Welcome to the Fall Issue
Fall brought some wonderful things to
my little corner of the world. It started with Bill (my husband
of 30 years) and I being able to take a trip together. It isn't often
when we can get away at the same time. Chris (the other Old Bag)
kept an eye on the puppy children so we could escape. Not a vacation,
but a working vacation -- we went to Lincoln City, Oregon for the Double
Crown. But hey, when you can get away together and stay in a hotel
right on the beach and still be able to 'right it off', because it is business
-- who would complain! Not this girl. We were vending at the competition,
I was judging, and teaching a workshop. A very busy trip, but so much
fun when you get to hang out with the crazies in the Pacific Northwest. It
ended with me dancing again!!!! It had been a while since I got out
and performed. I have been so busy with Designs By Janie, custom costuming,
setting up the shop, and writing, that I hadn't been able to find the time
to dance. And I love to dance!!!
Busy as always with body stocking orders and trying to keep the shop stocked with goodies. Still I had so much fun. So Fall was very good to me.
Busy as always with body stocking orders and trying to keep the shop stocked with goodies. Still I had so much fun. So Fall was very good to me.
"Costuming on a Budget" Workshop at the Double Crown
Zaina Hart hired me almost a year in
advance to teach my "Costuming on a Budget" workshop. She hired
me right after she and I taught workshops in Arizona at the Dance in the
Desert Festival. We had both done very well with our workshops and
the attendance at both had been huge. I taught "Costuming on a Budget"
there. Plus I was designing a costume for Zaina, which didn't hurt
me getting hired either. I worked all year to get stuff ready to
show the attendees in the Pacific Northwest. I am also getting all
these projects ready for a book I am in the middle of writing called "Costuming
on a Budget", can you believe that? Well it is true. I have
my fingers crossed that the book will be ready for sale when I teach this
workshop at the 9th Annual Wiggles of the West. But I digress.
My time slot was not the best, Sunday morning at 8:30 am. The contest had been long on Saturday, so I wasn't surprised when only three lovely women showed up for the workshop. There was nothing to be disappointed about, because these women came to learn all I could teach them in 2 hours. All three were already knowledgeable in sewing and making costumes. So we skipped all the basic sewing stuff and got right to the saving of time and money. Two hours later, I had emptied my suitcase full of examples and filled their heads with ideas. "I'll never look at anything in the same way" stated Cheryll Mayer of For the Frill of it, with a twinkle in her eye. She said it all for the students or so I thought.
This is what I call "Costuming on a Budget".
This is the costume I made for Zaina Hart: The bra base came from Wal-Mart, the sequin fabric was a skirt found in a Thrift Store, the chiffon skirts were from a ball gown purchased at a Thrift Store, only the beading and rhinestones on the belt portion were really new.
My time slot was not the best, Sunday morning at 8:30 am. The contest had been long on Saturday, so I wasn't surprised when only three lovely women showed up for the workshop. There was nothing to be disappointed about, because these women came to learn all I could teach them in 2 hours. All three were already knowledgeable in sewing and making costumes. So we skipped all the basic sewing stuff and got right to the saving of time and money. Two hours later, I had emptied my suitcase full of examples and filled their heads with ideas. "I'll never look at anything in the same way" stated Cheryll Mayer of For the Frill of it, with a twinkle in her eye. She said it all for the students or so I thought.
This is what I call "Costuming on a Budget".
This is the costume I made for Zaina Hart: The bra base came from Wal-Mart, the sequin fabric was a skirt found in a Thrift Store, the chiffon skirts were from a ball gown purchased at a Thrift Store, only the beading and rhinestones on the belt portion were really new.
When I got home I got a fun email from
one of the other students, let me quote a bit of it: "And its all
your fault! I took your workshop this past weekend in Lincoln City
& my mind has been working overtime ever since ... Thanks so much
Janie for such a great workshop. I look forward to reading your new
book when it is done." Best wishes, Susan Watson. Well that is
proof positive of a successful workshop to me.
For those that missed it, they can catch it next time. And next time isn't so far away. I have been hired by the Two Old Bags to teach my "Costuming on a Budget" workshop as part of the 9th Annual Wiggles of the West. I will be teaching as part of their bonus day, Thursday July 8th. I hope to see you all there.
For those that missed it, they can catch it next time. And next time isn't so far away. I have been hired by the Two Old Bags to teach my "Costuming on a Budget" workshop as part of the 9th Annual Wiggles of the West. I will be teaching as part of their bonus day, Thursday July 8th. I hope to see you all there.
YES, Janie Can Dance ... But Then She is Known as Jenee
Two Haflas were scheduled for November
here in Reno and I was invited to dance at both! First I was invited
by Ireena and Rabia to dance at their "Holiday Hafla", which just happened
to be their first venture together as sponsors. Well considering
that they are both good friends of mine and custom costuming customers,
how could I refuse? I didn't, I thanked them happily and said YES.
Then Nahlah invited me to dance at her bimonthly hafla and I said
yes again. Nahlah mentioned she had heard I did double sword, so I
figured 'why not'.
Then it hit me, the realization that I needed a new costume to wear. When a professional costumer comes out to dance, people expect her to have a great costume. So not to disappoint anyone, I got to work. I also had to practice my dance, but there I took it easy on myself and choose to do just a sword dance. No veil, no drum solo, no floorwork -- just sword. I would sew for hours and then practice my dance, which had the added benefit of keeping my muscles from tightening up from all the sewing. And of course I also had to get orders out and all the other business type stuff.
Here I am in my new costume with performing Double Sword
Then it hit me, the realization that I needed a new costume to wear. When a professional costumer comes out to dance, people expect her to have a great costume. So not to disappoint anyone, I got to work. I also had to practice my dance, but there I took it easy on myself and choose to do just a sword dance. No veil, no drum solo, no floorwork -- just sword. I would sew for hours and then practice my dance, which had the added benefit of keeping my muscles from tightening up from all the sewing. And of course I also had to get orders out and all the other business type stuff.
Here I am in my new costume with performing Double Sword
I showed up at the Mexican Plaza restaurant
with Ireena, with my black cover-up concealing everything but my hat &
gauntlets. I don't know how many times I heard, "Oh you're dancing
tonight!". It was then that I began to realize just how long it had
been since I had danced! I probably did the shortest dance
of the evening. I also probably shocked the most people, since most
of the audience had never seen double sword. I was a major hit!!! Of
course, I loved all the attention.
Two weeks later, I showed up at the Buenos Grill to do the same dance in the same costume. Not even I can make another costume that fast. After all I made everything on this costume: dress, belt, hat, gauntlets, and my necklace. But with a different audience, I was a hit all over again.
Jenee performing Double Sword at Buenos Grill
Two weeks later, I showed up at the Buenos Grill to do the same dance in the same costume. Not even I can make another costume that fast. After all I made everything on this costume: dress, belt, hat, gauntlets, and my necklace. But with a different audience, I was a hit all over again.
Jenee performing Double Sword at Buenos Grill
I want to thank my wonderful hostesses:
Rabia, Ireena, and Nahlah for inviting me to dance. I'm already working
on another costume and another dance, so I really hope they invite me
again!!!! This old girl love to dance!!
Yalla Habibi in their faux assuit body stockings at Buenos Grill
Faux Assuit Body Stockings are a Major Hit!!
I have been selling these for a while
now, but when the lovely ladies of Yalla Habibi showed up in them at Buenos
Grill, Reno went wild! I have had several inquiries. These
body stockings look great, feel fantastic on, and hug you gently. And
they sell for only $50.00 for Style C with the long sleeves.
Yalla Habibi in their faux assuit body stockings at Buenos Grill
This wonderful fabric can also be made
into style A or Style B, just add $15.00 to the regular price. Check
out this and more on the Body Stocking & Fancy Leotard page of my web
site at www.designsbyjanie.com