An (almost) forgotten magic (especially for all the pros)
Posted by Lauren on September 21, 2001 at 19:40:34:
I've been doing henna professionally for quite a while, but never somuch as this summer. Nearly every weekend has been full since April,
whether street fairs, SCA events, Renn Fairs, or private gigs. I
tested all the henna I had (and yes, as soon as I get the #$#$@$@ web
sit eback up, you will have the results) very scientifically. I
worked with the terps to get a better faster stain. I studied other
artists' techniques to better mine. I pored over pattern books to
find inspiration. I have had a ball! I have learned so much and
gotten so much better and I feel like a real pro now. It's been
TERRIFIC and I wouldn't change a thing.
But
I got some henna from a lady on this forum who is not a dealer, just
sent it to me to be kind. I had some time, finally, last night, and
so I decided that, unlike my recent usual of slap-and-go with the
terped paste, I thought I'd do myself the "old-fashioned way" that I
used to do up until I started the "pro" thing. I mixed the henna
with only lemon juice and sugar and let it sit all day. I applied it
over the course of several hours, sometimes referring to different
books but mostly doing what pleased me at the time, letting the
designs grow organically out of my imagination. I let it dry a bit
then applied lemon-sugar a few times until it was all shiny. I
wrapped it in tissue paper, carefully, letting the paper stick to all
surfaces to keep it from budging. I wrapped it over and over until I
had a firm cover, then my husband wrapped it in plastic. I went to
bed last night and was like a little girl on Christmas Eve, I was so
excited. I couldn't wait for morning to unwrap and see if the design
had held, and what color I would get. I finally got to sleep, and in
the morning, I jumped out of bed and ran for the bathroom and tore
off the wrap, just like Christmas morning. It's beautiful! It does
feel like a gift. All day, I've walked around, checking to see what
color it is this hour, and smelling that wonderful henna smell. I
just sniffed my hand again. What joy!
In my busy life and my "pro" status, I'd almost forgotten the magic
in henna. I forgot why I used to do this before I had any financial
stake in it. I forgot that this is an important ritual as well as a
fun adornment. I forgot the important stuff. Please, fellow pros,
don't let this happen to you. Most of all, don't just pass on the
henna- pass on the magic.
In henna-sniffy happiness,
Lauren
Follow Ups
- Re: An (almost) forgotten magic (especially for all the pros)
Lorry 02:46:40 9/22/2001
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