Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I hope you’re enjoying Juneteenth and reflecting on the day. This week’s tip is a thoughtful one:

There is always more to learn.

Even if you are an expert (or think you are an expert) in a subject, it’s worth learning from someone else. You’ll see new perspectives and perhaps information you hadn’t seen before. A class, a book or article, a documentary, a museum exhibit — it doesn’t matter. Expand your horizons and get out of your comfort zone.

Just this week I took one of Bebe Bardeaux‘s Burlesque History Institute classes at The Chocolate City Burlesque Academy. It was on burlesque costumes, a subject you might think I know a lot about. And yet, I discovered costumes and costumers, both historic and current, and performers with whom I was I not familiar. There was even something I want to add into a class of mine, which isn’t about costumes. When the autumn session comes around, I highly recommend checking out Bebe’s classes.

Thus, I want to encourage you to come to my burlesque history class, A Who’s Who of Classic Burlesque, this Tuesday at 7pm. I’ve got stories of successes and scandals, video clips, and some museum artifacts to share. You might just learn something new!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. All Patrons get free access to my on-line workshops!

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday and I don’t know about where you are, but it is unpleasantly hot & humid here, which inspired today’s tip.

Air conditioning can be very dehydrating. Prepare for it.

It’s great that AC helps when it’s humid out, but it can have a negative effect on you. Perhaps you wake up with a headache or a sore throat. Your skin feels dry. It can happen especially badly in hotels where you have little control over the climate control.

As you might expect, drinking plenty of water will help, as will cutting back on caffeine. Using saline mist can help with the symptoms. A light moisturizer before bed will keep your skin looking good (and it’s just a good idea after being in the sun — you are wearing sunblock, right?)

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Here ’tis Friday again. Here’s your tip!

When gluing rhinestones, put your fabric on a silicone mat or piece of parchment paper.

Gluing rhinestones is a bit like baking. You don’t them to stick. I mean, you do, but you only want them to stick to the surface you’re decorating. Not to your work surface. Not to the layer of fabric underneath. Putting either parchment paper or a silicone mat under the piece you are decorating will prevent glue soaking through and sticking to something else. By their very nature, they’re easy to peel off when the glue is dry.

Silicone is pricier, but reusable. Parchment can be cut into precise shapes, like say, the inside of a glove. I use both, but I also bake a lot.😁

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday again! Here’s your tip!

Naps are nice.

I don’t know about you, but at heart I am an old lady who would like nothing better than a good book, a cup of tea, some cats, and an early bedtime. However, I have chosen to be a showgirl and some of those shows start pretty dang late.

To stay perky and focused, the answer might not be more coffee, but, if you can swing it, a nap. The key is to get enough sleep that you are feeling refreshed, but not so much that you’re groggy. Everyone is different and you’ll need to figure it out. For me, about half an hour is right. Don’t forget to set an alarm and then actually get up as soon as it goes off. A little light stretching and maybe a quick shower or sponge bath and you should be ready to go.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

There isn’t going to be a Friday Tip this week. Maybe next week. I’m not particularly in the mood to share my skills and wisdom with the world. This has nothing to do with you, Dear Readers. In fact, I appreciate all of you, very much. However, things are just a bit much for me right now.

There may be something like a tip about priorities and self-care in there, but I leave that as an exercise to the reader.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday!

Remember last week when I talked about being an ambassador for burlesque? This is related.

Support your local community —  not just your burlesque community.

If there’s a cause that’s important to you, one way to support it is in your burlesque guise. Donate tickets or a gift certificate to a raffle. Share the proceeds of a show. Teach a free class. Volunteer in person, perhaps as a troupe. It shows the rest of the world we’re more than their preconceived notions and puts the burlesque world in generally in a better light.

And if the organization is a 501(c)(3), you can write off your charitable donation on your taxes.

For example, your Headmistress loves antique carousels, so for the past couple of years when the Paragon Carousel has their annual fundraiser and is looking for sponsors…

Look at what good company we are in!

And sponsorship has cartain other privileges…

I did name my horse after Kitten Natividad. And we won the third race!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I hope you are going to have a lovely weekend!

Here’s your tip:

You may not have signed on for this, but you are an ambassador of burlesque.

As a burlesque performer, whomever you meet is a potential audience member, producer, or performer. They may have preconceived opinions of burlesque or no idea what it is. Be a good ambassador and show how wonderful the art and its practitioners are.

I’ve heard too much about members of the burlesque “community” being really horrible, which tarnishes everyone else. If you’re a shining example, you’ll reflect back that light on others and make everything better.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Be prepared for holidays, movie releases, and other occasions that want themed shows. Check your calendar now and plan ahead so opportunities don’t catch you unprepared.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.