Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday! We’ve got a couple of exciting things happening tomorrow!

At 2PM, Betty Blaize will be teaching Hot for the Holidays: A Pinup Makeup Workshop at B.A.B.E.

At 8PM we’re hosting a watch party for The BeauTease Holiday Special! If you can’t make it, you can still see the show

Consistency is pleasing; change is exciting.

Consider this when planning your choreography, costumes, music &c. A mix of both elements is going to make your act more interesting to watch.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 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,

You know I’m all about education and you have a bunch of opportunities to learn in December!

The Nice and Naughty exhibit opens at The American Burlesque Collection today! I helped set up the costumes  yesterday and I’m so excited for you to see everything. There are holiday-themed videos, the aforementioned costumes, vintage Christmas cards from burlesque dancers, and more!

On December 12, Betty Blaize will be teaching a pinup makeup workshop. Learn how to get the perfect crimson pout and crisp cat eye!

Last month I taught at BurlyCon and you can take the classes too! The recordings of Caring for Your Costumes and Who’s Who in Classic Burlesque are available until the end of the month. Just $20 each (and most of that ends up in my pocket).

And now for your tip! I can’t believe I’ve never given this one before.

Prewash your fabric before beginning your costuming project.

You want to preshink your fabric as much as possible so you don’t have any nasty surprises later. This is especially important with 100% cotton fabrics. You also want to get out any sizing. That’s a treatment that keeps the fabric looking good on the bolt, like starch. It can mess with the fabric hand and sometimes it’s made with some unpleasant chemicals.

Obviously, this only applies if you can wash your fabric.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 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,

This week’s tip is a suggestion from Scratch.

Photograph your wardrobe.

Go through your closet or where ever you store your costumes and take a picture of each item. Keep them on your phone or some other easily accessible place for easy reference. Not only does it give you a visual record of all your costume pieces, you might find some items you forgot about or some pieces that have served their purpose and should be to a new home. It’s a multi-purpose good idea!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. I’d like to welcome my newest Patron, Rob H.! 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,

It’s been a heck of a week. Here’s your tip.

Do something nice for yourself that’s also good for you.

Exercise. Go for a walk or a bike ride (it’s beautiful out in Boston). Take a bath. Drink lots of water. Eat something delicious and healthy. If you choose to indulge in a treat, make it worth it (no cheap chocolate!). Take a nap. Snuggle a cuddly animal. Listen to your favorite music. Dance.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 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 Halloween Eve! I know this isn’t going to be the Halloween everyone wanted, but I hope you have a spooky one nonetheless. A few treats before your tip…

The American Burlesque Collection currently has a Halloween exhibit! If you can’t make it to Salem, you can take a virtual tour on Burlesque Galaxy.

For some light-hearted Halloween striptease, BeauTease Burlesque presents H.A.U.N.T. (Here’s Another “Unprecedented” Night of Theatre) This is a new pre-recorded show.  It contains some old favorite acts, but these are new performances just for H.A.U.N.T.  You will be able to watch the show on our website or to download a copy to keep.  Tickets are PAY WHAT YOU CAN, with a suggested price of $10 per device.

And now for your tip!

Tomorrow is Halloween! Are you ready for your winter holiday show?

You’ve got about 6 weeks to create, film, and market a show for the winter holidays. If you haven’t started yet, jump on that ASAP so you’re not scrambling. You always should be thinking at least one season or theme ahead.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 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,

It’s Friday again! So much is going on!
Introduction to Burlesque has an Early Bird price through Sunday!
Bebe Bardot is teaching shake dancing at B.A.B.E.!
I’m on Burlesque Galaxy!
The American Burlesque Collection is also on Burlesque Galaxy!
Tomorrow at 8pm Boston BeauTease are releasing H.A.U.N.T., a Halloween burlesque show! Watch or download it whenever you want a fun and spooky time!
And now for your tip…

If you’re going to do a “messy” act, make sure your pasties can stand up to it.

If you’re working with stuff you smear on or pour over your body, like whipped cream, stage blood, oil &c., you’ll need to clean it off your pasties — especially it it’s something that will become rancid over time.  A non-porous material for your pastie base is best and then make sure any decoration is something you can wipe off or wash.

If it’s a water act, you’ll need pasties that can hold up to being wet and drying without losing their shape. Buckram is not the material for this! Check that the glue holding on your decorations can get wet. And also, very importantly, that the pastie adhesive you use will survive immersion!

My “Midnight Bath” pasties were made by Canova Studio using Hardcore Pasties bases and E6000 glue (probably the only purpose for which I’d recommend the stuff). They’ve been dunked many a time and still look as beautiful as the day I got them!

And remember to check out my other tips on messy acts here and here.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 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,

It’s Friday! Don’t forget that Betty Blaize is teaching a false eyelash class tomorrow! Here’s your tip!

If you need a backdrop for filming, some fabric (like a bedsheet or tablecloth) and some temporary stick-on clips can quickly and easily transform a wall.

I just did a photoshoot in my living room using this tip!

What the camera saw…

What it really looks like…

I covered the pale blue walls with dark red curtains that are held up with Command clips, which won’t hurt the paint. The clips are spaced so that I could pleat the fabric a bit and add texture. I only had three curtains, and I really needed four, so the fabric closest to the candelabrum is actually one of my tablecloths. Lucky for me it was a close color match. And it also hides a curio cabinet that’s attached to the wall.

Get creative and let the camera see only what you want it to!

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