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Henna Designs With Tattoos

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
Have you ever seen henna design? It’s simply captivating as an art form. It’s used in society as a popular way to produce natural tattoos that are temporary by nature. It harnesses the power of nature and produces beautiful manmade results in the form of temporary tattoos.

Natural henna ink is used for henna tattoos. It is made from a powder that is derived from the henna plant’s leaves. This powder is made into a paste that is used in the henna ink. Just like with real ink tattoos that are more permanent, your tattoo artist can paint a henna tattoo design anywhere on your body on your body that you would like.

The henna plant is thought to come from Egypt where it was called Egyptian Privet. Later henna was brought to India as a state gift from the Egyptians. Queen Mumtaz who ruled in the 1600’s was the first Indian queen to be decorated with henna. Today, it is common to find artists practicing their henna crafts outside the Taj Mahal, which was built to honor Queen Mumtaz. Traces of henna have been found on mummies from 1200 BC. It is also known that Pharoahs hands and feet were first dipped in henna prior to mummification.

Henna is one of the best alternatives to permanent colour and is much in demand for its cosmetic value. Henna tattoos are made from henna paste that is formed from ground green henna leaves, mixed with water and other natural products. The paste, when applied to the skin or the hair, leaves a colour that can vary from orange to rich mahogany, depending on the quality of the henna being used. A major reason for henna’s growing popularity is that its colour is temporary and fades away with time and washing.

I happened to notice the henna design as I was walking around the fair trying to capture the color of all that I saw. I saw two women sitting on the on ground and were totally engrossed in their task. When I moved closer, I saw that it was a henna artist and that she was applying one of the finest henna designs I have ever witnessed.

A note of caution concerning henna is the use of a product labeled as “black henna” or an indigo. The natural does not come in dark shades. The dark colors are actually made by combining henna with a chemical. There can be very harsh side effects such as skin blistering. As with any product, even a natural one, there can be allergic reactions. This is particularly true if the individual has a rare genetic condition called a G6PD deficiency. In large doses the dye molecule in henna can be fatal.

The most attractive feature that makes henna temporary tattoos a fashion statement is that they are pure and herbal in nature. People prefer to buy henna also because of its known cooling and medicinal properties as an anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory herb. Other types of temporary tattoos include some form of chemicals and ink that can harm the skin and lead to allergies.

It’s the ideal practice way to find your online gallery tattoo, have it airbrushed on, then wear it around for a while and decide if it’s worthy to get permanently inked. If not, you can always go through and find different designs in the gallery to get airbrushed until you find the one that looks and feels right.



By: ayushvedaa

About the Author:

Read About Herbal Remedies Also Read About Henna Designs and Wedding Suits



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How will I find out if I am allergic to Henna?

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Gaga asked:




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Lighting Up Your Decorating Project With Moroccan Home Lighting

Saturday, March 13th, 2010
Lighting is one of the hardest choices in any decorating project. Wall Sconces, chandeliers, floor lamps, candle lamps or electric light fixtures? After you have decided for a nice chandelier, some sconces and few accent lights, now comes the question what kind? You are looking for uniqueness, a beautiful design, size, hopefully with a nice story behind your pick. That is exactly what more and more find in Moroccan themed interior design, the fastest growing interior design concept in the US.

Moroccan lighting is one of the most unique concepts for many reasons. Moroccan Decor is generally very hard to find in the US and also very unique because of the different historic, cultural and art influences in Morocco. Moroccan lighting with its vivid colors, elaborated geometric forms, exotic designs, and unique raw materials is the most recognized symbol of Moroccan decor.

Henna lamps, made with stretched goat skin and hand decorated with traditional henna designs, and at times dyed with saffron or paprika based dyes, are one great way to add an earthy and rustic touch to any space. Henna wall sconces can also be used without lighting just as decorative wall pieces. Often said that Morocco is the country of recycling where nothing goes to waist, the goat skin is recycled into these beautiful lampshades and passed on to henna artists to put in the final decorative touches. Most if not all the henna artist are women that earn extra cash and for who it is the only way to achieve financial independence.

A Stained glass lamp with carved motives can be a bolder more extravagant way to spice up your space. With Moroccan lamps, also referred as Moroccan lanterns (useful search words if you are researching them on the net) you can introduce a little eclectic flair in virtually any existing concept you may already have.

If you already have wrought iron or rustic furniture, then get one of those cool hand hammered chandeliers. A Chandelier is the perfect option that would delightfully enhance that sense of magic and warmth that only Moroccan chandeliers can accomplish.

Using few pieces of Moroccan lighting and some accent pieces will recreate a true exotic Moroccan oasis.

Tips on using Moroccan lighting:

Consider “playing” with different wattage that can help you realize a different look, experiment with using a candle instead of a light bulb, when possible a candle works best in small spaces. When using henna lamps or wall sconces, use very low wattage 20-25 watts is recommended. Colored light bulbs are a great way to add a color emphasis to your project.

Maintain your Moroccan lighting:

Maintenance of your Moroccan lighting is minimal and doing so will ensure that your items last for a long time. Most of the light fixtures that have opening side doors only require the hinge to be lubricated once a while. Henna lamps and wall sconces need absolutely no maintenance, however expect the henna to fall off as it is designed to do so. The actual henna on the skin of the sconces will fall off and leave the reddish design tattooed on the surface, so it is useless to fight it and you will be surprise to see that it your piece will embellish even more. When using Moroccan lanterns outside consider spraying them with a clear sealant to keep the lamps from rusting. There are two ways of coating your lamps. You can meticulously go over the metal parts only or you can just spray the sealer throughout the fixture including the glass. If you choose to go over the whole lamp you will finish it in a way that the lamp will appear aged. Beware that at all times you need to keep the hinges protected so you are still able to open and close the door.

Light bulb or candle?

Esthetically speaking using a candle will always bring the most out of your lighting fixture, working best in small space where less light is needed or dim lighting is desired. Using a light bulb will bring more light in larger spaces. If your lantern has a flat base, you can just sit a candle using the same fire safety precautions you would otherwise. If you decide to go with an electrical bulb remember that most if not all Moroccan lighting importers do not include the wiring kit which you can acquire easily at your local hardware store for a minimal cost. Once you have the wiring kit all you have to do is insert the kit through the opening door and get the plug out of the top opening of the lamp and voila you are ready to showcase the new lamp.



By: Moe Tamani

About the Author:
Moe Tamani is an importer of Moroccan Furniture and a designer of Home Lighting and wrought Iron Screens



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Moroccan Lanterns - Cheer Up Your Home Decor

Thursday, March 4th, 2010
Home is where the heart is but is your home missing something? Maybe what your home really needs is a little design here and there and something really classic to enhance the entire decor. If your home has the same lighting, bulbs and candle stands then how is it really different from any other home? Did you know that natural light is more relaxing than the artificial luminescence? If you didn’t know this then this is the best time to bring some change. Add some magic into your home and brighten up the decor using some of the oldest methods of lighting - bring home the Moroccan Lanterns!

You are probably wondering how a lantern can change the ambience of your home. A lantern will provide a rustic look to your home. You can hang it anywhere but will look great in your living room as well as on the garden porch. Imagine having a dinner on the porch brightened by the subtle magnificence of the Moroccan Lantern. You need to experience it to feel the impact!

Let’s take a look at Moroccan lanterns and why they are preferred to ordinary lanterns. Moroccan lighting has been a unique home decoration concept for a long time and there are reasons for the same. Moroccan decor is not something that you will find easily in US homes as it doesn’t have a deep reach. If you find a home with Moroccan decor then be rest assured that either they have traveled to Morocco to find it or they have found it through specialists like us. Moroccan Decor is rare but its uniqueness comes from the fact that it has influences of Moroccan history, culture and art. Moroccan lighting is also a part of the same influence and brings with it the geometric forms, vivid colors, and exotic designs, which have long been the symbol of Moroccan decor.

One of the exotic Moroccan lanterns also known as the henna lamps is made from stretched goat skin and is decorated with exquisite designs. The designs are all hand painted and based on traditional henna designs. Some of the designs are also dyed with paprika or saffron based dyes and is the ultimate decoration piece for your living room. It will add an earthy touch and bring in the rustic feel to your living room or any where in your house where place it. The henna sconce is also used without lighting but these are meant to be stand alone decorative wall pieces.

Another Moroccan decoration that you can try is the stained glass lamp that comes with carved motives and definitely makes a bolder statement as far as designing your interiors is concerned. The Stained glass lamps are one of its kinds and will add spice to the overall interior decoration of your house. Moroccan lamps are also known as Moroccan lanterns and can be added to an existing wrought iron chandelier to bring a warmth and delightfully appealing freshness to your home.

With Moroccan lighting, you can get your true creative spirit working and use them to recreate a truly exotic Moroccan oasis.

Using Moroccan lighting

You can try and use various types of wattage to get different looks in terms of design and brightness. You can also experiment a little and use a candle especially if you are using the Moroccan lantern in a small space. While using henna lamps or henna wall sconces, you can try a low wattage to get the right ambiance - it will provide a very romantic feel.

Maintenance of your Moroccan lighting

When it comes to the maintenance of Moroccan lighting then you can feel good about the fact that the maintenance cost is as good as zero. Another salient point is that unlike tubes and bulbs or even candles, the Moroccan lanterns can last for almost a lifetime. The only maintenance required involves lubrication of the side door hinges. This lubrication can be done once in a while or during the rainy season. If you choose the henna lamps or the henna wall sconce then they don’t require any maintenance at all.

You will have to also spray the Moroccan lanterns with a sealant, which will prevent gathering of rust. The other way is to use sealant on each and every metal part and for this you will have to take the glass of first. Either ways, the use of sealant will increase the lifespan of the lanterns and provide you with enough luminance to last a lifetime.



By: Moe Tamani

About the Author:
Moe Tamani is an importer of Moroccan lanterns and a designer of Henna Lamps and wrought Iron Screens



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