How to put in a hair comb

Women have been wearing hair combs for ages, however, I think many of us have never learned how to properly put in a comb so that it stays in place. Here is a step by step lesson on how to put in a comb so that it stays.




First, you need to put the comb in upside down and backwards, then flip it so that the teeth are pointing down toward your face.


     


Now push it down into place.

Bridal Expo 2015, Bellingham, WA

Whew! what a long, exciting day.  My friend Eileen helped me set up, work and breakdown my booth at the Lakeway Inn 2015 Bridal Expo yesterday. My booth created a lot of interest, since I am the only milliner in the area who can do custom work. We saw a lot of lovely brides to be, their friends, bridal parties and mothers of the bride. My entirely new designs were well received by everyone who stopped by and hope to see many  brides and mothers of the bride this year.  I have to admit, I really love designing custom fascinators for the mothers because I can use the new shapes made from my newest hat blocks from Guy Morse Brown in England.

Bridal Expo at the Lakeway Inn

I am getting ready for the Bridal Expo at the Lakeway Inn in Bellingham, WA.
I have many Bridal fascinators ready for the show and am finishing up an exciting new collection of Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaids fascinators.

Spring Preview

New from Arlene's Original Designs

Blush of Spring on Etsy
www.etsy.com/shop/thefascinatormaven

What a difference advice from an expert makes

From just not there to web site ready

For me to sell my fascinators on line, my potential customers need to see what I have to offer.  Over the years my skill as a milliner has greatly improved but my skill as a photographer has not improved much, I rely on the dummy setting on my Canon camera, a pretty model and my black velvet backdrop. I really like my black backdrop because it makes the colors show up extremely well and it makes my photographs different from most other milliners. My problem was that  I could not photograph my black and navy hats well at all, they simply melted into the background.




 Finally, I decided to call on an expert, I had seen and admired Mark Turner's work for years, so I called him and asked if he would come to my little studio and give me some advice. He gave me many pointers, some were way over my head, things about camera settings etc. but the most valuable advice he gave me was about lighting. I have to admit I still don't have it right but my now my fascinators are bright and easy for my clients to see.




Here are a couple of before and after examples:

Before                                                                 

After

A closer look at Arlene's technique

In a past blog I stated that my hats and fascinators are the best made in America and gave you several reasons why. One of the reasons was that my hand made flowers are not only beautiful but also because they are different from anyone else's flowers.  Here is a close up look at one type flower that I make, which I call blended flowers. These three views are of flowers that have been made by taking apart silk flowers, making and adding more petals made of either organza or crepon sheer and finishing them off with custom stamens.  You will see that the crepon sheer picks up the light and adds a little glint in the sun. 

12th Street Shoes Fashion Show

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to show some of my fascinators in 12th Street Shoes fashion show.  It was a lovely gathering of Bellingham ladies and a few gents. One of the highlights for me was the littlest model, Kayleigh, Jody's (owner of 12th Street Shoes) 5 year old daughter. I made 4 child size fascinators for her and she stole the show.  I was so happy to be able to be a part of this event and to meet so many nice people.