Some Henna thoughts for Catherine fans and others
[ Follow-ups ] [ Post Follow-up ] [ The Henna Page Discussion Forum ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Phoenix on April 02, 1998 at 06:32:15:
So Catherine, Have you read our book? From your posts I deduce that despite your claim to be a seasoned professional, you are still struggling with some very basic factors in the process. The multiplicity of variables makes the process very hard to get a grip on. Which it the very reason we wrote the book, to help people get past this frustrating experimental stage, and into the place where the craft just flows, and real body art can be created successfully and reliably every time in a relaxed state. This is what your customers implicitly assume they will get when they pay you for your henna service, not to mention your classes. No we will not be posting results of "our tests," because frankly we rarely test anything any more, unless it clearly has some potential merit. Most of what you seem to be tinkering with, it is clear to us will not yield professional-quality results on a reliable basis. We have already published the best information from our experience plus that which has been shared with us by quite a number of seasoned traditional artists (mostly women from other countries who were taught by their mother or grandmother as a child). Also we are very, very busy. You may have noted we can only pop into the Forum from time to time. And those times will be getting less often... we are working on the 2nd edition of the Handbook. This book contains all our knowledge from a working experience with several thousand henna clients, not to mention years of real needle and ink tattooing as well as a couple of decades of professional art in other areas. Our personal phone number is there in the book too, as we try to support both amateur and professional artists in any way we can. I trust that you share with us a desire to see the overall quality of henna arts improve in the world (not just in your bank account) and for more and more people to understand how to get great henna every time they do it. Poor henna work has a negative impact on everyone in the henna business. Shoddy products likewise. The greater the knowledge base and skill level of all henna professionals, suppliers and amateurs, the better the image of henna in the eye of the public. We will ALL benefit from this. People with poor business ethics or excessive greed not only hurt themselves in the long run, but they also hurt everyone else who is serious about this art form. Right now the public is willing to spend good money on experiencing henna art, both having it applied to them, and doing it themselves. Let us all make a real effort to go the extra mile and provide the best information and the best quality products and services to the public. We will benefit, the consumers will benefit, and our whole society will have a new body art tradition that is positive and uplifting. If we don't give good value to henna consumers, they will be disappointed in the results, tell all their friends it is a waste of good money, and move on by all the trendy mehndi hype to the next fashionable thing. The market will dwindle instead of growing as it has been. Henna is one of the most ancient of arts, and we should all approach it with a sense of honor and dignity. Henna is a sacred plant with medicinal and magical properties, as well as its decorative uses. Let us respect the gift which it is to us. May the Henna bless You all
Phoenix & Arabeth
Follow-ups:
|