Re: detailed designs
Posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on March 10, 1998 at 04:22:38:
In Reply to: detailed designs posted by Laura on March 09, 1998 at 21:55:04:
: How do I make detailed designs besides the plastic tube or baggie
method. I don't seem to have much control over this method - I guess
practice will make perfect but is there any other method. I've seen
some people mention toothpicks and orange sticks. How do you use
them?
Sift your henna powder, sieve your lemon juice, and add either a
little grenadine syrup or sugary hot tea or coffee to mix your batch,
that helps create a gooeyness that helps the henna make finer
lines....I'm not thrilled with squeezy bags either, though if I have a
lot of clients to get through, it makes hennaeing go faster. Flat
toothpicks make a nice little line of henna, better than a small
paintbrush, because those bristles tend to get globby when full of
henna. If you're not in a hurry, you should do fine with toothpicks.
Also, if you get totally frustrated with tiny designs, explore
patterns from traditions from Africa or the Arab countries that are
less fiddly and more magical...We post new free patterns every month
at www.mehandi.com with their sources and meanings, and we try to
draft patterns that aren't desparately complex. Our regular kit
has 20-some patterns, and we hope to have pattern books available
shortly...if you're looking for ideas. After all, only the bride is
supposed to have the fanciest patterns, the rest of the party is done
with less elaborate stuff....as no one outdresses the bride at our
weddings....