summer into fall...

ok, so sacred relic probably isn't the best name for a new shop. I googled it and there are all these lawsuits against some ebay sellers for selling actual religious sacred relics. I do like the spiritual connotation to the name, because I am a Christian, but in addition to those strange problems, there is already an ebay seller with that name. It looked like they weren't active and didn't have any items for sale, but still.... I think I'll keep the etsy shop with that name for future ideas~
On the school front, everything is the same. I'm trying desperately to be excited, but I feel my heart is just not in it anymore. I only want to do this job if I can do it well. I'm taking it one day at a time, and so far, so good. I was pretty excited about my first wall display for open house. I did it all in white, and it was very 3-d. I got a lot of nice comments from other staff, which usually doesn't happen. They said it was very classy and 'gallery like'. I was pleased. Now I just have to come up with another mind-blowing idea for this month. I'm thinking about having the kids paint on leaves - but what subject? any ideas welcome!
On the home front, we must get some pumpkins to carve, because we basically spaced it off last year, and now that my daughter is 14, I don't have too many more years left to do these activities. I should be better about decorating for holiday things. I love the making the costume part though. Off to class, caio for now~

reconstructive surgery

Madame Coco had "aesthetic enhancement surgery" recently. I love the shape and wire curls on the dress form, but have had to push and pull and move wire parts around to get her to have a real human shape. I never was happy with how the tanks looked on her, maybe because I've been staring at my own figure for 36 years, and that's what seems normal to me. It finally hit me that I could 'enhance' the way she was shaped the same way that people do, except without cosmetic surgery. I grabbed my strapless corset bra from my wedding ensemble, and inserted some gel-filled liners into the cups, and Voila! She is now a 36 C. All of the clothes look so much better on her, but in some of the pics, she actually does look a little too bosomy. Madame Coco makes me so happy, and I love that I don't have to pay someone to model anything. She's always ready and willing to work. I LOVE how the Contessa wide belt came out, and it makes Madame Coco look so elegant and autumnal.
Before enhancement:

and AFTER:

and here's the Contessa belt~ so pretty!
















I am going to do a series of these for fall/winter. Caio girls!

Transparent

I'm working hard on some new designs, and I'm actually trying to find the time to make some things for myself- I know, what a concept! I've been putting a patina on different metal components, and creating what I call "The Secret Attic Treasures" series. When I was little, I was fascinated with old trinkets, and as I got older, old embroidered linens. As I walked through antique stores and thrift stores about 10 years ago, I always wondered why I loved these things so much. Even if I bought them and brought them home, I would just look at them lovingly, but not really be able to do anything with them. Now I have the joy of taking some of the trinkets I find, and joining them with new pieces, and making beautiful 'heirlooms'.


Since I don't have any photos of my own grandparents and great grandparents, I just borrow some ancestors and include them in my work. caio, girls~