A Henna Hello!

Jadearth · Dec 1st, 2007, 11:58

Hey everyone! I just joined this forum and it is incredibly fascinating! I'm Laura and I am going to Southern India in 46 days!!! for about 3-4 months!!!I'm from the Oregon Coast, where I work as a henna artist. I love it a lot, and it is definitely what got me started being completely enthralled in everything India!!! Ok, just thought I'd introduce myself!

Nick-H · Dec 1st, 2007, 12:20

Hello and welcome to the site

shahronakm · Dec 1st, 2007, 13:34

Hi Laura,

Welcome to IM. 3 - 4 months for south India, seems you are going to have blast in South India. Do include Andamans & Lakshadweep in your plan if not included.

Ronak.

brownboy66 · Dec 1st, 2007, 14:20

Hi Laura. Welcome to IM. I'm sure the trip will be great.

happy travels.

shashank.aggarwal · Dec 1st, 2007, 14:22

Hey Laura...Please be warned !! You are about to get addicted

Jorge Reverter · Dec 1st, 2007, 17:11

A Henna Welcome:

paintedlotus · Dec 1st, 2007, 17:21

^ Pretty picture... too bad about the dangerous "black" henna (read: hair dye) on one of the hands.

Welcome to IM, Jadearth... I'm a henna artist too!

Jadearth · Dec 2nd, 2007, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintedlotus

^ Pretty picture... too bad about the dangerous "black" henna (read: hair dye) on one of the hands.

Welcome to IM, Jadearth... I'm a henna artist too!

YAY!!! Hey, you're in Seattle! Woo hoo for bringing henna to the Northwest.

Nick-H · Dec 2nd, 2007, 14:36

Whoa! If any more of you join we'll have to start a special forum for you!

Just joking, of course

All are welcome, especially Henna artists

kalyani68 · Dec 2nd, 2007, 21:45

Namaskaram and welcome to IM from another fellow mehndiwali!

Mehndi Masala · Dec 2nd, 2007, 21:47

LAURA! Namaste babes! It's Kim (Hasina Mehndi & Body Art)

You're SO GONNA love this site! It has been as huge, if not a bigger help than all my friends and family put together!

I just got back last saturday and was teaching henna classes in Delhi with Rashi! You remember her...she's the talented gal from New York...lives in Delhi now?

See ya around IM you beautiful talented gal you!! You going to the henna conference at Neeta's??

One silly thing I noticed, when you wear your mehndi to India, use an Indo-Western design! TONS of compliments cause they are used to the same-old, same-old designs. If you remember some zardosi be prepared for some of the Muslim ladies to actually want to touch it!! It was alot of fun!

Kim

Nick-H · Dec 2nd, 2007, 23:58

Right! That's it: you two are now to be known as the Namaste Babes!

IndiaMike Re-unions. This is nice

Jadearth · Dec 3rd, 2007, 06:36

KIM! HEY! I read your whole blog for your trip to India! It was so amazing! I was sooo excited/jealous when I found out you met up with Rashi! I wrtie her every once in awhile, and hope to see her again someday!!! I still remember when we had dinner together in the Las Vegas airport that day!!! Thanks for the henna advice! you can follow my blog too! I don't leave till the 16 of January, but I've got it going already: www.jadearth.blog.com
I don't know if I'm going to be back from India in time for Neeta's!!! I really really really would like to go though....

burf · Dec 6th, 2007, 15:58

i din't know there are so many henna artists here, where do you people learn the art or is it self-learning?

Mehndi Masala · Dec 6th, 2007, 22:09

Henna is both complex and simple. To do simple mehndi, ANYONE can learn! It's a fun folk art with a long history that spans over 5000 years, 60 countries and 6 major religions.

Simplest henna - get a cheap cone from your local ethnic store or any store in India and draw simple flowers and geometric patterns. Get a cheap book of henna patterns and go nuts. Great fun and bonding with the gals (or guys). No real training or ability to draw required. Downside? You'll look like a 5 year old attacked you with a felt marker and premade usually sucks for color and has unknown and sometimes harmful ingredients. Upside - fun and simple and it goes away. Henna is auspicious no matter how good or bad it looks so enjoy!

'Real' Henna - mix your own with all natural ingredients getting the ground henna leaves from the absolute freshest supply possible. Years of research and if your lucky, an apprentice ship. Some artistic skill is necessary to be really sought after and respected. To understand basic design building and biology and how the skin moves, and size of hand to pattern ratio is very important to making truly lovely and personal designs specifically for each client. I am self taught, and took the time to research and then be certified by ICNHA (International certification Natural Henna Arts) which includes, botony, biology, history, cultural awareness, ethical business practice and submission of your mix and a small portfolio of your work.
Some street vendors or people who do not have a passion for the artform will use toxic (and in Canada illegal) chemicals to short cut real skill or learning or will claim to have a skill level they do not have for the $$ that it can bring especially from unknowing tourists, and during super busy henna 'seasons' like bridal, Eid and Karwa Chouth.

AND I will stop there cause if you let me I will literally go on and on for hours!!!!!! Guess that's why I teach!!! LOL

I think there are so many mehndi artists here on IM because although henna was not discovered/widely used in India first, the two largest users of henna NOW have got to be Hindu and Muslim so there will be a general interest in both cultures by caucasian henna artists, and ladies from both cultures would be interested in and often use henna for many occasions so it would be like ladies learning to sew or anything else.

Kim

Dec 1st, 2007, 11:58	#1
Jadearth Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 5	A Henna Hello! Hey everyone! I just joined this forum and it is incredibly fascinating! I'm Laura and I am going to Southern India in 46 days!!! for about 3-4 months!!!I'm from the Oregon Coast, where I work as a henna artist. I love it a lot, and it is definitely what got me started being completely enthralled in everything India!!! Ok, just thought I'd introduce myself!

Dec 1st, 2007, 12:20	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,781	Hello and welcome to the site __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 1st, 2007, 14:22	#5
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,785	Hey Laura...Please be warned !! You are about to get addicted __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Dec 1st, 2007, 17:11	#6
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,224	A Henna Welcome: Attached Thumbnails

Dec 2nd, 2007, 21:45	#10
kalyani68 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 215	Namaskaram and welcome to IM from another fellow mehndiwali! __________________ My Travel Blog- South India Dec. 2007 www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/wildcat007

Dec 1st, 2007, 13:34	#3
shahronakm Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,526	Hi Laura, Welcome to IM. 3 - 4 months for south India, seems you are going to have blast in South India. Do include Andamans & Lakshadweep in your plan if not included. Ronak.

Dec 1st, 2007, 14:20	#4
brownboy66 Chicken 65 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,290	Hi Laura. Welcome to IM. I'm sure the trip will be great. happy travels.

Dec 1st, 2007, 17:21	#7
paintedlotus Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 28	^ Pretty picture... too bad about the dangerous "black" henna (read: hair dye) on one of the hands. Welcome to IM, Jadearth... I'm a henna artist too!

Dec 2nd, 2007, 14:36	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,781	Whoa! If any more of you join we'll have to start a special forum for you! Just joking, of course All are welcome, especially Henna artists

Dec 2nd, 2007, 21:47	#11
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 211	LAURA! Namaste babes! It's Kim (Hasina Mehndi & Body Art) You're SO GONNA love this site! It has been as huge, if not a bigger help than all my friends and family put together! I just got back last saturday and was teaching henna classes in Delhi with Rashi! You remember her...she's the talented gal from New York...lives in Delhi now? See ya around IM you beautiful talented gal you!! You going to the henna conference at Neeta's?? One silly thing I noticed, when you wear your mehndi to India, use an Indo-Western design! TONS of compliments cause they are used to the same-old, same-old designs. If you remember some zardosi be prepared for some of the Muslim ladies to actually want to touch it!! It was alot of fun! Kim __________________ Time flies like an arrow.......... Fruit flies like a banana! http://www.winnipeghenna.com Mumbai/New Delhi/Agra pix on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...id =550376015 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...id =550376015 (there are 5 more just go back to the photo albums!) Old Blog from my India Adventure! http://winnipeghenna.blogspot.com/

Dec 2nd, 2007, 23:58	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,781	Right! That's it: you two are now to be known as the Namaste Babes! IndiaMike Re-unions. This is nice

Dec 3rd, 2007, 06:36	#13
Jadearth Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 5	KIM! HEY! I read your whole blog for your trip to India! It was so amazing! I was sooo excited/jealous when I found out you met up with Rashi! I wrtie her every once in awhile, and hope to see her again someday!!! I still remember when we had dinner together in the Las Vegas airport that day!!! Thanks for the henna advice! you can follow my blog too! I don't leave till the 16 of January, but I've got it going already: www.jadearth.blog.com I don't know if I'm going to be back from India in time for Neeta's!!! I really really really would like to go though....

Dec 6th, 2007, 15:58	#14
burf wondering when? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: delhi Posts: 297	i din't know there are so many henna artists here, where do you people learn the art or is it self-learning?

Dec 6th, 2007, 22:09	#15
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 211	Henna is both complex and simple. To do simple mehndi, ANYONE can learn! It's a fun folk art with a long history that spans over 5000 years, 60 countries and 6 major religions. Simplest henna - get a cheap cone from your local ethnic store or any store in India and draw simple flowers and geometric patterns. Get a cheap book of henna patterns and go nuts. Great fun and bonding with the gals (or guys). No real training or ability to draw required. Downside? You'll look like a 5 year old attacked you with a felt marker and premade usually sucks for color and has unknown and sometimes harmful ingredients. Upside - fun and simple and it goes away. Henna is auspicious no matter how good or bad it looks so enjoy! 'Real' Henna - mix your own with all natural ingredients getting the ground henna leaves from the absolute freshest supply possible. Years of research and if your lucky, an apprentice ship. Some artistic skill is necessary to be really sought after and respected. To understand basic design building and biology and how the skin moves, and size of hand to pattern ratio is very important to making truly lovely and personal designs specifically for each client. I am self taught, and took the time to research and then be certified by ICNHA (International certification Natural Henna Arts) which includes, botony, biology, history, cultural awareness, ethical business practice and submission of your mix and a small portfolio of your work. Some street vendors or people who do not have a passion for the artform will use toxic (and in Canada illegal) chemicals to short cut real skill or learning or will claim to have a skill level they do not have for the $$ that it can bring especially from unknowing tourists, and during super busy henna 'seasons' like bridal, Eid and Karwa Chouth. AND I will stop there cause if you let me I will literally go on and on for hours!!!!!! Guess that's why I teach!!! LOL I think there are so many mehndi artists here on IM because although henna was not discovered/widely used in India first, the two largest users of henna NOW have got to be Hindu and Muslim so there will be a general interest in both cultures by caucasian henna artists, and ladies from both cultures would be interested in and often use henna for many occasions so it would be like ladies learning to sew or anything else. Kim Last edited by Mehndi Masala : Dec 6th, 2007 at 23:23.

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