Make a Henna Cone
As an artist, it is important to have a high quality medium, but the wrong tool can make the designing process difficult or make you look like a novice. In ancient times, people used sticks to create their henna designs, which are very difficult to learn to use. Now, for many decades, artists have been using hand-rolled henna cones, which give you precise lines, are easy to use and a great way to do your henna art without straining your hands. Henna cones are easy and fun to make and you can make them the size that suits you best.
Contents
Steps
- Gather your materials. All you need is a Mylar or cellophane sheet, tape, and scissors.
- Cut a 12”x12” (30.5 x 30.5 cm) square from a Mylar gift wrap sheet or a cellophane sheet. A plastic zippered freezer bag will also work, but not as well. Note that you should cut a smaller square for a smaller-sized cone and a larger square for a larger cone.
- Cut the square diagonally, forming 2 triangles.
- If you are right handed, point the right angle (90 degrees) corner towards your right side and place your left finger in the center of the long side. If you are left handed, face the right angle towards the left side.
- With your right hand, grasp the corner closest to you and pull it towards your right, keeping your left finger in the center of the long side. Reverse these instructions if you are left handed.
- Start rolling the triangle into a cone shape forming a tip at the position of the left finger.
- Adjust the cone by pulling the outside layer to make it the desired width and the tip the desired opening size.
- Tape the exposed seam from the outside of the cone. Approximately 3" (7.5 cm) of tape is sufficient. You can also place a small 1" (2.5 cm) length of tape on the inside layers of the cone to secure them.
- If the opening at the tip is closed or too small, snip a small opening at the tip to allow smooth flow of the henna paste. The opening should be no larger than a pinhole. It is best to begin with a finer hole and then adjust it according to your needs.
- Pour in your henna paste and start designing. Be sure to roll down the back end (opening end) of the cone and tape it securely before using it.
Tips
- Remember to freeze your paste, when not in use, to ensure freshness.
- When pouring your henna paste into the applicator cone, it is best to place the henna in a zip sandwich bag, cut a 1/4" opening at one of the bottom corners of the bag, and squeeze out the henna from the bag into the henna cone. This prevents mess and is a very easy way to get the henna into the cone.
- Traditionally, a clothes pin is placed inside the hole at the tip to prevent henna from leaking when not in use. It will also prevent your henna from drying out.
- When choosing a Mylar sheet or a cellophane sheet, it is best to choose one that does not have any color because the colored sheets have chemical ink on them and the ink will bleed into the henna.
Warnings
- The tip of these cones are stiff and can be sharp so be careful when using and storing. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources and Citations
- Videos provided by Beleza Artistica
- http://www.silknstone.com
