Dyps faux batik

I absolutely love this method to make cards and cover boxes. It's a lot of fun and the results are amazing.

Supplies:

Watercolor paper
Watercolor paints
Brushes
Tortillion or Eraser
Rubber Cement
Jac Bottle with .05 size tip
Pin that will fit into the Jac tip

Optional: Silk stain

Method.

Step one: use watercolors to paint the background. I like to swirl and blend my colors.

Step two: fill the jac bottle with the rubber cement.

Step three: use the rubber cement to draw henna designs ( or whatever) on the paper. Rubber cement is a harsh chemical only use it in a well ventilated area. Keep it away from children and meth-heads!

Step four: once the design drys use watercolor to paint a solid color over the entire piece of paper. Darker contrasting colors work better. If you would like a very dark shiny surface try silk paints. ( I used silk paints in the pictures below.)

Step 5: once the top coat is dry use the tortillion or eraser to remove the rubber cement.

Step 6: marvel at the amazing art you created then take pictures and show me at www.facebook.com/kchennasupply so I can see and compliment your artistic skill.

:)

Super fast, uber cheep, quick change tip cups.

Sometimes you get to a gig and the atmosphere is different than you expected. Often I bring one tip sign and realize it is not appropriate for the mood.

Here is one solution.

Use a "design - a - mug" from a craft store. They are about a dollar and come in several sizes. They feature a clear plastic cup and an insert. The insert holds paper against the clear plastic cup.

The great thing about this tip cup is you can store multiple messages in the cup and change them out as needed.

Method: could not be be simplier!

1: Open the box, remove the cup, remove the incert from the clear cup.

2: Inside the cup is several sheets of paper, usually with coloring sheets on them.

3: Use the color sheets as a template to cut your own paper inserts.

4: Write your own tip message on the cups.

5: Put the cut back together.

6: Waggle your new cup at people and smile as they tip you.

Cheers,

Dyp

Sealing Henna Candles, the EASY way

When I was younger my mother was an avid rubber stamper. She showed me this method and... low and behold, it works beautifully on henna'd candles. 

Supplies:

Candle, decorated with Henna. Make sure the henna is completely dry. 

Wax paper. you want a piece long enough to wrap completely around your candle to create a tuft of paper in back that you can hold on to. 

Heat Gun

Method:

After your henna has completely dried take a long sheet of wax paper and wrap it arround your candle with the extra in the back. You want enough wax paper to create a handle to hold your candle by.

Take the heat gun and heat the candle to met the wax. Tighten the grip on the wax paper to put pressure on the henna, pulling it into the surface of the candle. Use the heat gun like a hair dryer to slowly melt the wax evenly. 

Once your wax is glossy carefully peel back the wax paper. The henna should now be protected under a layer wax. If it is not completely encased re-wrap the wax paper and repeat the heating process. 

A few notes:

Henna with oils and sugar may burn, please heat them carefully.

This method is best for candles with lighter colors of wax, but any candle will work.

You can also use this method to seal beautiful henna designs on paper to candles. 

Explore, play, have fun and make something wonderful today!

~kaci~

www.kchenna.com

 Want to see it in real time? Check out this little video :)

Artists are the Innovators

I see so many new Henna artists posting questions on the henna forums about how to do this craft and what is the right way.

I believe fully that true artists are innovators, not afraid to try something even if the outcome could ruin the piece they tied to create. The fun is not only making something wonderful, it's the journey of experimenting and forging new paths while creating.

Do not be afraid to make a mistake. Do not be afraid to play and have fun!

Several years ago I was asked to write a henna craft book for one of the popular henna publishers. I worked on that book for two years. Relentlessly reading forums and asking questions. Experimenting with recipes, techniques, sealing methods, and surfaces.

As I researched and wrote I noticed several things. I started to dislike crafts, it was no longer fun like it was. People were very angry at my answers to their questions, even though I had done my homework on the subject.

In the end I told the publisher I could not do the book. After all the work I had put into it I realized that a craft book, while cool, would halt my learning process. I decided instead to start this blog so I could write what I had learned and could continue to update as I learned more.

Writing a book would have been for ego. It would not have helped make creators just replicators. ( Not that I have anything against replicators.)

Do not be afraid to push the limits. Do not be afraid to try somethings and invent something new.

Be an artist, be an innovator, be unique. Don't be afraid to fail! Some of the greatest innovations were made from mistakes. Don't be afraid to be a little silly and to have fun!

( One of my favorite henna pieces was done by a dear friend. She henna'd a piece of cheese. Yes, an actual piece of cheese ( Kraft single if I remember correctly.) )

Please never forget that henna is about feeling good, creating beauty, making other people feel good.

with happy thoughts go create something wonderful...

~kaci~

Failed experiment, Henna on Crab-apples. 

Raina's Resist Paste

Raina Lehto from  Zhashki Henna was kind enough to share her recipe for a kickin resist past for Henna!

Raina, I love you, thank you so much for sharing this with us!

Ingrediants:

Flour. I used whole wheat, Raina used bakers, expiriment and see what works.

Lemon juice

Elmers Glue. Raina uses white glue, I used gel glue, both worked.

Method:

Mix some flour and lemon juice into a container until you get a mashed potato consistancy. Add glue until you get a texture you can work with. ( careful to make sure you mix out all the clumps of flour.)

Pour mixure into a cone or jac bottle.

To use:

Apply your design to skin using the resist paste.

Allow to paste to dry completly.

Smear an even coat of Henna over the design area. You do not want too much or too little henna. I applied a glob and smeared and skimmed it over with a spatula. Like doing drywall
, but on skin.

Allow the henna to dry completly, 4-8 hours is best but since the Henna is thick you can do less time and get good results.

Scrape off the henna and resist.

Follow usual aftercare

Tahdah, you have a kickin resist design.

I warn you, this method is really addictive and fun to play with!

Don't forget to head over to Raina's site and show her some love.

http://www.zhashkihenna.com/

:)

Henna Hot Hands

It's been awhile... I think it's time for something new... Something comphorting...

Hot hand bags:

Materials
Henna prepared without oils or sugar
Cotton gloves
Needle
Thread
Flax seed, dry feeder corn, rice, dried lavender

Hennad hot packs are a perfect craft!

Since hot packs are not washed, the henna lasts longer. Use these to keep your newly henned hands warm. Or place on the tummy of a sleepy baby to make them feel like mommy is close by. Plain white cotton gloves can be bought at children's stores, they are often used for tea partys. They are thick with solid stitching. Cheeper gloves can be bought at dollar stores but they are made from a poly cotton spandex blend and do not stain as well.

Method:

Henna, heat set, fill, sew and go! Could not be more simple!

:)

dyp

Watercolor Cards by the Amazing Mani Crain.

 

Handmade cards are a perfect, personal gift. 

 

Supplies used for this project:

 

*Georgia Pacific white card stock, 110# weight (this paper is lightly coated for ink jet printers, which reduces curling when painted)

*Watercolors and natural hair brushes, one large and one small

*Colored Pencils

*Clear or White wax crayon

*#2 Pencil

*Fine Point, indelible marker, such as a Sharpie

*Scissors

*Gum Eraser

 

-Gather all supplies needed.  Decide what size you want your card to be, then fold and cut the paper to size. 

 

-Sketch your desired design lightly in pencil.  You'll be erasing the pencil lines later, so don't press too hard.  

 

-Using colored pencils, color in all the detailed areas of your drawing.  You could also use indelible colored markers for this part, but 

I prefer the blending and shading options I have with colored pencils. 

 

-Once you have colored in all the desired areas, outline your drawing with a fine point black marker, such as Sharpie.  Make sure that

your marker will not bleed when it gets wet (indelible).  

 

-Erase your pencil lines.  A gum eraser works well for this because it doesn't leave an oily residue to interfere with the paint.  

 

-Using the crayon, color over all areas of the drawing that you don't want paint to adhere to.  You can thoroughly cover all of the colored

areas, then wash color over the entire card or just outline the picture and fill in around the edges of the design with the small brush, without painting over the drawing.

 

-For this bit, you'll want to work kind of quickly.  Using your large brush, lightly cover paper with water, just enough to dampen the pare, not so much that there is standing water.  This helps you move the paint over the background.  As soon as you have done this, pick up the desired color of paint with your brush and begin swirling it onto the paper until the entire background is covered.  Once it had dried a bit, you can go back in and add more color to certain areas, so you get varied saturation.  This will give your background depth.  Be very careful not to over-saturate or over-work any particular area, as this can cause the paper to pill, bleed through, and/or tear.

 

-Once your card is completely dry it can be embellished with glitter, gilding, ribbon, or any other fun little accent.  I've had great success finely outlining bits with white school glue then sprinkling on micro-fine glitter.  Just enough to embellish, not so much that it overpowers the art.  Or you can leave it as it is, add a little personal message to the inside, and it is ready for the mailbox!

 

The options for doing these cards are practically limitless.  Play around, experiment with different mediums,  and have fun!