Dear Constant Reader,
Today I like to reflect on all the things I am thankful for and there are many. One of the most important to me:
I am thankful for the on-going friendship, support, and creative collaboration within the Boston Babydolls.
You gals & guys are the best!
What is something you are thankful for?
Dear Constant Reader,
Last day at BurlyCon!
How to Wear & Tease with Kimono (Cherry Typhoon):
Here I am wearing my kimono (it’s a yukata that I made — let’s ignore that the sleeves are too short and focus on my lovely sashiko embroidery) and one of Cherry’s obis that I tied myself. Yes, it’s off-center. I prefer to think of it as en dishabille. The sad thing about this class was Cherry thought we had 90 minutes, but it was an hour timeslot, so we never got to the teasing part.
Showgirl Fan Dance (Jezebel Express): Fans, therefore I am there. The challenge for me in this class was that Jezebel uses a different fan grip than I do, which creates a different effect. I tried my best, but it was awkward. Eventually it clicked. I ducked out a bit early to prepare for my next class.
Caring for Your Costumes (Me!): This is one of my favorite classes to teach. It was small, but that’s to be expected late on Sunday afternoon. But it was also enthusiastic and attentive which is all I ask. Last time I was at BurlyCon (2 years ago), I also taught this class. Based on the feedback from that class, I expanded the stain care information & made it into a handout and brought a couple sets of my cloth storage bags for sale.
And then I skipped the last class session so Scratch & I could do some shopping. And then I collapsed.
Dear Scratch,
Happy birthday to the best producer/director/MC/partner a glamour gal could ever want!
Kisses,
Dear Constant Reader,
And my recap of my BurlyCon education continues:
Despite my best intentions of making to the Pilates class, I failed. Instead I had a leisurely breakfast with some folks from Canada.
Pin Up Hair for Burlesque (Miss Kitty Baby): I’ve taken this class before, but it’s always good to get a refresher, especially since hair isn’t one of my strong skills. By the way, Miss Kitty Baby is probably the the most bad-ass babe I know (a Marine *and* an Alaskan fisherman) and her hair is always fantastic.
Japanese Fan Dance (Cherry Typhoon): You know I love fan dance in all its forms, so I couldn’t let this one pass by. Cherry is a lovely instructor, despite some of the language issues. My shining moment was that I happened to have tissue paper butterflies with me when the instructor needed some. Ask me why sometime…
How to Mix and Mingle with Your Adoring Fans (Miss Kitty Baby): I’m really shy. I know you might not believe that when you see me strutting nearly-naked on stage, but it’s true. Kitty Baby guided us through ways to make your fans feel special while avoiding some awkward situations.
The Cheeky Reveal (Coco Lectric): In which we learn the 3 T’s and the 3 R’s. I felt the actual reveal portion of class was a little rushed, but I think she planned for a 90 minute class and we only had an hour.
Costume Courting (Amber Ray): Amber Ray is well known for her gorgeous costumes and this class was basically a show & tell while she recounted how she made each piece. We got to handle most everything and really see the details. Really inspiring stuff. Her Lotus costume is stunning both in design and execution.
Dear Constant Reader,
Continuing with tips I learned at BurlyCon, here’s one I picked up from Coco Lectric in her class “The Cheeky Reveal”.
When your shoulders are square to the audience, your body language says you’re interested in them.
And it gives them a full-on view of your lovely bust.
Dear Constant Reader,
Friday I awoke bright and early for one of the classes on my “can’t miss” list.
The Anatomy of Chair Dance (Lola Frost): I didn’t want to miss a chair dance class and Lola Frost was a great instructor, making this a total win. Even if it did start at 8:30 in the morning. Gotta love her vocabulary; one of the main moves was called “sexy dead bug”. Learned a new cabaret walk variation that I’m using soon. I was pleased to note that all the core work I’ve been doing has paid off — there was still muscle fatigue, but not until close to the end of class.
DIY Fan Making (The Shanghai Pearl): Three of my favorite things: feathers, DIY, and The Pearl. I didn’t actually make fans — my suitcase was full enough as it is and I brought fans — but I took copious notes.
The Slow Burn (Lola Frost): This was a class on moving slowly and with intention. However, I realized part way through that I was completely unfocused and needed some lunch, so I discretely tiptoed out.
Face! Stage Makeup to Get Your Point Across (Evilyn Sin Claire): Now I know the secrets of contouring! Evilyn did a fabulous demo where she only made up half her face, walking us through it step by step and product by product. The results were remarkable. Great handout too.
Guinness Book Fan Dance Choreography (Jezebel Express): This was to prepare for the Largest Fan Dance World Record attempt. Best part, Jezebel singing the choreography (just like Betty does). Forever more when the iconic notes of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony play, I’ll hear her intoning “now fan your crotch”. After running the choreography several times, my wrist were killing me. There’s a lot of fanning action and I was using big fans with bamboo staves, so there’s a lot of drag. I probably should have brought little marabou fans.
I’ll write of the actual record attempt another time.
Dear Constant Reader,
I believe in continuing education, which is why I adore events like BurlyCon and the Expo. One can take all the classes one’s little heart desires. It’s great to have access to teachers from far & wide. I love to learn new skills and get a new perspective on things I already know. So, I took a whole bunch of classes at BurlyCon (and taught a couple too).
I ended up taking 14 classes in 4 days — and I didn’t take a class every opportunity. Sometimes your brain just gets full and you need to recharge with a vegan cupcake. (Not that I’m vegan, but one of the troupes provides these fabulous cupcakes during their shift at hospitality and I’m a convert.)
I was going to write a little about every class in one missive, but I think my brain got full and I need to have a cupcake and break them up by day.
Thursday —
We arrived at the hotel around noon, and I was tired from travel (between the last night of The Wrathskellar with its attendant party and an early flight, I think I got about 90 minutes of sleep), so I made it a light day. I’d missed the first class session anyway.
Big Bad Boa (Coco Lectric): I was really looking forward to this class and I was not disappointed. Coco is so bubbly and enthusiastic. I love her terminology for boa positions (“bachelorette style”, “chicken style”). I learned a bunch of new tricks, especially some transitions, which is something I’m generally bad at.
Herding Cats (panel): Also known as “Troupe Management”, ably moderated by Champagne Sparkles of Cheesecake Burlesque. The panelists were Stella D’Letto of Stripped Screw Burlesque, Paris Original of Mod Carousel, Mimi ma Shuga of Hot Mess Burlesque, Jesse Bell-Jones of Sinner Saint Burlesque, and myself. I heard some horror stories from audience members that made me so grateful for the wonderful ladies (and gents) of the current incarnation of The Boston Babydolls and how well we work together.
I punted the last class period in favor of a little relaxation before the evening’s social whirl.
And that was Thursday’s education.
Dear Constant Reader,
I learned lots at BurlyCon and have all sorts of new tips to share. Like this one, from The Shanghai Pearl:
When hot gluing feathers, use a scrap of ribbon to hold the feathers in place without burning your fingers.
Genius!
Dear Constant Reader,
My head is still awhirl from BurlyCon (and trying to deal with a post-Wrathskellar house), so today’s missive is about something fun and light — shopping!
There was a lot of good shopping at BurlyCon. My unplanned strategy was to hit the vendors early, so as not to miss anything I really wanted and then come back at the very end and take advantage of packing-up bargains.
And this was my haul:
Top row, from left to right:
A fascinator from Palomita Mar. She works in wool felt, so some of her pieces have elaborate cutwork. I dithered about this for a long time. I hate the color yellow, but it really pops against my red hair. When it was still there right before the vendor room closed, I knew it was mine.
A fascinator from Christal Blu Creations. She had just finished making it. Again, the colors looked great against my hair. Scratch pointed out that it was *not* subtle, but I think I have enough subtle in my wardrobe.
Second row:
A bunch of products from Atomic Cosmetics. Some I bought and some were giveaways (and there might be some gifts not in the picture). I think I’m in love with Dr. Jen and her healthy, luxurious cosmetics & skin care. She was closed when I went back at the end of the con, but that just saved me from dropping even more cash. Hopefully, she’ll ship (or come to the Expo).
Glitter eyeliner from Elektra Cosmetics. This was a total steal as part of their “we want to go home with nothing” sale.
Last row:
A hair flower from Amber Ray Accoutrements. I realized I didn’t have a hair ornament to go with my fan dance costume and it was nice to have an excuse to get a flower from Amber Ray. Her table is incredibly beautiful, heaped with sparkling flowers.
An under-g from Juliet. I bought some from her before and I’m quite happy with them, so why not get another? I also have a bikini she made that I think I bought at the first BurlyCon. Maybe someday I’ll even post a picture of me wearing it.
Next is one of the coolest things — fan staves! It’s not the greatest picture, I realize, but they are beautifully shaped – you don’t want to hide these behind feathers! Bordello Labs does beautiful work. I’m planning to get more from them for an upcoming project (shhh….). The necklace of the Victorian lady riding an ostrich was lagniappe.
The leopard print object is a tissue case by Pinky Shines. Pretty and practical (and the perfect price)! I’m glad I bought one right away because they were all gone later.
Not pictured is a tin of Jacqueline Hyde‘s Bad Things tea. I think it’s still in Scratch’s suitcase
Everything is resting on a vintage apron (it’s reversible! — butterflies on one side, purple on the other, with contrasting pockets) I bought from Melissa Flynn. Scratch loves shopping there because she has items for guys — hard to find at many vintage shops. He did extremely well with a smoking jacket and classic Wayfarers. He also picked up some cufflinks and a rhinestoned necktie from Haute Under the Collar.
Perhaps next a report on something less materialistic, like the classes or social events!
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 