Mardi Gras- Steampunk Style

WOW! has it really been almost a month since I was on here?? Ughh Well, I will try to remedy that as I have lots to write about lately as well as a good many sewing projects on my agenda 'til the Phoenix Comic Con, Memorial Day Weekend.

This past Saturday was the 2nd annual Downtown Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade. My fellow cohorts in the Arizona Steampunk Society and I were invited to roll in it. A few of us put our noses to the grindstone for 3 weeks in preparation of floats, throws and a huge cthulu mascot. Because I was so busy on the parade prep my costume sort of went on the back burner till the last moment. Luckily I already had some pieces I was able to throw together. My favorite piece of my costume was the wind up key.

My steampunk wind up doll costume

The key was the very last piece of my outfit and I stumbled on its construction with fear and anticipation. Luckily my friend Noe, who is brilliant with design work, helped me with the correct proportions making my gear out of cardboard. I used a template for the teeth and it worked out perfectly in sync. 

Next, I needed to make my key out of cardboard; which I didn't actually measure spot on but I think it came out pretty good, I laid out two bowls side by side and inverted them so the rims laid on the cardboard. I traced the bowls onto the cardboard. I did the same in the center with a set of smaller bowls, cut everything out in one piece. I made a slit into the center of the gear so the key would slide in. At the bottom of the key I folded the rectangular (bottom) so it went back and forth, I slid that part into the slot on the gear then cut that portion in half. I hot glued the two pieces like wings to give the key support and stay in place. 

For the final addition, I looped white jewelry wire through the slot so I could attach it to my back and shoulders incognito.

Now, I have a wind up key and gear for those times when you never know you will need one!

Sequins and Glitter

I just got done watching Burlesque; the movie not a live show, and I loved it! I wasn't sure I would like it when it first came out but it was on one of my pay cable channels and so I watched it. It was filled with beautiful girls, hot choreography moves and skimpy, glittery, sequined outfits.

There is a great group of girls in New Orleans that put on burlesque shows in the Quarter. They are called Fleur De Tease. Here is a clip of one of their skits.

These girls put together outfits of sequins, feathers and satin by themselves. They wear fantastic wigs and do sexy, flirtatious moves to taunt and entertain the audience. I am sure some of you reading this is thinking something like; this is New Orleans, they are known for debauchery and girls showing their ***s. But, au contraire, mon frere! These girls use classic burlesque tricks, teasing the audience- not stripping-those girls work on Bourbon Street.

Next time you are in New Orleans try to catch one of their shows- they usually perform at One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter.

Does Vintage Always Mean Collectible?

May 13, 2010

“Look at this great t- shirt Aunt Tura!” I heard my niece yell these words across the rows of clothing racks at my local Goodwill. I went over to see what had excited her so much. “This is cool, huh? And, it is old; it says 1978 on it!” she said. My heart gave a flutter; at last, I have a protégé to teach the finesse of vintage shopping. Upon closer inspection my fluttering heart sank. I always check the tags of clothing first and it read Old Navy. “Oh, it’s a cute top, but its retro” I said. “Retro? Isn’t that old?” she asked. Protégé, she may still be! Here was a perfect opportunity for me insert a quick tutorial on shopping for clothing and items considered vintage and collectible.

Generally speaking, clothing and mass produced goods that were manufactured before the 1920s are referred to as antique. Items from the 1920s through the mid 1980s are considered vintage. Retro, short for retrospective usually refers to items that imitate the style of a previous decade. Goods that are produced currently are usually called modern or contemporary. Opinions can vary on these definitions. This is how I determine the age of clothing and items and describe them as vintage. Do I consider all vintage items collectible? Uh, no. So, how can something that by its age can be considered vintage; be considered valuable or collectible? That’s easy: supply and demand.

The best way to see supply and demand work is on eBay. Nowadays people want green options and so recycling clothing and household items is a big motivator. Online commerce has created a whole new batch of vintage dealers because buying and wearing vintage clothing and accessories has become tres chic as well as responsible. Searching for buying opportunities online is the perfect place to see vintage vs. old crap being sold. I am in constant awe of people and their ignorance. For example; I found a listing for a Vintage 50’s Poodle Skirt. Yes, it was a skirt. Yes, it had a poodle on it. Was it vintage? Uh, no. The skirt was a costume reproduction. Was it crap? Not necessarily. I was very let down though, because I really wanted to purchase a vintage poodle skirt for $1.00! Did the seller try to deceive me with his description? Perhaps he did try. I do not condone this selling practice but this is how the supply and demand premise works. If a seller puts the word vintage in front of an item it will attract buyers. I do believe that many a seller and buyer of vintage are being led astray.

There are several online sites to help the novice vintage buyer educate themselves. I have found sites dedicated to indexing the RN number of clothing manufacturing. These numbers are found on garment tags and the number will correspond to a certain date. The RN numbers were assigned by the Federal Trade Commission for clothing manufactured in the US. This tag number makes it easy to look up it’s “circa” date. I also love to peruse costume sites for references. I might find parts of a dress or suit that was popular in an era to help determine its age. Because retro clothing of the 50’s is becoming more popular, we know a lot of it is mimicking the WWII era. So, be an educated buyer. Do some google-ing and become an expert of vintage vs. crap.

So; back to my little shopping tutorial. “So, how do you know if it is old and collectible, Aunt Tura? Some of the stuff I see in your store just looks old and ugly!” Nikki said. “Years of experience, Nichole. According to my standards for aging items I, myself would be described as vintage!”

Vintage Is As Vintage Does

April 5, 2010

It is no accident that I am a vintage enthusiast. Pictures of my childhood in the late 60's capture me wearing black and white saddle shoes and baby blue cat eye glasses. I cannot remember a time that I was NOT playing dress up.

At the very young age of 6 or 7, I wanted to increase the wardrobe changes for my Malibu Barbie. My Grandma Mary taught me how to sew on her 1920's cast iron Singer sewing machine and my fashion direction took a new turn. In the 70's and 80's I created and sewed many a theatrical costume during my high school drama career as well as ones for my children in later years. No matter what the time period was; my costumes were always created with vintage in mind.

Incorporating vintage and modern fashions and accessorizing with textiles and millenary became my own personal style. Almost 30 years later- the story is the same but now I am offering my passion and love of vintage to everyone worldwide.