Welcome to Muggles Market Monday! Each week we are spotlighting one of the artisans scheduled to appear at our brand new Muggles’ Market at this year’s Geek Gala. This week’s featured artisan is WendyMehndi! Wendy Feldmann took a few minutes to answer some questions about her business and general geekery.
- What kind of items will you be selling at this year’s Muggles Market?
I create one-of-a-kind original artwork on people’s skin, using natural henna that I mix myself. I also use a safe adhesive product to create glitter art for skin as well.
My favorite art disciplines also range from a variety of fiber arts to illustration. I will have prints and cards of some of my art with me, as well as some other handmade items I have created, including my crocheted Hanging Possum pouches.
- How did you first get started making these things?
About 10 years ago I was at a bellydance event and they were creating body art using henna from a kit. I’d heard of the art form of mehndi by that time, but knew very little about how it was created. I was immediately fascinated. From there, I began learning as much as I could about on the internet about my newfound passion and drawing on anyone who would sit still for me. Hard to believe that was nearly ten years ago!
I started crocheting when I was about 6 or 7. I still have the purple scarf I crocheted when I was about 10. Hopefully I’ll finish the afghan piece I am making based on one of my favorite Doctor Who episodes, “Vincent and the Doctor.”
- What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
One of my favorite earlier henna projects was creating the artwork for the head of David’s djembe for the band Coyote Run. The design was woven with a combination of their logo filled with symbols and characters represented in their music. Being it was on a skin drumhead, the artwork was permanent, since drumskins don’t shed their epidermis like people do.
My latest favorite henna project was a full-body piece featuring hummingbirds and swirls.
My favorite crochet piece might be the Tardis afghan I created for my friend. A close second is the precious sweater I crocheted for my old stuffed bunny when I was about 8.
- What else can you tell us about yourself?
I have 2 dogs, 3 cats, 12 chickens, and 2 teenage boys, and a wonderful husband who lets me dress up and go be a faerie and draw on people. It’s a wonder I’m still sane.
- So this year’s Geek Gala is about space travel – if you could join any TV/Movie space crew – who would it be and why?
This is really hard to answer – I can’t choose! I can’t decide whether I’d rather be on some incarnation of the Enterprise, or run off with the Guardians of the Galaxy. But then again, there’s always Firefly…
- Check out their website at: WendyMehndi
And make plans to come visit them on Saturday, October 22nd at this year’s Geek Gala!