Kimbo,
Thanks for sharing with us some of your experiences w/henna/mehndi.
Tell me more about incorporating the mehndi with Reiki healing, I am
quite interested in that.
Also, have you considered any of the "symbolic" meanings of some of the
henna/mehndi designs as a possible "spirtual" use for henna?????????
Tell me more!
MyST

-----Original Message-----
From: KimboBurly (Azure KohlOnca) [mailto:keupton@...]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 1999 11:35 AM
To: Mehandi@onelist.com
Subject: [Mehandi] De-lurking *grin*


From: "KimboBurly (Azure KohlOnca)" <keupton@...>

Hi there!

Well, I was inspired by Myst's post about the festival, so I have
decided
to post some of my henna stories *grin*

I do henna/Mehndi work with cones, toothpicks, and applicator bottles.
I
usually mix my own, but when I am running late, and the henna jinni
haven't had time to "bless my goo," I get pre-made henna from a local
Indian store (the lady there tells me all the secrets of henna *grin*).
I hope to learn the art of Mehendi (Indian henna work, mostly for
weddings) soon...well, when I get the time.

I use my henna work for healing, spirituality, and for fun.  I hope to
start doing henna work professionally after some more practice and
learning.  I would also like to incorporate henna designs with my Reiki
(for example I find a place that need work, and place a henna tat
there).

Henna is one of the greatest plants I have found.  It is great for hair
and skin, not no mention that it is fun! *grin*  My husband loves to be
a
guinea pig for my designs.  I think he likes the toothpick work the best
because it feels somewhat like acu-pressure.

Myst, I can't wait to see your pix of the festival!

Smiles,
Kimbo
~~~~~
Fortune Cookie of the Week:
If you want to learn, you must first listen...
~~~~~
WWKD-What would Kali do?


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For more information on Mehndi/Henna Body art check out MyST's website
at http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

Hi there!

Well, I was inspired by Myst's post about the festival, so I have decided
to post some of my henna stories *grin*

I do henna/Mehndi work with cones, toothpicks, and applicator bottles.  I
usually mix my own, but when I am running late, and the henna jinni
haven't had time to "bless my goo," I get pre-made henna from a local
Indian store (the lady there tells me all the secrets of henna *grin*).
I hope to learn the art of Mehendi (Indian henna work, mostly for
weddings) soon...well, when I get the time.

I use my henna work for healing, spirituality, and for fun.  I hope to
start doing henna work professionally after some more practice and
learning.  I would also like to incorporate henna designs with my Reiki
(for example I find a place that need work, and place a henna tat there).

Henna is one of the greatest plants I have found.  It is great for hair
and skin, not no mention that it is fun! *grin*  My husband loves to be a
guinea pig for my designs.  I think he likes the toothpick work the best
because it feels somewhat like acu-pressure.

Myst, I can't wait to see your pix of the festival!

Smiles,
Kimbo
~~~~~
Fortune Cookie of the Week:
If you want to learn, you must first listen...
~~~~~
WWKD-What would Kali do?

I'm curious to find out how many of you have done really big festivals
before?  I did a festival of over 100,000 people in Minneapolis on
Sunday of last week.  It was so amazing, busy and fun!  We made okay
money, but we had no idea there would be 5 other henna vendors there
doing Mehndi as well.  It was riddiculous, and everyone was trying to
underbid.
We started our designs at $10 each and went up from there.  I know for a
fact that I did 1 $20 hand, but other than that we just cruised along. 
I had tons of armbands, not a whole lot of ankles, but everything we did
was beautiful.  I hob-knobbed with the other henna vendors, they were
really kewl, and many of them hadn't had experience using the Mehndi
MUD.  I recommend it to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyhow....why don't you guys share some of your experiences at
festivals/art fairs?
MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com
 
p.s. hope to have the pics up from the festival soon, we had some
beautiful designs!
 

[This message contained attachments]

Lisa,
Actually that is an EXCELLENT idea.  Because I am a bellydancer I have a
wide variety of Middle-Eastern music that I play on our little boom box
at festivals.  I am really into the whole ambience thing, especially
since Sunday we are going to have some competition.  I want the
EXPERIENCE of having the henna done to be better, not only the quality
of my designs, but just the simplicity of the experience, because
receiving henna is a pampering treatment as well as a temporary tattoo
(eventhough I HATE caling it a temp tattoo...it sounds so cheesy).... :)
MyST

-----Original Message-----
From: Meauw@... [mailto:Meauw@...]
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 1999 8:47 AM
To: Mehandi@onelist.com
Subject: [Mehandi] Booth ideas


From: Meauw@...

Hi list
usually a lurker, but thought I would put in my two cents about booth
ideas
for the fest.  I always have been attracted to music.  If you are
allowed,
maybe a boom box playing some traditional Indian style of music would
draw
some people over, as long as it weren't too loud so people had to shout
their
questions about your products :)
Best of Luck,
Lisa

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For more information on Mehndi/Henna Body art check out MyST's website
at http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

Hi list
usually a lurker, but thought I would put in my two cents about booth ideas
for the fest.  I always have been attracted to music.  If you are allowed,
maybe a boom box playing some traditional Indian style of music would draw
some people over, as long as it weren't too loud so people had to shout their
questions about your products :)
Best of Luck,
Lisa

Oh Joy...IT's confirme that this weekend Mehndi Body Art by MyST will be
participating in one of Minneapolis biggest festivals!  Cedarfest.  We
are so excited.  100,000 people minimum, the fest is from noon -10pm (Im
wondering if we should bring candles for light)....anyhow it should be
great fun.
 
I also found out today that there are 2 other henna vendors that will be
there.  hmmm...gonna have to scope out the competition.
 
Do you guys have any kind of neat ideas for promoting our booth?  we are
going to hang big tapestries from our booth, and of course, we will have
signs for Mehndi and pictures of celebs.....we also use really pretty
tiedyed covers on our tables and chairs.  i think i'll wear an
indian/hippy style skirt, and BINDIS.....i just want to make sure our
booth is the most inviting.  oh yea and we ALWAYS burn incence....it's
such a charming touch :)~
 
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, but my biggest goal this
week, or shall i say obstacle is creating our official design book.  4
copies, 2 for the helpers up front and 2 for us.  we bought 3 8oz
bottles of henna, i hope that's going to be enough!!!! If you want to
try the Mehndi MUD go to my website http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com
 
Does anyone have great ideas for DESIGNS for the fest????????????????
Let me know if you have found any really kewl websites or anything!
MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com
 

If you have any questions let me know!

Shawn

 

So my luck so far at the salon has been on and off.  It's kind of tough
because it's an upscale conservative community...so there are a lot of
bride's on the weekends, and a lot of older folks.  The funniest thing
though, is that my youngest clients have been 2 and my oldest probably
in their 70's.  My website just got an award by the duke of url.....they
give awards to sites that they think are valuable for seniors to check
out.  I thought that was pretty kewl.

 

So, last Saturday I had appointments at the salon, or shall I say, AN
appoinment.  I sat there all day from 10am - 2:30pm just hoping I could
maybe get a walk-in.  NO DICE.  So I made $30 in 5 hours.  Kind of a
bummer compared to my last Saturday in there where I was raking in
$60/hour.  I guess it's kind of a hot and cold business at times.

 

So tonight I am scheduled from 5:30 - 7:30 and I'm booked.  Go figure. 
Wouldn't you think people wouldn't want henna during th week, and would
want it on a Saturday.  Well I'm happy I could use the money.

 

Secondly...looks like I'm getting the loaner I needed for Cedarfest so
we will be doing it.  Not this weekend, but next, 100,000 people in 1
day attendance, big music and fun fest in Minneapolis.  I'm excited.  My
first opportunity to SOLELY use the MUD product...I can't tell you how
happy I am that we won't be using the freaking lemon/sugar! (go check it
out at my site if you want some http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com). 
Anyhow...Frank and I are going to do designs together.  This means I
have to make 4 design books in 1 week.  AKKK.  That is going to be
hardcore (lots of drawing and copying etc....)

Does anybody have any kewl suggestions for displays, displaying our
boards, displaying our pics, and just general ambience?  We always burn
incence, we use tied/dye sheets as tablecloths, we have an Easy-up
canopy and we hang a really kewl tapestry from it....and normally we
have like pegboard signs with the designs on them hanging up in the back
of the tent. 

 

I'm excited, I'm going to pick up the check tonight :)~

MyST

http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

 

>>P.S. Lady Ismara, have you tried the MUD yet???????

No, that's why I am waiting for the mail man!! :}

Lady Isarma ICQ# 24019667
Be good but not boring.
Be wicked but not cruel.
Be loving but not clawing.
Be smart but not smug.
And be a shining example to others by taking extreme care over your personal
hygiene. (No buts on this count.)


-----Original Message-----
From: Shawn Barfield <ShawnB@...>
To: 'Mehandi@onelist.com' <Mehandi@onelist.com>
Date: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 6:43 AM
Subject: [Mehandi] Michelle's Trip


>From: Shawn Barfield <ShawnB@...>
>
>Michelle....sounds to me like you enjoyed yourself, covered your costs,
>and still got to do the other things you wanted to.  That sounds awesome
>to me!
>
>I hated to be so nosey, but the thing is, since there is not any real
>"standard" for pricing, I always like to see what others are charging
>around the country and then kind of adjust my prices if need be
>accordingly.
>
>I am sure you learned a lot about your abilities during your trip, and
>found that you could do more people and more designs than you had
>imagined.  Most of the time, for me at fairs that is, there are always
>more people lined up then I end up having time for.  That's why I got
>Frank involved in doing designs.  Since he's been my assistant all
>along, he totally knows what's up, and his chinese and japanese
>calligraphy are the best I have seen.  He is totally amazing, I think he
>should be a tattoo artist.
>
>In the state of MN they have a book that's put out each year in January
>I believe, that tells artists where the art fairs are and what dates and
>entrance fees and even the approximate attendance.  I have one that I
>got this spring (a little late to do ALL the fairs/fests) and it's
>really great, it's for MN/WI and IA.  I would suggest to anyone who's
>interested in doing fairs/fests to invest in one of these books.  I'm
>sure you could find out more about them either looking around online, or
>at your local library.
>
>Does anyone else have any fun events coming up???? This weekend I'm
>dancing at the MN Renaissance Festival.  Not an actual "routine" but I'm
>going to be bellydancing in a parade for our Guild.  Should be fun.  I
>also am dying to check out the Mehndi artist that they have at RenFest
>this year.  I am not aware of many locals that do mehndi professionally
>so whenever I see them, I gotta scope out the competition.
>
>Keep these emails flowing girls :)~
>
>P.S. Lady Ismara, have you tried the MUD yet???????
>
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>
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>For full story and to submit yours,
><a href=" http://www.onelist.com/info/ootw_21.html ">Click Here</A>
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>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>For more information on Mehndi/Henna Body art check out MyST's website at
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

Michelle....sounds to me like you enjoyed yourself, covered your costs,
and still got to do the other things you wanted to.  That sounds awesome
to me!

I hated to be so nosey, but the thing is, since there is not any real
"standard" for pricing, I always like to see what others are charging
around the country and then kind of adjust my prices if need be
accordingly.

I am sure you learned a lot about your abilities during your trip, and
found that you could do more people and more designs than you had
imagined.  Most of the time, for me at fairs that is, there are always
more people lined up then I end up having time for.  That's why I got
Frank involved in doing designs.  Since he's been my assistant all
along, he totally knows what's up, and his chinese and japanese
calligraphy are the best I have seen.  He is totally amazing, I think he
should be a tattoo artist.

In the state of MN they have a book that's put out each year in January
I believe, that tells artists where the art fairs are and what dates and
entrance fees and even the approximate attendance.  I have one that I
got this spring (a little late to do ALL the fairs/fests) and it's
really great, it's for MN/WI and IA.  I would suggest to anyone who's
interested in doing fairs/fests to invest in one of these books.  I'm
sure you could find out more about them either looking around online, or
at your local library.

Does anyone else have any fun events coming up???? This weekend I'm
dancing at the MN Renaissance Festival.  Not an actual "routine" but I'm
going to be bellydancing in a parade for our Guild.  Should be fun.  I
also am dying to check out the Mehndi artist that they have at RenFest
this year.  I am not aware of many locals that do mehndi professionally
so whenever I see them, I gotta scope out the competition.

Keep these emails flowing girls :)~

P.S. Lady Ismara, have you tried the MUD yet???????

You know michelle, I have the same trouble with setting my prices, especialy
since most of my festivals are pagan in nature too. I hate to charge awfully, I
hear the henna artists in seattle charge UPWARDS of a dollar an min.
I could never charge that here, nor would I *want* to charge that at a pagan
fest. so I haven't settled on prices yet.

I do still make the stuff from scratch, but I am *SO* waiting to get my MUD now
that myst has vamped up the MUD so much.

>smiling, waiting for the mailman<<

Lady Isarma ICQ# 24019667
Be good but not boring.
Be wicked but not cruel.
Be loving but not clawing.
Be smart but not smug.
And be a shining example to others by taking extreme care over your personal
hygiene. (No buts on this count.)

>Michele, how many designs on average did you do?  What were you charging
>for the designs and how long were you spending with your clients?????
>How much did you make the entire time?  I don't mean to be nosey!!!!!
>But it's exciting when you hear how it's a lucrative business venture,
>and just so happens to be body art and something we really  enjoy doing
>:)~~ I'm just curious!

I did about a dozen designs, about 2 or 3 a day. I charged about $10 for a
back-of-the-hand type design, like a 2.5 inch mandala. If the design filled
the whole back of the hand, and it went up into the fingers it was about
$15-20, depending on complexity. Both hands averaged $30. I told everyone
that designs started at $5, but no one wanted those designs, they all
wanted something bigger, and were willing to pay for it. I did try to
charge a little less than I might in town though, because at this
particular festival we were all family and all the merchants cut their
prices a tiny bit. :) But, I honestly didn't know what other people charge,
so I had to guess what I thought my time was worth and what people were
willing to pay.

All told, I made over $100, not including the two barters which I felt I
got good deals on. I could easily have made more, lots more people wanted
mehndi, but there were other activities I wanted to do so... As for how
long I spent with clients, probably alot longer than you Myst! :) I'm still
very new and inexperienced, so it still takes me a while sometimes. I did
notice a definate improvement in my speed and quality as the week
progressed, so there's hope for me. ;)

Michele

-----Original Message-----
From: Michele [mailto:knanna@...]
Sent: Sunday, August 08, 1999 11:13 PM
To: Mehandi@onelist.com
Subject: [Mehandi] my vacation with mehndi


Michele,
Sounds like you had quite a trip!!! And you were brilliant to bring with
the Mehndi MUD product.  It's all I use anymore.  After spending hours
mixing my own, and I used to really feel that was part of the process of
doing Mehndi, slaving and sifting and cooking, and mixing.  I love the
smell of the eucalyptus and lemon, and the tea boiling and all that
don't get me wrong.  And when I use the Mehndi MUD, I don't use any
eucalyptus oil, so that I miss....but the Mehndi MUD itself has plenty
of lemon and eucalyptus oil in it, and you can definately get a good
whiff of it when you're applying the stuff.

One thing I am finding with clients at the salon is that people really
want a fine line...or really fine intricate designs....and the tips I
have from the Mehndi MUD bottles, don't get as fine as I would prefer.
Body Art Supply has an awesome metal tipped applicator, and I'm going to
have to order another one from them.  That was the tip that gave me the
fines possible line ever using a bottle.  Has anyone on the list had
much luck using cones???????????????

The Mehndi MUD does stain quickly, and sometimes to a fault, if you make
any boo-boo's they are going to show up the 2nd day of the darkening
process no matter how quickly you wipe off the smudge.  That is a fact.
I agree too, Michele, that people will smudge designs, it's just a fact
of life.  I don't feel so bad, because in the salon I am near the girls
that do nails...and believe me people smudge their nails more often then
the henna designs!

I totally agree also about the kid designs.  At festivals I got several
young girls and kids (even boys!) that wanted designs.  I charged them
$5 (my full price designs were $10) and each of them must have brought
over an additional 4 friends.  I really enjoy putting the designs on
kids.  They are always in awe.

Michele, how many designs on average did you do?  What were you charging
for the designs and how long were you spending with your clients?????
How much did you make the entire time?  I don't mean to be nosey!!!!!
But it's exciting when you hear how it's a lucrative business venture,
and just so happens to be body art and something we really  enjoy doing
:)~~ I'm just curious!

How is everyone else doing? What are you all upto?
MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com
Mehndi MUD available at the above link!!!
(don't forget to vote on my site for your favorite type of henna, premix
or homemade formulas)

Hi list!

Well, just got back from the camping trip to a weeklong festival in the
hills of wisconsin. I took my henna with, and offered mehndi art to fellow
festival goers. Since there were so many activities I wanted to participate
in, I didn't do the henna all day, and usually I took the supplies with me
to the workshops I went to so I could listen and do mehndi at the same time.

I must say, that having pre-made paste, specifically Mehndi MUD(tm), was
extremely convenient. making more paste later in the week when my bottle
was getting low was very messy, not to mention time-consuming, since there
were other things I'd like to have been doing.

I did have excellent results with the henna. The MUD does stain quickly and
dark. However, even my own mixed henna stained quickly and dark. I don't
think it was anything that the MUD had differently, I think the freshness
of the henna powder makes all the difference. But, the MUD has the natural
preservative, and THAT meant a great deal in the primitive camping
conditions. My own paste seemed to only last a few days, while I had no
trouble with the MUD seperating and getting old.

Because this was a pagan gathering, I got to do alot of meaningful designs.
One woman wanted spiral triskelion designs for healing. One chose designs
for her hands: a 'female' lotus flowery design for her right hand, and a
more geometric 'male' design for her left. Several wanted tiny designs on
their forheads where a bindi would go, spirals and such. I also got popular
with the kids who had a dollar and wanted a henna 'tattoo' just like their
moms (none of the men made it over to me, in spite of expressing interest
in having it done). I also got to do my good friend's hands, as she was
getting handfasted  (married) at the festival, so I did a 'bridal' style
design for her hands. We never go to her feet, no time.

The things I learned:

     Bring more pre-made paste next time.
     Set more definate prices.
     Have more tiny "Dollar Store" designs for children, especially animals.
     Children can only keep henna on for 10 minutes, if a bug doesn't land
on their hand, unless they paid more than a dollar, then they can keep it
on for 20 minutes. :)
     Put dots on knuckles, not lines.
     People like to hear stories of cultural uses of henna.
     Everyone wants to learn to do it, and they are more willing to sit and
pay more for a design if you tell them how to make henna paste. :)
     It's very hard to keep henna on anyone, when camping. dang mosquitos!!!
Be prepared to touch up the occasional accident.

So I had lots of fun doing mehndi for people. I made enough money to cover
my trip up and back, and to buy a few trinkets I wouldn't have been able to
get. I also bartered with two women, which I was very willing to do as they
had things I wanted. I've decided to switch to the MUD permanently, as I'm
tired of the mess of making my own paste. :)

Michele

The reason why Loretta's book isn't "featured" on my site at this given
time is because Frank is in the process of revamping our online store.

Last night we worked on the "about myst" update, so if you want to check
it out, you'll see new pictures from me and more information!!!!!
MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

>100 + degrees and then 90% humidity
**Oh my gosh, I would croak! I can do heat, but not humidity, claustrophobic
asthma kicks in and I can't breathe! It's like drowning on dry land!

>As far as Loretta's book, it was and has remained my "mehndi bible".
>Most of the pictures have fallen out or been removed,
**Oh, YOU DEFACED your BIBLE! :p (giggling)

>and for awhile....I was featuring it on my website.
Mind if I ask why you no longer do? (Inquireing minds want to know)

>MyST
I saw your name on the amazon page !
Neener neener neener!

Lady Isarma

Lady Isarma,
Thanks for your feedback, seems we agree :)~~
I worked last night at the salon and only had 2 customers, because it
was so hot out 100 + degrees and then 90% humidity.....so people's cars
were breaking down everywhere.....everyone xled.....the manicures, the
hair colors, and the haircuts.  Go figure.

As far as Loretta's book, it was and has remained my "mehndi bible".
Most of the pictures have fallen out or been removed, and for
awhile....I was featuring it on my website.  I agree with you
wholeheartedly about choosing designs for clients.  At festivals that's
easy but in the salon people have a pre-conceived notion of what
something should look like.  So that's the problem with just letting
your artistic tendencies fly.

MyST

Thanks for the big welcome. Yes, I'd love to make that kind of money, but as I
said, I doubt I could charge those kinds of prices here, so I am content to do
what I love for whatever I can get for it! :}
You mentioned Loretta Roome in your post, and I have a couple of comments.
A) you are the only person in the whole year I have been reading the henna arts
stuff on the internet to mention her book, which I LOVE!
B) Have you considered taping into that creative inner-self that she talks
about? If you are concerned about taking all your books along, why not take a
simple portfolio of your favorite work, and then let your higher-self choose the
design for the client? It will be more personal and "one-of-a-kind" for the
client, no? :}


>Secondly, I am a firm non-believer in Nu-Skin.  That stuff is
>nothing but a mess.  It's really hard to get off,
***Ah, this part *is* true....I finally used finger nail polish to get it off my
hand, worked great, as long as it is a body part that FPR is appropriate for,
and it is the conditioning kind. I did wait until the next day to make sure it
didn't mess up the design.********

>and it lifts the henna up.  Remember, even if you are using your own
>home-made paste, henna is only staining the skin while it's wet.  Once
>it's dry, it's useless.

***which is why I used the new skin at the "leather" stage, before it got dry,
as the nu-skin creates a moisture barrier and keeps the mehndi  from drying out
for a LONG time.....but it needs to be 'anchored' to the skin so it dosen't lift
off, like you described. I think if using the hand-made henna, it can be useful,
and I just became aware of the MUD, so I can't make any judgements yet. :}
Just a matter of using the right ingredients and tools in the right place at the
right time, for the right person. I (personaly) don't think there is anything
wrong if someone wants to do one, the other, both or neither. :}

Michelle,
Basically the Mehndi MUD will last up to 3 months when refridgerated.
If you bought just a small sized bottle, even if you left it out
overnight (out of refridgeration) it will be FINE.  There have been
nights that friends have been over and I'm hennaeing EVERYONE until late
night and then we crash and I have forgotten to throw the little bottle
back in the fridge.  It has worked perfectly FINE the next day or the
next time I have used it, just got up in the am, realized I didn't put
it in the fridge, then put it in the fridge, and carry on.  If I were
you I would consider throwing your henna in the cooler.

Secondly, I am a firm non-believer in Nu-Skin.  UT UH that stuff is
nothing but a mess.  It's really hard to get off, and it lifts the henna
up.  With Mehndi MUD you don't have to worry about the mud staying on
the skin for extended periods of time (THANK GOD) just apply and let it
dry and fall off naturally.  Remember, even if you are using your own
home-made paste, henna is only staining the skin while it's wet.  Once
it's dry, it's useless.

MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Michele [mailto:knanna@...]
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 9:12 PM
To: Mehandi@onelist.com
Subject: [Mehandi] re: saturday at salon


From: Michele <knanna@...>

Wow! $60 and hour?! I have the wrong career. :)

Myst, have you used the Mud after it's sat for a few weeks? does it
still
work well? I'll be taking mine to a camping vacation where I expect to
use
it up, as well as taking my henna powder to make more paste. I'm hoping
the
Mehndi Mud's claim to being good for a few months is true.

Has anyone tried using the New Skin spray over the mehndi design to keep
it
from flaking off and to help it stain better? I saw that tip on BodyArt
website (don't have the site url on hand but if anyone wants it I can
find
it) and I bought some of the New Skin to take with me since we'll all be
camping and doing lots of walking around the campsite, so I expect it'll
be
hard for people to keep their designs from flaking off without something
covering it.

When I come back in a week and a half, I'll let everyone know how my
stuff
turned out. :)

Michele
www.netexpress.net/~knanna/



--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------

ONElist:  your connection to people who share your interests.

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For more information on Mehndi/Henna Body art check out MyST's website
at http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

Lady Isarma, a very warm welcome from our little henna group!  I am MyST
the list moderator and let say that $80/hour is absolutely fabulous
money to do something you truly love don't you think?

Last Saturday when I worked at the salon I raked in about $300 in 5
hours, so $60/hr isn't too bad either!  It was really great.  The salon
makes all the appointments for me and such, so all I do is show up and
go to work.

Does anyone else on the list do appointments either at a salon or a
kiosk or a shoppe?  If so, what kind of materials do you bring for
design ideas.  I have a few books that I bring (Loretta Roome, Sumita
Batra, Catherine Cartwright Jones) and then my notebook with pictures of
my designs and drawings of possible hand designs.  I have to think of
some other way to get a lot of designs to the salon without having to
bring all my books each time I have appointments.  Hmmm.

Secondly, do any of you use bindis when you are applying henna designs,
to accentuate and bring out the designs?  I did a gorgeous belly chain
design on a woman last weekend, and I wished I'd had a bindi to stick in
her belly button....it would have been beautiful.  I bought a bunch of
bindis yesterday from Body Art Supply, they had a really great
selection.

As for the use of the Body Art Henna Powder, I have used it myself with
decent results.  Let me once again plug the convenience and assurance
that using the LifeArt MUD that is available on my webpage.  It only
needs to be on the skin for an hour to leave a really dark stain.  No
fussing with Lemon/Sugar, no need for the added expense of Nu-Skin.
Also, my experience with Nu-Skin was horrible.  It pulled the henna
right off the skin.  Anyhow, that's my 2 cents.  If you would like to
order the LifeArt MUD, follow this link:
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com .  There is an icon that you click on
my page, and voila!!!!!

Happy Hennaeing :)
MyST

Hello, I just came on board today, and I have the "henna" and "hennagh" lists
here on onelist, thought I could check out what everyone else was doing (my
lists are new, one is unlisted, as it is for our local collective.)
I was impressed with the $80 an hour estimate. I have yet to do any time at our
local tat parlor, and the area is rather repressed, so I can't charge what they
can in, say, Seattle or somewhere.
I do fairly well at festivals and such. I have been doing henna art for almost
two years, and before that some time ago I did silk painting in a batik method,
which uses the same basic methods.

>Are you currently a mehndi/mehandi artist?
*Yes, I hope to do a stint in a hallway kiosk in my local mall this holiday
season!

>For fun or professionally?
**Well, I don't know if the term "professionaly" has any "qualifiers" like
classes or artistic talent (big grin) but I do get paid to do it! :} (actualy, I
am moving away from transfers as my artistic talent increases, and I refuse to
use stencils except in extreeme cases, which I haven't done yet...)
>Where are you located?
***I am on the very western coast of Washington state, where the "armpit" is
(look at a map) I usualy say "Find the capitol, Olympia, then go west till you
hit water, that's us".

>What has been your experience w/mehndi/henna body art?
****Well, I started with too little info, and created my own tea mordant from
scratch. With it, I was getting a pretty good stain with the henna from the HF
store here, before I found out that's not supposed to work at all!
I have bought powdered henna from Body arts, and it works great.
I have noticed that the longer the henna sits, the darker or more mahogny it
turns. Haven't tried any other products, so I can't endorse any.

From: Michele
>Has anyone tried using the New Skin spray over the mehndi design to keep it
>from flaking off and to help it stain better?
******YES! I like it alot, it helped alot for the last festival I did, a pagan
gathering with people dancing and kids running. I didn't like the spray as well
as the brush on, as the spray I went through too fast. And you DON'T want to put
it on before the henna gets to that "leather" stage, or one bump will pick up
and *en masse* move your design!! Trust me!
The thing I like about the brush on is, if doing a large piece like shoulders,
you can brush some on the dry areas, before they crack, and keep going, with out
worry you oversprayed and will block the henna from taking in another area.
(also, the spray has propane as a propellant, which is COLD for some!)

>I saw that tip on BodyArt website (don't have the site url on hand (SNIP)
http://www.bodyart.com

and I bought some of the New Skin to take with me since we'll all be camping and
doing lots of walking around the campsite, so I expect it'll be hard for people
to keep their designs from flaking off without something covering it.
** You know, comparisen shop on that new skin, you wouldn't BELIEVE the
difference in prices I have seen just in this tiny town!!

Pax,
Lady Isarma

Hi,
     I s*bbed this morning and now have a moment to post an intro, so here it
is.

>Are you currently a mehndi/mehandi artist?
Nope, right now I'm looking for information.

>Where are you located?
Louisiana, right in the middle of the state.

>What has been your experience w/mehndi/henna body art?
Nothing yet, I've seen examples on the 'net, but haven't tried anything yet.
I'm stilll in information collection mode right now.

>What productline do you endorse?
Same thing, nothing yet since I haven't tried any, I'm open to suggestions.


So, that's me, oh yeah, my name is Meredith.

lorekeeper@...
"Tea is soothing; I wish to be tense."

Wow! $60 and hour?! I have the wrong career. :)

Myst, have you used the Mud after it's sat for a few weeks? does it still
work well? I'll be taking mine to a camping vacation where I expect to use
it up, as well as taking my henna powder to make more paste. I'm hoping the
Mehndi Mud's claim to being good for a few months is true.

Has anyone tried using the New Skin spray over the mehndi design to keep it
from flaking off and to help it stain better? I saw that tip on BodyArt
website (don't have the site url on hand but if anyone wants it I can find
it) and I bought some of the New Skin to take with me since we'll all be
camping and doing lots of walking around the campsite, so I expect it'll be
hard for people to keep their designs from flaking off without something
covering it.

When I come back in a week and a half, I'll let everyone know how my stuff
turned out. :)

Michele
www.netexpress.net/~knanna/

this past saturday was my first official saturday taking appointments at
the salon.  it was reall kewl, i worked 10am till 3pm when my last
appointment was done.  people who were getting pedicures and such who
wanted anklets or flowers on the tops of their feet i just fit them in.
i made really good money, about $60/hour which is just fine by me to
spend a saturday doing what i love.  i have a great arrangement with the
salon...and they take 20%.  does anyone else work at a salon a few days
a week doing mehndi?

p.s. i used the Mehndi MUD that is available from my website, and it
worked fabulously.  Even if it's just on for an hour it leaves a dark
stain.  This worked much better for my clientele so that they didn't
have to deal with the whole lemon-sugar thing.  I also didn't use any
eucalyptus oil to prepare the skin.  I didn't have to :)

What is up with everyone else on here.  Who hasn't given us a bio or
information on who you are????? How you have come to find this list, and
of course, what your experience w/Mehndi has been :)

MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

As I had said, when I started doing mehndi, Light Mountain was the only
henna I could find.  I was on The Henna Page and someone said they had used
it, and when I came across it, I snatched it up!!  <smile>  This was before
you could get henna at every drug store.   I did see we have a middle
eastern store near me and I'm going to check there for henna powder when I
have the extra cash to buy, if they have any.   I'd prefer to mix my own
up - doesnt the MUD come premixed?   Also, I'm still practicing application,
so Light Moutain works well enough.

   I need to wake up my kids - it's 8:30am and they're not going to want to
take naps (they're starting to not want to take them anyway).

   Deina



-----Original Message-----
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 12:21:33 -0500
    From: Shawn Barfield <ShawnB@...>
Subject: Mehndi MUD and other stuff

Diena,
WELCOME to our humble list.  Sounds like you keep yourself quite busy
with your kids!!!  I thought it was interesting that you brought up that
you use Light Mountain Henna.  They sell that at our co-op and I used it
in an "emergency" for a festival and I got terrible results.  Remember
that henna that is meant for hair is treated with salts and other
chemicals that allow the henna to stain the hair better.  Also the
leaves of the henna plant are lower on the stalk...so they are not the
upper leaves and flowers which is what are recommended for henna that is
used for Mehndi.  I would recommend looking into getting something that
will give you a better stain.  I would recommend Mehndi MUD.  It's all I
use, and if you've seen my website, you can see the examples.  If you
are interested, it's 100% natural, and has no artifical or chemical
additives or preservatives.  It will last in your fridge for up to 3
months...and it's available on my website
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com
Very good stuff, I woudln't recommend it if I didn't love it to
death!!!! It's all I use, I am happy never making my own
again!!!!!!!!!!!

I also wanted to mention that I have been bellydancing for over a year
now.  The community loves my mehndi as well, and it's fun to have a
bunch of dancers that want appointments :)  I am setting up to teach
"mehndi classes" to a few local girls who are interested in learning the
art form.  It was such a breeze for me to pick up and I believe I can
teach them quickly with the use of the bottles I use.

I just recently got a salon gig where I'm working on Saturdays for
fabulous money!!!!!!  I thought festivals were lucrative but they are
nothing compared to this.  It's fun working in the salon atmosphere too.


Tonight I am dancing in a parade, and I had to henna last night at the
last minute :)  The designs I did on my hands are really neat, from the
Sumita Batra book...have you guys seen it?  It's probably one of my all
time greatest inspirations....

What are your inspirations?

MyST

Diena,
WELCOME to our humble list.  Sounds like you keep yourself quite busy
with your kids!!!  I thought it was interesting that you brought up that
you use Light Mountain Henna.  They sell that at our co-op and I used it
in an "emergency" for a festival and I got terrible results.  Remember
that henna that is meant for hair is treated with salts and other
chemicals that allow the henna to stain the hair better.  Also the
leaves of the henna plant are lower on the stalk...so they are not the
upper leaves and flowers which is what are recommended for henna that is
used for Mehndi.  I would recommend looking into getting something that
will give you a better stain.  I would recommend Mehndi MUD.  It's all I
use, and if you've seen my website, you can see the examples.  If you
are interested, it's 100% natural, and has no artifical or chemical
additives or preservatives.  It will last in your fridge for up to 3
months...and it's available on my website
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com
Very good stuff, I woudln't recommend it if I didn't love it to
death!!!! It's all I use, I am happy never making my own
again!!!!!!!!!!!

I also wanted to mention that I have been bellydancing for over a year
now.  The community loves my mehndi as well, and it's fun to have a
bunch of dancers that want appointments :)  I am setting up to teach
"mehndi classes" to a few local girls who are interested in learning the
art form.  It was such a breeze for me to pick up and I believe I can
teach them quickly with the use of the bottles I use.

I just recently got a salon gig where I'm working on Saturdays for
fabulous money!!!!!!  I thought festivals were lucrative but they are
nothing compared to this.  It's fun working in the salon atmosphere too.


Tonight I am dancing in a parade, and I had to henna last night at the
last minute :)  The designs I did on my hands are really neat, from the
Sumita Batra book...have you guys seen it?  It's probably one of my all
time greatest inspirations....

What are your inspirations?

MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ldykristyan [mailto:ldykristyan@...]
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 1999 12:09 PM
To: Mehandi@onelist.com
Subject: [Mehandi] Introduction


From: "ldykristyan" <ldykristyan@...>

   Hello - I'm new to the list.  My name is Deina and I'm in Oklahoma
City.
I've been doing mehndi for about 2 yrs for myself & daughter, for fun.
I'm
a the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) - a medieval re-creation
group.
My 'persona' is that of a 12cent. Scottish Highlander, but in the
evenings
at events there are often drumming circles/middle eastern dance and I've
thought of developing an alter-personea for the evening.  I've belly
danced
some at an event 9 yrs ago, but have forgotten alot of it. Oh - and I
also
play dumbek.
   I enjoy doing mehndi whenever I get some extra time - I'm a stay at
home
mom of 3 (Holly is almost 8, Lachlan is 2 1/2 and Michael is 15 months)
so
finding time to sit still and let the paste dry is difficult.  I taught
myself (with the help of the Internet) how to mix the paste and apply
it,
through alot of trial and error.  I use - I think it's called  Light
Mountain - henna (for hair) in the mohogany color. It was the only pure
henna I could find when I started learning - in fact, it was the ONLY
henna
I could find.  I discovered recently that sifting the henna through a
nylon
over a wide mouth jar really makes a fine powder, almost like baby
powder
talc, which makes a smoother paste.  Before I was always getting sticks
and
stems stuck in the tip of the pastry tube.
    I've only had 1 person notice the henna designs.  I was on WIC during
my
last pregnancy, and during one of my appointments I met with a lady of
Indian descent.  While she was checking my iron level she noticed the
design
on my ankle and said "What is that, mehndi?  Where did you learn that?"
I
explained what I had found on the 'Net and she seems rather impressed.
During previous appoints I had told her I'm vegetarain (She kept getting
onto me about not eating enough meat) and I also have my nose pierced.
She
asked if I was Hindu or had Indian ancestors.  Unfortuantely not, but I
do
love the culture of India and the Middle East and N. Africa.

   That's all I can think of - I'm looking forward to being apart of this
list.

Deina

-----Original Message-----
From: Mehandi-owner@onelist.com [mailto:Mehandi-owner@onelist.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 1999 11:37 AM
To: ldykristyan@...
Subject: [Mehandi] Welcome to Mehandi@onelist.com


Hello and Welcome to the Mehandi Onelist!!!!

We will cover topics from traditional Mehndi/Mehandi body art to the
more
contemporary forms.
Please send a bio about yourself to the list upon subscribing, tell us
the
following information:

Are you currently a mehndi/mehandi artist?  For fun or professionally?
Where are you located?
What has been your experience w/mehndi/henna body art?
What productline do you endorse?

Check out my website for more information on henna/mehndi body art
including
designs, recipes, and Mehndi MUD that you can order
directly from our site!!!

http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

Thanks!
MyST



--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------

Start a new ONElist list & you can WIN great prizes!
http://www.onelist.com
See homepage for details on ONElist's new "FRIENDS & FAMILY" program.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information on Mehndi/Henna Body art check out MyST's website
at http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

Hello - I'm new to the list.  My name is Deina and I'm in Oklahoma City.
I've been doing mehndi for about 2 yrs for myself & daughter, for fun.  I'm
a the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) - a medieval re-creation group.
My 'persona' is that of a 12cent. Scottish Highlander, but in the evenings
at events there are often drumming circles/middle eastern dance and I've
thought of developing an alter-personea for the evening.  I've belly danced
some at an event 9 yrs ago, but have forgotten alot of it. Oh - and I also
play dumbek.
   I enjoy doing mehndi whenever I get some extra time - I'm a stay at home
mom of 3 (Holly is almost 8, Lachlan is 2 1/2 and Michael is 15 months) so
finding time to sit still and let the paste dry is difficult.  I taught
myself (with the help of the Internet) how to mix the paste and apply it,
through alot of trial and error.  I use - I think it's called  Light
Mountain - henna (for hair) in the mohogany color. It was the only pure
henna I could find when I started learning - in fact, it was the ONLY henna
I could find.  I discovered recently that sifting the henna through a nylon
over a wide mouth jar really makes a fine powder, almost like baby powder
talc, which makes a smoother paste.  Before I was always getting sticks and
stems stuck in the tip of the pastry tube.
    I've only had 1 person notice the henna designs.  I was on WIC during my
last pregnancy, and during one of my appointments I met with a lady of
Indian descent.  While she was checking my iron level she noticed the design
on my ankle and said "What is that, mehndi?  Where did you learn that?"   I
explained what I had found on the 'Net and she seems rather impressed.
During previous appoints I had told her I'm vegetarain (She kept getting
onto me about not eating enough meat) and I also have my nose pierced.  She
asked if I was Hindu or had Indian ancestors.  Unfortuantely not, but I do
love the culture of India and the Middle East and N. Africa.

   That's all I can think of - I'm looking forward to being apart of this
list.

Deina

-----Original Message-----
From: Mehandi-owner@onelist.com [mailto:Mehandi-owner@onelist.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 1999 11:37 AM
To: ldykristyan@...
Subject: [Mehandi] Welcome to Mehandi@onelist.com


Hello and Welcome to the Mehandi Onelist!!!!

We will cover topics from traditional Mehndi/Mehandi body art to the more
contemporary forms.
Please send a bio about yourself to the list upon subscribing, tell us the
following information:

Are you currently a mehndi/mehandi artist?  For fun or professionally?
Where are you located?
What has been your experience w/mehndi/henna body art?
What productline do you endorse?

Check out my website for more information on henna/mehndi body art including
designs, recipes, and Mehndi MUD that you can order
directly from our site!!!

http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

Thanks!
MyST

Hello :)

I guess I can do the intro thing. My name is Michele. Yes, Myst, I've been
to your website. In fact, some of your work inspired my latest attempt on
my own hands. I'm always looking for designs that are pretty but easy
enough for my left hand to draw on my right, as my left is not my dominant.
I've been playing around with mehndi for about 8 months now, as a hobby.
I've taken some pictures, but so far only one (my latest attempt) is on my
website, the others need to get scanned.

As for products, I ordered my first 'kit' (mehndi powder, oil, stencils)
from Mehndi Magic. The powder was good quality, and I was pleased with the
results. My next purchase was from MehndiMud, they had a special on 1oz
bottles of Mud. I was -very- pleased with my results. (the web pic I put up
is the Mud) I have yet to test it again, as the first time I used it was a
few days after I recieved it. Since they say it has a 6 month shelf life in
the fridge, I plan to test it's staining ability after being in there for a
couple weeks, soon.

Michele
www.netexpress.net/~knanna/

Because I don't think I have sent out a formal welcome to all the
members of this list...I would like to do so.  I'm not sure what you may
or may not know about me at this point, not sure if you have visited my
website, etc...

My name is Shawn, but I go by MyST online....I have been practicing
mehndi/henna body art for over 2 years.  I am a professional mehndi
artist, which means I get paid for my work, and currently I am working
out a salon 1 day a week and one evening a week.  I really enjoy the art
itself, and Middle-Eastern art.  Another of my hobbies is bellydancing
which I have been doing for over a year.  To find out more about me, as
well as henna designs/patterns/recipes and of course Mehndi MUD please
visit my webpage at http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

My website also provides a "Mehndi Forum" where everyone can exchanges
questions and ideas aboutu mehndi/henna body art.  Let me know what you
think!!!! Sign my guestbook.

I have also edited the welcome message.  I am including it below and
hope that you will send information to the list about who you are and
how you have gotten involved with Mehndi :)~

Thanks!
MyST

Hello and Welcome to the Mehandi Onelist!!!!

                    We will cover topics from traditional Mehndi/Mehandi
body art to the more contemporary forms.
                    Please send a bio about yourself to the list upon
subscribing, tell us the following information:

                    Are you currently a mehndi/mehandi artist?  For fun
or professionally?
                    Where are you located?
                    What has been your experience w/mehndi/henna body
art?
                    What productline do you endorse?

                    Check out my website for more information on
henna/mehndi body art including designs, recipes, and Mehndi MUD that
you can order
                    directly from our site!!!

                    http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

                    Thanks!
                    MyST

Hey guys!!!

Mehndi By MyST has a whole new LOOK!  Check out our site, and the new
additions.  Make sure to sign my guestbook.....!!!!

We have added:

* Mehndi/Henna/Bellydancing FORUM  - where we can all post
discussions about these topics
* New Online Store - Featuring the NEW Sumita Batra Mehndi book!
* NEW Mehndi MUD available directly from our site!!!!! - JUST
CLICK TO ORDER :)~
* and much much more!!!!!!~


Thanks for checking us out!!!!
MyST
http://mehndimyst.freeservers.com

If you experience any difficulties w/the site, or you have some
suggestions or if you'd like to link your site to mine, please contact
franks@...

Thank you again! And have a great 4th weekend!