One of the coolest things about the Devonshire leather 18th century shoes is that you can paint them and decorate them easily, using leather paints, rhinestones, bias binding, trims, lace, anything really.…
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Shoe Shop Discounts – Opinion Please!
I love coupons, discounts, sales, and promotion, don’t you? We here at the Shoe Shop HQ are trying to decide which you would prefer. Please give us your opinion…. <a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/5612065/”>Which Awesome…
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A 1908 Evening Gown, Beginnings
A little while ago I decided to try a gown from a period I love but have never sewn for, the Edwardian Era. I flipped through my “Costume in Detail” book, admiring…
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What Makes a Historically Accurate Regency Shoe?
The Met: 1790-1810. Before I got into making historical shoes for costumers and reenactors, I spent a lot of time looking for modern shoes that would “make do.” I did things like…
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FREE SHIPPING on Shoes and Etsy Goodies!
To celebrate the American Duchess facebook fan page collecting 2,000 followers, we’re offering FREE Domestic Shipping on, well, EVERYTHING! Get free domestic shipping on shoe and buckle orders at www.american-duchess.com . Also, international…
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Regency Shoes Pricing Poll – Please Vote!
Extant Regency shoes, used as reference for the Pemberlies. I have a very important question to ask you, or rather a very important choice for you to make. I want the “Pemberley”…
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1790s Wrap-Front Gown … Finally Again
You know those projects that get postponed, only to pop back into your life and demand to be finished? This 1790s voile gown is one of them. I originally intended to wear…
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An Interview with Hallie Larkin, At the Sign of the Golden Scissors
A gown by Hallie, on display with the Southcoast Historical Associates Today’s interview, and indeed our first interview here at American Duchess, is with Hallie Larkin, a dedicated and highly awesome historical…
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Duchie Awards for Excellence in Historical Costuming and Bloggery
I would like to give an award to my favorite three costume blogs right now, which is actually a really hard thing to do because I follow at least a hundred of…
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Fashion Face-Off: Regency vs. 1960s
We all know history (and fashion) repeats itself, and designers of the past were as inspired to borrow from previous decades and centuries just as much as fashion labels are today. This…
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18th Century Shoes – It’s That Time Again
October draws near, and the new shipment of Devonshire leather, and Georgiana silk 18th century shoes is due in next week. If you missed out on the pre-sale back in August, never…
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A Day in the 1930s
This past Saturday, Oscar and Debbie Sessions, plus myself, volunteered to appear in a couple historic Reno homes, included in the Reno Historic Preservation Society’s second annual “Harvest of Homes” tour. Oscar…
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SALE on Georgiana 18th C. Silk Shoes (Wide)
Hi Filles and Fops, It’s time for a sale. If you’ve been eyeballing a pair of wide-width silk Georgiana 18th century shoes, now is the perfect time to get them. Purchase…
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Steampunk Invasion of Virginia City, 2011
Gah, I’m so knackered still from this past weekend I just wan to post a few photos. V&T Engine, pulling into the depot in Virginia City, from Carson City. It was the…
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Pretty Victorian Creatures – New Photographs, and New Old Photographs
Holy Fritatas, I’ve been been busy. The Victorian Steampunk Ball is this Saturday and I kinda went off the deep end and decided to make new costume pieces for it…with two days…
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What If I Were…my Grandmother in 1945?
Lots of photography, but not much costuming lately. I’m going through a sewing funk, but still need an outlet for history-related geekery, so photography is it. So far in the “What If…
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What If I Were, 1930s
“What If I Were…sitting with Hurrell in 1930?” Yesterday I received Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques in the mail, and read it cover-to-cover last night. That meant hair adventures today, so I…
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A Dog-uerreotype, and the Purity of Plates and Film
Lol. Of course, a Daguerreotype of a dog is completely impractical. Avi here couldn’t sit still for 10 seconds, let alone 10 minutes or 20 minutes. I’m having so much fun with…
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What If I Were, 1850
“What If I Were in California in 1850?” I’ve been wanting to try a digital recreation of a Daguerreotype for awhile now. They’ve always fascinated and creeped me out, and as I…
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Edwardian Footwear – Thrift Score!
It seems like every time I go in a thrift store lately (all two times in the past two weeks), I come away with some really great stuff. Both the Salvation Army…