Chloe Adams
Mehndi, or henna, candles are a unique and creative good that can be made at home or purchased from small businesses on Etsy. These candles are perfect for gifting or for personal use on special occasions like weddings or Diwali. When making your own, you can purchase henna in a cone from an Indian store for around $1, which is enough to make 10+ candles. After creating your design and allowing the henna to dry, the candle is coated with a clear varnish to seal the design.
Characteristics and Values of Mehndi on Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle Colour | Light |
| Varnish | Clear |
| Burning | Ventilated area |
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What You'll Learn
Using light-coloured candles as a base
To make mehndi stay on candles, it is recommended to use a light-coloured candle as a base. You can use store-bought tapered candles or thick pillar candles, or you can make your own candles from scratch.
Once you have your light-coloured candle, you can purchase a cone of henna or mehndi from an Indian store. These cones typically cost around $1 and will be enough to make 10 or more candles, depending on your design. Before you start, consider searching online for design inspiration and practising with an extra cone if needed.
When you're ready to begin, cut the tip off your cone and start creating your design. Take your time and focus on your technique to achieve a great henna design. Once you're happy with your design and the henna has dried, coat the candle with a clear varnish to seal it. This will help protect your design and ensure that it stays on the candle.
It is important to note that when burning your candle, it is recommended to do so in a ventilated area, even if your varnish does not give off any odour. This is a safety precaution to ensure that any potential fumes are minimised. Your mehndi candle is now ready to be enjoyed or gifted to someone special!
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Purchasing henna/mehndi and practicing the design beforehand
Purchasing Henna/Mehndi
When purchasing henna/mehndi, it is important to buy a product that is safe and easy to work with. Fresh, natural henna is always the best option as it is safe to use and has a better consistency than fake henna cones, which tend to have thick pastes with wide openings. Look for reputable suppliers who offer pure and natural henna. You can typically find henna in cones, which are convenient for application. Some sources recommend buying an extra cone for practicing your design before starting on your candle.
Practicing the Design
- Basic shapes and elements: Start by practicing basic shapes and elements such as dots, straight lines, commas, and stamens. Master these fundamental elements before moving on to more complex designs.
- Technique and muscle memory: Building "muscle memory" is crucial to mastering henna designs. The more you practice and train your hands and brains, the easier it becomes to create graceful and fluid designs. Focus on your technique, including how you drape lines, apply pressure, and maintain symmetry.
- Practice surfaces: Use a glass or clear plastic sheet for practicing your designs. These surfaces allow you to easily see your work and wash off the henna for future practice sessions.
- Visual aids and tutorials: Utilize visual resources such as printed designs, online tutorials, or YouTube videos to guide your practice. Observe how professional artists create designs, paying attention to their techniques and the way they use different elements to create intricate patterns.
- Handedness matters: If you plan to apply henna to your own hands, remember that the design process differs for the right and left hands. Practice on both hands to ensure that you can create symmetrical designs on each hand.
- Practice makes progress: Remember that henna application is a skill that takes time and patience to refine. Don't be discouraged if you don't master it immediately. Consistent practice will lead to progress and eventually, mastery.
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Applying the henna/mehndi design to the candle
To apply a henna/mehndi design to a candle, you will need a light-coloured candle, a henna/mehndi cone, a small container, a paintbrush, and glue that dries transparent. You can purchase the henna/mehndi cone from an Indian store for around $1. This should be enough to make 10+ candles, depending on your design.
Before you begin, you can search online for design inspiration. You may also want to purchase an extra cone to practice with. When you are ready to start, cut the tip off your cone and begin your design.
One design idea is to draw a guide line around the top part of the candle and then create flame-like structures downwards. You can fill in the inner blank space and let it dry for an hour or two.
Once the henna is dry, create a mixture of glue and water in a small container. The mixture should be thick and not too watery. Use the paintbrush to apply the mixture to the henna, letting it absorb. Only apply the mixture to the henna on the candle. Place the candle on a piece of paper to avoid getting glue on your work surface.
Finally, let the glue mixture dry. To ensure the design stays on the candle, coat it with a clear varnish. When burning your candle, do so in a ventilated area to be safe.
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Drying the henna/mehndi
Allow the henna/mehndi to dry on the candle for about an hour or two. The drying time will depend on the complexity of your design and how much henna you've used, so it's a good idea to leave it for a bit longer if you're unsure. You want to ensure that the henna is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Once the henna is dry to the touch, it's time to mix a small amount of glue with water. The mixture should be thick, so be careful not to add too much water. You'll use this mixture to seal the henna onto the candle.
Using a paintbrush, carefully apply the glue mixture onto the henna design. Avoid brushing the glue in an up-and-down motion, and instead, gently dab or drop the mixture onto the henna. This will help ensure that the glue is only applied to the henna design and not the bare parts of the candle.
After applying the glue mixture, let the candle dry again. Place the candle on a piece of paper to avoid any potential glue drips on your work surface. The drying time may vary, but it's generally a good idea to let it sit for at least an hour to ensure the glue has set properly.
Finally, once the glue is completely dry, your candle is almost ready! The last step is to coat the candle with a clear varnish to further seal and protect the henna design. This will help ensure that your design lasts longer and doesn't smudge or flake off easily. Again, allow the varnish to dry completely before handling the candle extensively.
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Coating the candle with a clear varnish to seal the design
Coating the candle with a clear varnish is an effective way to seal the mehndi design and ensure it stays on the candle. This method is simple and only requires a few additional tools and materials. Firstly, select a clear varnish that is suitable for use on candles. You can find candle varnishes online or in craft stores. Choose a well-ventilated workspace to apply the varnish, as recommended by crafters online, even if the varnish is odourless. This will ensure you are not inhaling any potential fumes.
Prepare your workspace by laying out newspaper or a drop cloth to protect the area and have some practice materials to hand if you wish to test the varnish application. You can use old candles or other items to get a feel for the application process. Ensure you have a steady hand and a good technique before applying the varnish to your mehndi candle. It is important to let the henna or mehndi design dry completely before applying the varnish. Test a small area of the candle first to ensure the colour and design are not affected by the varnish.
Use a thin coat of varnish to start, applying it evenly and smoothly to the candle's surface. Take care not to smudge or disturb the mehndi design during this process. Allow the first coat to dry thoroughly. You may wish to apply a second coat for added protection, especially if you intend to burn the candle. A second coat will also ensure that the design stays on the candle for longer. Again, ensure this coat is thin and evenly applied.
Allow the final coat to dry completely before handling the candle. You can now enjoy your beautifully designed mehndi candle and even gift it to someone special. This method of sealing the design with varnish is an effective way to ensure the mehndi does not smudge or rub off, preserving your creation.
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Frequently asked questions
Once the mehndi (or henna) design is dried on the candle, the candle is coated with a clear varnish to seal the design onto the candle.
A light-coloured candle works best for mehndi designs. You can use store-bought tapered candles, thick pillar candles, or make your own candles.
You can purchase mehndi in a cone from an Indian store. They typically cost around $1 and will be enough to make 10+ candles depending on your design.
The key to a great mehndi design is technique. Consider purchasing an extra cone to practice with before starting your design. You can search online for design inspiration.
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