Omani, Sudani and Emirati style

I've been obsessed with mehndi designs for the last 13 years, and my latest fascination is Gulf style - from Oman, Sudan, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. These designs are so different than the Indian and UK-style designs I'm used to. They are bold and flowing, and quite stunning. These designs are not my work, but I am about to thin my henna paste and get to work recreating some of these amazing designs. I am doing a belly and a teen's birthday party tonight, and am hoping to get to try some of them out.

After spending hours searching the internet for photos, I realized many of the photos are of dangerous black henna. Traditionally, Sudanese women use gall ink, also called khidab, but today it's common to use PPD, the chemical in black hair dye to get pure black. It can cause blistering or scarring of the skin, as well as liver toxicity. They also, unfortunately add benzene, turpentine and acetone to the paste! I have begun experimenting with two-tone designs using Temptu Pro black ink, and Mehron Henna-Style Tattoo cosmetic "Ink", which don't last as long, but are safe alternatives, and look beautiful.

UPDATE: Here are some photos of some of my recent work in this style:

The Drum Project

I have been teaching Music Together at Montessori Center for the Child since 2005, and more recently, Elementary Music and I truly love this school. My son attended for two years, and my daughter is in her fourth year there.

Recently, Amy, the Primary teacher, found a set of frame drums at the dump. They were in perfect condition, so she grabbed them for the classroom. I wanted to do something really special for Sarah, the Director (and also a dear friend) - to give a gift to the school that would remain long after we are gone. I decided to henna the drums, and they will soon hang in the Primary classroom. Eventually the paste will get flaked off (in a few months) and the henna will then darken on the skins. I'm really pleased with how they turned out!

The car is ready for Spring!

~Colleen
TheHennaLady.com
804.314.1738

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Well the season really is gearing up. This past week I attended a Consignment Sale Opening for Ring Around the Rosy, First Fridays Artwalk, a bar night for the Darden School of Business in Charlottesville, a mehndi trial for a bride here in Richmond, and a Mardi Gras Face-painting party.

I also received contracts for two Henrico County Library Summer Programs, two brides, and a henna belly! And worked my full-time teaching job. Needless to say, I am tired. But the big news is that this week I declined my teaching contract for the next school year and will be devoting myself full-time to TheHennaLady.com!! I even got my new business license so it's official... the name has changed from 'Henna Body Art by Colleen Heller'. I couldn't be more excited about the warm weather getting here!!

Gearing up for Spring!

First look at new signage and pennant banners. Tablecloths are in the works... Sari fabric is on the way from India.

This was our first outdoor event... First Fridays Artwalk outside Quirk Gallery with the Market Umbrella vendors. Yes, we were freezing!

Here's a closeup of the banner: