First Friday • Henna Tattoo at The Midnight Sun

Do you love body decoration.. with no pain and no commitment? Them you might want to stop by The Midnight Sun this Friday, June 3, 2011 from 4 PM until.......

It's First Friday in Five Points. A great time to see all the new shops! See all the new gemstones and jewels at The Midnight Sun.. and adorn your self with henna tattoo.

The ancient body art of henna adapts well to wester culture, if you just are able to make a few momentary adjustments.

Henna paste goes on wet ( as seen in the picture ) and then dries to a wearable pattern that stays on the skin as long as you are able to keep some care not to brush it off too quickly.

The henna paste available this Friday is fresh ( 2010 crop ) Organic Rajhisthani henna, hand blended by Ann George of Spirit Vision Henna tattoo. In the spirit of Art Walks..... small hennas are $10. The more traditional designs start at $15 an each. Visit the FAQ page FMI. See you there.

Henna Paste On - Henna Paste Off

Here is a photo of henna paste on the skin. The paste is raised, and is to be left on the skin for at least three hours... longer if possible.

Henna is a heat activated body dye that works by penetrating layers of the skin. It is applied to the surface of the skin with a soft plastic cone. It does not hurt.

The tattoo is temporary and lasts at least one week. This henna pattern is inspired by the work of the artist of winnipeghenna.com, applied by Ann George of Spirit Vision Henna at The Midnight Sun in Five Points, Jacksonville, Florida.


This pattern took about 15 minutes to apply. Then the design was sprayed with lemon juice and sugar to help it stay on the skin as long as possible.

This paste is made fresh, to order and this year we have organic Rhajisthani powder to decorate your body.

Many people are still unfamiliar with the process, so in this blog I am including a photo of this same pattern, with the paste off the skin.

If you are able to continue to keep the paste damp with lemon sugar, it will help your henna give a deeper and darker stain.

If you are able to keep your design out of water for 12 hours after the paste is removed, you will get the best color possible. Keeping olive oil on your design once the paste is removed will help keep heat in, and water out.

These are tips for those who really do want to make their unique, beautiful henna tattoo last as long as possible.

Henna tattoo is available by appointment. Please call the Studio at 904-993-7466 to schedule your appointment, or to book a henna party, or hire our artists for your event.

We are able to offer small parties in the lovely studio at the back of the The Midnight Sun.

Please visit the FAQ page for more information on the art of henna tattoo.

It's Henna Tattoo Time! Saturday 3.27.10 at The Midnight Sun

Spirit Vision Henna in Five Points is happy to announce that the weather is finally warm enough to make hanna paste. In fact, a lovely mixture is sitting in the afternoon sun, the dye has released, and everyone can enjoy fragrant, rich color in their first henna tattoo of the season.

Ann George and the artists of Spirit Vision Henna will offer tattoo at 1055 Park Street, in The Midnight Sun on Saturday 3.27.10. Please come by after 1PM to browse pattern books and pick your design. If this is your first henna experience.... please visit the FAQ page for answers to all your first time questions.

We specialize in traditional henna tattoo, but are available for special requests. You are welcome to call 904-993-7466 to schedule an appointment if you like. Henna will be offered Saturday on a first come, first served basis. Henna tattoo prices start at $15. The size and style of tattoo you choose determines the price.

As the weather warms up, henna may also be offered on Fridays by appointment. It takes at least 24 hours to create a good henna paste, so last minute henna requests are hard to fill. Please call ahead for henna on Fridays, or other days of the week.

If you would like to book Spirit Vision Henna for a private party, our artists are available to come to you. This year, we are pleased to announce that Arvid Smith, an accomplished sitar player, will be available to play for you if you would like to provide live music for your henna gathering.

Please note the image above is of henna paste on the skin... so the tattoo appears black. We do not offer black henna tattoo.. there is no such thing. We offer first quality henna paste made with Jamila henna powder, essential oils and traditional herbs and spices. The finished color will be some shade of reddish brown, or as dark as black cherry red if applied to the palms and properly cared for.

Henna tattoo will not look like inkwork.  Henna, or mehandi, is it's own unique art form, and our artists have studied and practiced to provide you a traditional henna experience.

After care information is online at Spirit Vision Henna. We hope you enjoy your visit to the site.

Traditional Henna Tattoo - Great Art in 20 minutes!

Here is another photo of henna tattoo. This pattern was done at The Midnight Sun in about 20 minutes. This is a free hand pattern, or a "Chef's Choice" henna tattoo.

Art like this takes about 20 minute to complete. If you choose to have a spritz of the lemon sugar glaze applied to secure the henna paste to the skin, you may want to wait an additional 10 minutes for the henna paste to dry a bit before the glaze goes on.

Henna tattoo is a heat activated art form. As temperatures in Jacksonville Florida become cooler.. henna will no longer be offered on a walk-in basis at the Midnight Sun.

Henna gives the best finished color in the summer time because the weather is warmer, we tend to sweat.. thus the pores open & the henna paste can penetrate the skin.

Also, when we are sweating, our perspiration  helps the paste stay moist on the skin.. and this also helps to get a good finished color.


Henna parties are still a good way to experience henna during the cooler months. For more information about henna parties, please contact Ann George Studios, Inc. via the Spirit Vision Henna website.

Traditional Henna - Freehand Henna Tattoo - It's a Good Thing!

Traditional Henna - Freehand Henna Tattoo

I was so lucky to do this henna Saturday afternoon. The paste was fast & liquid.. my client, a goddess of henna!

This pattern was completed in half an hour. The freedom of Chef's Choice and a traditional order makes it so easy to create a henna design that fits the client, the budget & the esthetics of the art form!

As it is getting "late" in the henna season.. please call Ann to schedule a tattoo.

Henna Tattoo in Jacksonville, Florida - Henna this Saturday afternoon

Here is another henna pattern for the back of the hand. This design was easy to do using jamila henna powder, which makes a fine, smooth henna paste with very little fuss... no extra sifting or grinding involved at all.

This pattern was modified a bit to show off a lovely ring, and as always to flatter and to fit the young woman's hand. Applying henna to the back of the hand is often an excellent choice for a busy day of shopping, as one can keep an eye on the pattern quite easily.

Of course, henna always gives the darkest color on the palm of the hand. People are often surprised to hear this, however, henna is a heat activated body dye, and the palm of the hand is often one of the warmest parts of the body. As well, we have more pores in the palm, making it that much easier for the henna to penetrate the skin. If one is careful, and applies a light coat of olive oil before getting the finished henna tattoo in water, the design will last much longer.

If you would like to see more henna patters, or to purchase a little book of traditional henna designs - $4.50 a booklet with FREE shipping by mail in the USA, please visit my site.

Henna Pattern for Back of Hand

Here is a photo of a traditional henna tattoo design taken from a book of patterns I bought about 5 years ago. My client really like the stupa decoration at the wrist, as well as the full hand pattern and intricate design.

This pattern took about 35 minutes to apply. The henna paste I am using this year is a bit wetter than pastes I have used in the past, so the henna flows freely from the cone and takes a bit longer to dry. This slower dry time results in a better finished color, although it does require that you are careful with your tattoo about 15 minutes longer than last year's paste.

Henna Tattoo Design for the Back of the Hand.

This photo is an example of a custom, or "chef's choice" henna tattoo.

As you can see, Margaret is wearing a beautiful ring, which is quite large. As henna tattoo is an adornment, and used to make a woman's hand look even more beautiful, a free hand henna tattoo was created to compliment this turquoise stone.

This tattoo took about 10 minutes to complete. I used Jamila henna powder, which is always shipped fresh & finely sifted, and hand rolled cone to give the fine lines you see in this tattoo.

You might also notice the shading used on the flower at the wrist. Two coats of lemon/sugar glaze were applied to help the paste stick to the skin as long as possible, thus providing a deep, rich color.

This kind of quick tattoo costs $20 to apply. You will receive a consent form and aftercare instructions with every tattoo, every time. The henna paste is made fresh, contains only natural ingredients & gentle essential oils. Many people report that the experience of henna is just as lovely as the tattoo they receive.

Stop by The Midnight Sun on a Saturday for your henna moment. Subscribe to this blog for updates, new images, tips and tricks for beautiful mehandi every time.

Jamila Henna - finished color after 18 hours

Here is a photo of the almost finished color of the henna tattoo pattern from 5/21/09. To get this deep red color on the palm Cat let the henna paste wear off naturally. As several coatings of lemon sugar glaze were applied, this took awhile. Also, she did not wash the tattoo for at least 12 hours after the henna paste was applied.

You will notice that the darkest color is on the palm of the hand, and that the henna becomes lighter as the pattern moves up the arm. This change in color is due to the change in the skin. The skin on the palm is usually more fleshy, and of course more porous than the thinner skin of the inner arm.

This pattern took about 45 minutes to complete. The paste was made using the 2008 crop of Jamila Henna Powder. I have about a dozen boxes left for sale, and then it's time to wait for the next harvest! Please visit my site if you would like to have a 100 gram box of this excellent henna powder on the way to you while supplies left.

Need a bit of inspiration? I have a good selection of henna pattern booklets from India. You might add one to your henna powder order? The shipping is free.

With best wishes,

Ann George

Henna Tattoo Pattern Booklets from India

Here is a lovely little henna pattern booklet that is for sale at Spirit Vision Henna. Click the title of this post to purchase this book, or others like it. I have learned so much about traditional henna design by studying these little collections.

When I first saw many of the patterns in booklets like this one, I was overwhelmed! Henna presented a new way of thinking about line, movement, pattern & space... it was dazzling. As well, it was hard for me to know where to start a pattern, how to lay it out and of course how to create all that intricate detail without making a smudgy mess of it all.

Over the past six years, I have come to know that the quality & thickness of the paste makes all the difference... not only in easy of application, the ability to draw fine lines, but also in the final color. Thus, the quality and freshness of the henna powder are essential to a good outcome. I still use Jamila Henna mixed with lemon juice, essential oils & my spiced henna tea to make a fragrant paste that goes on quickly.

I am please to have been able to import a good collection of henna pattern books. If you don't like this one, stop by my site to see the others. Namaste!

Fine Art Photo? Can you find the henna tattoo?

I am so happy to have been able to do this full hand henna pattern.

An "original" free hand design, the use of negative space makes a lovely pattern.

Can you find the henna in this photo?

I really like the mehandi against this fabric. I am sure there is another foto coming soon.. but as I have yet to see it, I share this image with you in hopes that you will find is as much fun as I do.

Wishing you warm nights.

Namaste,

Ann George

Winter Time Henna Fun - Henna Parties for the Holidays

Here is a photo of a full palm henna tattoo I did at a get together. I am always happy to have true patrons of traditional henna as they give me the chance to stay in practice with free hand/traditional & fine line henna.

Winter can be a very good time to have a henna party because the house is toasty warm, most people are in sweaters, woolies, and long sleeves, so the body temperature is up! These conditions are excellent to help the henna paste give the darkest possible stain.

Also.. with all other body parts covered, I have a chance to do full palm henna tattoo. I will post some new photos from friends having henna in India soon. Be sure to stop by the henna bookstore to get the latest pattern booklets from India.

Namaste.

Henna Tattoo in Jacksonville Florida - 8/30

Com on down to the Midnight Sun import store this Saturday August 30, 3008 and fill your hands with the latest in Arabic henna fashion.

Ann George will bring a collection of the latest heena patterns as well as a big collection of tribal henna tattoo designs and traditional Indian henna tattoos. This is a sample image from the little henna tattoo pattern booklet available for sale at Spirit Vision Henna Tattoo. We will try something different this Saturday and start vending henna about 11:00 AM!

If you are new to henna tattoo, please be sure to visit the FAQ PAGE! so you have the best experience possible.

For more information about how to purchase this and other fine little booklets, visit her HENNA TATTOO BOOK STORE. If you are just hoping to find more designs, no worries.. the site is full of photo galleries of henna tattoos!

Traditional Indian Henna for Feet

Here is a photo of a traditional henna tattoo for the foot adapted from a pattern by Vashti. Her work was published in a henna book from India that I bought a long time ago. I am very happy to be able to offer new henna booklets from India with lots of great designs like this one.

I started this henna tattoo at the ankle and worked down from there. I used a fairly wide tip on the rolled mylar cone to be sure to get enough paste on the skin to give good color & to show off this bold design.

I did modify the pattern a bit from the original to flatter my clients foot. She was hoping to make her foot look longer & more elegant. I think the pattern she chose was excellent to accomplish this.

As well, leaving a bit of negative space between the finished medallion on the top of the foot, and the "toe ring" pattern at the tip of the foot gives the illusion of length.

She was very happy with her pattern. Sadly, we were working a bit late in the evening and did not have time to start the other foot.. perhaps next time we will be able to do some art earlier in the day.

To get good dark color on henna for the foot is it best to sleep with the paste on the skin. Some people will wrap the tattoo in tissue & plastic wrap to help "sweat" the design. This works best for me.. and always for brides. Others wrap the pattern with tissue and sleep in socks.

Both methods help this heat activated natural dye to give the darkest color possible. Other tips for dark color are published on my FAQ page and in different posts on this blog. (Notice in the photo below that we were able to incorporate her inked tattoo into the henna pattern.)

Henna Tattoo Video • Arabic Style How to Henna

Here is the work of a very talented traditional artist. I love her use of bold lines & white space while creating a very full look for the palm of the hand. I just wnat to do more of this kind of art. Don't you want to have some traditional henna ??? I love this pattern. What you you think?

Henna at Bead Here Now! Five Points Block Party

Spirit Vision Henna is happy to be invited to offer henna tattoo tonight, Friday June6, 2008 at fabulous Bead Here Now for the Five Points Block Party.

This is a good time to come by & get a little henna on the hands, wrists or arms. Party settings often require that you pay a bit more attention to keep your henna smudge free until it's dry.

Of course if you want a lovely tattoo for the foot - the evening is a good time. The design to the left really requires that you leave barefoot. If you want to keep enjoying the block party, a foot tattoo may not be your best choice. Perhaps the ankle?

Bead Here Now is located at 1051 Park Street, Riverside, Jacksonville Florida.

Thirty Minute Henna Hand

I must thank Cindy for the "loan" of her hand. She made it possible for me to practice a new design, as fast as I could.

The tip of the cone was cut very small, which made it easy to do her fingers, and all the fine lines on the back of her hand. To get the heavier lines I had to double some of the fine lines, which took a bit longer than I wanted it to.

I started at the fingertips and worked backward from there. I wanted to be sure that the ribbon that "draped" the back of the hand was in the proper place & the easiest was was backwards.

Of course I now have my super portable, very comfortable, ne,w drum chairs which make the henna process so much easier.

I got them at Midnight Sun of course! They are little round bamboo stools that look like djembes colorful, water-proof and very steady to sit on.

Cindy's hand is resting on the top of the stool (they make great photo backdrops as well.)

Bridal Henna - Fine Line Henna Tattoo

Here is a photo of a traditonal henna pattern from a little design book I picked up at a local Indian market.

Of course, the pattern was far more intricate than this design as my model had small hands! None the less, I still practice full bridal every chance I get. I will post a photo of the finished color in the next few days. (Click the photo for a close-up view.)

Full Palms Henna - traditional henna tattoo!

I had the good luck to be able to do this lovely full palm henna tattoo today. I hope you enjoy it.

I suppose it took about 45 minutes from start to finish. I hope to have a foto of the finished color on line soon.

Just stop by Midnight Sun to look thru lots of pattern books... maybe you will find something you like. (Click the image for a larger view).