Cietta Johnson, started Mindful Mehndi in May 1998, as a collaborative effort with Sarwat Sipra (her neighbor), and Julia Franklin (a friend and talented art student). Sarwat and Julia have since moved out of Fresno, but who knows - they both have family in Fresno!

Cietta was the first non-South Asian doing henna in Fresno as a business. She has given lectures at local events on the origins of this art and technique. Mindful Mehndi's booth became an feature at California State Fresno's Vintage Days and at other local events.

Cietta became interested in henna in the early 90's when she saw people leaving Sarwat's house who had been there getting their henna done for a wedding. After years of working on developing her own techniques, she and Sarwat took to the streets - literally for a local arts and crafts street fair. The rest is history.

Though our lives are currently changing, we look forward to what the future holds and hope to remain ever mindful.