Blog Feature - Millinery Marvels

I'm honored to have been featured in the craft blog "Elephunk's Trunk", in their Millinery Marvels series. Please click here to read it!

Miss Indigo Blue Treasury Challenge

As a Washington native, I'm very proud of the newly crowned Miss Exotic World, Miss Indigo Blue from Seattle! The Burlesque Etsy team, of which I am a member, has hosted a challenge for Miss Indigo Blue inspired designs, and we're honored to have the Queen herself be our judge!

Click here to see the treasury, with all the competing items!

Click here to see my brand new mini-tricorn!!

Wish me luck, as she'll be reviewing the entries this weekend!

Dress for Lara

I just finished this dress for Lara, which is made out of some gorgeous Nigerian blockprint cotton she gave to me to re-purpose. Well, I almost finished it, because it still needs its zipper, which I'll pick up next time I'm at a fabric store!

This is the fabric and it's finishing from before - I wish I had snapped a photo of the actual dress! It would have been a great before and after!

I used Vogue pattern #8469, which I had gotten on impulse during at 10 patterns for $10 sale at JoAnns. It's in their "Very Easy Vogue" line, and I thought it was simple and straightforward in it's construction. There's a bit of handsewing, though, in the slip-stitching of the midriff lining and armhole lining, so it took a bit longer than I had expected.

I ended up using some seafoam lining I had on hand, and I think it makes for a cute color combination. Since the cotton is so stiff, I used a really lightweight woven interfacing on the midriff.

Used my new double needle for the first time!! Two needles, two spools, one bobbin - easy and a clean finish! What's not to love?!

I'm looking forward to putting the zipper in, and giving the dress to Lara - though really I just can't wait for her to wear it!

I have a new hat being photographed by Charlie Bones this weekend, and I'm so looking forward to seeing the images!!! And of course, sharing them with you.

Happy Fourth of July!

Bernie Dexter shoot

Hi there internet world! As promised, here are a few shots from the photoshoot with Bernie Dexter, by Levi Dexter! Bernie is the iconic pin-up gal of our time, so I was thrilled when she agreed to shoot a few of my pieces. The fascinators and pasties are mine, the rest of her ensemble are from her own collection.

To see the rest of the photos, please check out my etsy listings -

Green & Black Silk Fascinator

Green Silk Pasties

Red & Gold Brocade Pasties

Red & Gold Brocade Fascinator

Light Pink Brocade Fascinator

Light Pink Pasties

Wedding hairpiece

My future family in laws are getting married this summer, and I was thrilled when Liz asked me if I would make her a hairpiece to wear on her wedding day. To view her beautiful blog, and a post about my creation you can check out her blog at A Homegrown Wedding.

For her hairpiece, I used some silk flowers that she sent, and opened them up to remove all the plastic and metal hardware. I then stripped some white duck feathers, and filled out the flower with feather petals. It was a whim, but turned out to be a really beautiful effect which is really delicate and whimsical. Liz also included some gorgeous wax flowers that belonged in her Grandmother's wedding veil, and I mounted those in the center of the flowers, and spotted them with clear Swarovski rhinestones. Trimmed in russian veiling and mounted on a leather pad with an alligator clip, this little lady is ready for her big day - Oh, and I'm sure the bride will be ready too. :)

Jimmy Dean!

Introducing... Jimmy Dean! The new wiener in my life. :) What started as a foster situation, blossomed into love and here he is, in his forever home!

His favorite thing to do (besides sit on a lap) is go for a walk, which we do at least 4 times a day! Living next to a beautiful lake makes it so easy to go outside. Ah, I love Oakland.

Not to be misleading, this photo is in Golden Gate Park, not in Oakland!

In other news, I have three sets of Fascinators & Pasties which are being photographed by the wonderful Dexter duo of Bernie and Levi. I can't wait to see the photos, and I'll be sure to share them as soon as they arrive! To see some other Bernie Dexter and Levi Dexter's other work, go to berniedexter.com.

Pasties!

The BF and I moved to a new apartment in Oakland - a two bedroom with an entire room dedicated to my business! I am thrilled to finally have space, and not have to worry about spreading my stuff out and make a mess. Not that he cared, but it definitely compromised my sanity to live amongst my projects as my last workspace doubled as our living room.

I've been making a lot of hats for Topsy Turvy Design, and can't wait to share some exciting new that should be coming sooooooon! But until then, I've finally listed on Etsy my adorable pasties, which are made to coordinate with corresponding fascinators. Check it out below -

Pasties can be attached to your ta-tas with toupee tape or spirit gum, whichever you choose. Many pasties out on the market are lined with felt which leaves residue on your bits and gets gunked up with spirit gum FAST. Luckily, my pasties are lined in faux-leather, which allows for a durable and long life, and clean nipples for you!

Pasties and fascinators are available in my Etsy store! Go to lapetitemenagerie.etsy.com to get a closer look, see all the sizes, and more colors.