Bead Fever

Inexpensive beads I got from Walmart today.

Expensive Delica beads I got from Fire Mountain Gems today.

Like many belly dancers, I suffer from bead fever. I just can't resist the little suckers.
Today I got my Delicas in the mail. I call them the Legos of beads, because they are so uniform, they improve the look of anything you weave out of beads. These are spendy, and will be used only for things like loom beading, peyote (gourd) stitch and brick stitch. I can use the run-of-the-mill beads for other things like stringing necklaces, or freeform embroidery.

Tumblr

Since I can't resist the appeal of Tumblr, I started a fashion Tumblr, which morphed into a belly dance Tumblr, so if Tumblr is your thing, follow me over there. http://splashionbellydance.tumblr.com/

Two Patterns For One Costume

Today when I went to JoAnn's they had Simplicity patterns 5 for $5. A new belly dancing coat pattern caught my eye.  It's #2159.  The other new pattern 2158 was similar to other skirt patterns I have so I wasn't going to get it. But since I needed to get 5 patterns to get the sale price, and one of my selections wasn't in stock, I got it.

Now that I'm home and on closer inspection I realized the patterns go together. Pattern #2159 just has the coat and 2 hip scarves. The other pattern has the skirt and bra to complete the outfit. It's not typical for a pattern company to split one outfit into two patterns.  I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed if you only get one or the other. See the photo for details.

Steampunk

Steampunk Crocheted Hipband

I spent the morning making a pattern for a crocheted hip band.  Since it's a Steampunk theme I'm going to use washers at the ends of the fringe.  But for a more traditional look you can use coins, bells or wooden beads.  For pirate belly dancing you can use sea shells  As I'm working on it, I can already visualize 3 or 4 more variations on a theme. I'm putting together a tutorial video and I'll share it when I have it made.

Steps I Can Do For Tomorrow

Watching this makes me miss teaching.

Costume Inventory

I posted this in my recycling blog and realized it would probably get more use here.

I need to inventory all my belly dance costumes.  Then I can repurpose things into other things.  Like old veils that are too worn to use can be gleaned for fabric to make hair scarves, belly covers, and sleeves.
Belly dancing coins can be cut off and added to new costumes. Broken barrettes can be repaired or the beads and trim can sometimes be re-used.

Bras that no longer fit can get new straps and trim. And any damaged beadwork that can't be fixed can be cut apart and added to hats or turned into appliques.

Sometimes dancers have swap meets and trade their old costumes with other people. Since women gain and lose weight constantly, your rejects may be someone else's best find of the day.

New Year's Day Dance

I started the New Year off right with some belly dance practice.  It's cold out but if the Rose Parade marchers can parade in it, I can dance in it.

It's a Whole New Year

I got some bitchin' trim to use for my steampunk belly dancing outfit. I'm just not sure if I want to put it on my hat or my hips or what. I only bought a yard of it. Maybe I should have bought 2 or 3 yards. 

I may be having a moment of insanity, but wouldn't it be wonderful to belly dance every single day of 2011? I'll get right on that.  At least it would make my self portraits on Project 365 more interesting. I don't have anyone to dance for anymore. So I guess I'd be doing it for my own self. My boyfriend isn't the least bit interested in belly dancing. In fact I showed him a video on youtube because I think it's funny and because it shows big women in a positive way, and he thought they were good dancers. The choreography was blah. The dancers were out of sync. But they did have bright sparkly tight fitting outfits that showed lots of T and A. He's a guy, haha, its the only way I can explain it.

Photos taken at Ren Fair in Irvine last year.

Do you have any dance goals for 2011?

The Saucy Zoe Jakes

I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather spend the New Year's moment with: