softly, softly, catchy mehandi monkey

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Posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on March 03, 2000 at 00:44:25:

In Reply to: But How? posted by SeeSee on March 02, 2000 at 23:17:19:

I make a teeny snip at a 45 angle against the seam to start, then put
2 tbsp of henna in the cone. That's just enough to let air out. Then
I put on my very best KMart reading glasses and squoosh the henna down
(like I'm milking a goat) to the tip. Then I can really see where the
henna is and where the seam is. Then I make one more snip with my best
scissors to make a 45 degree cut to make an orifice that lets henna
out about the size of 3 sewing threads twisted together, and give a
milk-goat squeeze to make sure it comes out ok. If it squiggles, I'm
either squeezing too hard, or the paste is too thick, or I need a
bigger cut. It's tricky and delicate. When perfect, the henna will
come out in an eliptical, rather than a circular line. I try to lay
the line seam side up so as the henna settles, it is an incredibly
fine line , but dense. IE .... an elipse of henna settles to a linear
pyramid .... a round line of henna settles wider. I really can get
henna lines one skin cell wide with carrot bags on a good day.....
(and because the plastic is flexible there is line variation ... as a
professional illustrator, I love line variation ... but some people
can't deal with it, it's tweeky and unpredictable if you're not up for
it) you just have to have a deep and intimate relationship with your
Jed Hansen Sift-O-Matic and a relatively soft paste. My other secret
is to only henna on my "exhale" breaths if it's getting difficult. If
you got the Navneet books, and don't think anything like some of those
like "Evergreen Mehandi" are humanly possible .... I can do it, but
only with carrot bags, a sift-o-matic and henna on exhaling breaths.
Email me if you want pix.
It works for me. It's tough for others. I know some people pick it
up first time out, because I've seen my students copy Navneet books
line for line on the first try at my classes! It must help to have me
mix the paste to the right consistancy, and see how I hold the cone
.... but once you get the hang of it ..... like good sex, there's
just no substitute. I should have pictures back shortly of the henna
carrot bag technique (not good sex). (for good sex, you're on your
own)

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