Snow weekend!

It's supposed to snow here and sleet for 24 hours soon. Because I am in the south this causes everything to shut down. I probably won't miss any work (because it's the weekend), but being the homebody that I am, I will have a great reason to stay home this weekend.

I'm already preparing my lofty list of activities to do over the weekend (besides play in the snow and watch movies).

1. Finish the curtains I made for the bathroom. The hooks I bought don't work, so I need to make fabric loops instead.
2. Work on my purple stash bra. It's constructed and covered. It just need embellishments.
3. Finish the dance choli I made out of extra fabric that I used for my pink and purple dots costume. The pieces are cut, it just needs to be sewn.
4. Hang up the 3-canvas painting that I made over the Christmas break.
5. Finish the graphic design work for the Souhail Kaspar workshop/show.
6. Work on my Web site and February newsletter.
7. Rephotograph my jewelry for etsy. I think part of the reason my jewelry isn't selling is because the quality of the photography isn't high enough.
8. Belly dance drills! Maybe I can get in some yoga too.

If for some reason the winter storm isn't as bad as they say it's going to be (although I've seen numbers that there is a 100% chance of wintry weather), then I hope to make it to Asyia's veil workshop, as well as the unveiling of the Nissan Leaf at the "green" McDonalds.

We'll see how much I get to. If I get to half of them I'm golden.

Gently used costumes for sale!

Pink Oriental Dress - $325

This is a well-loved Joharah costume. I paid $375. I am so heartbroken to see it go. I adore this costume, but it should really be on someone who is slimmer and shorter. Or maybe if you are slimmer it will be longer.

Size: Large to XL, 12-14
Chest:
36D, 36" from end to end
Horizontal: 7 inch (8 with headband attached)
Vertical: 6" (7 with headband attached)
Diagonal: 7 1/2" (8 with headband attached)

Hips:
Dress form set to 38" UH and 40" LH
Unstretched: 32" UH and 40" LH
Max stretched: 40" UH and 44" LH

Length:
Dress form set to 5' 8 1/2"
Center bra to bottom: 46"
Armpit to hem: 51"
Center back to bottom: 49"

For reference I was about a size 14/16 in the pictures. At an 18 it doesn't fit me anymore. I'm 5'8 and a half barefoot (and so is the dress form in the pictures).

Condition: Fair
There are sequins popping off in random places, even though when I bought it I reinforced all of the strings with fray-check. I also used clear nail polish on all of the rhinestones to keep them from popping off and snagging.

There are a couple of tiny holes in the mesh around the belly. I am assuming this is from rhinestone snagging. There are a couple areas where the zipper puckers in the back. This is because I took the zipper out to let it out a little and because the mesh has stretched out over time, it wouldn't fit on the zipper as neatly as before.

I also added the headband to the top of the cups, but this is reversible. I did not cut the headband so it can be used as a headband again, if needed.

Since I bought this costume I've only worn it for one 5 min performance and one photo shoot.

Blue Turkish Bedlah - $215

I purchased this costume in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. It is a very high quality set, but not a designer label. Royal blue velvet is complimented with gold beads and AB crystals.
Comes with a headband and two wrist bands. No skirt.

Condition: Good. There is some wear on the bra. There are a few loose beads on the
bra and belt around the hooks. I also added bra cup extensions, which could be removed with minimal damage.

Size:
Bra - about a D cup, 40" end to end, 7" diagonal cup measurements, 7" across and 7" vertical

Belt - 42 1/2" end to end, 5 1/2" max tall, 2 1/4" min

Turkish Dress - $80

Hot and sexy forest green Turkish dress with silver beading and crystals. Comes with one gauntlet. Selling for a friend.

Condition: Good. No visible tears or loose beading. Some wear on on the bra liner.

Size: Small/Medium. Bra - 32" end to end, 6 1/2" diagonal cup, 6 1/2" across and 6" vertical.

Hips - 36" max hips, Waist - 26" unstretched, 33" max waist, 16" around the back

Length - 48" center bust/bra to floor, 37" back waist to floor

Jewelry parties for men and women!

Ladies. Looking for a fun night in with the girls?
Fellas. Looking to get something for your sweetie?

Bring Mountains to the Sea to your house or party location for fun and easy jewelry show. Hosts will receive a $25 credit toward my shop (one per household). I know things are tight after the holidays, but my jewelry shows are low-pressure and there is no obligation to buy!

For women: Get your ladies together and have a blast!
For a ladies night in, we'll have fun door prizes and the hostess should provide food and drinks. We won't play any cheesy games (unless you want to!)

However, if you want to increase the fun factor, think about adding Belly Dance to your event and make it a Shimmy Party! That's right, shimmies and sparklies!!! For information about booking a shimmy party, visit: http://andaleedance.com/fortheladies.html. Just ask me to bring my jewelry.

For men: A laid back affair

Valentines's day is right around the corner! You won't need to worry about having a big cheesy party. Guys just want to get in and get out. Bring me in for a stop n' shop or even during half-time. There are no games or obligations, just pick out something for your sweetie, I'll wrap it and you'll be back to the guys in no time.

For more information about my jewelry shows and products, visit: http://mountainstothesea.biz/index.html

Looking for a fabric...

Oh dear, what am I going to do! I started making this beautiful purple costume out of some miscellaneous costume scraps around my house. At first, it was just going to be a belt, then I decided to make a bra too. That's were the trouble started.

The base bra that I bought was too small, and after I covered it all with felt and fabric I tried to fix it, but couldn't. Lesson learned: DO NOT TRIM fabric before you are 100% sure that you are going to keep it. Had I not trimmed it, I may have been able to salvage my fabric. But not this time.

Yesterday, I went to Joann's to look for another 1/2 yard so I can finish my bra. No luck. I'm going to go to the one in Raleigh today after lunch and then after that, PANIC! No not really, I'll just have to make due with a belt.

Here is the fabric in case you want to go to a Joanns in your area and look for me. ;)

Link to fabric here.

New Etsy store!

My new Etsy store is here! Check it out and do a little Christmas shopping. I have much more inventory to add over the next few days so come back often.

My First Craft Fair

This weekend, I'll be vending my jewelry at a craft fair for the very first time. I'm very nervous and hoping that it will be a supportive crowd, since it is, you know, at an elementary school. I've only done trunk shows and commission work thus far, and I recently dipped my toe in selling at the neighborhood yard sale. That was a total bust. I didn't sell one piece of jewelry and I really hope that isn't a sign about this weekend. I know the economy is bad and this is the first time that this school is having a sale like this. Anyway, wish me luck! Here is the flyer and if you're local, come on out!

P.S. I plan on posting everything that doesn't sell on my new Etsy store. Stay tuned for a link and updates.

Craft Central: Making a belly dance overskirt in 10 minutes

Making a fun and stylish belly dance overskirt is a cheap and easy way to stock your belly dance wardrobe. It only takes a few minutes and there is no sewing involved. Wear your overskirt with or without a hipscarf, wear it to class, or even to performances. Follow this step-by-step guide to make your own overskirt. Click on the images for a larger view or visit the album.

1) You need a pair of scissors and 1 yard of fabric. Make sure your fabric is a 4-way stretch material. Pull it gently in all directions to make sure it is. Spandex and Matte Jersey are good choices.

2) Make sure your fabric has smooth, even edges and remove all printers marks.

3) Fold fabric over once, matching the short ends, not the long ends.

4) Fold fabric a second time, but going the other direction. There should be four layers.

5) Use the scissors to cut along the top fold. Be careful not to cut too much as your opening will double in size when you unfold it.

6) Check size of opening to see if it fits around your hips and there you have your overskirt!