With the holidays looming, it’s time to think about what the heck to wear for all the fun Victorian Christmas events. I’ve been spending 2012 building up my 18th century wardrobe, but…
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V295: Victorian Plastic – Yes, Victorian; Yes, Plastic
Ever since learning about plastic injection molding of the 1870s, I’ve been gnawing on the idea of Victorian plastics. It seems like an oxymoron – we all know plastic is a 20th…
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V277: Working With Ostrich Feathers: Plumes, Drabs, and Spads
Today I would like to share my experiences with ostriches. … or… at least their feathers. Ostrich feathers are not as straight-forward as one would think. There are three different types of…
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V274: Steampunking at Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City, NV
Last night was our 2nd Annual Victorian Steampunk Ball . It was riotous and epic and wonderful, and despite running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I had a…
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V252: Midnight Vintage Shoe Finds on Etsy
Nothing teaches one the construction and detailing of a vintage or antique shoes as, well, an actual vintage or antique shoe. I was thrilled to find quite a few shoes on Etsy…
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V239: Cassell’s Household Guide
There is something so -udderly- wonderful about household guides of the 19th century. And what is even more wonderful is that they are all out of copyright and readily available to peruse…
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V222: “Miss Nevada” 1890s Vaudeville Secret Gala Costume
I’m terrible at keeping secrets, but managed to not make a peep about my “super-secret Costume College Gala costume” for the greater part of a year. All the Northern Nevada ladies who…
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V211: I Like Big Bustles and I Cannot Lie
It is rather like an insect carapace, isn’t it. Last Friday night, I took a class with the industrious Mary Crawley, leader of the local Steampunk club, High Desert Steam, to learn…
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V171: A Vintage Button Hook
We’ve all seen these funny little tools. What are they for, even? We no longer wear button-up shoes these days, but back in the 1920s and prior, this was an essential tool…
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V169: The Pony Express Re-Ride at Fort Churchill, NV
This past Thursday, my parents and I ventured out to Fort Churchill, Nevada, to see the Pony Express Association’s annual re-ride event, in which riders travel the same route, in the same…
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V163: The Carson City Rendezvous, 1860
Mums on the left, me on the right, in our plaid hoop dresses, and bonnets made by dear friend Maggie This past weekend Mummsies and I attended the Carson City Rendezvous, a…
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V162: My First Re-covered Victorian Parasol
Yesterday I showed you some lovely extant Victorian parasols that I looked at for inspiration in re-covering a long-handled polyester parasol I bought at Valhalla last weekend. This is the original: Here’s…
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V161: Pretty Victorian Parasols
Happy Saturday. I’m a bit late with this entry because I was away at the Carson City Rendezvous for most of the day, but better late than never. These are some inspirational…
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V157: Opinions Please – Mid-Victorian Shoe Survey
Hi Ladies! It’s market research time once again, and your invaluable opinions are needed to help us decide on a mid-Victorian style of shoe, for next year’s historical footwear lineup. Please answer…
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V141: 1865 Gown Remodel DONE!
Once upon a time I made a mid-Victorian gown that didn’t really fit. So I started to remodel it, and got some of the way along, but then stopped. (How many of…
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V139: Costume Painting, Week 6 – Lance the Hunter, 1870s
Last night was the last session of costume painting at the Nevada Museum of Art. We had a great model, Lance, a hard-core re-enactor. He talked all about the little authentic bits…
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V136: Butchart Gardens, The Empress Hotel, and Costumery in BC
The Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens, planted 100 years ago in a quarry. The last day of my cruise with Lady Carolyn was spent in gorgeous Victoria, British Columbia. We visited Butchart…
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V118: Costume Painting 3 -Scantily Clad Carolyn
Last night was class #3 of Costume Painting at the Nevada Museum of Art. Carolyn modeled for us, in her Victorian skivvies. I’m not totally happy with this painting, except the face.…
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V47: Results of the Great Button Boot Survey
Awhile ago I asked you lovelies to take a survey on your preferences for Victorian button boots. Here is what you all had to say… About 455 of you participated. It was…
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V37: Steampunk School Picture Day
Last Saturday Chris and I spent the afternoon snapping photos of the local Steampunk club, “High Desert Steam.” We had access to the Victorian train cars stationed at Victorian Square, in Sparks,…