MEHNDI

Copper pieces, with Mehndi designs ready to be etched.

More Mehndi.

Not Mehndi patterns, but I think these will be fun too.

Sorry about the lack of posts. I haven't been feeling too great lately, but I feel better today. I'm still working on some acid etching projects (you know how obsessed I can be). I've always admired the beautiful patterns found in Mehndi. Mehndi is a temporary henna "tattoo" applied to the hands and feet of people in celebration of weddings and other events in areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sudan and some parts of Central Asia and the Arab world. It's a very ancient art form that may originate with the Egyptians and I've always found it really interesting. I once was lucky enough to have an Indian friend apply Mehndi to my feet. I thought it was really beautiful and I didn't want to wash my feet! Even with washing, it lasted most of a week.

I decided to use some of the patterns to acid etch a bracelet. I cut out all of the pieces in copper, filed and sanded them and applied the designs. Tomorrow, (today, actually!) I'll give the pieces a bath in some ferric chloride. After that I'll drill some holes and solder on some jump rings and a clasp and hopefully it will be really cool. We'll see. Unless of course, I decide to just make a bunch of earrings out of them instead! I'll let you know what I decide to do and post some pictures too.

Read about Mehndi here.