New Bellydance coin hip scarves at a lower price

We just got in 10 new colors in the bellydance coin hip scarves and they are now $5 cheaper than the old ones but still just as nice! Chiffon fabric with 158 overlapping gold or silver coins. Handstitched crochet work and beading attach the coins for a lightweight and jingly fun-to-wear piece! Check out all our fun bellydance items: http://www.threemusesclothing.com/servlet/the-Belly-Dance/Categories

Bellydance coin hip scarf

 

Length – 66 inches

Width: 11.5 inches

This weekend in Jacksonville: The 4th Annual Snow Ball

Time to get ready for the 4th Annual Snow Ball at The Metro this Friday! Wear white or light blue before 11PM and get your first drink free.

Also, the ladies of Club Shadows will be performing 2 shows.

And what should one wear for a Snow Ball? We have some ideas….  (all items available at www.ThreeMusesClothing.com)

Winter Wonderland Corset

White stockings

White satin steel boned corset

White tulle petticoat

Rhinestone Tiara

White satin opera gloves

White goddess dress

White fuzzy sparkle skirt

White Burlesque Corset

White and Silver Masquerade Mask

Desperately Seeking Susan Jacket replica Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

I’m getting ready to post 2 new jackets for sale and will have a couple more ready soon, including a new leather version! People always have a lot of questions about these, so I thought I’d cover a little Madonna jacket FAQ.

When I started making this jacket I discovered a lot of people loved this movie as much as I did. I was a huge Madonna fan when I was little, and still am. While the movie isn’t exactly Oscar material, it was entertaining and really embodied Madonna’s unique 80s style. The stand-out piece in the costume wardrobe was that jacket, reportedly owned by Jimi Hendrix…or was it Elvis? Either way, we all wanted one. And now you can have your very own Desperately Seeking Susan jacket!

Desperately Seeking Susan jacket

 FAQ:

1) Is this an exact replica?

No. These are handmade and each jacket is different. I would consider them more like “artistic interpretations.” This is not a manufactured replicated copy.

2) Why don’t you take custom orders?

Each jacket takes a long time to do and each one turns out a little different. I don’t use stencils for the design. Also, fabric availability comes and goes. I want people to know exactly what they are getting when they buy this, so each jacket is made then photographed and posted with several photos and details.

3) Why don’t you sell them on ThreeMusesClothing.com?

I sell them on my portfolio site because I can include more photos and show more details for each jacket.

4) Where can I buy one?

Jackets are posted for sale when ready at:

http://www.candy-lee.com/desperately-seeking-susan-jacket

The prices include USPS Priority shipping on US orders and USPS Express on international orders.

Jackets are first come, first serve, but I do have a mailing list that I send out when a new one is posted. If you’d like to be added, just e-mail me at info@threemusesclothing.com and include what size and color you are most interested in.

5) How much do they cost?

Jackets are priced anywhere from $150 – $300 depending on materials used and how they come out.

6) Is the back design embroidered?

No. The current design is a mix of fabric paint, sequins and satin fabric.

7) What is the difference between handmade and upcycled?

While all the jackets are hand-embellished, I do 2 different types:

Handmade – these are fully handmade from scratch start to finish.

Upcycled – these are jackets I have found in thrift stores and thought they would make great Madonna jackets, so I have embellished them and usually changed the collar and cuffs.

8) What sizes do they come in?

All sizes!

9) What color are they?

The real jacket was a dark green with a metallic shimmer, but many people (including me) remember it as black. So I make them in 2 colors- an olive green and black. Every jacket is coated with a layer of very fine gold or silver glitter so it gives off a nice shimmer.

10) How do I clean the jacket?

Due to painting and embellishments, I do not recommend dry-cleaning. Try to spot clean and Febreeze. If you must wash, they are best cleaned by hand washing in cold water. You can soak them in soapy water or Woolite, rinse and then hang to dry.

Clearing up a little corset confusion

Certain terms get thrown around a lot when it comes to corsets and this can make shopping for one a bit confusing. We carry a wide range of corsets from $25 – $200, with most falling in the $35 – $55 range.  When trying out a new company, we actually disassemble one of their corsets to see what it is really made of so we know our products inside and out.

Here’s a list of things you want to keep in mind when shopping for your corset:

1) Top of the line corsets have spiral steel boning with capped ends throughout the corset. This type is very supportive but flexible due to the spring spiral shape. Imagine a skinny slinky squashed flat and that’s what the boning looks like. These corsets typical start at $50 and have a heavier feel than the plastic or light metal boned corsets. Steel boning will last for years because it goes back to its original shape after you take it off. Cheaper plastic boning will start to hold the shape and eventually get permanently bent. And since the ends of plastic boning are sharp, they will often pop out of their casing over time.

Blue satin steel bone corset, $65

2) All metal boning is not equal. Quality boning is thicker and springs back into shape. Some “metal boned” corsets are just as easy to warp as plastic boned.  Again, you can tell a lot about the quality from the weight of the corset. Metal boning and spiral steel boning are not the same.

Spiral steel corset boning

3) The “hooks” down the front of a corset are called the busk. Most front busks are made from metal  but this does not mean it has any steel boning. You will find a lot of cheaper corsets saying they have metal boning when really it is just a metal front busk and plastic boning throughout, or 2 light metal bones in front and plastic on the sides. These are usually priced $25-$40.

4) Cheap plastic boned corsets certainly have their uses and are great for costumes or fashion tops.  We keep many of them in stock just for that reason, but we also let people know it is cheaper because is made of cheap materials. It’s important to know what you are buying and what you can expect from it. If you have a figure that needs a little more support, you will be much more comfortable in a steel boned corset. The fit should be snug and smooth, not like it is cutting into you or so tight you can’t breathe. There’s a huge misconception that corsets are uncomfortable and it’s just not true if you get fitted into the correct size and style for your body.

Plastic boned fashion corset, $25

5) The 4 main types are overbust, halfbust, underbust and waist cincher.

Overbust – a full corset that covers bust to hips

Halfbust – a full corset that only covers the bottom half of the bust to hips

Underbust – similar to a waist cincher but extends up far enough that the top ends in a sloped or curved point to make room for the bust

Waist cincher – goes around the waist, usually straight across on top and can be pointed or flat on bottom. Very short length waist cinchers are also knows as “waspies.”

Light beige steel boned waist cincher, $55

Santa and Mrs. Claus costumes in Jacksonville Magazine Christmas Spectacular

Jacksonville Magazine Christmas Spectacular

A few weeks ago I got an e-mail from Jacksonville Magazine asking if I made Santa costumes. They were putting together their Christmas Spectacular issue and were looking for unique local items to feature. The fact that I had not made a Santa suit before did not stop me from saying “Yes, of course!” I figured I can make just about anything, it’s just that nobody had asked for a Santa suit yet.

So Brema and I dove into the project determined to make a swanky Santa suit and elegant Mrs. Claus dress in just one week. Since this would be representing Three Muses style, I didn’t want it to be the same old red velvet suit and frumpy dress. We picked out a red microsuede fabric and Vogue suit pattern for Santa and a deep red stretch satin for Mrs. Claus. Both outfits were trimmed in white plush faux fur with a hint of sparkle. Since this was going to be a younger version of the couple, I got a blond beard instead of white and a poinsettia headband instead of the usual Mrs. Claus bonnet.

One week later we were ready to go and my husband Sean and I went to the Jacksonville Magazine office to model the new outfits. The result was a great full page photo in the December issue along with a nice little write-up on the business. Somehow my first name got spelled with a “K” but I can’t complain because at least the business name was correct and “Kandy Keane” is close enough. And to give credit where credit is due, I made the dress, but Brema made the suit. (I just added the fur trim and made the hat) Overall it was still great press for the holidays and we are excited to be included in this issue!

Three Muses Santa and Mrs. Claus in Jacksonville Magazine

Time for Holiday and New Years Eve Masquerades

Judging from mask sales in the shop, masquerades are the popular party choice this season. From 40th birthdays to New Years balls, everyone’s getting in on the mask thing. There are at least 2 events coming up in Jacksonville this month, one at The Pearl on Dec. 17th and one at MOCA on Dec. 31st.

To prep for all these masked occasions, we’ve stocked up on unique masks straight from New Orleans. We carry both paper mache’ and acrylic masks, some with feathers and some on sticks…a little of everything.  You can check out a little of the selection online: http://www.threemusesclothing.com/servlet/the-Accessories-cln-Masks/Categories but there are at least 20 styles we don’t have online yet. We also only order 1 of most styles so you won’t be getting the same mask as everyone else.

 

Candy and Brema at VIP Masquerade Ball

Comic inspired art by Austin Brimhall takes us down the rabbit hole

Candy in Wonderland by Austin Brimhall

I got a post on Facebook from an artist asking if I might like a quick sketch. Of course I said yes. Since I often dress as comic book characters, I always enjoy getting artwork of me as a character myself. What followed was a cool sketch of me as Alice falling down the rabbit whole with the trusty White Rabbit pointing out that we are most likely going to be late for some very important date.

 

Here’s a little intro from the artist himself:

“My name’s Austin Brimhall and I’ve always had a passion for art. Like most kids in the ’90s, I was obssessed with cartoons. Some of my biggest inspirations growing up were Bruce Timm of the Batman: Animated Series and Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball Z fame. Which explains why my art retains such a cartoonish appeal. It wasn’t until early high school that I decided to go into comic books. Before that I had always planned to go into animation, prefferably with Pixar. Part of the reason I decided to go with comic books was the freedom to use my own creativity and stories.

I have a couple of comics in the work right now. Currently my personal favorite comics are probably Locke & Key and Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo (check him out!).”

 

You can see more of Austin’s work on his Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1355634842&sk=photos  

 

And see more from other inspired artists on the Three Muses Art page: Three Muses Inspired Art

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday Sale Sale SALE!

We don’t plan on opening at midnight but we are getting in on the sale craze this weekend. Things kick off in the store Friday 11-6 and Sat 11-3 and then move online all day Sunday and Monday. We’ve restocked a lot since Halloween and added more corsets, wigs, hats, tutus and accessories!

Sale details:

Friday & Saturday (in-store only):

40% OFF  Stockings, Tights & Leggings

30% OFF  Packaged Costumes

20% OFF  Corsets & Lingerie

 

Sunday & Monday: (online only)

$10 Off $50 use code CYBER10

$20 Off $100 use code CYBER20

$40 Off $150 use code CYBER40

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Don’t Come Around Here No More, promoting innovations in baking since 1985

There a new book out called I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution that tells the story of the first decade of MTV. Like any kid in the 80′s I watched my fair share of music videos and their impression has lasted way longer than MTV’s programming format. In case you didn’t notice, it’s hard to catch on actual video on MTV anymore!

Several of my costumes have been inspired by those early golden years of music videos so I was particularly excited to get this e-mail recently:

“Hi Candy,
Just saw the costumes you created for Comic Con based on the video I conceived and directed for Tom Petty- they were fantastic!
Best regards,
Jeff (Stein)”

After e-mailing with Jeff a bit, I learned a few interesting tidbits about the video for Don’t Come Around Here No More and the sensation it caused when it came out. All I remember is being both fascinated and totally freaked out by the video. I loved the concept and costumes and the video inspired several versions of my Alice in Wonderland and Mad Hatter costumes.

From Jeff: “So you know you weren’t the only one- the video also completely freaked Tipper Gore’s daughter and was the reason she started the PMRC to police music videos!  I was also cited by a parent/ teachers watchdog organization for “promoting cannibalism”!
Anyway, I really didn’t mean to scare the kiddies!  I thought it was only rock ‘n’ roll…”

This kiddie was 10 years old, and I think that pig in the baby carraige probably gave me nightmares but I still watched the video every time it came on. And I’m betting the Alice cake eating scene probably launched a few unique bakery ideas… But I think that’s the job of a good video- being tantalizing enough to stick in your head for 25 years. I remembered Tom Petty’s giant hat, blond hair and little glasses and enough other people remembered it well enough to know exactly where my inspiration came from. My Alice was a little more obscure since I drew my inspiration from the checkered set and the 3 ladies black and white bodysuits.

Alice and the Mad Hatter

The most Wonder-full time of the year!

This Halloween was truly filled with wonder- Wonder Women that is! Since the main styles sold out quickly, we also sold many of the outfits that had been made for special events. So there are glittery ones and metallic ones and painted ones too…a little of everything. And many people put their own spin on the outfit with wigs, boots and accessories. The feedback and photos has been great, with many costume contest winners in the bunch. That makes a Three Muses costume a good investment when you can make your money back by wearing it  ;)

Get your own Wonderous Woman outfit at http://www.threemusesclothing.com/servlet/the-Costume-Couture/Categories and check out the photos of some of the beautiful wonder ladies that sent in their Halloween pics: