choosing a crop

Okay, I've been reading and reading these pages. I think I feel brave enough to try henna finally.
I'm looking on Henna Caravan at the options and don't have a clue which crop of Jamila to buy. What is your favorite, and why?

The jury is still out on this years Jamila, but the raj mixed with jamila at Henna Caravan is a great bet and what I do. You may also want to try a henna conference! the skillset skyrockets after one of these! Henna caravan is having a full conference (HennaCon) in October on the 12th, 13th and 14th ( http://www.hennacon.com/Home.html ) which is always epic and if you require more 'one on one' I will be doing a New York special appearance classes (September 18th and 19th, 2012 in South Hempstead Long Isl
and, New York!!), https://www.facebook.com/events/421567681218429/
Both days tackle sourceing your materials, design, mixing, cone rolling, and the core basics but day one afternoon focuses on festival design and day 2 is Indian/Ethic breakthrough and design.

I have NO idea if any of that helps!! But happy hennaing!!

Thanks Kim. I went with Henna Caravan's kit. I was pleasantly surprised at all that came in it. Got my first batch made and I am in love.

And I would love, love, LOVE to go to a convention, but I can't swing it right now.

Just do whatever Kim says!

ROFLMAO! Jump up on one leg and pat your head and rub your belly!! LOL

I know I'm a bit late on this topic, but wanted to say this. Other than practicing on every inch of bare flesh you can reach, I feel the most important thing about Henna is knowledge! Read up on the origin/history of henna, the EVILS of PPD, how to educate client what to look for/ask if getting henna anywhere else(beach, amusement park, fair, etc.), proper care for the tattoo, best places to apply for darkest color or longest lasting result, and the list goes on an on.

By reading you can find the methods that work best for you. For example, I have much better control if I use a squeeze bottle instead of a cone, I prefer a 2 oil blend vs. a single oil and I like to use a spray on bandage over the paste vs a sugar based sealer.

I have found shophenna.com to be an amazing resouce

The 'go too' for most of the best info on care, botany, bio and PPD info in over 10 different languages is considered hennapage.com. Most other sites'information is gathered from this resource page and their work in the push both for new legislation on henna use in the USA and thier assistance on creating the Canadian henna regulations. they are also the best resource for historical reasearch and debate. You may want to be careful of some spray on sealers for the rashes they can cause. But education and reliable resources and ensuring that info is readily accessible to clients both on
Personal webpages with links and in you booth, stall or bag for private appointments. But that is part of the 'ethics' part of my classes and group discussions as well as resourcing info and product. Hennapage also has fantastic products! another great site for info, how to and where I often get my henna is henna caravan. I will say I am a wee bit partial also because I know the ladies well and have always been impressed by their standard of service.

Now that being said, I'm not taking anything away from shop henna which I believe is Jody and I am sure I've met her in rhode island when I was teaching at the henna gathering and if it is who I think it is, she was a lovely and sincere lady! So I am sure her product would be of a good quality, I've just had no first hand experience.

Although PPD dangers d info resources were not the theme of this post, thanks for bringing it up as it can never be said enough times just in case super new people pop in on any henna conversation!

If you go,farther into the older henna posts you will see more info on the topic you are referring to, but in this case this thread is more about crop availability and this years growing season (last year kinda bit the big one)