BellyArtist Cafe

More Rainbows and Roses

2012-01-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Due to being out late at the Friday night show, getting up Saturday morning was a very quiet event in our room. We zombied ourselves down to breaky, scooted to the car, and mosied into the Rose Theater for vending and workshops. Kim didn't really wake up till she had a cup of coffee, which was her first in 3 months. The bright spot of the morning was getting to see the sno cone poodle known as Garrett and his brother Wyatt, who is very shy, up close at our booth.

It was Kim's turn to pick dinner, so we went to Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ next to Billy Bob's Honky Tonk. I felt like a Redneck in a nice restaurant but backwards. First we walked in and walked down this line up people looking for a menu or hostess, but apparently we were skipping line because we stopped when we got to a cashier and we didn't have any food to check out. We went back to the beginning which was a giant grill. We were told to select a cut of meat. The grill cook slapped the meat on a cafeteria tray that did not have a plate and said, "Here ya go", I just kinda stood there dumbfounded and was scooted along by the line of people. At the next station a server took my tray wrapped my cut of meat up in butcher paper with a barcode and gave it back to me on a tray again. By this time Kim had caught up to me, and we stood there together confused till the server noticed us and said, "Oh, this is your first time here". He told us everything was a la carte and directed us to pick out our sides and that once past the cashier, bread and beans were free. Once paid up at the cashier she placed a folded piece of plain paper on top of our selections. Confused again, I asked what the paper was for.... She said, "It's your plate". "Hmmm?", I thought and figured I'd watch the other diners to figure this business out. We walked past the several rows of sturdy picnic style tables to find the beans and bread. Once there I unsuccessfully tried to ladle some soupy pinto beans out of a giant pot into a paper bowl that was melting in my hand with each scoop. Thankfully an older man behind me handed me a styrofoam bowl and showed me how to get more beans out of the pot than soup. So a lil embarrassed, I forwent searching for bread and pickles and joined Kim at the table. She had not yet attempted the paper plate thing yet and we were looking around to see how it was done, the same older man popped up and show us that one side was waxed and that went face up and the demonstrated how to unwrap the meat without flopping it off the table.

I'm finding Texans to be very friendly and helpful people even if we are dressed weird. Unlike like the woman in the Sea Hag Tavern at Treasure Island, FL that mistook me for a christian cult member due to my harem pants and head wrap. She recoiled in horror that I was instead a belly dancer. I don't see how that's any worse. Funny though I've actually been recruited by the cult she referred to when I was working a festival in Franklin, TN. And they called harem pants, sufi pants.. as I was corrected. Which is odd because they are rumored to practice polygamy. Ironic....

If you liked Friday's show then you loved Saturday's

And here's the lineup:

Shunyata - shunyatabellydance.net

Cybele Noire - desertdancestudio.com

Tribelcia Dreams

Jessie

Inamorata - inamoratabellydance.com

Star - belladonnaarts.com

Rebellyon

Akasha - afsanafusion.com

Dawn and Debie of BellusGati

Veda D. Foxx

Typsy Gypsys - typsygypsys.com

April Rose - aprilrosedance.com

Fleur de Lys Dance Company - bellydancebydaniela.com

Zoe Jakes - beatsantique.com

Altabiah

Donna Mejia - donnamejiadance.com

INTERMISSION

Brazen Bellies - brazenbellies.com

Zepora - zeporaa.blogspot.com

Raphaella - raphaellabellydance.com

Stacey Lizette - staceylizettee.com

Blue Lotus Tribe - bluelotustribe.com

Silvia Salamanca - silviasalmanca.com

Donna Mejia - donnamejiadance.com

Dristhi Dancers - drishtidancers.com

Obsidia - obsidiafusionbellydance.com

April Rose - aprilrosedance.com

Anahata Bellydance Co. - anahatabellydance.com

Zoe Jakes - beatsantique.com

The performances that stuck in my memory from the show...

Shunyata- They were so much fun to watch. An excellent way to start the show. Their interactions with each other really enhanced my enjoyment of their piece.

Veda D. Foxx

Zoe Jakes 1st half - Zoe performed to a song she had written and produced. I heard her say she wanted to encourage dancers to explore writing the music. And of course it was amazing, full of variety and spirit.

Donna Mejia's 1st half

Gypsy Moth - Was introduced as a fill in dancer named Fred Abdue. She was completely covered in a white pattern sparkly pant and tunic set. Over that she wore a see thru darkish veil. It was nothing like I have ever seen. It was amazingly haunting. She seemed to be an ancient spirit newly awakened and hungry for soul or food. When she removed the veil you noticed her nose and mouth were covered and the place where her mouth would be throbbed with colored light. On her fingers she wore black and white tai fingers that wriggled and stretched towards the audience.

After her piece, the MC announced that Gypsy Moth had a surprise for the audience and to look under their chairs for a mustache. Three people were awarded with the prize of choosing any item from her shop at intermission. I peeked under mine and saw nothing till I ran my hand along the bottom and felt something. I had a mustache! The brown mustache had blended in with the seat color. It's been a while since I had won something. I selected a red velvet mermaid skirt. Very excited!

Silvia Salamanca's 2nd half

April Rose 2nd half - was a political piece that was a work in progress and she asked for feedback on it. She wore slacks that pooled at her feet and a white cropped long sleeved collared shirt. The song's chorus repeatedly stated the need for money. As the piece progressed April's movements seemed to get looser and looser and it appeared as if the shirt and pants were wearing her. The shirt and pants seemed to be losing strength and struggled to lift themselves off the floor. This piece seemed to be a discussion on the Occupy WallStreet Movement. To me it began a successful business person confident in their world, but as the greed and arrogance continued, they seemed to be loosing hold on the structure they used to control and deprive. And in fact it began to control them. I'm looking forward to seeing how this piece progresses.

3rd Coast Showtime

2012-01-07T07:42:00.000-08:00

Friday the vendors got out early at 3:30, so everything could get set up for the show. So, we headed back to the hotel to rest a bit. The street to our hotel was jammed backed with tourists,Clydesdale horses, huge bulls, dolled up ponies, and stage coaches. Barkers were announcing amazing feats of bravery to be seen just behind their gates and cowboy hats bobbed up and down in various colors. Every couple of yards you could see groupings a belly dancers dressed up in their best and fanciest practice wear covered in ruffles, stripes, flowers, and glitter. We didn't rest for long for it was time for Kim and I to go to dinner and Lacy needed to get in to see the massage therapist in the theaterso she would be able to perform at the show pain free.

Kim and I dropped Lacy off and walked to the Lebanese Restaurant Byblos, stopping at the Tattoo Parlor for a lil photo shoot. The title for her photo is "Where did you come from?", borrowed from the shop owner across the street. When Lacy walked in to get change he asked, "Well Miss, where did you come from?" Lacy replied, "Oh there's a bellydance festival across the street." Shop Owner, "At the Theater?" Ease-dropping Customer, "Duh, that's what it says on the sign!"

Vending started at 7pm so, Kim and I had plenty of time to eat. She got a Gyro Wrap and I got the Shawarma Wrap. Both came with the most delicious flat fries and cost about $9.

When we got to the theater there was already a line down the street. We met a glowing Lacy in the Lobby who apparently had a successful massage from Hannah Setu the resident massage therapist. But not shortly after seeing her we heard over the walkie talkies that Lacy was unaccounted for... so Kim and I spent the rest of the time trying to help find her unsuccessfully. We were worried her massage glow had worn off and she was double over in pain in a corner somewhere. Turns out she was in the makeup room with Sharon Kihara, Olivia Kissel, and Deb Rubin. Guess no one thought to check there.

The show was MCed by Nina Burks of Madam Nina's Pirated Pendants, who is quite entertaining herself. The lineup included:

Urban Gypsy Tribal Bellydance - urbangypsy.cc

Sonya

Tatooine Gypsies

Lacy Perry - bellydancebylacy.com

Haraka

Celeste - celestebellydance.com

Elizabeth Earnest

Darkly Divine Fusion Bellydance - darklydivine.info

Patsi - patsidancer.com

Cyndal Ellis - cyndalellis.com

Tribal Evolution - tribalevolution.com

Sharon Kihara - sharonkihara.com

Quixotica

Deb Rubin - sattyabody.com

INTERMISSION

Sahira and Silvia - sahiraandsilvia.com

Snake Charmer & The Belly Dancer - snakecharmerandthebellydancer.com

The Masala Collective - ogmasala.com

Daniela - bellydancebydaniela.com

Trybe Habibi Bizarre - trybehabibibizarre.com

Deb Rubin - sattyabody.com

Z-Helene - zhelene.com

Olivia Kissel - oliviakissel.com

Bellanatana - bellanatana.com

Sharon Kihara - sharonkihara.com

The first half of the show went off without a hitch, but the second half was my favorite with the colorful Trybe Habibi Bazaar in their colorful swirling skirts of 20 members, Deb Rubin's lamp shade dance, Z-Helene's zill rapping, and Olivia Kissel's gorgeous piece.

Pictures attached are Lacy Perry and Jerrikaye of Louisiana after the show and the Asian soldier who has attended the 3rd Coast show every year for the past three years.

3rd Coast Tribal and Rainbow Doggies

2012-01-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

3rd Coast Tribal began yesterday and I am splitting a booth with Kim of The Eyes Have It. Kim, Lacy, and I spent two days driving down to Texas and it's good to not be in the car anymore. We checked into the Hyatt down by the stockyards before setting up our booths. Kim did a great job, she got us a $400 room for $70 on Priceline. It's a great room and only .7 miles from the event at the Rose Theater. And to continue the kitty cat welcoming committee...there's a sweet gray and white kitty that lives outside the hotel waiting to get loving. On our last vending trip, there was a tabby with his tongue hanging out waiting to be fed when we came in in the evenings. To our surprise breakfast is included with the room every morning. It's still pretty much the same as cheap places except there is oatmeal and fresh cut fruit available.

Since it was a Thursday, things began a lil slow, so we had plenty of time to get our booths decorated. I added two new Leona product cards, one Zoe inspired and the other, Ariellah inspired. I found Bojan Rajic of Croatia to illustrate them for me. He's great to work with and super fast! Krista Widman, my last illustrator was unavailable this time, but it gave me the idea to have a different artist each show. That way I can help show off their stuff as well as mine. At the next show I'm going to add artist bios on the back of the cards. So if you know any artists with a comic or tattoo background, let me know. Yesterday the workshop teachers included Donna Mejia, Sahira & Silvia, Sharon Kihara, Blue Lotus Tribe, and Zoe Jakes. The only views from my booth are thru the front double doors to traffic on Main St. and a nice view of the Geisha Moth booth in the adjacent room. So those will be my stories of note for the day. The first was thru the double doors. A woman who was walking her two poodles started to gain quiet a crowd of onlookers and cameras. One poodle was a beautiful black while the other was the color of a rainbow sno cone. The attached photo is of Sharon Kihara petting the sno cone one. Then to my entertainment through out the day, Geisha Moth was selling mustaches for a penny. Photo attached is a workshop attendee having a serious discussion over a skirt while wearing her mustache.

Dinner was rushed because apparently in downtown Fort Worth most restaurants close at 9pm. So, I didn't get a picture till it was all gone. It was a good Tex Mex version of guacamole salad and jalapeno salsa.

Interview with Belladonna

2011-11-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

Belladonna is an ever-evolving artist & teacher. She is a tribal fusion belly dance performer and instructor from Washington DC. Bella is best known for her sword dancing/ balancing, musical expression, technique and creativity.

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Unmata all day and all night

2011-11-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

The last Unmata: Fast Like A NASCAR workshop was my favorite so far to watch. They choreographed a fight scene MJ- Beat It style. They split the room into two groups - the Amys and the Shellys. To the tune of Micheal Jackson's Beat It, both groups did the MJ choreography and then ran at each other and beat the Shellys up and then ran back to the MJ choreography. Then back to the middle and this time the Amys got beat down. Great fun to watch. I so wished I was apart of it.

By this time it was 5pm and time to wrap things up. Lacy and I went back to get ready for the show. I left early to get a table with Katherine, Kim's friend who came up to see the show. Lacy had to stay since she was performing and had more baubles to put on. The show was at a Russian Restaurant called St. Petersburg Nights . I ordered from the Traditional Russian Dishes section. I selected Russian “Pelmeni”/ Пельмени- cafeletti pasta shells with your choice of pork, beef, or chicken. It came with a sour cream and chive sauce to dip the dumplins in. It was divine and rich. After 6 I was done. A nice side salad would have helped to compliment it and balance out the richness. Katherine proved to be a most enjoyable dinner companion. Previously working as a clown, owning a balloon/event decorating business, and now with a chinese medicine practice, there was no shortage of topics to discuss.

The show set list included:

Hip Expressions Dance Studio

Annette Centofanti

Troupe Zahara

Lady Lysette

Jendayi Dance Company

Lacy Perry

Johanna and Loud Zoo

-intermission-

Karen Sun Ray accompanied by Marcy, Johanna & Raihan

Cracked Pot Tribal

Carri of Canada

Evelyn Tosi

Laura Baralou and Jessica Jones of Black V Tribal

Omaris

Alina of Lotus Dance Studio

SamiTe

Unmata

There were a variety of styles represented and the show was the perfect length. Troupe Zahara were very entertaining with some interesting formations and just that POW! kinda presence. Lacy Perry's period Worlds Fair piece was unique and emotional in and edging way. She had some great facial expressions.Evelyn Tosi performed in jeans and a lite flowy button up shirt with some interesting veil/flags. It felt very carefree and beachy. Cracked Pot Tribal performed ATS combos to some unlikely music that was upbeat and made me want to jump up and dance. Their costuming was cute with lil red skirts over black harem pants with striped firefly brand vests. Omaris performed the most gorgeous cabaret style piece I've seen in a while. She was so elegant and regal. SamiTe had the most interesting/fun costume. It was like a native american kitten/ hooper girl all in one. Her facials also won the show for me and went perfectly with her fusion style. Unmata was brillant and inspiring. I have to say live is so much better than youtube. I'm not a huge youtube surfer but this was my favorite Unmata piece of all the ones I've seen. But that's how it usually seems to go with workshops. After you've been in a workshop all day with an instructor and then see them perform that night I guess you could say you're a bit drunk on the kool aid already. After the show a mixture of russian fusion and club music started playing there was a flurry of dance party dancing on the floor and scrabbling to get photos taken with Unmata. Then the dance party set it and Unmata worked the floor dancing with everyone on the floor. They are quite the entertainers. I danced until the smoke machine smoke got too thick to breathe and then kept Lacy company as she smoked a hookah at a nearby table. She made quite the picture as she sat there dressed in her victorian inspired costume, smoking a hookah in a russian restaurant as bellydancers free formed a slurry of bellydance and club dancing moves around her.

This morning my head is throbbing. We only stayed up to 11pm. and I don't drink so the only thing I can think to cause it is that darn smoke machine smoke. Yuck.

Up Next: Unmata Just Dance workshop

Beledi Beach Bash Florida

2011-11-06T09:00:00.001-08:00

This is my debut event as a vendor, vending my dance footie design called Leotoes . I've hopped in a van with Lacy of Beledi Boutique and Kim of The Eyes Have It and we've traveled down to Florida. Thursday night we stayed at Kim's friend, Katherine's house, house which is located in the back of Lang's a Cafe, Gift Shop, and Orange Groove 5900 Hwy 17 & 92 between Lake Alfred and Haines City. I had fresh fresh orange juice for the first time for breakfast, mmmm. I had 3 glasses. The pictures attached are some interesting relics displayed in the room Lacy and I shared that night. One is Neptune Barbie displayed in all her glory and the painting of the Blue Lady was done by Katherine and has an interesting story. When Katherine came back from a trip to Hawaii, the blue lady a water sprite, appeared to her in a dream and told her that she followed her back from Hawaii so that she could paint her. Katherine told her she needed a picture to reference from and the blue lady told her that she would find a picture of her in a magazine on her table. The rest you can see on the canvas. Katherine is a Chinese medicine doctor and we had some great conversation. And I found a temporary replacement for my dit dat jao, but still looking for a recipe. Its called zheng gu shui (check that out Robert).

After a great breakfast, we went to Lang's Cafe to shop. We passed by several bins of squished and used oranges, verification that the juice you purchase is indeed fresh. I got to try a piece of grapefruit pie that I had been hearing about on the trip down. It was super delicious and I am so bring a whole pie home to my family when we stay at Lang's Sunday night. Also Kim said she had a recipe for it, so Yum! I'm all about that. Also the cafe had clam chowder and whenever I'm close to the coast I don't pass up the chance for clam chowder. Then we loaded up and headed to Treasure Island!

It took us an hour and we arrived around 5pm and checked into the cutest little motel located 2min from the event facility. It so weird... everything is so green and sunny and feels great. We tossed our bags in the room and drove over to setup. My heart was racing at the excitement of setting up my very own booth and playing store. I had a bit too much adrenaline going and set up pretty quickly, I used the rest of my energy to help Lacy load in her booth. The vending area is set up in the workshop area so I got to watch the Unmata workshop taught by Amy Sigil, while I attached the Leotoes to the product card. By the way my friend and tattoo artist Krista Widman illustrated the product card for me. It's a bellydancer that is all foot from the hips down. I'm going to have her do a new one for each event. And each one represents a fan girl interpretation of the workshop instructor. That way it's kinda a collectible/reminder of the event they attended. When the workshop was over I had 5 girls rush over to the booth to check out my Leotoes. Got lots of compliments. Whew this just might work. That night I sold one pair and had alot of inquires on a black version which I only have 10 of. So, note to self - make more black. This morning when I got to my booth, I did a meditation Robert recommended on his iphone while the yoga class was happening. Then started writing this blog entry. I had another sale after the yoga class. It was interesting both sales already owned a pair of my competitors dance footies and said they wanted to upgrade to a more professional pair. Ha!

Next workshop up: Unmata - Well, We Think It's Slow

Interview with Marisa of the Gypsy Closet

2011-09-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Interview with Marisa of the Gypsy Closet, taken at Tribal Con 2009, Atlanta, GA

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Interview with Tallulha Love of Syrens of the South

2011-09-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

Interview with Tallulha Love of Syrens of the South, taken at Tribal Con 2009, Atlanta, GA

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Interview with Bran of MydWynter Studios

2011-09-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Interview with Bran of MydWynter Studios, taken at Tribal Con 2009, Atlanta, GA

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Interview with Liz Behel

2011-09-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

Interview with Liz Behel, taken at Tribal Con 2009, Atlanta, GA

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Interview with Jaia of Ananda Dance Company

2011-09-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

Interview with Jaia of Ananda Dance Company taken at Tribal Con 2009, Atlanta, GA

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My Vending Schedule

2011-09-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

Here is where you will find my schedule for vending my LeoToes.

Feb 23-26 - Tribal Con - Decatur, GA

Mar 16-18 - Rakkasah West - Richmond, CA

Jun 1-3 - Cairo Caravan - Long Beach, CA
Jun 7-10 - with Beledi Boutique, Tribal Solstice - Pembroke Pines, FL
Jun 21-24 - with The Eyes Have It and Auralynne, Tribal Revolution - Chicago, IL

Past Events....

Jan - 3rd Coast Tribal - Fort Worth, TX

Nov - Tribal Revival - Nashville, TN

Nov - Beledi Beach Bash - Treasure Island, FL

Featured Artist: Shawna

2011-08-06T15:51:00.000-07:00

Shawna - Murfreesboro, TN

First studying Raqs Sharqi with Ariel Norwood, Shawna's main goal was fun and learning how to better prepare her body for natural childbirth.

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Links Added: New Sewing Category

2011-07-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

Beadlush - Lydia Stern's experience in the beading world spans both the retail and wholesale bead industries as well as designing and selling custom jewelry. The breadth and depth of Lydia’s product knowledge, in addition to her penchant for offering a broad inventory at a fair price, have helped to quickly create the best bead shop in town!

Afghan Tribal Arts - Etsy - Afghan Tribal Arts has been importing from Afghanistan and the region since the early 1980's. It supplies fine bead stores and small galleries with the traditional handcrafted beads, textiles, jewelry and more.

Garden of Beading - Carries a full line of colorful Japanese and Czech Seed Beads, Bugle Beads and Ponys along with Charlotte cuts, Fire polish, sparkling Austrian Crystals, Delicas, Semi-Precious Stones and beautiful Ethnic Beads. You will also find an array of Needles & Threads, Beadbooks, Clasps and Earring Wires.

Morceanux - Etsy - This is the place where we share some of the great things we find while shopping for parts for our jewelry! Most items are available in larger quantities just drop us a line if you have questions!

Beadworks - Beadworks' products are selected by a team of experienced jewelry makers dedicated to providing the finest in materials to support and inspire the creation of both amateur and professional designers. While classic and traditional designs form a core of our range, contemporary fashion is always the driving force in our search for new products.

Forsythe Company Store - You can find buttons both old and new. They are great for creating jewelry, embellishing pillows and quilts, purse closures, renewing a favorite outfit, card designs, button bouquets, doll clothes, scrapbooking and mixed media.

Turquoise International - Find an assortment of coins and egyptian fringe.

Sirik - Authentic Tribal Necklaces, Head Ornaments, Finger Rings, Ear Dangles, Belts, Anklets, Coined Bras, Wedding Hats, and more

Tribal Muse - Tribal Jewelry from around the world - Tibetan, Tuareg, Berber, Native American Indian, African, Turkmen (Turkoman), Afghan, Khazaki, Kuchi, and others.

Tribal Export - Offering silver and gold jewelry, antique tribal pieces, stones and strands

Spikes and Studs - Brass with Chrome Plating.* All spikes include screws. Steel with Chrome Plating. Studs have prongs for attaching.

Zucker Feather - The Internet's premier provider of FEATHERS!

American Plume - We believe that our line of feather products offers the best combination of quality and price in the industry. However, the most important reason to work with our company is our commitment to customer satisfaction.

Vivid Trading - A selection of jewellery elements from the Amazigh and Tuareg people from North Africa.

We hope that you will enjoy browsing our store.

Fire Mountain Gems - Since 1973, we've had the opportunity to be a part of your jewelry-making experiences and cherish the relationships we've built with designer-artists, suppliers and employees.

Lace Heaven - Your online resource for lace, appliques, buttons, bows, ribbons, craft and sewing supplies and much more! We have been proudly serving our customers for 24 year, since 1985.

Perfect Fit Button - The newest way to get your costumes to fit perfectly everyday, all the time. If you've put on a few pounds or have recently taken off some weight, just attach this adjustable, removable button to make a perfect fit. Now, you don't have to replace your old costumes.

Shalia de - The jewelry pieces that I offer are all made lovingly by hand, therefore, no other piece like the others. They come from the Afghanistan / Pakistan. It is to the original nomadic jewelry, there are usually one-offs.

Glitz Glamour - You have found the largest in-stock selection of rhinestones, sequin appliques, rhinestone trims, beaded trims, fringe and costuming supplies on the internet! We have been in the costuming business since 1976.

Treadle Art - Shisha Mirrors (Embroidery Mirrors) come in three different varieties, Antique, Perfect, and Rainbow. Here is a crash course...

Artemis Imports - Costuming supplies and patterns. We invite you to order our catalogs, which offer much more information and pictures than we have on this WebSite.

The Trim Goddess - Etsy - This is a one woman business. I do everything myself. I search for original and stylish trimmings and bring them to the budget conscious crafter.

Steampunk Supply - Etsy - Antique and vintage watch and pocket watch parts, clock parts, keys, buttons and charms for steampunk jewelry and art projects.

Cartwright's Sequins - Large selection of sequins. Find various sizes, colors, and shapes.

Such-a-Deal Lace and Trim - Lace & Trim is a complete trimming resource specializing in washable products to be used

on apparel, bridal, crafts and home furnishings.

Cheep Trims - Your complete source for Quality Wholesale Lace and Trim Products. With over 4,500 products online, and updates almost daily, you're sure to find exactly the items you want.

Calontir Trim - I travel over 15,000 miles a year seeking and collecting fine trims for your pleasure. I import from three continents and buy trim in thousand-dollar increments.

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Interview with Rachel Lazarus - Blue Damsel

2011-07-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

BellyArtist Cafe - Bellydance Links Directory (1,479 links and counting

Links Added: Costuming

2011-07-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

BelliPhat - From headdresses to bra bases to pantaloons, we've got ya covered or not covered, if that's what you prefer!). ALL SIZES & SEXES WELCOME!! Because we feel that you don't have to be a size 6 to bellydance, and you shouldn't have to have the "perfect" body to look amazing while doing it!

Sirik - Directly Imported Authentic tribal artifacts from central asia. Tribal Dance accessories, Antique Tribal Clothing, Belly Dance, Tribal Jewels, and much much more!

Mythdemeanor - Screenprinted, hand-dyed and sewn clothing - everything from T-shirts to OOAK custom gowns and steampunk costumes.

Threads In Time - Threads in Time offers merchandise from various interests, with an accent on entertainment. The emphasis is on crafts, handmade costumes, books and movies. I make belly dance costumes - "from my sewing machine to you"

Shimmy Bliss (ebay) - Shimmy Bliss offers innovative quality costumes and accessories to the tribal belly dance community at a great value. Our speciality is American Tribal Style (ATS) belly dance items.

Minxshop - Welcome to my exploration of luxuriously wearable dresses, shirts, skirts, and accessories. A consistently fluctuating endeavor inspired by the world around me.

lululemon athletica - We make technical athletic apparel for yoga, running, dancing, and most other sweaty pursuits. luon® is our signature, original fabric that made lululemon pants famous! luon is moisture wicking and pre-shrunk. It provides great coverage and shape retention and offers four-way stretch for freedom of movement.

Ivee - A fashion forward sportswear company dedicated to creating luxuriously comfortable sportswear embodying simple glamour and natural elegance. Our designs are for the busy yet style-conscious contemporary woman who wants to move effortlessly from the yoga, pilates, or dance studio at the gym to coffee or lunch with effortless yet polished style.

Sugar Petals - A great source for bellydance practice wear. Find unitards, leotards, body stockings, crop tops, and skirts. As well as do-it-yourself pieces to create your own.

BellyArtist Cafe - Bellydance Links Directory (1,479 links and counting)

Links Added: Costuming

2011-06-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

Angel Trim.com - Basic bellydance costume pieces such as hip scarves. Also find an amazing selection of fashion accessories such as sequin bead appliques, hologram venice / venise appliques, rhinestones hotfix motif, bead fringes, lace, and more.

Jon's Imports - Large variety of belly dancing costume and accessories for daily class wear and for stage performance. Great prices. Free shipping on most items.

U Love Bellydance - House of belly dance is a professional China based manufacturer, we specialize in designing and manufacturing many different styles of belly dance costumes

T-Evolution - Check out the debut of our women's clothing line with the hauntingly beautiful and sexy design of the T-evolution Women's Garter Pants. These pants are in limited supply so once we run out that's it for that color and fabric.

A'Kai Silks by Jesennia - A'Kai Silks supplies silk dance veils and skirts to a large number of dance instructors and top professional performers such as the Bellydance Superstars.

Zen and Coffee - Etsy - Arm Warmers & Fingerless Gloves for all seasons and styles! Custom orders are always welcome, and a HUGE stock of fabric and trims are available on hand to make you the perfect pair- that is, if you don't already find it list ;) Each pair is made to last for years of wearing!

Bearbait Wholesale - Ebay - This is a no-frills Ebay store that has great prices on kuchi and Turkomani jewelry and textiles. There are many do-it-yourself components as well as finished pieces. Products range from new-construction tribal-style pieces to genuine antique tribal silver. Bearbait Wholesale also offers quantity discounts for retailers or troupes.

Geka Jewelry - We rummage around to bring you beautiful pieces. We regularly have new items listed so bookmark us and visit often. Our quality is high, but our prices are friendly. We look forward to sharing our precious discoveries with you!

Earth Mother Creations - Etsy - Made to be insanely comfortable but still flattering, Earth Mother Creations are designed for the curvaceous and voluptuous bellydancer.

East Coast Tribal - Ebay - CUSTOM MADE Belly dance wear and accouterments. Tribal belly dance costuming, tribal belts & bras, bindhis, Kuchi jewelry, accessories & textiles. Items from the Middle East, Afghan, Pakistan, Morocco, India and more. Original one of a kind tribal belly dance bra & belts. Offering sizes small to XL

BellyArtist Cafe - Bellydance LInks Directory (1,479 links and growing)

Interview with Lacy Perry of Beledi Boutique

2011-04-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

BACK to BellyArtist Cafe

Interview with Na'la of Shakra

2011-01-31T19:32:00.000-08:00

Featured Artist: Megan Jay

2010-12-25T18:25:00.000-08:00

Megan Jay - Knoxville, TN

Member of the duo Shadhavar Belly dance with partner Claire, Megan has performed across the country at such events as Bonnaroo, TribalCon, TribOriginal, and Elevation, as well as opened for the Yard Dogs Road Show and Le Serpent Rouge.

Brought to you by BellyArtist Cafe - Belly dance Links Directory

Featured Artist: Patricia and the Gypsy Sistars

2010-07-04T06:41:00.001-07:00

Patricia - Murfreesboro, TN
Director of The Gypsy Sistars, an evolving tribal style belly dance group currently featuring Patricia Tenpenny, Becky Seipelt, and Connie Breining.
Brought to you by BellyArtist Cafe - Bellydance lInks Directory

Featured Artist: Claire

2010-05-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

Featured Artist: Sabrina

2010-03-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Brought to you by www.bellyartistcafe.net - A bellydance links directory.

Featured Artist: Jenn

2010-03-02T16:56:00.001-08:00

Costume Shout Out - Merrily Bell

2010-01-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

Merrily Bell: My name is Marilee Bell and I am with Bodhittchta, I’m a BIT, a Bodhi In Training and the costume is made up of well two Hydrangeas with just an assortment of knick knacks I’ve picked up at flea markets and and Southeastern Salvage. Necklace is the rhinestone snake was my mother’s, which actually will stick to skin with body glue, but with the heat I couldn’t manage that. So, that was a hand-me-down from my mother as are bracelets. The ring I believe I got off of Ebay and I believe it was from Parasol Heaven. Let’s see the braids were made with just material from JoAnn’s braided together and then braided into my hair. And then on the bottom, the base of my bottom is my melodies. And then the belt is made from just two skirts that I found at Goodwill that I made into two panels, ripped up and tiered around a belt I already had, also donated from my mother. And then the belly chain is from Parasol Heaven from Ebay that’s just tiered around and I have little bells, cause my last name is Bell. And those were given to me as a gift from my mother from Miss Bee’s Purple Bus at Camp Ocoee River, it’s a bead, hemp, necklace shop on the Ocoee River. And then the gloves were given to me and I just cut them off.

Abby: And the top?

Merrily Bell: Oh, the choli, I got that at the Mardi love workshop from Beledi Boutique out of Atlanta. So, that’s wear I got the choli top and then the bra is just a bra over that. And I think that’s it.

Costume Shout Out - Charlsie

2010-01-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

Charlsie: My name is Charlsy Harrison, I’m a member of the student troupe (of Bohdahitta). I’m a student of Gwyn’s. My hair I actually pin curled it overnight cause my hair is really really straight and so it was an experience, it was the first time I’ve ever done it, so I have big hair. And then I just got this flower at like an arts and crafts place and I just pinned it in. It was a last minute add. I just felt like I needed a flower. And this little dude, it’s kinda funny, I actually got it from an etsy seller on www.etsy.com. It was a handmade piece. One of the other girls is wear another one. I got two and I let her wear the other one. This is just a bikini top. This is like a starter costume, it’s kinda basic. This is a bikini top and I made this cowrie strand. You braid it like macramé, like a macramé necklace and I just put that on there. These are silver chains…

Abby: How did you attach those?

Charlsie: I just looped them thru, they are not sewn on or anything. I was just like I need something dangly and these I just already had these and I just bought this. This is a necklace and it’s just clipped on there. I just found them at a random store, it was only like $6. It’s just a black skirt. This is like the only piece I have that’s really like, that I actually bought for belly dance. It’s from an etsy seller, called Dancing Style and he’s from Japer, India. And it’s actually a handmade 25-yard skirt and they made it to my measurements. It was a really good deal it was only $60. Usually on websites, they are $200 or more. And he does whatever color you want, so I’m gonna buy a lot more from him.

Abby: Yeah, I’m gonna check that out. And your bracelets?

Charlsie: I just had these laying around, they are some bangles. They were like $5. I have a whole bunch more of the same ones. And these earrings a good Target find. They are actually pretty heavy for like a Target earring. I can pretend that they are real.

Featured Artist: Jenyfer

2010-01-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

Featured Artist: Brandon Hanna

2010-01-02T06:25:00.001-08:00

Featured Artist: Daniella

2010-01-02T06:24:00.000-08:00

Featured Artist: Allison

2009-11-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

Rachel Brice Interview

2009-11-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

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Below is an interview with Rachel at the Lexington, KY workshop at Mecca Live Studio & Gallery.

Rachel Brice Interview

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

Abby: Tell us about your first belly dance costume. Did you make it?

Rachel: My first very first one I didn’t make. My teacher gave it to me to wear for performances and my very first costumes, I was a cabaret dancer so I bought Madame Abla costumes, but even back then I had kind of a darker sensibility, so I got one that was all black. I think the whole thing was black and then I made a dark, dark red skirt for it. It was a little cabaret circle skirt, but still it had to be black and red even back in the day with Indian jewelry.

Abby: So, tell us how has your costume style changed/ evolved?

Rachel: It’s evolved primarily from looking at other dancers. First when I got into tribal fusion I was in Jill Parker’s company, Ultra Gypsy, so my first tribal costume was an Ultra Gypsy costume and then when I wasn’t in Ultra Gypsy for awhile I still use my Ultra Gypsy costume until probably a year afterwards, I started making some changes that felt right and then Melodia made her pants and soon as she made those pants I started wearing them all the time and then I met Mardi Love and Mardi has been my primary costume inspiration and I still am endlessly inspired by her and lately I’ve been trying to just look at as many images from the fusion world and from the 20’s as I can and getting inspiration from old showgirl costumes.

Abby: Are there any websites you check out?

Rachel: Well, I went on EBay and I bought a couple of CDs. There was like I don’t even know, maybe like 5,000 images from Follies Bergere showgirls. I don’t even have the capacity to make the costumes I see in these pictures, but they definitely inspire me, so I take those images and I put them on my screen saver so they are constantly coming up. Just trying to drench myself in images from that time so that it becomes apart of my vision and I’m not necessarily copying or lifting any particular ideas but everything is sort of influenced by what I see all the time.

Abby: Do you make the majority of your costumes or does Mardi help?

Rachel: Well, if I could have my way, Mardi would make all my costumes, but since I can’t have my way. I’ll basically buy pantaloons that Mardi makes and then I’ve finally about three years ago started making belts that I liked, which took many years. I just didn’t like anything I made. I just bought Mardi’s belts for a long time till she stopped making them and then I was forced to figure it out. And basically I’ll buy a bra base and cover it in fabric and embellish it with whatever junk I find and the belts I just usually take some upholstery fabric and embellish that too, so I mostly make headdresses, bras, and belts and usually try to find skirts at a thrift store or a vintage clothing store and then wear pantaloons under it.

Abby: Describe the craziest oddest/ belly dance costume you’ve ever worn for a belly dance piece.

Rachel: (pause) I don’t think…

Abby: I heard you wore a mask last night.

Rachel: Yeah, I wore a mask in the show that a made for the Day of the Dead. And that was so liberating to wear a mask in a piece; it was such a relief to not have to think about my face. I don’t think I’ve worn anything that crazy.

Abby: Really, I think you would have.

Rachel: No, I kind of stick to the basics all the time. I’m trying to think.. I know I’ve worn stuff that I think is silly now that I think about it.

Abby: As far as costuming are you a “glue it on and pin it up” or a “strap it down and double stitch it” kinda girl? Cause I remember Jillina talking about how she didn’t let anyone use safety pins.

Rachel: Yeah, no safety pins. Well I mostly use buckles because they stay on. I like to ya know sometimes when I fold a piece of upholstery fabric in half, I’ll slide a belt thru it and that makes it really easy to clasp and the bras I just usually keep the bra clasps that are already and cover them with like and older buckle, like the old sterling buckles and just cover it with that. I discovered a glue gun about a year ago and usually I’ll use the glue gun when I first kinda working with an idea cause it’s easy to pull things off, but then I definitely like to double stitch it because I don’t like things falling off.

Abby: Have you ever had any accidents?

Rachel: Oh yeah, constantly. Mostly on my head. It wasn’t until this year or last year were I discovered that pinning stuff into your hair doesn’t always keep it there and so I’ve been starting to try to make things that just won’t come off whether or not you do a layback or quick turn or whatever. So it’s definitely like strap it down, double stitch it; make sure it’s not going anywhere.

Abby: What’s your favorite part of the costume creation process?

Rachel: My favorite part of the costuming process is collecting the pieces that I’m gonna put on it. I love to hit old antique stores and junk shops and flea markets and find.. Ya know one piece can inspire an entire costume. EBay is one. I have a lot of saved searches on there. So sometimes I’ll happen across a gorgeous piece of a suit and then that will inspire the idea and my favorite part is the collection and then the initial conception of that idea. Usually the finishing is my least favorite part. Like making sure that.. like we were talking about the double stitching and all that stuff is just hard for me. And I also love making headdresses. Just love the whole headdress process.

Abby: Finally what other belly dancer’s costuming style (besides Mardi Love) do you admire? Or any other dance styles.

Rachel: …………besides Mardi?..........

Abby: Well, I guess Mardi’s it.

Rachel: I don’t know, I just really struck pay dirt when I ended up with the opportunity to work with her because just here style is so…

Abby: Is that what drew you to her first, her style?

Rachel: No, her dance style drew me to her first. I saw her when she was performing with Urban Tribal Dance Company. I remember just watching the company and all of a sudden my eye went to her and I just went, “Oh my God, that’s the best dancer I’ve ever seen in my life!” And then Heather was already starting to go for more simple costuming, Mardi didn’t at that time start to bust out and come up with crazy ideas and when she started working with us, she had a place to just start going crazy. Her ideas just blow my mind every time. I see a lot of costumes that I really like. I’ve seen a lot of people wearing beautiful stuff, as far as consistently just having my mind blown by the ideas and the execution. Like the tenderness with which she treats her materials and her sense of color and design and putting totally different elements together in a way that completely works. I just haven’t seen anything that moves me in the same way. Some of the costumes from the showgirls, as far as dance styles, the early 20’s and 30’s because that was before they started to use plastics and fake materials. Such beautiful materials and beautiful embroidery and brocades, tons and tons of cut facade glass and beautiful rhinestones and real metal, but there’s a lot of traditional people whose costumes really blow my mind, like the Huung (sp?) people and of course the Rajasthan Indian Gypsy dancers, like their jewelry and sense of color is incredible. You know the Yard Dog Road show, the Black and Blue burlesque girls, they do incredible costuming. They make their own stuff. The woman who was doing a lot of the costuming for Black and Blue burlesque is the one who started FiveandDiamond.com and brought us so many beautiful things. Phoebe has got an incredible eye and can make something or complex for someone who just needs something simple.

Interview: Mardi Love

2009-10-04T18:35:00.001-07:00

Mardi Love - Interview

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Abby: So first of all when did you start bellydancing, how did you get into it?

Mardi: I started in my early twenties like probably twelve years ago and I don’t know how I got, I kind of fell into it. I hadn’t ever seen a bellydancer, I just thought of it one day that I might like it. And I looked in the yellow pages for bellydance classes didn’t find em, dropped it, and the a few months later I saw a class schedule for community college. They had bellydance class, I went for a little while. It was cabaret, so it was really, I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t the performance realm that I was that interested in and then shortly after Heather Stance moved, the Director of Urban Dance Tribal Company. She moved from Chicago where she was in Read My Hips and I was at her first class. Kind of learned all my ATS and stuff from her.

Abby: Where do you get inspiration for your costumes?

Mardi: Old photos and old textiles, I tend to collect old textiles and I’m really into Mooka, Alfred Cheney Johnston, Arte, Edmond Doolock, Arthur Rackham, and so just old illustrations, old showgirl photos, stuff like that. And then that kind of influences our whole aesthetic.

Abby: Are you like the Artistic Director?

Mardi: No, we all kind of enjoy that old-timey stuff. And also the old music, but it all kind of works together.

Abby: Are there any websites you go to for costumes tips or things to check out?

Mardi: No, more like flea markets and antique shops.

Abby: What’s your favorite part of the whole costume making process?

Mardi: Probably just being surrounded by a bunch of beautiful old components that we get to kind of play with and put together. We are a bunch of crows. Just like our workshops are kind of ridiculous with what they’re full with, so it’s more of just sitting in the workshop, then like having to put something on an article of clothing to wear is sorta secondary.

Abby: Tell me about your first costume. And did you make it yourself?

Mardi: Yeah, we were ATS based, so it was like choli, pantaloons, ten yard skirts, turbans, the whole bit …

(Dance break for 4 year old girl)

So yeah, I made my choli, I couldn’t afford stuff, so it started with not really being able to afford things, not being able to find things, so it started with

(Dance break 2 – She can also do figure 8’S)

and so made my choli, made my coin bra, made my … there was this great bead store in San Diego that anyone who goes there should go to called Folk-art International and he helped me a lot like getting components for starters and stuff and made our belts and our skirts yeah, made the whole things.

Abby: You beaded it yourself?

Mardi: Beaded? No, it was taking old textiles and beginning to… but we made all the tassels and at that time it was like heavy wool tassels, like multiple wool tassels.

Abby: And so I guess your costuming has progressed from there. Do you see yourself going thru like different phases and styles?

Mardi: Well yeah, definitely. With the sort of departure from like straight ATS stuff. The costumes got… Jill Parker kind of spawned that with like dropping the full skirt and going like… dropping the cholis, dropping the turbans and becoming a way more paired down thing. And at the time we were incorporating… we had a couple dancers, Heather Oberon had like a hip hop background, so there was more kind of like street element coming into Urban Tribal Dance Company. We were also dropping a lot of the components. Dropped cholis, dropped turbans. And then when we, when I moved and left urban tribal and went up to the Bay and ended up going out to tour with BDSS with Rachel and Michelle and Sharon, it was more based on, it was more color based and more so … cause Jillina was the director of the whole show, so she’d be like okay I need a white costume and I need a blue costume, so it suddenly changed. It use to be with tribal, you just had one costume your whole show and all of a sudden we had three or four costume changes in a show and it was kind of Jillina who like demanded like that we had a white costume for one of the numbers. And we were like were tribal dancers, we don’t wear white costumes. She’s like its mandatory, you guys are in the show you have to and it was that that sort of turned the whole…. like helped us kind of leave the whole black and silver aspect. Started working more with color and like monochromatic, but more color in the costume and things that weren’t just like black with some tones of wool or whatever.

Abby: Do you see yourself going in any sort of direction now?

Mardi: No, I mean we are sort of these days in the mood more to be. We, I … What I like about Serpent Rouge by the way for example. Which is our project that we do like state side with us and some musicians with the Gallus Brothers and The Crow Quill Night Owls, its more of a variety show than just a straight bellydance show. So it allows us a lot of freedom for experimenting with like entirely different scenarios than just like the sort of folkloric or heavy Middle Eastern kind of feel. So yeah, we still love all the panel skirts, and a suit and stuff, but then we’ll also like donning some big frill skirt with some boots. I think we are like trying to give ourselves like tons of options by being in a show that’s very loose as far as like what the dancing girls are in that show, but rather have a wide range of pieces that allows us to use all the stuff that sits in our workshops. Yeah, we use it all so we can get more.

Featured Artist - Maha Devi

2009-09-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

Featured Artist - Janet

2009-09-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Megan Johnson

2009-09-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

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Megan: I am Megan Johnson. I am the other half of Shadhavar duet. My costume is.. My dance partner Claire actually made a lot of it. The headband, the base of it is from JoAnn’s and the little buttons on it are upholstery tacks that I’ve clipped the sharp part off and glued to it. All the coins on my top and headband are from Ebay ordered in bulk. The brown little beads here are off of a purse. It’s actually a purse strap that I cut up and then sewed to the top. The top is just a cotton lycra very simple triangle top. Chains, just little chains from JoAnn’s attached and looped over here. The rings are antique turquoise rings that I got from my father. And the bracelets, these are from Rajas tan perhaps. These are bangles from an antique store – thrift store over here, a set of three. Ebay the matching sets with the flowers. The belt is my mother’s from the 80’s, so I harvest that from her closet. “When am I gonna get that back.” This is just a piece of left over fabric from the fabric store. And the pantaloons are the same ones as Claire’s and the skirt is a skirt that Claire made as well. And then the earrings are from Talapals.

Abby: Are those wooden?

Megan: Yes they are ebony. And the necklace is from a little Tibetan store in Boulder, CO. It’s braided silver. And then the gloves are just black fishnet gloves with holes cut in.

Abby: And the flowers in your hair.

Megan: Oh this is just a fake flower from the craft store.

Abby: Did you make a barrette or did you just pin it in.

Megan: I cut off most of the stem and stuck it in and then bobby pinned it. So, not that difficult, just kinda all about making it look like its in there, just have to make sure it stays in there when you’re moving around.

Costume Shout Out: Claire Metz Fenner

2009-09-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

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Claire: My name is Claire Metz Fenner, I’m a member of the dance duo Shadhavar and I created my own costume. I design and sell costumes on my website it’s weaseltree.etsy.com. The feather head piece I actually got from my friend Kassar out of New Jersey they are also a fabulous belly dance troupe. The top is actually a swimsuit top and I added sequins and coins to it and kinda re-hashed it and put it all together. The skirt I got at Target along with my scarf from India and then the pants I made, they are pantaloons.

Abby: What kinda fabric is that?

Claire: It’s a chiffon texture, I forgot the name of it, it’s textured with sequins and ribbons. Got it online and turned it into pantaloons.

Abby: Oh you found it online? Where at?

Claire: Ah, Fashion Fabrics. It’s a good place for cheap fabric.

Abby: And the belt?

Claire: And the belt, I actually got from a woman named Krishna, who sells clothing at different belly dance events. I met her at Atlanta, she does not have a website, I asked. I love my belt. The belt I was wearing in the show was actually my own creation.

Abby: And this is just your walk around belt?

Claire: This is my hold my purse and keys belt.

Costume Shout Out: Stephanie

2009-09-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Stephanie: My name is Stephanie Fields and I am the co-director of Bodhicitta Bellydance in Nashville, TN. And starting from the head, gosh I have to look at it in the mirror. Most of these pieces came from thrift stores or flea markets. There’s a butterfly in my hair that was given to me by Marilee Bell, whom I dance with. The earrings were a birthday gift from my brother. The necklace comes from Bohemian Sanctuary in Murfreesboro, TN, you should google that. The top is made from the first shirt that I wore to my first Christmas Party with my boyfriend so its sentimental and then the material I got from my best friend and …. Gosh, Oh the hip scarf I’m wearing was given to me tonight by one of my beginner bellydancer students. The tutu I’m wearing was given to me by my brother. Yeah, I’m wearing the roushed melodias, just google melodia pants and these are the organic line and I bought these two weeks before I started teaching bellydance. So, I felt like I had to have the big girl pants to teach the big girl class and as far as the jewelry is concerned, it’s a collection of gifts and picking up things at thrift stores, bellydance workshops.

Abby: I didn’t realize these were fabric

Stephanie: Yeah these are fabric cuffs. My toenail polish is called Where’s My Limo and so I think I’ve hit all of it.

Costume Shout Out: Abby

2009-07-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Abby

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

Sponsored by BellyArtist Cafe

Abby: For my costume I got a Chinese dress on Ebay and I cut it in half and I kinda cut it above the belly button and the I got a red strip of like satin and I cut it in half and made a ribbon and then I hemmed it to the bottom. I used snaps on the back so the bow would stay up. I tied it and I did kinda like a poofy kinda bow cause I wanted it to have a kimono kinda feel, a mixture of asian stuff. For the bottom I kinda scrunched down the skirt and I pulled it up cause it has two slits. I pulled it up so that I could move in it and then I scrunched down and folded over the top. I got some wrap pants from, I can’t remember where, but they were $14 and come with a little sarong kinda top thing. I got this coin belt from Ebay in a lot of 14 for $150. I made these cowrie shell braids myself. I did like a mixture of yarn and thread and kinda did like a French braid kinda thing and put a bead in every time I flipped it over. Then I added different kinds of tassles, I got beaded tassles. Oh sleeves, my shirt had sleeves and I cut off the sleeves and cause I wanted to be able to move more. That was kinda a challenge cause I was afraid I was going to jack up the whole thing but it turned out okay.

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Costume Shout Out: Ashley

2009-07-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Ashley

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

Sponsored by BellyArtist Cafe

Ashley: I got my top off of Ebay and it came from Japan and it was actually a dress and I cut it in half and put gold thread that I got at Wal-Mart.

Abby: How is it attached in the back?

Ashley: It’s a corset and then these little dangly things here my aunt got me some cheap necklaces for Christmas that you can make into headbands and bracelets and multiple different things so the little loops that came with them I just sewed them to the end. The skirt is the bottom of the dress, I just hemmed that up. The pants I got from Maurice’s. This skirt is the one that Alliah made that we used for her dance last semester. And the flowers that I’m getting from Janet are for my hair.

Abby: Have you attached some extra hair.

Ashley: Yeah, I have extensions in. I got those from Sally’s Beauty Supply for $60.

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Costume Shout Out: Janet

2009-07-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Janet

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Janet: The shirt came from Ebay, it was a long shirt that was cut short and gathered like Jennifer’s with the elastic in the front and a bigger strap was added to the back for more support and actually I’ve got a tank top bathing suit underneath. The bracelets came from Bohemian Sanctuary in Murfreesboro, Lytle Street run by Patricia Tenpenny, she has a store there with clothes as well as bellydance classes. The belt is actually like a 50 cent belt from the Outreach Thrift Store. The little holes that are in it I just strung with coins off Ebay and with some really thick type of thread that’s hopefully not going to break while I’m on stage. The little while things are cowrie shells, I’m going to add some more shells, but those came from Ebay and I’m going to get some more and you can get them from Hobby Lobby which is where I’m going to get some from tomorrow and just do some more. I probably used about a hundred coins. Then I’ve got two chiffon skirts. The blue one was made by Jennifer and then underneath is a chiffon cover up shirt that is also from Bohemian Sanctuary and then Jennifer just cut it into two pieces and sewed it just to be a longer version of the blue. And the pants use to actually be a skirt also from Bohemian Sanctuary made into little booties and I’ve got leggings on underneath and its clipped with a garter thing. And they are fastened to underwear which I’ve got on over the leggings to hold them up cause they want to shag and fall down cause the booties are heavy. I still have to attach the back with something because they like to slide down aswell, but it’s a little bit of a challenge back there.

Abby: What about the headpiece:

Janet: It’s called a tikka

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Costume Shout Out: Arnetta

2009-07-13T12:54:00.001-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Arnetta

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Arnetta: Well I got my top from www.ebay.com and I wore a black sports bra and I took a elastic belt to hold my shirt up. And then I took two scarves from Wal-Mart, $5 each. I hooked them into the hoops of my pants and then after that I just got a little chain belt and I hooked it the pants.

Abby: Where did you get the pants?

Arnetta: The pants I bought from Freds and I ripped the sides of them and I took a scarf that I got from Wal-mart and I sewed scarf into the pants.

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Costume Shout Out: Addie

2009-07-13T12:53:00.001-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Addie

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Addy: When I first started, I knew that I wanted to have a bra top because I saw that a lot of girls did that last semester that was just really cool and it seems like that would fit better instead of trying to create a top myself. So, I got the bra at K-mart for $10. I figured since I was going to ruin it, I shouldn’t spend that much money. Then I got the fabric and the little tassely things and the beads at Hancock Fabrics here in Murfreesboro and then I just sat down and I justed sewed the fabric I cut into triangles and then I kinda folded it around and sewed where I could and then I used a little fabric glue here and there. I fabric glued this piece in the middle, because I couldn’t sew it on, but I didn’t just want it to be black. That would look weird cause it was just like boom, boom. Then my pants I just bought them and cut them up the sides and then I used the extra material that I had from my top and then tied it around my waist to make a hip scarf. Yay. And then I tied one piece on my arm cause I thought it was edgy. And I’ll have jewelry and everything later.

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Costume Shout Out: Jen

2009-07-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Jen

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Jen: Okay, so the top is my headband which was actually a purse strap and I took it apart and sewed some material on the back of it to keep it on my head and really that’s all I did with that and the flowers and the chopsticks. Yeah threw things in, clipped them in. I got feathers too and those are kinda fun, but those are just stuck precariously into the bun. The top was a Abby find at Ebay that I cut off and added some bows to the back to tie it on. And that’s really all I had to do to that.

Abby: What about that little bunching part (referring to her top)?

Jen: I did sew a piece of stretchy material onto the very bottom of the middle of the top. That keeps it tight so nothing falls out. You know what I mean. Down to my belt was an old find on Ebay which I added some coins (the cowrie shell belt) to and these are actually antique coins from somewhere in the middle east. I can’t remember where. I have two skirts, actually I have three skirts. The bottom one is just a black skirt to keep my hinny from show when I bend over. But the two chiffon skirts are just chiffon that I cut and then I zig zagged the edges to make them kinda wavy and to seal the ends so that nothing frays. I have leggings on with booties on over them which was made from a thick flowy spinning skirt that was about tea length. I just cut it in half and sewed up the inside seams and then I attached buttons. I have buttons on my leggings and straps that button them on so that they don’t fall down whenever I’m dancing in them.

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Costume Shout Out: Shawna

2009-07-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Shawna

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Shawna: I got my shirt from Abby and Abby made my shirt for me. Abby got it from Ebay. And the tiny little knot at the top of the neck, I don’t know how I managed to get it tied and anyone who has to get it down quickly is going to be stressed out. But it definitely is beautiful, I love the sexy tear drop affect on the front. I ended up not being able to wear a bra because I could not get a bra to work with it without showing the straps, but I got my fake boobs on so we are okay and I love the dragon flys.

Abby: What about the skirt?

Shawna: My skirt was a dress that the top was cut off.

Abby: So, it’s not the same fabric as the shirt?

Shawna: It’s not the same fabric. We have contrasting patterns here and I like that.

Abby: I like this little flower you put on here.

Shawna: I did put on that flower. I did iron it (skirt). I like it, it feels good.

Abby: And the pants?

Shawna: My pants are from Ek Clothing and I love these pants. Love em, love em, love em.

Abby: What about your hair?

Shawna: My hair, I don’t have Serena in tonite (referring to fake pony tail), so I can’t get inspired on my hair.

Abby: What about those earring?

Shawna: My earrings were handmade by some girls here in Murfreesboro and they are authentic asian beads.

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Costume Shout Out: Melody

2009-07-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Melody

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Melody: Okay I got a dress from Ebay and then I cut it an made a little halter top and put some beads on it and made a skirt from the rest of the dress.

Abby: And how did you attach it in the back?

Melody: I put those little eyelets in the fabric and then wove string through it and hopefully it won’t fall apart. And I got bracelets and jewelry from Charolette Russe and Forever 21.

Abby: Where the earrings from there?

Melody: The earrings were from Charlette Russe. They were the first ones I saw and I was like, Oh, those are perfect. I got this net like skirt from a thrift store.

Abby: And the pants?

Melody: I think Charlette Russe. I’ve had them for awhile.

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Costume Shoutout: Alliah

2009-07-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Alliah

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Alliah: Well, the red pants I got from a Bellydance Superstars show. My belt is a belt that I found off of Ebay and I added just a simple black hip scarf and then I went ahead and sewed on some beads and some old old Turkish coins and tried to tribal it up a little bit. The top I found from Ebay, graciously of Abby. Added a couple of little coins and beads to it aswell.

Abby: Did you cinch it up (her top)?

Alliah: Yes I did, well the inside actually has elastic on the inside that help pulls this together and then I bunched it up here and took a thread and just cinched it and added the little beads. My bracelet I got from Southern Fusion Fest in Atlanta one of the venders there. My friend gave me the little bracelet as a going away present when I moved away from Louisiana when I came here.

Abby: That little red part is that part of your pants?

Alliah: Yes, it is actually part of the pants.

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Costume Shout Out: Danielle

2009-07-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Danielle

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Dani: Okay I’ll start with the bottom. I got these pants from an online store that Abby sent to me called Ek Clothing. This skirt that I have on a got from the renaissance festival a few years ago and I really like it. And I tucked it up into the top of my skirt so that it looked more gypsy-ish. I have on an asian print panel hip scarf that I made. Yes, it’s a belt that ties at the side with big pretty bows.

Abby: It goes with the belt so you cant’ really tell. That’s cool.

Dani: And I actually made that yesterday. It’s not even finished all the way yet. I got this shirt from Moondancebellydance.com for $8. I meant to make it even jazzier, but that’s cool. And the necklace that is hanging from my shirt, I just actually pinned to my bra underneath my shirt with safety pins.

Abby: What about your hair?

Dani: I made hair falls with yarn, different types of yarn and I hung jewels in them so that I could shine and sparkle.

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Costume Shout Out: Amber

2009-07-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Amber

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Amber: Alright so the shirt I got on Ebay and it was pretty long so I folded it and stuck some fabric in it and sewed it across and did some seam tape so it wouldn’t unravel. And I borrowed the shirt underneath it from Abby and the pants from Abby and the hip scarf I actually bought a swim suit wrap from Goodwill. Yes, the black one I bought that from Goodwill and I sliced it up. The blue is a fabric I bought from Hancocks, it was just like a $1.

Abby: How did you make it (skirt)?

Amber: I just cut it and sewed it.

Abby: Was it in two pieces?

Amber: No, it’s just one big long piece. I folded in a triangle and cut it into two triangles and then I cut each triangle in half and tied them on either side and sewed the top together.

Abby: What about your hair thing?

Amber: Oh, that’s just a piece of lycra fabric.

Abby: Bobbie pinned on?

Amber: Yeah

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Costume Shout Out: Cindy

2009-07-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

Costume Shout Out: Cindy

BellyArtist Cafe Costume Shout Out

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Cindy: How did I make my costume. Well I bought my shirt on Ebay and it was longer than what I wanted so I cut it and then bought a piece of elastic and put it around the front of me and sewed it on there and then borrowed some earrings from a friend, borrowed the red hip scarf from another friend and then there you have it, there’s my costume.

Abby: What about your pants?

Cindy: My pants, I bought those on Ebay also.

Abby: What about that black skirt? Is that part of your pants?

Cindy: Yes, it came with it. It actually came with a little skirt also, like a skirt that doesn’t go at a diagonal, but I didn’t want to wear that one cause it looked a little odd, but that’s okay.

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Featured Artist: Abby Brown

2009-07-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

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Q: When did you begin belly dancing?
Abby: In 2004 when I first started belly dancing, I saw a belly dancer at the MPAC (MTSU Performing Arts Club) Show. I was just like WHOA, she blew me away. And belly dancing never really crossed my radar until then and I thought Wow that’s really cool but I never thought I could do it. I really love dancing but,…. I saw a flyer my friend had up posted up and I was like, I know her, and she’s teaching belly dance, oh, that’s cool, I’ll go to it. And I went and it was just so much fun.

Q: Who is your favorite belly dance teacher?
Abby: My favorite belly dance teacher I think would be my first Ariel because she’s the one who introduced me to belly dancing. She is so knowledgable and she is into learning the correct way of doing moves, what they are called, and the history. She’s just awesome. Her performing is just exquisite, it’s just like…. Even though we are not really the same style. She’s more into Raqs Sharqi. I still look to her for like learning moves and things, she just makes it fit any kind of type of style. She could do any style she wanted.

Q: What is your favorite belly dance DVD?
Abby: My favorite belly dance DVD would have to be Bellydance Body with Suhaila. The title is kinda cheesy but it makes you look at shimmys in a whole new light. It gives you different ways of practicing them, so you can have so much more that you can do with a shimmy.

Q: What is your favorite belly dance website?
Abby: My favorite belly dance website other than BellyArtistCafé would have to be Etsy. It’s a place where you can find handmade costumes and you can get ideas for your own costumes. It’s reasonably priced. It’s cool.

Q: How do you come up with ideas for your costumes?
Abby: How do I come up with my costumes. Each one of my costumes is like a different style. It’s like telling a story with each piece. First I go to like different websites that are asian inspired or Egyptian inspired and I see what they use to wear and things like that. I don’t sew my own costumes from patterns but I do like kinda a deconstruction/ reconstruction type of approach. I go to Ebay and Etsy and see what they have there and then I buy it and put it together.

The last costume I worked on I got my inspiration from Black Lotus Clothing. I went to a thrift store and got a womens blazer for $7 and I just cut it up and added trim and shiny things and voila, made by me.

Q: Do you have a performance name?
Abby: I don’t currently have a performance name. I tried one out when I first started dancing and it didn’t really fit. It was like, a lot of other dancers didn’t have performance names, so I was like I don’t have to have one. I’ve been trying one out, well not yet. I was thinking about Rabbit or Rabeat. My husband calls me Rabeat every now and then. But his nickname for me is Rabbit and my Mom’s nickname for me when I was little was Rabbit and they both came up with them separately and I have another friend that use to call me Rabbit. So I’m going to try that one out and see what that’s like.

Q: What do you love about performing?
Abby: I love to dress up. That’s my favorite thing and making costumes. I also love the dancing, but when I’m dressing up I just feel like I’m more bold and confident, usually I’m kinda shy. Being on the stage in my costume, I just feel so much more confident. I feel like another person.

Q: What do you keep in your performance kit?
Abby: I carry, bobby pins, hot glue gun for things that break. I had a ColdHeat Soldering Tool
I thought would be cool to put in there for jewelry that breaks but I can’t find it. That would be a really good thing. What else? Eyelash glue, fake flowers. Anything that needs to be glued on or stuck.

Q: Where would be your dream place to dance?
Abby: I couple of weekends ago me and my husband went to Fall Creek Falls and we hiked down the trail to the bottom. There’s this really awesome rock. It’s not at the foot of the falls but it’s close to it. There’s like this kinda like alcove with this really high ceiling and all these rocks piled up on top. That would be like a gorgeous place to dance and if you had some people sitting around, that would be awesome, with the waterfall in the background, amazing.

Q: Who would you love to dance with or for?
Abby: I just really love to dance with other dancers. I like sharing the stage with other people. I’m not really a solo kinda person. I’ve never done a solo, but maybe I would like it. I just love dancing and feeling the energy of the other dancers, us together up on stage giving a great performance.

Q: Has belly dance affected you confidence and/or body image?
Abby: Belly dance had definitely affected my body image and confidence. In highschool I took ballet and even though I’m a thin person, I felt kinda like the fat one of the group. Ballerinas are like really skinny. I wasn’t really good at ballet either, so that was an issue too. When I took my first belly dance class the dance really just seemed to fit on me. There were different girls in there with different sizes. I noticed how it made everyone look beautiful and it wasn’t awkward. And I haven’t had an issue with it since.

Q: What is the most difficult belly dance move for you?
Abby: It’s the shimmy. The three quarter shimmy I have down pretty good. With all the other ones I have trouble keeping them even, so I’m not so confident with those. But hey, you always gotta have something to work on.

Q: What is your favorite belly dance move?
Abby: My favorite would have to be snake arms. I had an issue with them in the beginning, but now I feel like I learned the trick to them and can do them well and they are just such a great accent to everything else.

Q: What is your belly dance secret?
Abby: My belly dance secret is hair extensions. I know it may not seem like a secret to anyone else but to me since I have short hair and when I perform I usually wear a wig, hair extensions or different colors. I just feel like I’m getting away with something. Like nobody knows that I really have short hair.

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