Jillie Bean!

DAWG GONE! ISN'T SHE PURTY!

Kisses from Auntie Terri XOXOXOXOXO

Treasury!

I'm in a Paisley Treasury! Go look!

I wish someone would buy the dang thing - it's had 796 views since I posted it in January.

Fall is Officially Here!

Need I say anymore?!

Pumpkins, cool crispy air, crunching leaves, breath hanging in the air, nippy nose, SWEATERS.....

Oh, I'm delirously happy :)

September Newsletter Is Out

If you didn't get yours, please sign up at www.callidoras.com. This month's winner was Lisa A-Q of Blossoming Tree! She won a Kate II handbag and a pair of earrings - retail value of $40.

The Monthly Newsletter lets you know about what's on the horizon for Callidora's, specials, and giveaways. Subscribing once enters you in each monthly drawing.

Re-creations!

My first re-creation dress is finished and on it's way to her happy owner! You can read all about the Zuul dress and see completed photos in the Gallery.

My next re-creation I'll be starting in about a week. I will be sure post photos when it's done.

My current project is a wholesale order for 8 Korean Bowing Robes for a Meditation Center in Seattle! My serger is smokin' :)

Travelling Daphne!

Well, my Daphne bag is pretty popular and she is travelling right out of my craft room! I have about 3 of the Daphne I's left and 6 Daphne II's. I'm so glad to have gotten a good response on these bags :) So if you were thinking about getting one - get your order in. When Daphne is gone, she's gone for good!

How does custom clothing work?

Here's a little info on my process, so if you're considering custom made clothes, you'll know what you're in for :)

1. What's the occasion? Is it for work? For lounging around? Going out with the girls or your honey? Semi-formal or formal?
This will help decide what fabrics and what style.

2. After determing use, climate, fabric care (do want to stay away from dry cleaning?), I start showing fabrics in your choice. Prints? Florals? Stripes? Solids? Coordinating fabrics?
I send you photos online if you're not local and will direct you if you see something you like that I haven't shown. You have a vintage fabric in mind that's sitting in Aunt Suzie's attic - we can probably work with that.

3. Once your fabric choice has been made, design choices are discussed. Do you want the corporate look? A vintage inspired 1950s remake? A costume? Sleeves? Collars? Zippers? Elastic? Buttons? Pleats?
That and your basic measurements will help me determine yardage and material cost. A final price is agreed upon and after receiving your payment, I order the materials. I try to use other Etsy sellers whenever possible - I want to support the little people!

4. While waiting for your fabric, I instruct you on how to take up to 30 measurements (for a full outfit/dress) and I begin drafting your pattern to fit your bits :)

5. Once your fabric arrives, I get to work! Cutting, serging, sewing, pinning, tucking, re-measuring, etc.

6. Then your masterpiece is finished, I notify you and you send your final payment. Your custom clothing gets sent to you Priority Mail and you're wearing your super-comfy clothes in 2-3 days!

Have you ever spent the whole day in your church clothes? Or the evening in your office clothes? Probably not, because you can't wait to take them off when you get home! Not the case when it's custom made for your body - it's like wearing air. No tugging or pulling to keep things in the right spot, not too tight in one spot to accommodate fit in another. Oh, it's a whole different beautiful world! And your clothes feel better, it's so much easier to keep a happy face on - sounds crazy but it's true :)

Your Opinion Please

Please go to my blog and respond to this post in the Comments. Heh heh there might something in it for you! I need as many responses from individuals as possible.

A. Would you buy a sampler package of handcrafted items from a variety of artists?

B. If so, would you want to know what's in the package or do you prefer the element of surprise?

C. If the package contained 7-10 handcrafted items, all usuable items, not knick knacks; what would expect to pay for the package?

Thanks for responding!

Custom Work

I have been busy with custom work lately - it's wonderful! But I don't think I'm going to be able to add to my Fall Collection for a bit :( I really really want to, but I need to sleep!

I'm very excited about the projects I'm working on and some of my upcoming ones. I'm finishing up a Ghostbusters costume (the dress worn by Sigourney Weaver as Zuul in the first movie). That will probably go out this week. Next I'm working on a Dia de los Muertos dress (Day of the Dead) with some gorgeous sugar skulls fabric by Alexander Henry. Followed by a recreation of a dress that Charlotte/Chuck wears on Pushing Daisies. And 4 skirts for a lovely lady in Kansas who wants to snazz up her office wardrobe for the winter!

That will take me through September, but I'm definitely looking for more projects going through the holidays. So, if you know you're going to a Holiday party or out dancing for New Year's. I'd be happy to make you a dress that flatters and fits perfectly! Or if you just want to add to your wardrobe and are sick of clothes that don't fit all your bits properly, I'd be glad to help.

Most of my custom work is in the same price range as what you would pay at Kohl's, Dillard's, or Macy's - but it fits YOU! It takes me between 2-3 weeks to complete a project from the time it's ordered. Any item over $50 is paid for in increments - half up front to buy the materials, and the rest upon completion. If your budget is tight, we can work out layaway payments and find quality materials in your price range.

Think about it - everyone used to have custom clothes a hundred years ago! Sears changed all that with their catalog. Get back to basics and get clothes that fit you - you won't believe how comfortable you feel :)

Cute Etsy Commercial

I don't think it ever aired, but it's sooooo cute. It makes me wanna shop! Oh wait, I already did today :)

Gallery Photos

I have added a Gallery page to my shop's website where I am posting pictures of my custom work. I have several custom orders that I am working on currently, so probably by the end of September I will have lots more photos up :)

But here I want to share a picture of Rebecca from SoapDeli wearing one of my headbands. Isn't she lovely!

Smidge's September Giveaway

Smidge has started their September Giveaway! One of my headbands is on there. There are many other fabulous handcrafted items included in the giveaway. Go check it out and I hope you win!

August Giveaway

I sent out the info on August's Giveaway to my Newsletter subscribers yesterday. If you didn't get yours, please click here. September's Giveaway drawing will be late next week (if I'm not hammered by Hanna or Ike!) Sign up now to be included in the drawing.

Trunk Show at Etsy Labs!

Get a jump on your holiday shopping with the Fall into Holiday Cheer Trunk Show the wonderfully talented Etsymom Street Team Members are hosting this Thursday, Sept. 4th at 7 pm in the Etsy Virtual Labs. Come find out what inspires the beautiful handcrafted artistry of this dedicated group of moms in business. Each Etsymom participant will display images of their work, share about their creative process and answer questions. Don't miss this first-time event for Etsymoms and an opportunity to buy some incredible handmade goods!