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Send letters with flowers

1/24/2018

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When PAPER
breathes
FLOWERS

Photography and tutorial by Sarah Hussain of Breath of Henna. 

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SU
PP
LI
ES
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Scissors
Hot glue gun and sticks
Italian Crepe Paper (180 lb or 30 lb) 
Seran wrap cylinder
X-acto blade
Masking tape
Ruler
Card stock
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Writing hasn't always been my strength, which may be a surprise to some of you. Throughout the course of last year, my work has been published in wedding, fashion and art magazines. Starting the year fresh again, I wanted to create poetically and so I masked my words into the crevices of paper with paper flowers. When there is an event, I always want to pursue it individually; challenging myself with time. Punctuality always came late to me but that never allowed a dent into my creativity. As promised, here is my written tutorial on hand made paper flowers.

For the Must Be Kismet Wedding Show, I wanted to create paper flowers. Not your average paper flowers that every decorator creates (frames, arches and flushed walls). I wanted to give life to my booth as being a Henna vendor many associate mehndi colours with deeply saturated moroccan stones and South Asia's vast variety of coloured spices.

I always want my Brides to feel breath taking and beautiful. These flowers had to speak by their weight and size. So I found my way researching paper stores the first week of January and found an intimate space, decorated in all its charm, The Paper Place.


S
TE
PS

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The nectar - twirl & pull
  • Firstly you want to make sure you have a 180 lb crepe paper (colour is up to you)
  • Measure out 1 meter of crepe paper and cut.
  • Fold the paper in half vertically 3 xs and cut it in thirds.
  • Cut 3/4 along each side so that you have 1/4 of the paper still intact (this will create your repeat)
  • Open the repeat and scrunch together pulling inwards from both ends till you get to the centre with a bunch. Twist this bunch from the top and bottom ends, do this tight. Unravel gently. Individually pull each petal 1/4 " outwards. 
  • Pinch together all ends until in palm of hand (it will look like a bundle) and glue (hot glue gun) around plastic wrap roll. Using mask tape after will help seal it. Repeat tissue bundle 5 xs to achieve large nectar.

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Once you've collected all the bundles together, now you can glue them using your hot glue gun. Placing them equally around the rod (plastic wrap roll). Your nectar should now look like the above image on your right. This tutorial took me three days to perfect and I'm still in awe of how I'm losing site of the cuts I needed to make for their leaves. With January being mental health awareness month, it's vital that we all take a breather and slow down. When creating something so heartfelt, we should value the time that it takes us to create. If it makes you feel good, there should not be a doubt in your feeling. Allow your hands to communicate through your creations. You'd be surprised how many individuals I had smiling
through
 life size
paper
peonies. 

S
TE
PS
​

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The BLOOM - cut, twirl & pull
  • Measure out 1 meter of crepe paper and cut.
  • Fold the paper in half vertically 2 xs and cut it in half (repeat this step for next set of bloom).
  • Take 1/2 and cut folded ends 3/4" vertically while leaving 1/4" joined.
  • Cut petal shape with 3 bumps
  • Open and scrunch together from end to end till you have a bundle.
  • Twist this bundle from top and bottom ends tightly. Unravel each petal individually.
  • Pull centre of petal to create curve on each petal. Repeat these steps for next 2 sets of halves (change petal shape while cutting).
  • Using card stock, cut out 2 18" wide circles. Create cross in centre using xacto knife.

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​For additional petals and bloom, cut paper in 1 m length and fold 2 xs vertically. You can either separate the petals in pairs (image 2 above) or pinch strip of petals in a circular motion around the 18" circle. For the first and second round of petals, don't forget to push them upwards and stretch each petal to create its fullest volume. To maintain it's shape, you can add some hot glue on the petal under and pinch with your fingers until dry. Do you remember the 18" card stock disk? Take a round of petals and pinch them while gluing them around the exterior circle. Glue this round under the large flower to create fullness. You should have 4 rounds of petals with a heavy nectar now.  As the flower grows you are then ready for more individual petals and leaves.
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Petals after being cut are twisted from top and bottom ends in a clockwise motion. Green is added for leaves, marigolds for the nectar and shades of magenta for petals. It's up to you!
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I hope you all enjoyed this short and sweet written tutorial of my beautiful paper peonies! Here are some photos of what these beauties looked like at the Must Be Kismet Wedding Show! I now rent these out and am taking orders from decorators for your special day! Don't be shy and send your inquiries to my email: breathofhenna@gmail.com.
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WHITE HENNA - Editorial feature

11/20/2017

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“Allow the light in that moment to kiss your skin.

   Allow the abundance of colour to soak into the mix of your pigment.
   Allow movement to penetrate deep within your soul.
   As you celebrate the shapes of the shadows that dance around you
   Remember they are all of your own.
   Allow the scent to take you back.
   Allow tradition to merge with faith.”

Welcoming new age 
Welcoming modern day
An editorial feature on white henna x Banglez

Now seen on 
http://zardozimagazine.com/white-magic/

​

As women, traditionally, we have a lot on our minds. Generations before us passed down their teachings onto our mothers who we are inspired by. Having a wedding in North America today involves mindless circulation of digital research and remnants of history (photographs of jewelry and collections of sarees). We dress up discretely in our mother’s closets for these moments, which instigate a rush of colour through our mind’s nomadic ventures. Yes! We are forever travellers in our time and the generations that come after us; are constantly reassuring their values with their feelings.

Weddings are the perfect time to revisit our ancestors and we dance passionately to celebrate their traditions; a time that can be overwhelming with friends and family. These are the stories involving many south asian families. Planning your wedding is where we acknowledge disorientation on merging trends with customs.

One thing that considerably intrigued my imagination was the pattern work that was done on my mother’s hands during her wedding. What was this tradition and why was I not familiar with this art form? I was looking through her wedding photographs and I could never find a perfect image of just the pattern work on her hands. Her hands were dyed of a ravishing paste of scarlet and ruby; a bright highlight in the sky’s sunset on a painting I created. I remember my heart yearning for that colour, but times are changing.

Today, I am here planning my wedding with a Pakistani-Bohemian theme (something tribal yet trendy). Classical embroidery and silkened, sensational fabrics with thread counts I cannot begin to pick a part while weighing a feather as my veil. My waist will be my pillar of support and I will be adorned in jewels from my wrists till my chakra. 
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My hands.., the only bare accessory belonging to my wrists a part of my body.
The time has come for me to paint them red. As a Bridal Henna Artist myself, I always wanted an intricate and lavish diary adorning my arms till my elbows and my feet till my calves. The sensation of rosewater along the soles of my feet, pressed many at a time as a I danced in my Henna..this was my dream.

I cannot even begin to tell you the stories that are versed along the palms of Brides all over the world. Henna is a beautiful rendition of a story passed down through our cultures (bedouin, Spain, Middle East, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Morocco, India). There are so many areas of the world that practice Henna and Brides of all faiths wish to have it done (not just Muslims, Hindu and Sikh). At Breath of Henna, Brides are provided a complimentary consultation where they can have their Diaries rendered to those of their dreams. Henna is a significant part of a Bride’s transitioning period from being independent to being independent and married. Not just women, but men are also included in the festivities; all genders and races. As long as natural Henna (lawsonia, essential oils, sugar and water) is used, no one can ever have a bad experience. The joyful celebrations of a Mehndi party, Sangeet (musical celebration) or even a Bridal Shower can bring your dearest together while experiencing Henna.
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Fashion is always chasing Fine Art and a generous adaptation to the world of Henna has accepted a new calling. Those who do not enjoy the scent of the lush colour of natural Henna, can use what is now called, ‘White Henna’. White Henna is a cosmetic application, which stays above the skin for up to four days after it dries. It can be accessorized with swarovski crystals and jewels if you wish for it to match even closer to your bridal gown. For those who are worried that they won’t have enough time for their traditional Henna application, they can have this done the day of the wedding or the day before.

Thankfully, this medium is mixed of an FDA approved adhesive mixed with body paint.

As an Artist, it is so important to meet with your vendor either in person or setup an online consultation. You have the option of selecting your design or even creating a custom diary just like your natural Henna would be rendered. Enjoy this process as it’s important for you to feel your best. After all, you have been awaiting this day for so long and you may have too much to do later on as your date approaches. Have a look at your Artist’s portfolio (instagram, website, testimonials). Every part of your wedding is a memoir for eternity so cherish these intimate details as your most valued. The art of Henna has changed immensely since the Bedouins first adorned their wives with the henna paste using only their fingers. Now you can have it done so delicately and to your taste.
If you’re wearing a white gown with lace overlay, the white Henna adds a sensual and breath taking detailed accent of lace gloves or lace sleeves. Garters can also be created for your intimate moments customized for you. Adorn yourselves in Henna and welcome to the generations’ abyss of cultural fusion.

Art Director/Stylist/White Henna: Sarah Hussain. www.breathofhenna.com @breathofhenna
Photography: Tara Noelle. www.taranoelle.com @taranoellephoto
Creative Assistant: Chaileen Kim. www.chaileenkim.com @chaileenkim
Jewelry: Banglez. www.banglez.com @banglez_jewelry
Accessory Designer: Shirley Liang. www.xueliang.ca @xliangdesigns
Muse: Charmaine San Pedro. www.charsanpedro.com @sanpedrocharmaine
MUA/Hair Stylist: Danielle Schleese. @danielleschleese
Wardrobe: Breeyn McCarney. www.breeyn.com @breeynmccarney
Intimates: Irina Shad. https://lessisamor.com @lessimor

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Muse en essence

11/22/2014

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Capturing your moment with physical significance may be easy.
Capturing your essence with physical significance is another.

When we document of our moments, we are not capturing what we did but how we felt with what was around us. The ambiance created throughout someone's life, on a daily measure is hard if not difficult to perceive. Drops of our essence leave our patience, soul and hope throughout our lives. Till the day we set free, it may not even be measurable to the self. A voyage is necessary.

One can go on a vacation to shield away their knowns in their daily routines; family, common relatable relationships and devour themselves in sacred zen. When it comes time to settle in the essence of where they really are, that is their possible period of acceptance. A direction is pursued.


This is not your period of loss or perfection of complete Buddhist rituals, but to find your purpose in this world. Your essence.

Working with henna, I have always wondered where I was headed and why I could not let go of such an earthly-rooted medium.




Of course, there was cultural significance and the excuses of culture shock but my birth had a purpose. There was something missing as everything has a set structure; as our lungs to breathe, our diaphragm to direct the path and our mouth and nasal captivity to allow change. These photographs, beautifully captured by Hennygraphy, were to capture theory or practices of wearable art so why the need of an explanation?

Because one hand created the shell of skin which breathed an essence to escape to its purpose. The very soil we walk above, among and breathe in has evoken a meaning. As I retrace patterns practiced by my ancestors, I breathe in the meaning to recreate with the quality of remaining here with purpose. I create to cultivate the culture. Henna, in its essence, has the power to constantly remind me of that lineage. Every line would connect, from beginning to end. Every bride adorned, would be a part of my journey to explore my roots. To find my essence.

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Hennygraphy . Breath of Henna . Dmg Designz . Make up by Saveria . Saffron
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    Saira Hussain

    Art Director
    Stylist
    ​Artist


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