Long time no see….

Hi its been a while, I’ve been laid up with tendonitis in both wrists and elbows and have been out of the studio for a couple of months. But the good news is I’m starting to turn a corner and am back to hand sewing. Sadly I cant machine stitch yet but after a few more Cortisone Injections I should be back soon.

Soooo one of the things I have been doing is  designing costume. I have many designs in my sketch book from new tunics to humongous Ball gowns (sorry Ruth!), but I thought I’d share one of the costume designs I’m working on at the moment..

In April 2013 both Martin and myself are attending the Spectacular, Spectacular Ball which will be held at Heatherden Hall, Pinewood Studios. Details can be found here - https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/146217962178037/

 

Its a costume ball and I think the theme I’m going to go for is FAIRY!… Yes I know not really a surprise to anyone who knows me, but I need to get my glitter on.

I have been toying with some ideas and want to do something different so I’ve been thinking about a stumpwork embroidered corset with an Autumn theme with mushrooms, acorns and possibly blackcurrant/bramble embroidery .

Here is my initial design but I can guarantee it will change, this is just my first draft (excuse photos – I took them with my phone)

 

A while ago I found a photo stumpwork acorns and mushrooms and have been playing with the art form since then. Here is the photo I found which is also the inspiration for the corset

I have a few of WF  Stumpwork kits and also numerous books on the subject. One of the best I have found is by Jane Nicholas http://www.janenicholas.com/ for any one who doesn't know what Stumpwork is its an embroidery technique originating in the 17th century. Individual elements of each design are raised up from the background by using padding or by applying the shape to wire before stitching to the background thereby creating a 3D effect.

 

Here are the photos of the test pieces I’ve produce so far… its gonna take a looooong time!

 

ACORNS:-

MUSHROOMS:-

Sword Tastic

Here is a little pic of the Short sword, Dagger with matching scabbards and belt we made for Helen… I hope she likes them

Busy, Busy, Busy

Its been a very Busy time at The Custom Costume Company…

Dave’s Cloak

Heavily Embroidered Over  Tunic – Celtic Style

Heavily Embroidered Over Tunic – Celtic Style

Tunics for Sale -

Tunics for Helen

There are a few tunics for sale which can be seen in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/CustomCostumeCompany?ref=si_shop and FB page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150223871297061.314931.535842060&type=3#!/groups/114449428594681/

Yeehaaa!

Deborah sent me her choices of the photos taken the other week. 

Personally I love them and am a very happy bunny.

Chris and Deborah made a short video of the weekend

-

Introducing the finished character shoots:-

Florance

Willow

Red Riding Hood

Fox Shaman

 

People who worked on the shoot -

Costume – Me at the Custom Costume Company - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/114449428594681/

Photography - Deborah Selwood from Gecko studios – https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gecko-Studios-Photography/115300968481172

Model – Rhona or  Captn Ron - https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/CaptinMaximus-Ron/280059882060695

Make up for Fox Shaman and Red – Kimberly Champman - https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=631780710

Make up for Willow and Florence – Josie Clarke - https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=854225404&sk=info

Weekend of photo–shoots

Wow all I can say is that I am completely broken!

We have just completed all the photo-shoots and OMG it was a challenge, but thoroughly enjoyable and I would do it again without a second thought.

Over the last few days I have worked with some of the most talented and friendly people ever! and I feel totally inspired and am honoured to have met them. My only disappointment is that Ruth could not be there to share the experience as she too has worked hard on this project.

This weekend I worked with;-

Photography - Deborah Selwood from Gecko studios –  https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gecko-Studios-Photography/115300968481172

Model – Ronny or Captn Ron -  https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/CaptinMaximus-Ron/280059882060695

Make up for Fox Shaman and Red – Kimberly Champman - https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=631780710

Make up for Willow and Florence – Josie Clarke - https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=854225404&sk=info

Video – Chris (sorry I didn’t get your surname). Chris cam on Sunday to film the ‘behind the scenes’ of the shoots. I will post a link as soon as I get it

on average each shoot took approximately 6 to 7 hours to complete.

On Saturday we used the Fox Shaman and Red costumes. Kimberley Chapman did the makeup and was fantastic, she also came out and helped with lighting.

Here is a pic of Kimberley covering Ron’s tattoo and Ron being her cheeky self

Sadly I forgot to take a photo of Kimberley doing Ron’s ‘Red’ makeup, but once Deborah has edited the photos, I will put one up.

 

On Sunday Josie kindly came to do the makeup for both Willow and Florence. Both shoots required a lot of makeup and she did a fabulous job. You would be amazed how much makeup was involved!

Here is the Willow Makeup

 

And here is Florence. At one stage poor Ronny had Josie, Deborah and myself all working on her.

I also want to stress how fantastic Ron was this weekend. She is  AMAZING!!! she  is currently studying at Bournemouth University and came all the way up to Nottinghamshire just for Deborah and myself. She is  a fantastic model who knows what she's doing and easily interpreted what both Deborah and I wanted from the shoots.

The weather was cold all weekend and the studio where she was being made-up was freezing and some of the poses we put her in must have been very uncomfortable, but not once did she complain. At one stage the poor girl got stuck in the car due to how big Florence’s horns were.

 

Throughout the weekend we all took turns filming each other doing our different jobs for the shoot, it was a fantastic experience and it made me realise how important everyone's role was throughout the weekend, also how hard people worked and also how well we all worked together. Deborah has put together a lovely team of people who are very talented and supportive…

I will post Deborah’s photos ASAP