataloging them.  That's 1500 boxes of bangles that need to be sized, separated, cataloged, shelved, and inventoried.

I hope to have them done by the end of February.

Think Dorie in Finding Nemo here...
Just keep working...
Just keep working...
working...working...

Wish me luck!
Jody

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

NEW Khussa Indian Shoes!!!!!!

Woo Hoo!  Our new Indian khussa are FINALLY here!  I understand the delay due to floods, but I'm so glad to have them!

There are some beautiful styles including a gorgeous magenta khussa.  Not quite purple, not quite fuchsia...it's GORGEOUS!

I am also excited to have brought back a denim style khussa with awesome lime green beading and bright pink yarn work.

For all you brides, I have a nice selection of warm white/ivory and cool white khussa flats.  There is a brand new style that I am excited to have, cool white with light blue beading.  Perfect for your "something blue"!

I hope you feel they were worth the wait!

They are selling fast so get the styles you like while you can!

Enjoy,
Jody

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

It's a New Year! Do more henna!

How about a happy easy goal for 2011?  Do more henna!
Henna has a wonderful positive energy that can help you direct good energies towards every aspect of your life.
Henna is relaxing and energizing at the same time.  You can't help but feel good when you are doing henna or getting henna done.
As a creative outlet, henna can be used in a million different ways.  Body art (of course!); on candles; silk and other fabrics; on wooden items including picture frames, boxes, and more; canvas; or even paper. 
Henna is a great way to bond and relate with others.  Your partner, your friends, family, and even friends-to-be.
So, do more henna!  Henna-fy your 2011!

Here's to YOU!
Jody