Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday the 13th! We have a show tonight at our beloved venue, Deacon Giles Distillery — Bad Luck Burlesque! Last I heard we were almost sold out! Will I see you there?

Here’s your tip!

If you edit your music for an act, rename the song so you can easily find the version you need.

These days it is so easy to change your music to suit your act — shorten the song, drop in another piece of music, add a sound effect, slow down the tempo, change the key, etc. You want to make sure you are giving the correct version fo your song to whoever is handling your music. Adding a note to the name will insure that there’s no confusion.

Here are a few examples from our catalog: “Dark Eyes (slow)” or “Mint Julep extended version” or “Pantaloons with thunder” or “Feelin’ Good BeauTease edit”. These songs were edited specifically for the acts and then renamed to specify the change. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. You could use “performance” or “final” to keep it simple.

It’s a terrible feeling to hear your music start and realize “that’s not the right version!”. A simple addition to the song title can give you peace of mind.  

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday!

As you well know, I have a Patreon, because I tell you all the time. However, I also support a number of artists and creators there. The latest is the Slightly Sinister Academy of Crafts, which just went live today! I’ve been following Sinister Sarah’s stunning projects on Instagram and I’m really looking forward to her instructional videos. Join me in supporting her!

Here’s your tip!

Take joy in what you do and share it with others.

I had a really stressful, high-anxiety week. At rehearsal, I joined by Betty and Devastasia, who had their own, different sources of stress.

We started with a warm up, as we always do and decided to play our favorite pass-it-along game — Betty does a couple of repeats of a move, then I do a move. We do Betty’s move, then my move, then Devastasia contributes one. We do Betty’s, mine, Devastasia’s, etc., continuing around the circle for a couple of songs. When you only have three people you need to keep thinking! And as the songs on the playlist change, we adapt the moves to suit. It can be a very useful tool to teach vocabulary, especially to apprentices.

It was so much FUN! It was great to just move and even better to do it with friends who were also trying to deal with some stuff. We picked our favorite high-energy moves, not trying to impress or teach anyone, just wanting to have a good time with it. We were grinning and laughing all the way through.  And that mood continued through the rest of rehearsal.

I hope you find some joy in your day.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Friday again. I’ve been wracking my brains for a tip. My only advice for you today is: 

Sometimes you’re not feeling it. Try again later.

Brought to you as the result of a not-so-great day.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

I hope you’re enjoying your Friday! Here’s your tip!

When applying skin care and cosmetics, consider your neck to be an extension of your face 

When you are applying moisturizer or sunblock or foundation, don’t stop at your chin! Your neck needs love too. Bonus points if you also include your ears and décolletage.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday!

Tomorrow I’m teaching a beading class at the summer virtual BurlyCon at 10AM (Eastern)/7AM (Pacific) (yeah, I know, but there are participants from all over the world). You can sign up a la carte or buy a weekend pass.

Here’s your tip!

Make a list of all your projects in progress and then prioritize them. 

Most creative people I know have several projects in progress. New projects are more exciting. Maybe you have a pressing deadline so that project jumps to the head of the list. Perhaps you don’t have the materials for the next phase, so you turn to something else in the meantime.

And the next thing you know, your project space is in chaos and you’ve got more unfinished projects than you realized. So, make your list and rank everything. Things with hard deadlines go first, but after that it’s your choice. Maybe you want to put the items closest to completion at the top, or the ones that will be most fun to work on, or the ones you’ve been putting off the longest.

Then dig in to your number one project and drag it over the finish line!

(Was this Tip inspired by actual events? Well, maybe…)

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Tropical Storm Elsa is pouring down as I write this. I hope everyone in the storm’s path is staying safe and dry.

Here’s your tip!

If you’re going to throw something into the audience, lob it underhand. 

Whatever treat you’re giving out, whether it be candy, condoms, or what have you, you don’t want anyone to get hit in the face. A gentle toss is best. Also, make sure aim some goodies toward the back rows so the cheap seats have a chance to catch some too.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you! I appreciate you all so much. To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! It’s particularly happy today as the heat as broken and it’s pouring rain here in Boston. And tomorrow we have our first live show in 16 months!

Here’s your tip!

If you use a table in your act, bring a tablecloth.

If we need a table, most of us are going to be bringing a folding table or using something that the venue has. In either case, they are unlikely to be lovely. A tablecloth can disguise a myriad of sins and help set the scene for your act. A long cloth will also make under the table a fine storage space for something you need later in the act or want to hide after use.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you! I appreciate you all so much. To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Reapply your sunblock more frequently than you used to.

The SPF (sun protection factor) in sunblock refers to how long you can stay in the sun before you burn. If you usually burn after 15 minutes, 15 SPF will let you stay in the sun for almost four hours. However, most of us have spent over a year inside and our skin doesn’t have the tolerance for the sun that it did when it was getting more exposure. So, use that sunblock more often to avoid burning!

Personally I prefer a sunblock with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide rather than a chemical sunscreen.  Add a big hat, sunglasses, and a wrap for more protection, plus additional glamour.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Here we are, Friday again! After 10 years, maybe I should come up with an actual name for these weekly tips…

Last Friday we talked about washing feathers, here’s how you clean them if they’re too delicate for water or attached to something that shouldn’t get wet.

Use a soft brush to remove dust and dirt from feathers.

A soft flat natural-bristle paintbrush is the best, but you can also use a microfiber cloth. The key is a very light touch. You don’t want to damage the barbules — those are the little hooks that hold together to make the feather vane one smooth piece. Brush in the direction of feather growth — from the shaft to the edge, working your way from the base to the tip. Everyone once in a while, it’s okay to gently stroke the feather with your fingers. A little of the oil on your skin is actually good for the feather.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Here it is, Friday again and I have once again failed to fill your week with delightful missives. For that I am terribly sorry. May has been a busy month indeed!

I’m teaching my last installment of Fantastic Fan Dancing tomorrow with “Fan Dance Uncovered”, a history of the art. I’m very excited to teach this brand new class and a little nervous, since it will be my first hybrid class, taught simultaneously at the American Burlesque Collection and on Zoom. Tickets to the in-person class are very limited and include museum admission and a guided tour of the “Fantasy of the Fan Dancer” exhibit. I hope you will join me!

May also celebrates 4 years on Patron and 500 tips right here! You have until Monday to subscribe to my Patreon at the Advisory Committee tier ($5/month) and download my Very Little Book of Costuming Tips, which contains 25 helpful hints to improve your costume-making!

And now for your tip!

You can wash ostrich feathers.

I know it seems terrifying, it can be done! You can wash loose feathers or ones attached to washable clothing. Feathers on fans or headdresses and antique or fragile fragile get a different treatment, which perhaps will become another tip.

Note: if your feathers have been dyed, there is the possibility you’ll get some bleeding. Test a small spot first.

• Fill a basin (sink, tub, etc.) with tepid water and a little mild soap. Dawn is my go-to.
• Gently swish the feathers or feather-trimmed garment through the soapy water. Don’t rub or scrub.
• To rinse, swish through clean cool water. Repeat with new changes of water until the water is clear.
• You are going to be horrified at how your feathers look. Don’t panic!
• Lay your feathers on a fluffy towel to dry, preferably on a drying rack. Don’t try to wring out the moisture.
• The feathers will fluff up a bit as they dry, but after they are completely dry, steam them for maximum fluff.

(I was really sure I’d given you a tip about steaming in the past… I guess it’s a future tip!)

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.