Bustle, Bustle, who's got the Bustle

I looked it up on ebay...I looked it up on etsy. I still don't know what a bustle really is. I was told I need one from the "experts" at David's Bridal. I brang my dress home and they didn't even offer to show me a bustle or to try it on with my dress. They just talked amongst themselves about how I need a bustle. Now I am home wondering what in the devil is a bustle. Ebay had something that looked like one of those neck pillows. Etsy had bustles that looked like stripper's lingerie. I still don't know what I am talking about and if that is really what I need or is it something else entirely that would work better. My dress needs something definitely since it needs to poof. I have "pick-ups"...it's actually more of a pinch really all over the bottom portion of my dress, like cinderella. It doesn't pop-up quite like Alice in Wonderland's dress did when falling down the rabbit hole. I think I may need a bustle....help!

Reception Concerns

For our wedding, we are booking the J.Thompson Baker House which is a beautiful old victorian house in Wildwood, NJ. I think it is absolutely beautiful but we are the first ones to ever rent it for a wedding, apparently, even though they have advertised for it at the Bridal Show in Wildwood. So I find myself with the unfortunate circumstance of being their trial and error person. The person I have been commuticating with doesn't seem to know much and can't make decisions without discussing everything I say to the whole Civic Club. She is a nice lady but I don't think she understands how urgent this is for me. I need to plan everything right now and until she gets back to me with more information I am at a stalemate. I need numbers....numbers of the sizes of the tables, number of tables, and overall how much I got to work with so I can start buying the necessary stuff before it becomes a rush job. I want to pay her and get it done and over with as well. I guess you could say I am a planner and like things taken care of early. I'm just rambling...lol.

Newest Creations

I have been dabbling with the pillbox hat look lately which I do like how it turned out. I am debating about making more and I'm starting to wish I had some black netting, lol. I was pretty productive yesterday and completed a few projects along with starting some new ones.

New Hair Color

Alright, here it is my new hair color. Well, what does everyone think???

Trying Out Some Color/6 months to go

I'm trying out some new colors for my hair in preparation for the upcoming wedding and to cover a white hair or too, lol:) I will post a new picture of my new color is done developing. It says medium auburn but it is more of a bright red to me on the box. My natural color is a copper red. Which is darker in winter and I get some blonde highlights in the summer. I only got 6 months before the wedding and I am running out of time quickly. I still have alot to do and I really don't want to be worrying about my hair so...let's get started with the hair preparation. I have tried Feria recently...I'm trying to remember what number it was. I did like it but I want to see all my options and obviously it didn't last too long since that was only maybe 2 months ago. Ok, my hair is almost done so...to be continued.

Some Interesting Facts Everyone Should Know

Things you Should Know and Consider :

Did you know that it takes

2 to 5 months for paper to decompose
6 months for orange peels
5 Years for milk cartons
10 to 12 years for cigarettes
10 to 20 years for plastic bags
24 to 40 years for leather shoes
50 to 80 years for plastic containers
75 years for disposable diapers
100 years for tin cans
200 to 500 years for aluminum cans
never for styrofoam

Just something to think about.

Doo Dah

So I went to the Doo Dah Parade today with the fam in Ocean City. It's the second year in a row that I went. It is really interesting and unusual...and if you have been keeping up with my blogs you can tell that I like the strange and unusual. It includes things such as the only windchime band and over 500 bassett hounds. It doesn't get much more unusual than that, lol. We all had fun and it was a day away from the house which gave my brain a chance to relax enough to come up with a few mused ideas that need to be put into formation. I am of course in the process of...and will post some more as it comes to fruition...I hope that was spelled correctly. Well i am off to shower then bed.

Does Displaying your product on your banner matter?

I am pondering this question while having a drink so forgive me if I don't make much sense. I entered into the etsy critique class/forum and someone said that my banner didn't display my items properly. I'm not sure if I agree with that. It is supposed to bring my items to a more personal level because after all it is my eyes reworked in photobucket and ink stamp. Sure it isn't full of feathers but it is who I am and my items hopefully reflect who I am as an artistan. What do you think as the reader, the consumer, and the observer??????

My Handmade Registry

I am honored to have made front page of myhandmaderegistry.com
This is a really great idea for a website. Check it out!

The Etsy-static Emotion

What is The Esty-static Emotion? It is that feeling you get when you see people checking out your items, marking your items as favorites, posting them in their very special treasuries, and talking about you on blogs. What a feeling! I look forward to every night at midnight checking to see how many people looked at my items today. I was recently added to a treasury and my item was a feature of a blog on bhuz.com. Yes, I actually shed a tear of enjoyment. What a great feeling to make something that people look for, that people recommend, and that people will one day wear and be so happy to receive. Handmade items are wonderful that way. The Etsy-static movement is bringing people so much happiness. Yes, they are making money but more importantly the person purchasing it is connecting with the creator on a whole other level. You purchase something and await for it in the mail with great anticipation. The person you buy it off of becomes happy from someone liking their creation. The buyer receives it and wears or uses the item probably and knows where the energy came from...not just from some warehouse of mass produced items. Some items can be customed made just for you. How wonderful you feel....Etsy-static!

Russian and French Veils

The new old way of accessorizing your wedding gown is with a french or russian veil. As vintage does make its way back around I have begun creating my new line of birdcage veils which go beautifully with the fascinators I already make. I like the old style and the way it frames the face instead of the classic veil which makes you look like your hiding under a sheet or curtain. It is definitely more flattering. Flowers and feathers make fabulous accents to the netting and can add a dash of color or sparkle which can work great with a plain dress and save you lots of money on the wedding budget.

All That Sparkles

My latest creations have seem to pick up some interest with etsy shoppers. I have been making more sparkly creations. I am like a parrot that way; I just love things that sparkle, shine, glimmer, and gleam. I have made the Etsy Treasury recently which is boosting my ego slightly. I have lots planned for this week so I probably won't get to create everything I want to, but it will be worth it. Going to dye eggs with the kids tomorrow and then Easter we will be going to the Boardwalk and hopefully monday or tuesday will involve a tour of the reception spot. I'm pretty excited about this week actually. The break from the feathers and gems will do me good though and I am hoping it will spark some new creativity. Have a great Easter everyone!

Dabbling in Black and Red

Today while shopping for supplies, I decided I was going to start making some Goth style hair fascinators. Goth has always had a special place in my black little heart ever since I was 12 years old. This was kind of a phase I never grew out of and it never gets old. I still dress mostly in black. Although I like Gothic fashion I still subscribe to lots of traditional ways. So I started today out by making a Gothic feather fascinator with red and black. Great complimenting colors that make it almost look traditional victorian. I love it. Sometimes it's just easier to go with the flow of your creativity then to fight it. I should go to bed now and make more tomorrow refreshed.

Flashing Lights

I am having issues with my pictures I am using on Etsy. If I use the flash it whites out most of the item and if I don't my products live in the shadows. I'm not reaching people like I would want to and I wonder if this is the problem. Some of these beautiful handmade items are just not coming acrossed in the pictures and no one will get to see them the way I do that way. Is it my camera?

Made it to the Etsy Treasury

Yay!!! One of my Wedding Hair Fascinators made it to the Etsy Treasury. I'm so excited about this. I hope this will bring some viewers to my items. I wonder sometimes if my items are reaching the viewers or if anyone ever reads my blog.