Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Structure your experience! When creating a new routine, set small deadlines for completion of elements of the process.

Instead of just one big end deadline (everything completed and stage-ready!), set smaller goals along the way. When are you gong to have a minute of the choreography completed? When is the main costume item going to be wearable? When do you show the act for feedback? Taking smaller bites makes the project more manageable and avoids last minute panic.

If you want to be coached through this process, join me at Burlesque Your Way at The Boston Academy of Burlesque Education, starting this Tuesday.

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 2 November 2018 at 2:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I want to thank everyone who pledged to support my new little book. We’re finishing up the layout and getting it ready for the printer now! It’s been an incredibly stressful couple of weeks and I really appreciate all the support.

Now for your tip!

Miss MIna WriterKeep a costume inventory.

We all have tons of costumes and few of us can dedicate an entire room to storing them. How many time have you been unable to find a garment you know you have or turned up an item you had forgotten all about while searching for something else.

Keeping track is much easier when you have a list of everything. This can be as simple as a list in a notebook or a database with photographs, locations, and cross-references. You can even make it part of a check-in system, so you know after a show that everything is back where it’s supposed to be.

It’s a big job, so I suggest doing it a bit at a time. One day inventory just your gloves or everything you keep in that box (and then label the box). Before you know it, you’ll have an inventory of all your costumes. And maybe you’ve culled some unwanted items or filled in some gaps along the way .

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 26 October 2018 at 3:32 pm  Leave a Comment  

Latest Book Update

Dear Constant Reader,

We’ve got about 30 hours and $100 to go to make the third (and I’m assuming final) stretch goal!

Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered a copy of Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Burlesque Costuming, Vol. 1: The Foundations! If you haven’t yet, now’s the time!

I’m very excited and incredibly nervous. We’ve got a hard deadline to have the books by BurlyCon and there’s still much to do. I shouldn’t even be writing to you!

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Published in: on 22 October 2018 at 12:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Just a quick book update before your tip!


Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Burlesque Costuming, Vol. 1: The Foundations is close to the third stretch goal with 4 days remaining! If we get another $150 in pledges, everybody gets a lovely and useful bookmark!

And now for your tip! Here’s another one from my new book, illustrated by Devastasia.
For maximum movement, place fringe on your bra at the apex of the cup.

If you put the fringe at the top edge, it will split like a curtain at the fullest part of your breast. If you put it on the bottom edge, it won’t move as much when you shimmy.

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 19 October 2018 at 3:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! This week’s tip comes from my new book, Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Burlesque Costuming, Vol. 1: The Foundations, now available for pre-order on Kickstarter.

Removable linings make laundering garments a snap.

If you’ve got a garment that you can’t wash because of the material or the decoration, add a lining that you can remove and clean. Just cut a second lining out of some comfortable cloth — I like cotton. Turn the raw edges under and zigzag stitch them.

Now attach it to the inside of your garment. When I first tried this I basted the lining in place, picked out the stitches, and resewed it after washing, but that got old real fast. Now I just add a snap at each corner of the garment and lining.

When the lining is soiled, remove and wash. When it’s dry, snap it back in. When it gets too worn to keep wearing, toss it and make a new one.

I use this most often on intimate garments like g-strings or in the cups of bras. You can also do a partial lining in larger garments where you just want to target a particularly grimy area, like the neckline or underarms of a gown.

Illustration by Stacey B. Rizoli (aka Devastasia), proprietress of Red Queen Crafts. You’ll see more of her charming clear illustrations in the Little Book of Burlesque Costuming.

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 12 October 2018 at 12:54 pm  Leave a Comment  
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New Book

Dear Constant Reader,

I am delighted to announce…

Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Burlesque Costuming, vol 1: The Foundations is available for pre-order on Kickstarter!

As with my previous book, our funding goal is very modest and it’s only open for a short time. We’ve got some great stretch goals! Last time they were being hit almost faster than I could come up with them. Let’s make that happen again!

I’ve really excited that this book is finally seeing the light of day. As far as I know this is one of the first, if not *the* first book, entirely about how to make burlesque costumes. The Foundations covers pasties, g-strings, panties, and bras. I’ve got several more volumes planned! How to make all your favorite burlesque costume pieces plus tips and tricks!

I’m hoping, if all goes well, that I’ll have the book ready for BurlyCon. That’s a very short deadline! I’m confident that it will absolutely be ready in time for your favorite winter gift-giving holiday

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Published in: on 10 October 2018 at 10:22 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! This week’s tip comes from the wisdom of burlesque Legend Toni Elling, The Duke’s Delight. I first met Miss Elling at Miss Exotic World in 2006, but received this pearl from her at the very first BurlyCon.

Keep your head up.

Toni said never to drop your head on stage. You’re not ashamed of what you do, so never look like it. She also said not to take a bow, but to receive the audience’s appreciation upright. I’ve taken this advice to heart ever since.

Keeping your head up is about more than just pride in your chosen art. It also keeps your connection to and interest in the audience. Dropping your head breaks that connection. If you want to direct the audience’s attention to something low on the stage, like your leg, lower your eyes, but not your whole head. Similarly if you need to pick something up, bend from the hips or sink down into a squat while looking out, rather than just bending over from the waist.

As always there are exceptions: since lowering your head signals defeat or shame, these are emotions you may want to project for a specific character or moment.

Chin up!

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 5 October 2018 at 3:17 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Today’s tip is the flip side of last week’s tip. Here it is:

Miss MIna WriterGo back to basics.

If you’re a veteran of your craft, you can still improve it by returning to the fundamentals of it. Perhaps you’ll see something new, try a different method, or otherwise hone your skills. Basic skills are the foundations of any art. It’s always worth it to return to them to further refine your technique.

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 28 September 2018 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Miss MIna WriterLearn to walk before you try to run.

I know it’s tough to start with the basics when you just want to jump in the deep end. Begin at the beginning and learn the skills you need to have a solid foundation. Your learning experience will be a lot less frustrating.

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 21 September 2018 at 3:37 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Miss MIna WriterKeep track of your costs when creating a new act.

I know it’s tedious, but record at least your cash outlay, like for costume supplies and studio rental. You should also track your time. It has value too.How long did you spend sewing, rehearsing, editing your music, &c. With this information, you’ll have a good idea of what your act is worth. You can then figure out how much you’ll need to charge and how many time you’ll need to perform the act to start making a profit on it.

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

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

Published in: on 14 September 2018 at 3:39 pm  Leave a Comment  
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