Getting READY.....

The Street of Shops event is just around the corner.  and now that I have almost 60 designs created, I have started to concentrate on the logistics of displaying them at the show.  Portability ease for me,quick set up and break down ( my theatre years of set design helped out here!)  Eye appeal for the displays,  Receipts,  Price stickers,  Mirrors for customers to view themselves,  packaging...........
 
I really want women to be delighted when they stop by my stand, and if they purchase one, to be able to walk away with an "elegant package"  that they can either give to someone as a gift, or keep for themselves.....

Some of the packaging things that I have in mind, will not be ready for this show, but for future purchases.

Like tissue paper that has "Ma BelleTete" in script written all over it, and clear stackable plastic containers that people can purchase to use to store them.......

They can purchase them at a reduced rate from me with the purchase of a headpiece, or regular rate if purchased alone.....

Anyway these are the things I am thinking about.....In the meantime, I have almost completed my displays,  just have to cover a few more .  I want to have about 5 Hat boxes so that I can "Spread out" each headpiece which will allow them to  be seen more distinctly....

Here's my work in progress.....

nice surprises!

So this morning I headed out to my Hairdressers Salon and decided to take several samples of the lastest Ma Belle Tete styles to show Rocky and ask him a few questions regarding possible pricing and maybe leaving a few pieces with him to display in his store to get some feed back...

Well to my pleasant surprise, He loved all 14 pieces, and kept them all to sell in his shop!

Several of the other Hairdressers came around and also said some really nice words about them.  My favorite being.."wow, you really are an artist".......

That's about the nicest compliment I could ever hope to get...

I am waiting for that wonderful day when I'm out somewhere and spot someone wearing one of my pieces......I know that moment will be such a thrill.....

more special requests

Had fun designing and making two "Mother & Daughter" headbands for a friend.  Requirements; Little Val's must only be RED!   Mom wanted some gold and other elements that she saw from my previous designs.  My task was assigned yesterday, today it's done.....

a special design for a special girl....

Jaclyn , Eric's girlfriend, asked if I would make her a head piece for the dress she is wearing to a wedding.  SOOOO happy to do it. I asked her which materials did she like best of the headpieces I already designed, to allow me to get an idea of her taste.  With that info, I proceeded ahead and made this one earlier today to coordinate with her dress.....

I enjoyed it so much! 

FUN!

Versatility continued!

This Beautiful brocade silk ruffled head Band can be worn alone or with my fascinator attached to it.  YOU make the choice...... :D  the top picture shows one slot for a clip and the other for the headband!

Versatility!

I , like everyone else , like to have choices.  So I thought about how I could allow the wearer to decide if they want to wear a headband , or just a clip.  It really depends on your hairstyle, how you feel that day, if your hair is "cooperating!"  So I decided to experiment with making a headwear piece that could be both.....and ...Voila!  So you can either insert a clip into the back slot, or slip a thin headband thru the slot.  YOUR CHOICE.  And YOU can also switch the head band colors to coordinate with your outfit!

love it

these are some experiments with burnt fabric and veiling..

feeling a little french......

I'm continuing with my wire and beautiful fabric technique.  Used some beautiful velvet to create this little french topper......  I am tempted to add lace/veiling, but I think I will leave this one as is and create a few more that are more elaborate.......

adjusting and tweaking

after awhile I realized that the "fascinators"  needed just alittle "tweaking".  the loops were too big.  so here's the tweaked version

fascinating holiday nites

been playing this morning with using beautiful fabric and wire to make shapes for small fascinators.  the  possibilities are endless.............  above is this morning venture....

so many materials, so many choices..........

enjoyed stepping away from other materials and having fun with some zippers.  Yeah, i know its been done, but there something about the "clean, yet "fun" effect that I love.  

I have made about 30 different headbands so far and only had to "rip up" one.  It just wasn't working for me and I was trying too hard to make it work.  So I ripped it apart and started again.  I guess its good to know what DOESN'T work, as well as what does....:D

moving right along.....

cant keep up with my ideas....

All I want to do is make these, but I don't want to rush.   So  I find myself thinking about them even when I am not making them :D

 Been trying to decide on a Price point that makes selling them worth my while.   I take much care with each design and try to make it so each one has a unique flare.   They definitely are not mass produced.  I like to think that each piece has a personality.... Is that a silly concept?... I welcome opinions on pricing......

fun and playful ....

experimenting with "Burning Fabric" technique and loving it

If you build it...will they come?? :D

Last nite, while scrolling thru the internet I stumbled upon a "gadget"  that makes cutting fabric into circles and petals "tres facile"(very easy)  and fast.  So after a long discussion with myself about "Do I need this? Will I use this? Should I buy this now or wait until the orders start coming.....?  I decided to take the leap and purchase it.  I am going with the frame of mind that if you start the train rolling down the track, people will get on board  :)

so on & on I go.........

Portable Display columns I constructed for various venues...got the idea frm a women on you tube...thx so much!

let it flow....

Eric (my son) and his girlfriend Jaclyn's rough draft for my LOGO

the first weeks

The journey into my business has begun. labels have been ordered, wholesale items orders, pieces made. My goal is at least 150 - 200 pieces before I actually launch. Each day i sit down surrounded by materials with colors, textures and inspiration. I know if I try to concentrate too hard , the ideas won't come, or if they do it will be "forced".

So I allow myself to relax and "let go"... and see where the creativity takes me, trusting that it will be there, the creativity....... yeah, trust, that's a big frightening thing........