SALE - HAPPYHAPPYJOYJOY

This summer is flying by! What have I been doing? Working on a wedding dress and Halloween costumes, developing a few new items for the Bessie line of clothing, prepping for a couple photo shoots, developing a few pieces of bridal wear,  gearing up to co-teach a few sewing classes with Carolena Nericco - Bohlman in the fall,  and slowly building a new website where everything can be all in one place.....all the time......that's all keeping me very busy!

What better time than a sale! Take 20% off of your purchases in my Etsy shop at checkout by using this coupon code: HAPPYHAPPYJOYJOY

I'll be discontinuing some of this merchandise, so if you like it, please grab it!!!

There are lots of adorable festival skirts  and tops!! Halloween is right around the corner - and some of these garments would be just perfect for the season! 

SPRING SALE!!!

Hi Everyone! Im having a little Spring Sale in my Etsy Shop! You can have 15% off of anything listed in the store until Wednesday the 11th!

Let me know if you dont see your size! I might POSSIBLY have something in stock that isnt listed. Esp. the Sampants - sometimes I forget to relist when one sells!

Just use this discount coupon code at checkout:  15PERCENTOFFYAY

Cues & Tattoos 2014!

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I'll be bringing some fun things for you to try on at Cues and Tattoos in Seattle at the end of this month!
I'll be vending with Carolena Nericcio at the FatChanceBellyDance booth! Come check out our new Bessie Skirt  and new vest - You had better grab one fast because I have a feeling they will be flying off the racks!

The Cues and Tattoos Marketplace @ The Seattle Center Armory will be open:
Friday, March 28th:
12:00-5:00pm
Saturday, March 29th:
11:00am-9:30pm
Sunday, March 30th:
11:00am-4:00pm

Join Us at the 5 & Diamond Pre-Playa Loft Sale!!

I'll have a couple racks of Playa Wear at the 5&Diamond loft sale this year!! A bit of this and a bit of that - sequins, glitter, and cute, sexy stuff all geared toward adorning yourselves in comfort and style out there in the desert! Come by and say hi! Come get your Playa on!!

Tribal Fest 2013 - Halfway To Halloween

 "Halfway To Halloween" was this this year's Tribal Fest theme which wasn't difficult to dress for  as I kind of live in that state of mind anyway! So I just wore a lot of black - my new long black skirt design, to be exact. And I didnt have to think about it anymore. We'll discuss that new skirt later on. (What a lifesaver it has been!)

But here are some photos to recap the event and to give you the feel of what its like to be there at my booth - once again shared with Medina Maitreya! It was a great success for us both this year. I felt more love and support than ever and I'm so glad I was able to hang in there while we all suffered through this economic crunch over the last few years! Could it be easing  up? It sure feels that way!

 I'm not being allowed to edit like I want to right now - not sure if its Blogger or my computer - but if you want to be credited for photos, let me know and I'll go back in soon and see whats going wrong!!
Just wanted to share my fun week! Its always crazy and always the chill out spot - as you can see!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Cholis!

Ive got some lovely cholis going up in my Etsy shop right now! I wasnt focusing on the store for a while, but thats all changing now, and I'll be listing garments as I make them.

There are a few smalls offered although I have mostly larger sizes at the moment.  I had sold quite a few of the smaller sizes at Tribal Fest this Spring. But I will be making more cholis in a variety of sizes, fabrics, and styles as materials come my way!
- keep checking in!

Ive got some pretty green lace Rattie Tattie Skirts cut out and waiting to be sewn up. Perhaps I should make some matching tops!

Come by my Etsy Shop and check out whats going on! Ive got your classic Sampants, a few of this and some of that...............as always!

I Love My Life!
X

Capes and Circle Skirts

This last week, I finished up a little project that came my way. Chris March made a bunch of super hero type costumes for a giveaway promotion. He gave me the capes and little super heroine skirts to sew up and he took care of the rest.

Its a simple project, but it was fun. I cut all the capes out freehand and I mostly used selvages for the ties, For the skirts, I used the bottom flounce pattern of my Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons as a base. I used my Sampants waistband and  with a little tweaking here and there of the measurements, they worked out perfectly!

I was sewing on sequins and spandex for the most part and my industrials were being a bit temperamental. Needles were breaking and stitches skipping. So rather than adjust my machines for every fabric, I used my home sewer for some of it and all went well in the end. Lots of capes and skirts. Some were lined. Some were trimmed. Some had rolled hems and some edges were just serged.

Simple costumes do not have to look like they were made in a factory in China. With a little knowledge of fabrics and what types of machines and needles and hemming feet work with them, its fairly easy to make something inexpensive look well made.

And, well, practice, practice, practice!

The Allure of the Stripe

Something about stripes.......they make a strong  statement and they draw the line down towards the feet, making you appear slimmer and longer.

I just made a small lot of these ADORABLE black and white striped Sampants!
Ive got Small through Extra Large listed on Etsy, and I have two each of most sizes.
I'll repost the extras as they sell.
These are made of the good stuff - the nice heavier weight cotton lycra that holds its shape and lasts a long time.
Im always on the lookout for this heavier weight stretch cotton.. I don't buy in bulk, so its hit or miss when it comes to finding this fabric.I just happened to be at the fabric store at the same time they were unloading the truck.
SCORE!

 
Get em while they're hot!
kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

HAPPYBIRTHDAYTOMESALE!!!!!!

 I woke up this morning and jumped out of bed full of life and energy and a touch of narcissism. Thats right - bonafide narcissism. My favorite word of the day. Usually I putter around for a while making coffee and answering emails and being a facebook friend. But not today. I donned some makeup and curled my hair.  Matthew James (you'll know him soon enough) said that I'm going for that 50's housewife kind of thing. I think he may be right. And this isn't so bad before coffee and a big birthday (we'll just say I'm 37 and leave it at that - because I say so. Don't argue with me). In truth, I had some clients coming over - so I do like to make a good appearance, but this morning was just different.

I don't know what happened. The moon is done with being full? Jupiter and Saturn collided?  The dish ran away with the spoon?

I never celebrate my birthday. I don't enjoy my birthday. I would just as soon forget about my day of birth. I don't know why. I don't say anything to anyone.  Sometimes the day is great. Sometimes its lonely.  I love to be remembered, but I feel no need to talk about it or announce it or remind anyone about it. It usually embarrasses me to have a fuss made. So what has changed?

I just don't know.

         Hmmmmmmmmmm. Its puzzling, int it.

So what should I do for my birthday?

I'll have a 25% off sale!

For my birthday, I'm having a 25% off sale in my Etsy shop. Thats right - 25% off.  I'd go higher, but I have to eat. Thats only fair. Ive never had a sale where I marked everything off 25%. And its making me HAPPY! Patterns and custom goods will be excluded from the sale, but there is a lot of fun stuff in there!

Please enter this code at checkout: HAPPYBIRTHDAYTOME
This will automatically take 25% off of your Etsy purchase. Pretty neat, huh!

So there ya go........hope you see something that you've lusted for and cant justify right now. I wish I had more sizes, but this is what I have left after my festivals and events over the last 4 weeks. When it moves out the door, there is room to make more! (yes, Jeanette, that's your vest in the mirror - I'm finishing it up!)

 Ive got a couple sword bags that I'll put in the shop. Vintage trims and drapery velvet make a lush bag to carry your dance sword or your gym clothes in - I dragged mine through the U.K three times (before the sword ban).Maybe its just the thing you've been looking for!

 Now that my Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pant pattern tutorial is up, I'll just put the finishing touches on the FR Pantaloons, and then I can focus on finishing some custom orders and new merchandise. I had talked a lot about teaching sewing lessons at one time, but my patterns ate up my life there for a while. So keep checking in - Ive got some ideas that I will throw out there. I think you'll like what I have in mind and I know we can have fun with it!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

The Black Lotus Clothing Subzero 2011 Fashion Show

 About a week or so ago, I was fortunate enough to participate in the last Black Lotus Clothing Fashion Show sponsored by the Subzero Festival in San Jose. It was a lot of fun and Christina Molcillo's - and Katherine Summer's clothing blew me out of the water. But I was proud of my little presentation! Here are some photos taken of my models. I love how they turned out!

 Models in order:
Lucie Tuan
Isa Shisha
Frojan Baggins

Photos:
Raymond Van Tassel Photography
Fotografica Delfino
Makeup: Dusty Paik

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

SUbZero Festival - June 3rd!

Black Lotus Clothing, Katherine Summer  and KathleenCrowleyCostumeCoiuture will be vending at SubZero this Friday evening, June 3rd! This is an outdoor street festival is San Jose - Cant wait! As usual, we will collaborate in creating a great shopping experience!

SubZero Festival

6pm - midnight
San Jose SOFA disctict in Downtown San Jose
(on South First Street between San Carlos and Reed Streets

We will be putting on a fashion show that starts at 7pm - come check out what we are coming up with for the show! You will not be disappointed!

Come check our fashion show and then stop by and say hi!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Lightning In A Bottle

I wont be there because Ive got so much work to do here in the Studio, but I and most of Salome's Suitcase have sent our merchandise down to LIB with Medina Maitreya who will be sharing a booth with Foxy McSugah the tooth bling Queen ( and designer extraordinaire as well!)

Wish I could be there, but I'm also getting ready for another festival coming up in San Jose on June 6th and I'm just going to have to be in Southern California in Spirit!

So go to the Marketplace and check us out! I hear the booth is beautiful and I know you'll find something that you just cant live without!

So much fun to be had!
XXXX

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

The Madness Of March Sale

Just for one more day! Use this coupon code to take 20% off anything that I have listed in my Etsy Store -  that, my friends is a good deal!

Use this code at Checkout: marchmadness2011

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Tango/Flamenco Inspired Sampants

These turned out so cute!!!!!!!
They really did!
Ive got one in each size-
XS - XL
I can make a few more, so let me know if you would like a pair. I think these will sell out fast!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Here is a video of the Salome's Suitcase ShadowDance Fashion Show.
Enjoy!

You can contact any of the designers and artists by clicking on their pages or going to:
salomes.suitcase@gmail.com

Thank you to Ariellah for inviting us to participate in ShadowDance as both vendors and entertainment!

Thank you to the models for your patience, and for your grace and beauty!

Thank you to Jessie Cowan of Crops and Bobbers for your uber amazing hair and makeup!

Thank you to Melanie Shapiro for assisting with hair and makeup!

Thank you to Bellyscape for the video!

And we thank ourselves/each other at Salome's Suitcase - this is a rare group of strong creative women who work very hard to make the world a nicer looking journey for you.

Designers/Artisans  in this show:
FoolProof Studio
KathleenCrowleyCostumeCouture
Katherine Summer
HiBeam Bindis
Sandi's Ocean
Minerva's Antennae

Models in order of appearance:
Elizabeth Strong wearing Fool Proof Studio
Natalie Nayun wearing a Salome's Suitcase Collective look
Predislava Derugin wearing a Salome's Suitcase Collective look
Amaryst Bauer wearing Fool Proof Studio
Scottie Chapman wearing Fool Proof Studio
Rose Nisker wearing Katherine Summer
Sandi Ball wearing KathleenCrowleyCostumeCouture
Molly Mitchell wearing KathleenCrowleyCostumeCouture
Amber Burke wearing KathleenCrowleyCostumeCouture
Jamie Lynn wearing Katherine Summer

Some models were wearing HiBeam Bindis and awesome jewelry from the Sandi's Ocean collection.

Music:
Miss Levine by Beats Antique

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