2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad

Well surprises abounded yesterday...okay, there were only two surprises, but still. First I received a google alert and a convo at the same time directing me to a feature on Mr X Stitch. It's a very flattering article titled, and no I'm not kidding, 'Stichgasm'. Nice. Then just a few minutes later I got a message from the lovely Kim of TopsyTurvyDesigns. I had collaborated with her on a set of photos quite some time ago. The set featured her amazing hats, a couple of my tatted chokers, authentic vintage wear all shot by Silent Shudder Photography. I have of course been using the images as the listing photos for the Ladies Who Lunch choker as well as the Portrait of An Elegant Bride. Anyway, the photos were submitted to Gothic Beauty Magazine and will be in issue #28 due in stores shortly. Unfortunately they do not post anything online so I can't share here, but please check the issue out at a bookstore near you.

I was waiting all day for the third amazing surprise to occur, but alas that appears to be the end of it though I did finish and get paid for a set of masks made for a friend. I suppose that counts as good news, but it wasn't much of a surprise. I made up some more pendants for the Maker Faire, though I'm fairly convinced that whatever I do have will either not be enough, or will be the wrong things. Ah, well we trudge on.

I am still wearing the corset and I am still going to keep mentioning that here, more as a public record to keep myself in line than anything else. The more people following my progress, the more likely I am to keep it up. It has already produced some results, but I'm sure that If I stopped now, they would disappear quite quickly, but I have to share one moment from yesterday. I had removed the corset for exercise before bed and then walked out into the living room where video games were being enjoyed. My husband asked if I was wearing the corset and when I said no, he responded, wow. That was nice and to continue getting that sort of reaction I will strap myself in as long as it takes to get permanent results.

Photo: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design

Riding On Coat Tails

I've never been one of those people who lets pride get in the way of a great opportunity. I've never minded getting help from others to pimp my wares. Maybe it's a sign of weak character, but I'm fine with it. Just a few months ago I was offered the chance to loan out some tatted pieces for a photo shoot and as I've already showed the results of that event, you know I did. The photo shoot was put together by Kim Brown-Dye for her amazing hats. You may know her better as the milliner behind TopsyTurvyDesign. She is not only a super talented artisan, but a really great person as well and I have enjoyed working with her immensely.

Part of the deal with the photo shoot was that we would cross promote with the photos in our listings, a mutually beneficial arrangement. These pictures have already gotten my pieces chosen for tons of treasuries and have landed me on the front page more than once. The benefits of this collaboration have already far outweighed any effort on my part by a mile. I'

Well, she just got the featured seller spot on Etsy this week. That means a prime front page location that guarantees scads of views, hearts and sales. You would think that this does nothing for me, but you would be wrong. While I've seen only a minuscule fraction of the attention that she gets, I now have clear evidence that the cross promotion works. Whenever I get a new heart, I check out their other favorites and yesterday three of my hearts were received right after they hearted TopsyTurvyDesigns. That means they saw her on the front page, hearted her, saw my pieces, went to my store and then hearted me as well.

I know it's not direst sale evidence, but it is still the clearest indication that I'm being seen via her site. I had a feeling that associating with such an amazing artist would be good for me and I have no problem riding on her more successful coat tails just as far as they will take me. So thanks Kim, I hope you don't mind the extra weight!

Photos: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design

Just Another Day

It's another of those blah days. I worked all day yesterday on a second tatted mask to relist and thankfully I finished that. Today, I must attend to my neglected home. You know, all the mundane details, dishes, laundry, kitty litter, feeding and clothing the children. I do have a new idea for another mask, although this one is a little far fetched. I want to use the Art Deco motif that I've made scarfs and chokers from in the past, but it's such a solid shape that I'm not certain that I will be able to adjust it to fit a face properly without warping the design too much.

Of course my design process is being tested by my one year old. See, she has taken to screaming in short bursts to get my attention. This has made any extended thought nearly impossible. I must stop and address said screams immediately or they will not cease and they are not quiet. The continuing war between stay at home mother and creater of objects wages on unabated. Only thier tactics change, but the end result is the same, me with my sanity hanging on by a thread, the house barely presentable and a large portion of my creative ideas lying unfullfilled.

So, here's one more of the pictures from the photo shoot. I love the way my neckpiece stands out in this one, all stark and white! I'm told there are still more coming and I will show them off as I recieve them.
Photos: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design

Wow, Just Wow!

After I finished my mask, I was proud of myself. I thought,'Wow, I did it', then I listed the mask. I showed it off with all the excitement of a five year old on show and tell day. I assumed that it would, however, sit in my store for a millennium just as my other "art" pieces like my hats and scarfs have. I even awoke this morning overwhelmingly curious to see how many views my creation had received whilst I slept. Instead, I discovered that my baby had already found a very good home. After a full day of wonderful and might I say ego boosting comments, I am exhausted and happy.

Of course this just means I have to get off my duff and make those other masks that I said I was going to make right away! So that's enough from me today, I've got work to do. I shall leave you with a couple more photos from the photo shoot with Topsyturvydesign and her lovely model credited below.
Photos: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design

A Mask And Some Hats

So either I severely underestimate my skills or I am just a huge liar. Either way, I have completed my prototype tatted mask. I actually finished it on Friday and took a bunch of pictures. I was so pleased with the way it turned out I didn't even bother putting on my makeup before snapping a few of me wearing it. I say this so you will forgive my appearance in said photos. As I anticipated the person who had made the initial request has decided against the mask, but as I mentioned this project had ceased being about a custom order the second I decided I had to attempt this.

I am already finished with the black version as well, which I will offer up for sale later today. I'm hoping that I will reach the masquerade ball crowd or high end Halloween costume types. As per usual, I am struggling with the pricing for this one especially since it contains more time consuming elements like wrapping the wire around the eyes with thread, I will list with a ballpark price and adjust as i settle in. I sure am glad I opted not to give the perimeter a wire base as I am certain that would have driven me batty. Thankfully it lays nicely without it and is remarkable comfortable. You might also have noticed that I got a bit of a makeover this weekend. I am simply returning to my pre-baby hair. Anyway, after the basic black model, I plan on making one more black one embellished with crystals for an extra fancy look.

Speaking of extra fancy, recently I was approached by Kim of TopsyTurvyDesign to use a couple of my chokers for a photo shoot of her fabulous hats. If you have seen her etsy shop, you know that she has the most spectacular photos and models in her listings. This was not an opportunity that I was going to pass up. So I made up two pieces and sent them to her a month or so ago and I now have the results of the secret alliance. I shall just offer up a couple here today and perhaps I shall dole them out to you in small doses when I've nothing better to share. I'm still trying to decide the most effective way to use them in my listings. She will also be submitting the photos to other sites for publication and the potential exposure for my pieces is really exciting.
Photos: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design