Welcome 2005 !!!
Volume 3, Issue 1
Well as always I'm doing this late, once
we got out of winter things really took off with a bang so I ran out of time.
Time that is always the problem, how to find time for all I want to
do. We started the year with 3 feet of snow on our property, yes,
3 FEET! That made life very interesting, let me tell you. Thank
Goodness I work at home. Up until I go to Rakkasah, I'm in hibernation
mode anyway so a snowy winter isn't much of a problem, except for shipping.
Rakkasah was Rakkasah, no shopping trips this time. Just hanging out with friends, stocking the shop through wholesale purchases, and selling with Scheherezade Imports. The normal wait for the venders to get in for set up was made more fun by hanging around with Mezdulene of Jareeda and her husband Don, they are such characters. The waiting period is actually one of the few times venders get to stand around and talk to each other, so we spend time catching up on the gossip.
I was telling Mez and Don about my new workshop, "Boobology 101", which I am teaching at Wiggles of the West Bonus Day this year. It is actually the old workshop about making a costume bra, but with a new fun title and flavor. Where did I get the name Boobology? Well it just kind of fell out of my mouth during a crazy discussion at Yaa Halla, Y'all last summer. And since I came up with the term, I also named myself a Certified Boobologist. Mez couldn't stop laughing and decided I had to teach the workshop for her up in Oregon. So I will be teaching "Boobology 101" at the Belly Dancer USA Competition in 2006. I can't wait!!!
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Rakkasah was Rakkasah, no shopping trips this time. Just hanging out with friends, stocking the shop through wholesale purchases, and selling with Scheherezade Imports. The normal wait for the venders to get in for set up was made more fun by hanging around with Mezdulene of Jareeda and her husband Don, they are such characters. The waiting period is actually one of the few times venders get to stand around and talk to each other, so we spend time catching up on the gossip.
I was telling Mez and Don about my new workshop, "Boobology 101", which I am teaching at Wiggles of the West Bonus Day this year. It is actually the old workshop about making a costume bra, but with a new fun title and flavor. Where did I get the name Boobology? Well it just kind of fell out of my mouth during a crazy discussion at Yaa Halla, Y'all last summer. And since I came up with the term, I also named myself a Certified Boobologist. Mez couldn't stop laughing and decided I had to teach the workshop for her up in Oregon. So I will be teaching "Boobology 101" at the Belly Dancer USA Competition in 2006. I can't wait!!!
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Saqra's Showcase in Hillsboro, Oregon
Now I'm sure you are saying the same
thing I did, where is Hillsboro??? Well it is just outside Portland,
Oregon .. of course. Saqra had been kind enough to hire me to teach
two workshops for her Showcase, "Costuming on a Budget" and "Magic with Body
Stockings. I talked Chris into going with me, because she has a bigger
vehicle ... and we have fun traveling together. So the end of April,
we packed merchandise, workshop stuff, and my costume into her 4 wheel drive
and headed north. Many hours of driving later (about 11 hours --- pretty,
but l-o-n-g) we arrived at the hotel, starved and tired. The hotel
Saqra uses as her base is very nice, but it doesn't have a restaurant ...
soooo ..... back into the dark of night we go in search of food in an area
we didn't know -- that is always an adventure.
The next morning Chris and I set out to explore the area and get the lay of the land. Venders can't set up until late afternoon, so we had most of the day to explore thrift stores (always a favorite), craft stores, import stores, and fabric stores of course. We also checked out where all the food was, so we didn't starve. We fell into a pattern sale at JoAnn's and had a ball going through the pattern books. When patterns are 5 for $5.00, you can get all those patterns you were wishy-washy about. Hours later with big bags of purchases we headed for the Washington Co. Fair Complex for vender set up.
Now you may not realize this, but most venders are really good buddies. No one understands what we go through being venders, like a fellow vender. So set up time is a combination of organized chaos and giving each other a bad time. Lots of hugs and some catching up with the gossip. We all go to different places to vend, so when we meet up it resembles a family reunion. I didn't bring much for two reasons: 1) I only had one table, and 2) I wanted to get a feel for the event. We shared a booth with fellow workshop instructor Jim Boz -- so you can imagine our weekend was never dull. There was a workshop going on during set up, but we couldn't get to them and they couldn't get to us. And even as busy as she was Saqra greeted us with a warm welcome - such a good hostess!
The next morning we did the final touch up of the vending space and then the crowds poured in. Check in time for dancers is usually 1 hour before you dance, but I had to check in early because I was teaching just before I danced. The "Costuming on a Budget" workshop went marvelously. I had 11 people in attendance, which was a perfect number to crowd around the table. You see my "Costuming on a Budget Workshop" is basically a trunk show. I pull things out of the duffel bag and talk about them. Students get a handout and take notes. Students can also ask questions at any time, it is very interactive. We had a ball! I feel I made 10 new friends and everyone signed up to be notified when the Costuming on a Budget book comes out. One lady was only interested in Tribal stuff, so she left early. I had fabulous feedback from the ladies and they felt they got their money's worth and then some.
Then I dressed to dance in the tents Saqra has for dressing rooms. Went to my booth and got my Veils by Bill Silk Butterfly Wings and went to wait for my turn in Halima's booth. I had the help of fellow Costumers Gaile and Halima to make me look right. Then they started to skip me and we told the announcer "no". Well the illusion was gone ... so I raised my 'I don't need a microphone to be heard' voice and told them who it was. Then the couldn't find my tape, so I hollered for Chris who was standing close by to take pictures for my back-up (Always have a back up or two.), that problem solved we were ready to start again. I flew into the dance area to "The Breeze and I" with my Butterfly Wings, which got everyone's attention. Lots of OOOs and Aahhs and pictures being taken .... I love that. Then I switched songs, took off the wings and did a sassy dance to "Sway with Me" in my Purple Velvet and Rhinestone Gown. The audience loved it and I was having a ball!!! Much success!! I also got the thumbs up from Halima, Gayle, and Bud -- these opinions mean a lot. Plus applause from Aneena, which is always cool.
The next morning Chris and I set out to explore the area and get the lay of the land. Venders can't set up until late afternoon, so we had most of the day to explore thrift stores (always a favorite), craft stores, import stores, and fabric stores of course. We also checked out where all the food was, so we didn't starve. We fell into a pattern sale at JoAnn's and had a ball going through the pattern books. When patterns are 5 for $5.00, you can get all those patterns you were wishy-washy about. Hours later with big bags of purchases we headed for the Washington Co. Fair Complex for vender set up.
Now you may not realize this, but most venders are really good buddies. No one understands what we go through being venders, like a fellow vender. So set up time is a combination of organized chaos and giving each other a bad time. Lots of hugs and some catching up with the gossip. We all go to different places to vend, so when we meet up it resembles a family reunion. I didn't bring much for two reasons: 1) I only had one table, and 2) I wanted to get a feel for the event. We shared a booth with fellow workshop instructor Jim Boz -- so you can imagine our weekend was never dull. There was a workshop going on during set up, but we couldn't get to them and they couldn't get to us. And even as busy as she was Saqra greeted us with a warm welcome - such a good hostess!
The next morning we did the final touch up of the vending space and then the crowds poured in. Check in time for dancers is usually 1 hour before you dance, but I had to check in early because I was teaching just before I danced. The "Costuming on a Budget" workshop went marvelously. I had 11 people in attendance, which was a perfect number to crowd around the table. You see my "Costuming on a Budget Workshop" is basically a trunk show. I pull things out of the duffel bag and talk about them. Students get a handout and take notes. Students can also ask questions at any time, it is very interactive. We had a ball! I feel I made 10 new friends and everyone signed up to be notified when the Costuming on a Budget book comes out. One lady was only interested in Tribal stuff, so she left early. I had fabulous feedback from the ladies and they felt they got their money's worth and then some.
Then I dressed to dance in the tents Saqra has for dressing rooms. Went to my booth and got my Veils by Bill Silk Butterfly Wings and went to wait for my turn in Halima's booth. I had the help of fellow Costumers Gaile and Halima to make me look right. Then they started to skip me and we told the announcer "no". Well the illusion was gone ... so I raised my 'I don't need a microphone to be heard' voice and told them who it was. Then the couldn't find my tape, so I hollered for Chris who was standing close by to take pictures for my back-up (Always have a back up or two.), that problem solved we were ready to start again. I flew into the dance area to "The Breeze and I" with my Butterfly Wings, which got everyone's attention. Lots of OOOs and Aahhs and pictures being taken .... I love that. Then I switched songs, took off the wings and did a sassy dance to "Sway with Me" in my Purple Velvet and Rhinestone Gown. The audience loved it and I was having a ball!!! Much success!! I also got the thumbs up from Halima, Gayle, and Bud -- these opinions mean a lot. Plus applause from Aneena, which is always cool.
Everyone asked me where I got my dress and I proudly told
them that I designed and made it!! It is a princess styled deep purple
velvet gown with matching long gauntlets all trimmed in crystal and aurora
borealis rhinestones, even the fringe is rhinestones. After I cooled
down, I was told by a friend that I had better go change before someone ripped
the costume off my body. LOL!! Bill's Butterfly Wings were a
big hit too!!! SUCCESS!!!
The next day I taught my second workshop "Magic with Body Stockings". This one had been a surprise. Saqra came up with this subject. As the designer of The Comfortable Body Stocking, I have no trouble talking and answering questions about Body Stockings ever. The handout for this workshop was my booklet "Designs By Janie's Comfortable Body Stockings: How to Use, Dye, and Embellish Them". It is the first booklet to have ever been written all about body stockings. I must have done a good job, because every student came to my booth and bought or ordered at least one body stocking!
All in all Saqra's Showcase was a blast! I highly recommend it to anyone in the area and anyone who wants to travel to a new place and Belly Dance. Lots of good quality shopping, lots of good workshops with top name instructors, and lots of dancing. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. Saqra does a great job and never seems to get tired or cranky. I plan to attend again next year if Saqra can find room for me to have my own booth. I WILL be one of the first to pay, you can bet on that!!! Hope to see you there in 2006!!
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The next day I taught my second workshop "Magic with Body Stockings". This one had been a surprise. Saqra came up with this subject. As the designer of The Comfortable Body Stocking, I have no trouble talking and answering questions about Body Stockings ever. The handout for this workshop was my booklet "Designs By Janie's Comfortable Body Stockings: How to Use, Dye, and Embellish Them". It is the first booklet to have ever been written all about body stockings. I must have done a good job, because every student came to my booth and bought or ordered at least one body stocking!
All in all Saqra's Showcase was a blast! I highly recommend it to anyone in the area and anyone who wants to travel to a new place and Belly Dance. Lots of good quality shopping, lots of good workshops with top name instructors, and lots of dancing. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. Saqra does a great job and never seems to get tired or cranky. I plan to attend again next year if Saqra can find room for me to have my own booth. I WILL be one of the first to pay, you can bet on that!!! Hope to see you there in 2006!!
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Making Your Camel Purse Your Own!!!
I found this cute little purse on ebay.
I'm a camel collector, so I'm always on the hunt for camels. He
was just too cute to pass up. I searched around and found the manufacturer
and bought a few to see if they would sell. I sold all but one, with
the last one finding a home with one of The Babs who put on Med Fest. At
Rakkasah, they were everywhere. Plus the larger venders (who can buy
in much larger quantities, than I can and therefore get a better price) were
selling them for less than I could afford to do. I wasn't sure I was
going to sell the last one, but I knew on the off chance that I decided to
keep him, that he would have to be unique. NO, no you would not find
me carrying the same purse as everyone else ... not a chance.
So I set out to redesign him, so he would stand out in a crowd. I don't carry a purse by handles, I'm a shoulder bag gal, so the handles were the first to go. I just cut them off as close to the body as possible. Then I made his a blanket out of a scrap of fabric, which just happened to be velvet with a gold, red, and copper glitter pattern. I trimmed the blanket with tassel trim and a red & gold braid. Next I used the same braided trim to make a bridle and reins, which I accented on each side with a matching tassel.
So I set out to redesign him, so he would stand out in a crowd. I don't carry a purse by handles, I'm a shoulder bag gal, so the handles were the first to go. I just cut them off as close to the body as possible. Then I made his a blanket out of a scrap of fabric, which just happened to be velvet with a gold, red, and copper glitter pattern. I trimmed the blanket with tassel trim and a red & gold braid. Next I used the same braided trim to make a bridle and reins, which I accented on each side with a matching tassel.
Then I attached the blanket to his hump
in such a way as the zipper could still be used to get into the body where
you store your stuff. The blanket hides the zipper and acts like a
flap. I took the last of the red & gold braid and jazzed up the
shoulder strap, which was just a camel colored cord.
Now he looks great. Well at least in my opinion he
does. He has more personality. Or should that be purseonality.
I know, that was bad. Now to decide if I want to sell him or
not. Decisions, decisions, decisions .......
For more Belly Dance purse ideas, look for and article by me coming soon to Jareeda magazine!!!
For more Belly Dance purse ideas, look for and article by me coming soon to Jareeda magazine!!!