Out with the old, and in with the new.

That was what I kept telling myself when we sold the house I lived in my whole life. It was a good, yet sad change.
Around this time, I was getting ready to start my first year in college.

Out with the old, and in with the new.

Since we had moved out of our house, and had trouble finding a different house with all our criteria, we were invited to stay at my grandmother's house.
Once I got into the gist of college, and grandma's house, I needed to apply my time and patience to something else. I've always wanted to do henna/mehndi.

Out with the old, and in with the new.

In class, I would always draw henna designs, paisleys, flowers, and leaves on my notes, books, folders, and desks. I decided to buy a henna kit and try it out with the actual stuff!


Being Indian, I knew what to expect when looking for the henna,the aftercare, and stains. The henna was too watery, the aftercare with sugar was almost impossible because the henna was runny for about an hour, and I had it on my hand, and foot. All I kept hearing in my head was how I would ruin the floors, stain the sofas, and clog the sinks (thanks to my parents).

When I did take off the watery, sloppy design, I saw a hint of a stain. I thought to myself, "I already messed everything else up, this is probably the best it can get." The next day, it got even darker. Ever since, the design getting darker is the reason I started Henna By Aanchal.

I started drawing more extensively, on paper, and on my friends. I even ordered a ceramic hand to practice on. I went at this for about a month, and then transitioned on to my family members and friends. The positive reactions I was getting from them was one of the most satisfying feelings in the world.

Once I saw that my henna was improving, I bought a set of candles and a plate, and designed them with real henna and paint. The henna was flaky and kept falling off after it dried. No matter how many times that happened, my stubbornness and determination got me to complete the candle set in henna, the way I wanted to. This is when I realized I had all the patience in the world for henna.

I opened this shop in January, thinking I'd get so many orders and responses, but no. There are so many talented people on Etsy, and I thought to myself, how could I ever possibly compare to them? I need to be unique, but how? Since I was in school, I took a break, and just listed whatever I had. In April, I got my first order, and it was a bulk order from a woman named Tehmina. She asked me how I would feel about doing a bulk order of henna plates.

Out with the old, and in with the new.

I spent 2 months completing her order for 17 plates, with her input on everything. Even with her knowing how they looked, I was still so scared, that she wouldn't like what I did, or that it wasn't shipped on time, or if it wasn't what she wanted. It is such an intimidating feeling. When she got the plates, she had the nicest things to say. I thought to myself, "oh, maybe she's just being nice." When she had written her review though, it was the absolute best feeling in the world.

When I saw her review, it was about a paragraph long! All of it was so nicely written, and not one bad thing was there. I realized I had done a good job with her order, and was so happy to see her happy. My favorite part about her review was when she gave advice to other potential buyers, with how to go about buying from me (especially if it is a custom order). People can talk to me as much as they want but will never know the actual Henna By Aanchal until you either:

1. Buy from Henna By Aanchal
or
2. Read the reviews.

Reviews do NOT lie, and because of those reviews, especially the first one, I am still here, running this shop, putting in all my time and effort so I can offer you the best I can offer.

Like I've been saying,

Out with the old, and in with the new.

Stuff to know:

I can do henna on virtually anything; so if you want something, and don't see it, ask! I can also customize and personalize virtually anything, so once again, ask!

My main goal with this shop is to share the art of henna/mehendi with anyone who is willing to appreciate it. It's such a beautiful form of art, and gives its surrounding a certain form of elegance. I want you, the customer, to be happy with whatever they're receiving. If you're ordering something already from me, means I'm doing something right! If you're ordering something customized, personalized, or something that's not already pre made, I will be in contact with you until I perfect whatever it is you ask of me! Don't believe me? Check out my reviews. I