Hi all! Just found this tribe, can't believe I didn't see it months ago.

So... I've been doing henna for seven or eight years. Nothing fancy, just drawing on myself and anyone else I could talk into it (thank goodness I have kids!). I'm fairly decent at it, I like to think. My lines are small (when they need to be) and my hand is fairly steady. Anyhoo...

I'm part of a tribal bellydance troupe, and each year we perform at a small festival (it's Pumpkin Fest. Because pumpkins just make you think of bellydance, right?) where there's a "Gypsy Bazaar." My teacher organizes the whole thing, and she asked me today if I'd like to do henna at the Fest because her usual artist(s) can't make it. I said I'd think about it.

Now, I in no way believe I'm ready to do henna as an actual profession. I can't do huge, amazing freehand designs. But this thing is a one-time-deal, in a very small town, for an audience who will probably have little experience with a "real" artist (and if they came last year, well, I'll put a sign up stating I'm still learning, or something).

Here's my thoughts on this, so please let me know if you think I'm being reasonable.

I'm allowed to charge, but I doubt I'll charge too much. To make the process easier for me, I plan to draw out a series of designs, priced differently according to size/complexity. I'll then make several tracing-paper-transfers and stash them aside, labeled with a number. That way, people can choose what they want, but I won't have to be prepared for an endless variety of options. (Did I mention this event is happening October 4th?) It'll also help me with getting the designs closer to perfect, and speed up the process. I don't know what I'll charge yet, other than "not a lot." I may do it on the donation-if-you-like-it system.

Is this a good idea-- both my plan specifically and the entire idea of a not-perfect artist showing up to do henna? Apparently my teacher (who has been hanging around henna artists for a while now) thinks I'm decent enough to step up to the challenge. Also, any advice? I plan on making some signs if I do this, including a "do not get henna if you have any of these medical problems" sign using the info from Tap Dancing Lizard.

Thanks much.