Sarasota, Florida · Gulf Coast

Massage therapy and hand-drawn henna in Sarasota

I'm Cynthia MacConnell. For more than 30 years I have helped people put stress down on the massage table — and since 2003 I have been drawing all-natural henna, glitter tattoos and festival glam for celebrations across the Gulf Coast.

  • Deeply relaxing massage: Esalen, Myofascial Release, Kansa Wand and AromaTouch
  • All-natural henna paste I make myself — never “black henna”
  • I bring the party to you, from Palmetto to Naples

Massage from $20 (10-minute chair) · Private henna or glitter appointments from $50 · Event body art $125.00/hr, two-hour minimum

Two hands covered in intricate reddish-brown henna designs resting on purple velvet beside a purple hibiscus flower
Professional henna & glitter artist since 2003
30+ years of massage therapy, since leaving teaching in 1992
2003 drawing henna professionally, after apprenticing in California
125+ glitter tattoo stencil designs to choose from at your event

Two ways I can help

One pair of hands, two crafts. Choose the one you came for — or book both.

For your body

Massage Therapy

A quiet room, slow and even pacing, and a blend of Esalen, Myofascial Release, Kansa Wand and AromaTouch built around what your muscles are actually asking for. Sessions from 60 to 160 minutes, plus chair massage and pre-natal work.

For your celebration

Henna & Glitter Body Art

Henna, glitter tattoos, flash tattoos and festival Glitter & Glam — drawn by hand so every guest leaves with a one-off piece. Perfect for Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 16s, galas, showers and pamper parties.

Illustration of flowing strokes around a lotus, in the studio's turquoise-to-violet colors

Massage therapy

Rest your mind, relax your body and renew your spirit

Stress is responsible for at least 80% of all illnesses. In our fast-paced, digitally dominated lives, nurturing human touch is essential self-care — not a luxury, but a vital part of staying well.

I trained at massage schools across Tennessee, Georgia, California and Florida, and I like to blend those modalities into one session that fits you. I keep the room quiet so I can listen to your muscles and you can hear your own body. For the best experience I recommend at least 90 minutes.

Read about Esalen, Myofascial Release, Kansa Wand and AromaTouch →

It felt like water pouring over me.

A massage client, after an Esalen session
Fresh henna hibiscus design on a guest's shoulder, outlined with green and purple cosmetic glitter

Henna & glitter body art

Make a lasting impression on your guests

Every design is drawn freehand, so each guest gets an individual work of art. Henna stains last one to two weeks; glitter tattoos are waterproof and last three to seven days; festival glam washes off with soap and water the same night.

I bring design books for guests to choose from, and I make my own henna paste — crushed henna leaves, lemon juice, sugar and essential oils. Nothing artificial, ever.

  • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
  • Sweet 16
  • Galas
  • Birthdays
  • Anniversaries
  • Pamper parties
  • Girls' night out
  • Bachelorette parties
  • Baby showers
  • Holiday parties
  • Company picnics
  • Grad parties
  • Proms
  • Reunions

Where I work

Based in Sarasota and serving the Gulf Coast from Palmetto to Naples. Events beyond 30 miles of 34231 carry a small travel fee — see Event Details.

  • Sarasota
  • Bradenton
  • Lido Key
  • Longboat Key
  • Siesta Key
  • Venice
  • Lakewood Ranch
  • Old Myakka
  • Myakka City
  • Nokomis
  • Plantation
  • Englewood
  • North Port
  • Port Charlotte
  • Punta Gorda
  • …and beyond
Cynthia MacConnell applying a henna design to a guest's arm at an outdoor event, her design book resting on her lap
Cynthia at work — every design drawn by hand.

About Cynthia

An artist since I was old enough to pick up a crayon

I was blessed to have parents who fostered this love and an education that exposed me to new media and art forms. When I moved to California, I discovered henna body art, apprenticed with an established henna artist and started doing henna professionally in 2003. I just love this art form and sharing it with others — the plant itself is amazing. I am now back in Sarasota, FL and excited to share this beautiful and relaxing art form.

I added glitter tattoos to my repertoire — so sparkly, fun and long-lasting. I really enjoy doing large, freehand glitter tattoos for special occasions. I am also known as “The Glitter Queen”, and I love adding glitter to everything I do.

I left teaching in 1992 because I felt called to massage work, and I have been at it ever since.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Let's find a time that works

Tell me the date, the place and roughly how many people — or just ask a question. I answer every message myself, usually the same day.

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