Posted on Leave a comment

Autumn Closing In

sculpted leather mask depicting a stag with antlers

We’re starting to feel the first hints of fall here in western Washington! It’s my favorite season as it’s such a delight for the senses. Rich in color and scent, perfect temperatures, and (if you’re a gardener, like I am) bountiful harvests.

We spent much of the summer traveling and working on home repair projects. Life got super busy for a bit there, but I’m settling back into the studio now. The changing season has me working on masks, costume accessories, and other autumnal creations.

The antlered stag mask shown here is a new variant on an old design, and I’m quite pleased with it. I hope that you will be too! There are many more costume creations in the works, as well as jewelry, hair accessories, and a few new surprises. Please check back often to see these new works as they’re added to the site!

Posted on Leave a comment

Made to Order Costume Designs Closing 9/15

Heads up! My “Made to Order” costume designs will be de-listed on Wednesday September 15th. After that, my Halloween offerings will be limited to options that are “Ready to Ship”. I may or may not make these designs available for order again after Halloween – it just depends on how crazy my order queue gets (it’s been pretty crazy, if that’s any indicator).⠀

So if you’ve been planning to order one of these designs, now’s the time! ⠀

I will have a few more one of a kind + ready made offerings before the end of the spooky season. I strongly encourage you to order your costume items early this year.⠀

Posted on Leave a comment

Halloween 2019 Ordering Info

day of the dead mask with red roses

Hi friends! Here’s my Halloween 2019 ordering info, to assist with your costume party planning:

Availability –

Ready to Ship” items are in stock and ready to ship quickly

Made to Order” listings for existing designs from my catalogue can take 1-3 weeks to create, before shipping. These listings will be available until October 1st, 2019.

Custom Work” designed to your specifications can take 2-4 weeks to create, before shipping. An estimated timeline will be provided in advance.
* Very limited availability ~ Halloween commissions close 9/15/19 *


Suggested ordering dates for probable delivery by 10/31/19 –

✫ USA:
1st Class Mail – order by Oct 22nd
Priority Mail – order by Oct 25th
Priority Express Mail – order Oct 28th

✫ INTERNATIONAL:
1st Class Mail – order by Sept 20th
Priority Mail – order by Oct 15th
Priority Express Mail – order by Oct 22nd

USPS 1st Class Mail is the default shipping method. Expedited shipping options are available at checkout.

Click here to see typical transit times for each shipping method.

 

 

 

Posted on Leave a comment

Halloween Ordering Info 2016 (or “he who hesitates is lost”)

leather masks in progress
leather masks in progress

As this photo suggests, I’m already up to my elbows in Halloween prep! I’ve had several requests for custom costumes, so it seems like a good time to let everyone know that commission spots will be very limited this year. Like, extremely limited. So if you’re hoping to have something made from scratch to your specifications, you should definitely contact me soon! To order a one of a kind costume piece, please visit the “Custom Work” section of my website, and fill out the inquiry form there. This form outlines the info that I’ll need in order to understand your project, and it will really streamline the process for both of us. My commission spots fill up quickly, so please don’t put this off!

If you’re simply hoping to have one of my existing designs painted in your colors, I can usually be a bit more flexible. My turn around time for these types of orders is generally around two weeks before shipping, though that wait time gets longer the closer we get to Halloween. You can check out my “Made to Order” section to find mask styles that can be made in your choice of colors.

If you’re in a hurry, please visit my “Ready to Ship” section, for a selection of masks that are in stock and ready to ship quickly. 

Last but not least, I’ll be adding a small selection of unique, one of a kind masks and costume accessories this year. Keep an eye on my website, as well as my Facebook fan page, in order to see these pieces as they’re added.

And just to reiterate: Halloween commissions will be very limited this year. If you’d like a custom costume, now’s the time to get in touch. Please don’t be one of those silly people who contacts me three days (or even 3 weeks) before Halloween in hopes of commissioning a one of a kind piece!

Posted on Leave a comment

Vampire’s Masquerade Ball

one of my painted domino masks

We traveled down to Portland Oregon this weekend to vend at the 9th annual Vampire’s Masquerade Ball. It was a fabulous experience — despite the fact that I had a raging migraine the entire evening, we had a blast! The show’s producer, Lady Raven really goes all out to create an elegant event. Her careful planning and attention to detail are evident everywhere you turn.

The crowd was amazingly well dressed, colorful and friendly. I foolishly forgot to bring my good camera, so I’ve only got these blurry camera phone photos to share. Sorry about that, folks! Hopefully they at least hint at the elegant characters and vibrant costumes at this event.

 one of my “Fae” masks

Oh! And I got to meet my fellow Fae Team member, Susan Tooker (of Susan Tooker’s Spinning Castle). I have long admired her amazing jewelry and costume design skills, so it was a real treat to see them in person. I wish I’d taken a photo of her (the vampire pirate to the left is not Susan) but the aforementioned migraine really put a damper on my thinking/social skills. So,  for now you’ll miss out on photos of Susan as a dark and mysterious faerie queen; however, we had such a great time at this show that I hope to make it down for more Oregon costume events. Maybe I’ll get another chance to connect with her and share some photos on this blog — in the meantime, do check out her store link above. You will not be dissapointed!

red and black “Imp” mask

Another very talented artisan that I met at this event was Laura of Taken by the Sky. She creates exquisite corsets and fantasy clothing. In getting ready for this show, I realized that R & I are in desperate need of new costumes! When we quit smoking, we both gained an absurd amount of weight and nothing fits anymore … I am working on losing the extra pounds, but of course it’s a slow process. I think I will set aside money for one of her cutaway pirate dresses (or a fancy coat?) so that I can reward myself when I’ve made some progress toward weight loss goals.

“Cat” mask

As fate would have it, I was set up close to Cindy of Portland’s Mystique Artisan Gallery. She and I had traded a few emails before the show, to discuss whether my work would be a good fit for her gallery. Almost as soon as we met, we realized that it certainly seems like a good fit! Robb and I stopped by the gallery the next morning on our way out of town, to check out the space and deliver a selection of masks. She’s got a great eye for quality, and she represents some of the most talented mask artists in the US. I am thrilled to have my work included there, and I hope you’ll stop by and say hi if you ever find yourself in the Portland area!

Posted on Leave a comment

Masquerade Party Treasury

.
GoodLookinTreasures was kind enough to include my black and white faerie mask in this gorgeous masquerade treasury (thanks, GoodLookin! ;o) This one features another gorgeous birch bark mask by ladyinthetower and these precious masquerade nesting dolls. Lots of other cool stuff there, so be sure to stop by & take a peek before it’s gone!

It bears mention that I do realize that my last few posts have simply been Etsy treasuries. I hope my readers (if I even have readers?) don’t feel like I’m “copping out” by posting these instead of bigger, wordier posts. I post them because I really do appreciate them, and I want to promote the kind curators and talented artists involved. I also do it to remind myself. It’s a wonderful ego-boo to be included in these, and sometimes I need that. In a way, I’m collecting these treasuries as a reminder, or encouragement to keep on doing what I love.
.

Posted on Leave a comment

MASKerade Party Treasury on Etsy

.
I’m always honored when someone includes my work in an Etsy treasury … and I’m especially thrilled with this one. The curator ( folkartbydonna ) has such a great eye!

All of the choices are whimsical, wonderful and inspiring. Check out that awesome birch bark mask, or the adorable Buho mask by ccaspia. I also fell in love with this Black Crow Farm print by the curator, Donna Atkins.

Once again, some really great stuff. I’m grateful to have my work included alongside these other artists. I say this every time, but it’s true — these treasuries always brighten my day 🙂

.