Of Mothers and Daughters

Older daughter

Younger Daughter

I have two daughters and I've always wondered why they've never had the least bit of interest in becoming belly dancers. One of my daughters did take ballet for awhile but gave it up when a soccer injury gave her a bum knee. The other one doesn't like to be stared at, so becoming a performer wasn't high on her to-do list. That means I'm the only belly dancer in my family and always have been. I see so many mother and daughter dance teams, and I think that would have been nice, but one thing I know is if someone doesn't have a passion for something, you can't make them love it.

Knit Some Hair Decorations for Tribal Belly Dancing

Knitting hair ornamentation for tribal belly dance. They look a bit like faux dreads to me, and they are fun and fast to make if you already know how to knit. These are basic ones but it's easy enough to add beads, coins, bells, or shells.

What's Your Favorite Color

My favorite color today is purple, or more specifically violet red. So my new beaded belly dance costume will be violet red. But for now I'll start with a pair of earrings. Do you make jewelry specifically to match your belly dancing costumes? Hair ornaments? Other doodads. Usually if you make those in your favorite color you'll wear them time and time again.

The other end is to make neutrals. That's because they go with everything. Neutrals are colors like gray, taupe, black, ivory, white, and navy. They play well with more brilliant colors.

Keep in mind stage lights can have bizarre effects on color. And a color will look a lot different at an outdoor venue than it does indoors at night. It helps to take some quick snapshots of your costume during the dress rehearsal to see how the lights are effecting it.

Bows and Belly Dancing

I really like these hip bands, especially the one with the bow in back.

Need Eye Make-up Ideas?

This is fascinating.

SCA and Belly Dance

Recently I went to an SCA collegium and attended a belly dance class. Due to a mix-up, the teacher wasn't there but we all chipped in a step or two and someone played middle eastern music for us on her cellphone. We danced for about an hour and talked for awhile. It was great to meet some new dancers.

I hope we can make a gypsy camp of sorts at some of the shorter day long events so we can dance more often, instead of just at an SCA war once in a while.

Queen's Champion Archery

Some of my self portraits from yesterday's SCA event in Van Nuys, CA.  I made the skirt, the tunic, the corset, and the harem pants, but years apart from each other. The cloak was a trade I did with my friend many years ago.

Business Cards

I'm so excited. I just ordered 1000 business cards for my belly dance business. Not cheapo ones I print out myself, but nice ones.