Pattern Whores Of The World, Unite!

This recent Fluffie Rufflie Pattern Pre-Sale was hugely successful and Ive got reams of these patterns being printed up again! My next step is to actually go and do more homework to package and print them up in a more professional way. I really should say that I would like them to look a certain way, and they do not look that way yet. But they are perfect for what you need them to do at this point in time. And I must put my nose to the grindstone and  learn that whole PDF file pattern thing. I don't want to mess with it for larger garments, but for smaller things like hats, vests, corsets.............that learning curve I can handle for now.

I will admit that I had qualms at first about selling my patterns because I'm kind of a control freak about my work and these Fluffie Rufflies were my babies. But the fact is that unless you have garments made in some kind of quantity and at a price-point that is "affordable", you are going to have to make the same garment over and over again as long as the market wants it - if you are DIY like me. You will burn out. And I want people to be sewing and making things. So this makes me feel good about selling patterns. I WANT to continue to be making things that I like to make, and I WANT you all to do the same thing! Pattern Whores of the world Unite!

This is Laurie Lulu Martin wearing a pair of the Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons that she made from my pattern. You can make them as long or as short as you prefer. You can make them in any fabrics that work for you. You can wear them to dance in or to travel in, as Laurie here is doing. They are romantic and comfortable and feminine. Adorable and functional. Win!

As soon as Ive got my pre-sale pattern orders all packed up and mailed out, I'll be listing both available styles on Etsy. See you there!!

FLUFFIE RUFFLIE PATTERN PRE-SALE!!!!

FLUFFIE RUFFLIE PATTERN PRE-SALE!!!!
It is getting to be time to focus on getting more Fluffie Rufflie patterns printed up! Ive had requests for them, and I have a Want List. Consider this a Pre-Sale - and you get your patterns first before I start selling them on Etsy! As soon as I have enough names and email addresses, I'll invoice you via Paypal and get these printed up again. Please send me your name, email address and which style you prefer: A) the Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons (wide leg) or B) the Form fitting Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pants.
  Send your info here: kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

They are both $20.00 plus flat rate postage. I send them to you very old school - in a plain envelope - nothing fancy. These are a very basic pattern - no pretty, fancy illustrations or pictures, and you have to understand how to use a pattern without a lot of explanations and details (although I have a link to a tutorial and Ive written out instructions, yardage, etc.) They are not hard to make, just require patience and a lot of fabric! The Dance Pant style requires cotton lycra or spandex/stretchy fabric for the upper body. The Pantaloon should be made out of wovens.

Thanks! X

This is Dance Tribe in South Africa! Tarah Van Wyk made the Fluffie Rufflie pants for their costumes using my pattern!! She made their belts and bras, Her mother made their Gawahzee coats!!
This style is the form-fitting Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pant - stretchy fabric upper body!

Tribal Fest 2012 Recap

 Tribal Fest 12

To make a long week very short:
It was fun.
I made a new Mother Goddess belt for Lori Tawasha of Bal Anat
I saw some  KCCC  grace the stage
I sold lots.
I caught up with old friends.
I made new friends.
I saw new things.
I took some pictures
I saw some dancing.
I saw a Baby Eater Thing.
I saw a giant unicorn.
I was busy.
I got inspired.
I got sunburned.
I got dirty.
I laughed a lot.
I cant wait to do it again.

The Fluffie Rufflie Pattern Results

I really want to see what everyone is making with my Fluffie Rufflie Patterns!
Marci Turner-Holcombe sent me this photo of the Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pants that she made for Forever By Your Side - Belly Horror 2011!

This is a lovely photo by Stereo Vision Photography!
Please send me photos and I'll put them in my Facebook Album! I REALLY want to see what you come up with!! Its pretty exciting!!
Thank you Marci!
XXX

Dont Be Mad At Us Vendors: Be Mad At The Republican Party

Ive been too busy to post lately and I was too busy to celebrate being here in my new studio and little town for one whole year as of August 15th! I have to be honest. Without the support of my customers, the move would never have been possible. I had great dreams for moving my business forward , decorating my studio, and getting a car. Well, as the bottom fell out of the American Dream, I ended up just trying to ride this roller coaster out and there was no moving forward. Treading water and trying not to sink was the focus for that year. And it was very scary. And I was really, really angry. All my hard work was just sliding into the toilet.

As when all apple barrels get upturned, someone gets mad regardless of whether you overturned them apples yourself or not. And so Ive managed to be overly late on a few custom Fluffie Rufflie orders that were being placed just when the shit came down. This isn't normal behaviour and these are special times. I do state on my Etsy listings that anything and everything can and will affect your order. It states right there in plain English all my info for you, the buyer. All you have to do is read it. Its just that simple. And everyone gets their goods. My postal receipts are sure fewer than they were last year, but I do still have enough to show that Ive been busy! Sellers don't want to talk about angry customers, but everyone gets one now and then. Its a numbers game. But I am here to talk about it all. Sometimes you get one or two that just don't get it, or don't read, or don't get the email that you sent, and sometimes you, the seller got it all wrong despite how hard you tried. But the truth is, nobody could stay in business if everyone hated what you did. I personally have had a few bad experiences buying online. Just enough to make me wary of doing it. But the vendors seem to have a happy customer base, so it was probably that this was when my number was up. Like I said, Shit happens and most vendors are more than willing to try to make you happy somehow. Nobody can make everyone happy all the time.

All my pending Fluffie Rufflie orders are done now ( except for one - and its almost done - and she knows about it) and I wont be making them again like I was.  Ive never believed in that saying that the customer is always right and I never will. If it were, we wouldn't have pages and pages of rules and information and contracts for you to read  to cover our asses. Because my loves: shit happens. And while I generally bend over backwards to give the customer what he or she wants - because I want us both to be happy with the product, this year pretty much almost did me in. Its nobody's fault. Fear is everywhere. And where there is fear, there is bad behavior. I have not been exempt from the fear factor, so Ive done my best to keep positive. Its hard to do sometimes and I have had my moments, but I don't want to attract that fear into my life any more than is already there.I want to thrive.

BUT. During this whole time, I have always felt that something new or different is around the corner and I still do. I have no idea what this "something" is, but its coming. Somehow, for some reason, Ive managed to keep this roof over my head and eat. And I owe this only to anyone who has ever purchased or commissioned anything from me. And I am here for a reason. The right people are starting to find me, and things are slowly feeling better. It may be another rocky winter, but for some reason, I feel that its not going to be that bad.

I love  what I do and I'm going to keep doing it one way or another. Ive got projects that I'm working on and Ive closed out the work that isn't viable  for me any longer. Its been a year of transition and those are always difficult, but very, very beneficial if you can get out of them in one piece. I'm still alive, I'm still working, I'm still in my dream studio, and if it wasn't the year of paying off debt, or buying a car and mega yards of brocade for new draperies that I had planned on, hopefully  next year will be.I still got to make some really cool stuff! And now that all those smaller orders are not hanging over my head, I am freed up for more work - for bigger projects. For making new merchandise. For a new day.

So don't be mad at us sellers.  Be mad at the Republicans or Demons of your choosing. We didn't cause this mess. Thank you.

Ramblings And Musings About An Online Phenomenon That I Dont Like

Its getting to be time to be preparing  for Burning Man!I kind of want to go again., but I want to go in comfort. Its just turned into that for me - gotta be comfortable. Gotta be clean before climbing into my sleeping bag. Dont want to be sunburned!

For those who don't sew, I have lots of little vests, a pair of Leg Ruffles, and some cute Sampants up for grabs in my Etsy Store!They would be perfect for the Playa!

Ive got a few more custom orders of Fluffie Rufflie's and then I'm done. Yes, thanks to this new thankless economy, the orders have slowed to barely a trickle and Ive been forced to take on other kinds of work. I was really sad at first, but everything has its' season and now Im happy again. These Fluffie pants and pantaloons are taking way too long to make for some folks, and the stress of juggling isn't worth it for me. If you REALLY want a pair and are prepared to wait as long as it takes me to find the materials and make them just the way I need to while juggling projects, then I'm more than happy to make you a pair. I still love them. I still love how they look, how they feel, how they make you feel...............but you can buy my pattern and either have them made or make them yourselves. Its a win/win situation for both of us! And PLEASE send me photos of what you make! I REALLY want to see them!!! I feel like they are my grandchildren!!!

 I'm going back to my roots. The roots of making special wedding dresses and costumes custom fit for you and back to the art of making your clothing look like it was made for you - even if it wasn't. I think it is especially important in this day and age to keep your already purchased clothing in good condition. And if you bought something new and it doesn't look right, chances are that a tweak here - a dart there will make it fit beautifully. And this is what I like to do!

My new client , Nirmala, and I agreed  today that finding a good seamstress is like finding a good hairdresser - you don't want to let either one go............and I like that kind of thinking. She's my kind of gal!

Which leads me to something that has been bothering me this year. Ive been mulling it over and over in my mind for months and trying to make sense of what is going on with people. Since the economy collapsed last year, Ive tried to go with the flow..........Etsy pushes and tries to convince its sellers that having sales on our merchandise and goods is a GOOD thing. I don't really think that having a sale on handmade goods is a good thing UNLESS you are sick of it being around and you just want to clear it out.  But Etsy is trying to convince us to behave like a retail store in a retail market. Of course, this is all left up to the individual seller and I resisted for a while. But with sales down and this being my only means of financial support, I eventually caved to see what would happen.

I actually think its fun to have a sale now and then. The whole process is kind of a kick when people sit up and take notice. I actually enjoy taking a few bucks off now and then if it helps someone purchase something that they might not otherwise have justified. It makes me feel like I'm giving back in a small way. So I tried a variety of tactics. Sometimes just a few things were marked down. Sometimes just my particular custom goods; sometimes everything. I tried different price points or discounts for different reasons. At first it seemed to be a good thing. And while my profit went down the tubes on occasion, I was making a few more sales that might not have been made, and my name was getting passed around.

And then the abuse started. I could not figure out what was happening for the longest time!  People were not reading all the info on my custom listings all of a sudden. They were expecting custom goods to be made in a few days or a few weeks  - while I specifically state that this is never the case with my process. I had one or two people cause me so much grief at Christmastime that I was ready to throw in the towel. I was forced by Paypal to return money at a time when I could ill afford to while custom projects were in the works. (it completely ruined my Christmas - there were no gifts for anyone.) I could have and should have fought these people. I would have won, but it would have taken time. Paypal froze my account. Certain people complained to Etsy about me for taking too long. One woman's package was in the mail when she complained to Etsy before consulting with me. I was confused and in hell.

I NEVER and clearly state this - give money back when in the middle of custom work. I was in tears. I had a customer accuse me of taking the public's money and waiting til the last minute to work on projects. Another accused me of stealing.

WTF. I wondered if this was what selling online is like for other sellers and I wondered what I was doing to deserve this (yeah - I know that was wrong of me - but I'm only human and make mistakes now and then)


I heard from two other vendors that they were also getting bullied from customers all of a sudden.It seemed to be happening all at once.

I was flummoxed. Totally and utterly bewildered. Never in the 20 or so years of making custom goods have I ever been treated this way. Sure, Ive had the  bride who lost her mind during the wedding. Who hasn't! The stress alone from a wedding can kill you! Nobody can ever be 100% perfect with everything they do. I only do my best and I think that I've developed a pretty good reputation with that  - I have 99% of the time always been treated with respect. And I do admit when Im wrong. But this new phenomenon really blew my mind. If this is business, then I didn't want any part of it. But I knew that something was going on and it wasn't personal (even though I couldn't help taking it that way). I'm growing as a business person and trying on all sorts of hats just to get the right fit.............so I decided to try  the Etsy sales thing.

I was talking about this with the owner of Fool Proof Studio the other day and she made a comment about how she thinks that sales on handmade goods cheapen the product.

And the bright incandescent light bulb about to be discontinued turned on full blast over my head - and ta da - there was my answer to this dilemma. But it is actually a two-fold problem. By putting my handmade wares - esp. my custom made to measure garments on sale periodically - these garments were cheapened and made less special in the buyers' mind. And wrong as some of these people are, it gave them permission to treat me terribly - to bully me - to literally sometimes make my life a living hell. I  suppose I knew the answer to this this subconsciously already. It never felt right. It felt like I was coming off as desperate to make a sale - and maybe I was at times. This is a tough world to try to be self employed in without any backing or financial support. Most of us who are making it on a shoestring are having a rough time and the shoestring is now very  frayed.........this is simply a fact................. but by cheapening our art, or designs, or whatever you want to call our craft, we can be putting ourselves in harm way. Because not everyone understands the difference between handmade and stuff you buy from an assembly line in a retail store. It is up to us to educate those who don't know. And those who don't know or respect this should not be our customers.

Also, being online can be very impersonal. As best as we make our little smiley faces and XXX's in our emails, this  cannot be a face to face relationship where we actually KNOW each other. It is far easier to abuse a character in print than to a real live face. I am quite sure that none of these people would have treated me this way in real life. And this has confirmed in me the value of someone actually coming into my studio, forming a relationship with me, and getting something special made to their standards with my creative process, and getting an experience that they would not get anywhere else.

I think that Etsy is a wonderful platform for the creative who wants to sell his or her wares. If things are not selling, maybe Etsy should be used as kind of an online portfolio. And if it sells, all the better!  I'll continue to sell  there while its working for me, but for those who really put a lot of effort into their craft, mark down sales may not really be the answer. Everyone is looking for a bargain these days, but should your hard work and effort go unpaid and disrespected? Maybe it depends on what the item is and how it was made, but to me, handmade items, if they are made well and are special, should by their very being, be a higher price point. The customer who will never buy unless the item is marked down substantially should never be your target customer. I know that not everyone is self employed and that maybe their crafts are just made for fun only - and I do understand that - but if the crafted items are unique and the effort taken to buy the technology and learn the skills to make them look nice in real life and online are applied - should not these items be treated as the gems they are?

Ive learned a valuable lesson. I'll be conducting business differently from now on and treating my work with more respect and I'll be expecting the same respect in return.  Oh sure, I'll probably have a sale now and then on ready to wear and pre-made merchandise, but its got to be fun for me as well. No more sales on the custom goods. No more abuse. I'll be sending out info that must be read first for custom work to commence. Perhaps this is part of working with the public from behind a computer, but if I wont treat you this way, I should not be treated this way. NONONONONONONONO. I DO take things  personally. I put a lot of ME into my clothing. Even if I'm making 10 pairs of Sampants. I made them! With my own two hands! I think a lot of us feel that way. Not everyone, but a lot of us.

And as most of my customers are fabulous and "get" it, this dilemma in no way reflects you!!!! I just now have to protect myself from the bad eggs out there. I got a little sucker punched  from my own naivete. I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who has noticed this happening. I was previously blaming it on the economy and maybe people being tighter and more sensitive to where their money is going.. Maybe  feeling less secure and perhaps feeling guilty about how the money is being spent and therefore getting punchy and more abusive...........all of the above?

Artists, fellow craftsmen/women - protect yourselves! Value your goods!!! No Abuse allowed!
kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Fluffie Patterns Are Now In Stock

. Tribal Fest is over and it was great fun - thank you all for coming to the Salomes' Suitcase Trunk Show! I'll write more about it later! I'll just say that we had great fun dressing everyone for the Rapture that never happened!!!!!

If you dont know yet, I want to let you all  know that I have two Fluffie Rufflie Patterns available now . There is no fancy packaging yet, but if you just cant wait (and it might be a long wait.......) I have these in stock and ready to ship. I'll have a listing for them on Etsy soon, but in the meantime, you can message me with which pattern(s) you would like, with your zip/post code and I'll invoice you, then send it to you!

Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pants (multi-sized from XS - XL) $20.00

 This is Elizabeth Mahina - and this is her Etsy Store! I love her Good Karma Wrap Cover-ups!

 Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons (multi-sized from XS - XL) $20.00

 This is Jen Cerdena and her troupe mates!

 kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Tribal Fest Trunk Show!!!

Its that lovely Tribalie time of the year when we all head over to Sebastopol, Ca. for  Tribal Fest!
Salomes' Suitcase (the design collective that I am a part of) will be having a trunk show at the Fairlfield Inn - very close to the festivities - and right where many of us will be staying!

We will be dressing up the conference room with all of our decadent splendor!
You will be able to escape the overwhelming Tribal mayhem and try on our garments and adornments in comfort! Yes, I said comfort - not out in the open, or under a tent! (not that there is anything wrong with that!)You can hang out with us and shop - and then walk back up the road, or go party in your rooms - party central!

This Fest will be a blast! Cant wait!!!!!!

Salome's Suitcase Trunk Show
~Thursday May 19th 3pm - 10pm
~Friday May 20th 2pm - 10pm
~Saturday May 21st 2pm - 10pm

Fairfield Inn Conference Room
1101 Gravenstein Hwy. South
Sebastopol, Ca 95472

Email us if you have questions!
salomes.suitcase@gmail.com 
kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Cues And Tattoos

I just got back yesterday from the Cues and Tattoos belly dance festival up in Seattle - what a whirlwind trip!
This festival is really a great event for that part of the world! Lots of workshops and vendors, teaching and dance opportunities!

I came down with that fluie/buggie/coldie thing thats going round - about a week before I left for the festival, and it just hung on. So this threw a wrench in my energy gears and I felt like I was swimming under water the whole time. But despite that, my costuming workshop went well, I think. I hope everyone got something out of it - and of course, I sold some of my patterns and got to explain a few techniques to make your costumes fit better. I learned some things as well. Like don't be sick when you need to teach: but shit happens!

The festival started off with getting to perform in the teacher showcase with Rashani. Ive danced on and off with these ladies for 15 years, and although I don't dance or practice much, its easy to step in and dance again when we are together. I think we looked pretty good! Go take Wendy's classes - she is a lovely, well rounded dancer and has studied all around the world! And of course, Marsha is part of FatChanceBellyDance! I'm pretty lucky to have such ladies as friends!

I also spent a lot of time with my son and granddaughter Ivy while I was up there. She wasn't all that interested in the sewing machine. But its early yet.

kc.costumecouture@yahoo.com

Fluffie Rufflie Pattern Pre-Order !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Pattern Launch!!! 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,.........................3,2,1......................................

So here’s the scoop: Please Read It All even if you dont want to....................

Im having a small amount of very basic Fluffie Rufflie patterns printed up. At First. These will be the Fluffie Ruffle Dance Pants (the form fitting pants that hug the body to right above the knee) and the Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons. I’ll have some very basic instructions – nothing in depth or pretty to look at. At First. The packaging wont be pretty, either. At First. These will be so basic that I might have to go back and print the sizes on the pattern for you. At First.

I’m doing it this way because I gave myself a deadline to get these out and I want some for the attendees of my Cues and Tattoos Costuming Workshop.  I want you to get sewing!!!

Because most printers require you to have a basic minimum to get started, I have to work up to this. I don’t want to make a thousand of these if  I cant sell a thousand , but we will have to have baby steps on that one…………….I just want you to have something to work with if you have good sewing skills and can figure out basic shapes. It isn’t a hard design to make at all, what is difficult is all the fabric required to make them  and figuring out how to make the inseams balance out on your leg. I can tell you how much yardage you need and how to put them together. But you will have to figure out all the inseam stuff on your own. You’ll see what I mean when you see the pattern. But just like regular commercial patterns, you cant make them fit everyone, so making a mock-up of the garment first is ALWAYS a good idea first no matter what! My sizing will also be more generous for the larger ladies! Yay! And its a much smaller investment than having them custom made - usually

I will be selling these at $20.00 each.  

What  I would like you to do if you are interested is to email me at kc.costumecouture@gmail.com and request which pattern(s) you would like and how many.  Make sure that I have an email address for PayPal and I will send you an invoice  for the total amount.  Let me know if you would prefer me to send USPS priority – if you have a large order, this may be more cost effective for you.   I will print out your order and paypal receipt, place it in a folder and mail these to you as soon as I get them, which will be early next week.

I'll send out a notice if I have to push this back at all.

I will be offering these to my Cues and Tattoos Workshop attendees for $15.00. And then I will have a minimal amount to sell at the festival. You are under no obligation to purchase a pattern at my workshop and if you want to copy someone's pattern for yourself, thats ok too.

Postage rates will be:

U.S.A      $2.50 ea. + .50 per each additional pattern

Canada   $2.75 ea.  + .75 per each additional pattern

Everywhere Else   $4.75 ea. + 1.25 each additional pattern

Postal fees subject to change 

By purchasing these patterns, you will be getting these into production and allowing all of those who sew a chance to wear all this rufflie goodness! These patterns are for home use only. You can make some for you or for your troupe, or your mother, or your neighbor, or your dog,  but  you cannot make these for resell on Etsy or anywhere else without my permission. 

If  some of this doesnt make sense or you have questions, please shoot me an email! I'll get back to you asap!

And I'll answer your questions anyway as they come up!

Just remember that Ive never done this before and I'm basically learning as I go - as I do with most things, so there is always room for improvement! I'll want your feedback!

XXXX

Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons:

 Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pants:

kc.costumecouture@gmaiil.com

Inseams or No Inseams

 Some of you may know that Ive been talking about making my Fluffie Rufflie patterns available to the public for some time. This has taken me longer than I imagined it would take. Mostly because Ive had no idea how this is supposed to happen. Every time I turn around, the economy gets worse and worse - and it costs money to make anything. Even a pattern. Its just not the same thing as drafting one for manufacturing. Its got to be understandable to a home sewer. Its a thing in itself that's got to be manufactured. Its got to be printed and folded and put in something. That something would ideally be appealing to look at. You have to print in bulk.  People ask me why I don't just sell it in pdf form.  No way. I want you to buy it and have it in your hands. I want you to open the package and unfold the paper like in the old days when everyone sewed this way and say - Wow. Or WTF.  I just want it to be a thing and not an electrical thing that you print out. Call me weird.

I've been working on cleaning up my oaktag patterns - the permanent every day ones that I use for the Fluffie Rufflie pants and pantaloons. When I say that I'm cleaning them up, I mean that they are so chewed up from cutting around them for 5 years, that Ive got to make the edges straight again, make sure the original specs are still there, the edges and seams match up, and that I'm using the right pieces for the right garment. They are covered with coffee splashes and every color of pen and pencil known to mankind. Ive been making these babies for 5 years. It boggles my mind. Can it be?

 I'm cleaning these up so that I can take them to a place who will take my specs and digitize the pattern in order for me to have them printed out in paper form - in a form that I can sell to the public. I want the pattern pieces multi sized and nestled in one on top of the other. I have a rudimentary idea now about how this process works and I believe that I must be doing it all ass backwards. But bit by bit, its getting done and I'm learning a lot along the way. I really thought there would be some info online about this process for the small indie pattern maker, but all I get is info about pattern drafting and not how to actually manufacture your patterns. Ive found a bit here and there for those who will discuss their secrets. There are printers who have minimum orders only that I cant afford. There is the packaging that I cant afford. But somehow it will be manifested.

I wont even go into how my inseam system is throwing a glitch in the whole process for me. If I nestle the pattern, how do I show all the inseams? It works for the pantaloons, but not so much for the knit pants because of the way I make them. This may be so not a big deal for many  - but for me, it  IS rocket science almost. Almost. I'll figure it out. Or I'll find someone to help.

But I have a deadline. I want the first draft - no matter how unattractive - to sell to the ladies who will be attending Cues and Tattoos up in Seattle this month. I haven't got much time and I wont be able to get many printed up, but I will have SOME available to whoever attends my workshop. For those of you who want a pattern, I will have to charge you something for the pattern, but I wont charge you whatever the full price will be. I have no idea how much this will even cost me. I could be in for a rude awakening. I may have to take pre-orders to get them done. BUT - this will be so awesome! I cant wait to see what everyone comes up with and what materials you all use. Some of you may go, this is so simple....what was all the fuss about. And some may go - OH. I think I'll just have her make me a pair! LOL! Some of you will be able to play with this flounce and piece it to save money and fabric.( something I cant do very often when I make them to sell)

And because its my design and I will be saying so on the pattern, you can make your own pants. You can make them for your troupe, You can make them for your neighbor, You can make them for your neighborhood, but you cannot manufacture them.  And if you do, you will hear from me.

I'll still sew Fluffie Rufflies for you if you want them, but it will be a limited thing. I need to make other things now. Hopefully this new endeavor will allow me to be freed up to actually do some designing. Maybe focus on all those skirts and OTHER pants Ive been trying to throw at you. Wouldn't that be nice???????

I also just hired someone to help me out once or twice a week.Ive tried this on and off, but this woman is a sewer and she lives nearby.  I think she'll be nice to have around and be a big help with the sewing that I cant get to. Ive been needing this for a long time.  Between sewing, admin, patterning, cutting fabric, packing orders.........and readjusting to my new life........there isn't much time to do things efficiently by myself. . And she lives nearby. And she's a hula dancer. This is good!
And as you can see..............we need to get these sewn up and into your mailbox!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Jessiepants

These rufflie pants were named after my friend Jessie who lived downstairs from me in my last apartment building. She is a dancer and likes the feel of the cotton lycra because as you know, dancers need to feel free to move and break out into dance at any moment! Its true, we do. I dance all around the house in mine and I once danced though the park.............but that's another story. The Jessiepant is a shortened version of the Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pant and is a bit more wearable and versatile. The flounces are shorter and while they still have that fluffie feel, they feel a little more street worthy at times.

This word 'versatility' keeps coming up when I try to describe my clothing, but that's what I like about them - and while my styles are not for everyone, they are definitely for a more free spirited kind of person who lives outside the box. This person likes to have different outfits for different moods. And I try to make things that can be mixed and matched with other garments  in order to create a "look" ............and these will definitely create a "look".

I would send you to my Etsy shop to purchase these, but someone just beat you to it. I cant even take very decent photographs and you wonderful people buy my things. I'm not a religious person, but I feel truly blessed.

I'm going to Marker Express this Friday to see what the next step is for getting some of my designs into production. I am also in the process of getting a couple patterns out for sale as these styles in particular are just too cost prohibitive for me to produce - I'll be offering the first drafts at Cues and Tattoos! They might not be real pretty at first, but hey, if you want to make them and know how to read a pattern and sew , Im sure you'll manage! I'm pretty excited to see what everyone comes up with and I'm happy to help out those who want these but cant afford them. And I'll still make these styles for sale when possible.

Rashani Tribal Fusion at Tannourine on Sunday!!

Rashani World Fusion ( Wendy Marlatt and I ) will be guest performing at Tannourine this Sunday, February 6th! I'm so excited! FatChanceBellyDance and Elizabeth Strong will be gracing everyone with their presence for the evening and Wendy and I will be doing some of our skirt work for your dining pleasure! Cant wait!!!!!!
   There are such good reviews on this place! Come out for dinner, some amazing dancers, and a lovely evening!

Tannourine Resaurant
120 West 25th Ave.
San Mateo, Ca. 94403
650-638-1960

kc.costumecoututre@gmail.com

A Little Sale To Ward Off The Global Recession Blues!

 I never get tired of how pretty all these flounces of lace look with costumes or under skirts and dresses! This is not a look for everyone, but how pretty!!!!! These are perfect for a Steampunk Wedding - or a Victorian Wedding..............well, I wear mine all the time. They are really the most comfortable things Ive ever worn! And such a romantic vision. Yes, they just ooze old timey romance!

And if you are a dancer and you can rock this look, you will find it so easy to wear and dance in!

KathleenCrowleyCostumeCouture is having a little Global Recession Sale at the olde Etsy Shoppe this week! I knocked off about 15% on all my custom goods and I can take some new orders now - so read all the info, take your measurements, and let me make you some new duds! This is a good bargain in these difficult times if you are ever so stylishly inclined. The Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons alone take sometimes 12 yards of fabric. But the way they are made you wouldn't know it until all that swishy laciness starts floating around your ankles!

You'll find that my garments can take a while to make. As much as I wish it were not so, I can make no apologies for this because I don't farm my work out..  Its done right here in my studio. I have to go at my own pace. I cant rush the process because there are chances for making mistakes when I do. Sometimes I work fast and sometimes I work slow - this is no sweat shop. There is always a line of orders and Etsy  purchases to process. I take on new orders in order to keep the cash flow moving. If that stops, the presses stop: I cant eat or buy fabric if the flow discontinues. This is how many small handmade businesses work. And sometimes we forget this because we are so used to immediate shopping gratification. So I'm always working. Always making something or looking for the right materials to work with, or doing the admin. Or looking for more projects! There is a lot more to my little business than sitting and sewing all day!

All orders and merchandise are cut out one at a time by myself. I sometimes have a helper come in, but not as often these days. This is a skill and a craft that is going away - which makes what I try to do all the more special. This is how things used to be made. Ive been soooooo lucky to be able to support myself doing this and my goal is to continue to do so in the coming years!!!!

                                                           *******************
Ive been cutting away at the last batch of Etsy orders that I took in. I'll be starting to ship those out bit by bit soon. And thanks for your patience!

Photo: Barefoot Bellydance wearing Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

The 11th Annual San Francisco Edwardian Ball!

 I cant wait for this one! But its right around the corner folks, and there is so much to do! There are some amazing vendors this year and Salome's Suitcase are no exception! This is truly the costume event of the year and you do not want to miss it!

The Edwardian Ball 2011
The Regency Ballroom
1300 Van Ness @ Sutter
San Francisco, Ca.
January 21-22
Afternoon Vendor Bazaar - Saturday, January 22!!!!! Free Admission and full bar for those over 21!!!!!!!!
noon - 6pm


Anything goes in the Edwardian/Gothic/Romantic/Steampunk/Edward Gorey vein!

Don't forget to shop my Etsy Store - I have a few corsets and Pants that would be lovely additions to your ballgown or costume!!!!!!!!!

I'll be bringing some of my better costuming to this event to sell: things that would be fun to wear to the ball - so come on in and let us deck you out!

Saturday afternoon is a special day of shopping with free admission to the venue before the ball!!!!! No pressure! Just walk right in and drool over all the finery! You will, I know you will!!!!!!

Not only is the Regency Ballroom full of history and a San Franciscan architectural treasure to boot, the whole vending room will blow you away!!!!

Come say hi, come support local artisans - many of us earn our whole entire living this way! We need you. If you don't support the arts, the arts go away. What a dreary world that would be!

And the entertainment is spectacular!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

1/1/11 Happy New Year!!!!!!

There is much a brewin in my humble little Sugar Shack. Its true, I live in a Sugar Shack! How many people can say that????????

The winter days are long and often gray and bleak, and the outside of things can  appear dismal and not very exciting right now. But its whats on the inside that counts - and I count my blessings and my lucky stars every single day. Here is where I will start to be more creative in the new decade and where I will focus on making this world a little tiny bit better if I can.

Thank you one and all who have supported me and shown me the path and the means to my new studio - my new place to stretch out and let my creativity take wing!

Ive got plans. Plans to make my Sugar Shack cuter and more pleasing to the eye. Plans for promotion, plans for patterns, plans for new designs - maybe new directions. Plans for a new little computer, a decent camera, a roadworthy car - plans to expand both in the physical world and the spiritual. Plans to get you out here to visit if I can and have a little studio party. (Can I say "plenty of parking"?)

It just doesn't work to have one without the other, now does it. And when both combine, we have creativity. And being lost in your creativity is to experience the Divine.

Enough of the New Age sentimentality: I'm just feeling inspired!

And in the meantime, I still need your support. All independent artists do. Please don't forget us after the holidays as this is usually our down time and life must go on as usual.........bills and rent to pay.....food and materials to purchase. Local artists and artisans (and I'm speaking for all of us) need support to keep making and doing nice things for the world. If we cant stay afloat until easier times, some may have to go work at MacDonald's. And I shudder to think it. We all suffer when this happens.

If you read this far, I'm offering you a 10% off coupon code for anything in my ETSY store during this weekend of new beginnings! Just enter this code at checkout and it will do the work for us both. (Yay!)
HNY2011

Happy New Year Everyone! Happy New Decade! Happy New World!!!!!

                                 
kc.costume@gmail.com

There Are Some Larges Left

Just a heads up for those size Larges out there:

Ive got some size Large Sampants and a few smaller sizes in my Ets shop right now! Ive got a few stretch velvet Bum Ruffles, and a bunch of other things! I also have some fingerless lacie sleevelets, Fluffie Pants and other pretty assorted items in my studio! Email me if you are interested in something and we can either make an appointment for you to come visit, or I can send you some pictures!

XXX

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

  

Cyberweek Coupon

I've been asked many times if I offer coupons, but its just not something that I am capable of doing online.  I'm sure its fairly easy, but I have not had the time to mess with it. Etsy now offers coupons and I'm going to try it out this week coming up. I didn't get all the merchandise made up that I had planned to by Cyber Monday, so I'm going to list new stuff during the week as I get it sewn and photographed. Keep checking in!

I am posting the coupon code here and you can use it for 10% off anything in my Etsy store when you check out. This will last for 5 days only - until Friday December 3rd - and then the coupon expires. So lets see how it goes:

Use this code when checking out!
CYBERWEEK2010

The Dark Time Is Upon Us

                                                         Its time for Shadow Dance................


The Ethereal gang of Salome's Suitcase will be presenting a dark and lovely fashion show........
A show centered around the eerily romantic.........
The dark romantic in all of us.......
So in the spirit of All Hallows Eve and the time of the year when the veil between life and death is at its sheerest, come visit our booth and peruse our decadent wares!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Ridiculous Sale - But Thats What It Is and Thats What I'm Offering!

If you were sitting on the fence, its time to jump off it now and take advantage of this ridiculous sale. I'm offering my custom Etsy goods for 20% off. I don't think this will happen again, as my custom prices are already pretty darned good as they are, but it feels good to be able to bring the prices down to about where they were when I started making them - if even for a very short time. And while I already have a pattern template that I work from for these designs (and this is how I can make these customized for you at a lower than custom rate), I take your measurements, I go find your fabrics, I make these for you and you alone.

The wait time is the same. There is a long line for my creations, but the line has shortened, Ive got the supplies, I have some help again, I'm all settled into my new studio, I get lots of sleep now, I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take on more work! Maybe this sale will be just the incentive to get that amazing pair of pants that you were lusting for!

KathleenCrowleyCostumeCouture will be taking just a few orders - for no more than a week, and then its prices back to as they were.  So grab them now!

Go directly to Etsy and click on my custom ordering section. If something isn't there that you wanted, it may have just sold and I have not been able to re list the item yet. I will be checking in regularly to watch this. And I will stop the sale as soon as I think Ive sold enough. Ive learned not to get greedy and pace myself. It isn't fair to you - it isn't fair to myself - the wait is long enough!

You can also email me directly at kc.costumecouture@gmail.com .