Preview: Dixie Ribbon Corset and Ernesta Bow Belt

I sold one of my favorite pieces at Urban Air Market this past weekend: the Trini Ribbon Corset. If you've been following Honey Cooler Handmade, you know Trini was around for quite awhile. She was my first Ribbon Corset, drafted directly from an extant piece... so, tiny. She never fit any of my customers because, let's face it, who has a 20 inch waist in this day in age besides Dita Von Teese?

Apparently, though, Dita's not the only tiny-waisted vixen out there - Trini found a home early in the day on Sunday, and I was at once happy and sad to see her go. Never fear, though, a new linen lovely will be listed in the Etsy shop tomorrow: The Dixie Ribbon Corset. She's quite a bit bigger, perfect for an average size small or medium woman. I would have listed her today, but (corsetiere nightmare of nightmares) I ran out of bones.

Top: Dixie Ribbon Corset, Bottom: Ernesta Bow Belt

Tomorrow, I'll also be listing the Ernesta Bow Belt, which features one of the most stunning brocades I've ever seen atop a crisp petersham waistband and a waterfall of bow action, front and center.

If you simply can't wait til tomorrow, scope out the Ribbon Corsets and Bow Belts already in stock over at the HCH shop.

Custom Bow Belts

Doing custom work is always a treat - if you can dream it, I can make it. These two beauties shipped out to an awesome repeat customer last week!

Check out ready-made Bow Belts here, or convo me to request a custom piece!

Looks from the March Photo Shoot, Part I

The photos from my shoot earlier this month have been steadily rolling in. Make sure to check out the Honey Cooler Handmade Facebook page for updates to the album!

In the meantime, I wanted to break down the looks from the first three shots. Take a peek!

Anya Private Eye Sleep Mask, Helena Deco Camisole, Fidelia Knickers

Lucky Star Deco Camisole, Frankie Bow Belt, Stella Bow Belt

Flossie Deco Camisole, Lucie Garconne Tap Shorts

Photographer: Antonette Streeter
Model: Alexis Carene Hutt
Hair: Brian Jensen
Makeup: Randy Stevens
Stylist: Dominique Guillen
Flowers: John Andrew James

Behind the Scenes of DList Magazine's "Home Alone" Shoot

Gorgeous.

Rubie Makes Her Stage Debut

For those of you unfamiliar with San Francisco's drag scene, let me lay it out for you: this city takes its drag culture very seriously! There are tons of drag queens here, and each of them is awesome in her own way. Singing, lipsynching, dancing and general fabulosity aside, SF's drag queens are known to be incredibly creative and talented dressers. It's been a secret dream of mine to outfit the goddesses of SF drag in all manner of frills, sequins and other pretty stuff. So I was uber excited when a Facebook friend and drag show champion sent me this photo of Tara Wrist (haha!) wearing my Rubie Bow Belt on stage at The Castro's EdgeSF.

Check it out!

Photo: Paris LaQuinta

This photo absolutely made my day!

Now on Etsy: The Victoria, Stella and Henrietta Bow Belts

They're up! Check out more shots of Victoria, Stella and Henrietta in the HCH shop now.

I sewed up extra Bow Belts in time for the holidays since three of mine have been adopted by Bohemian Boudoir's booth over at the Dickens Christmas Faire.

These new additions make great holiday gifts because they work for just about any size and body type. Better yet, they give you the appearance of a cinched waist without the commitment of a traditional corset. Perfection!

The Victoria Bow Belt, The Stella Bow Belt, The Henrietta Bow Belt

Preview: Henrietta and Stella Bow Belts

Just in time for the holiday party season, meet two lovely new Bow Belts. The first, Henrietta, is made of a yummy striped satin and antique Victorian braid. It's topped off with a smart bow and antique crescent moon vignette button. Stella is made of a lovely taupe ribbon printed with shiny silver stars. Both make the perfect stocking stuffer or finishing touch for your own holiday ensemble. Take a peek!

Henrietta Bow Belt (left) and Stella Bow Belt (right)

Detail of the Henrietta Bow Belt 

Detail of the Stella Bow Belt

Look for them in the Honey Cooler Handmade store tomorrow and stay tuned for an uber-precious gift wrap option for all your HCH gift giving needs!

Now on Etsy: Margie and Oralie

Check out my newest shining stars, the Margie Deco Camisole and the Oralie Bow Belt, both available in the Honey Cooler Handmade shop now.

Margie Deco Camisole, Oralie Bow Belt

Margie is made from a lovely wheat motif cornflower blue silk jacquard with a totally sheer cotton tulle yoke and a beautiful antique beading lace detail. She speaks to the romantic in all of us - with all the fussiness of Victoriana and the simplicity of a basic cut.

Oralie is made from a sumptuous antique Edwardian brocade ribbon and finished off with a yummy blue velvet bow... the perfect pops of color for the fall days ahead.

In Progress: Alouette Bow Belt

This beautiful vintage ribbon is one of the loveliest I've ever come across. It's being stitched into a Bow Belt as we speak. If all goes as planned, you'll be able to shake hands with Alouette this afternoon over at the Honey Cooler Handmade shop!

Crimson and Clover

I really didn't have a choice when the lyrics to "Crimson and Clover" settled into my brain this afternoon. I'd been staring at a lovely vintage clover lace, and the rest was history. Though I'd love to say I kept replaying the original version in my head (by Tommy James and the Shondells), I'll admit that I was thinking more Jimmy Eat World. I'm hoping by posting both versions here that I can jettison my internal soundtrack into the universe.

Tommy Jones and the Shondells - Crimson and Clover

Jimmy Eat World - A Praise Chorus

Now for the inspiration behind the music choices: Carmen, Emmy, Millicent and Rubie! If you're feeling the red and green (crimson and clover), hop on over to the Honey Cooler Handmade shop. There's tons to choose from, and if you have your eye on anything, now's the time to snap it up, because Capsule is next weekend!

Clockwise from top left: Carmen Deco Camisole, Emmy Garconne Tap Shorts,

Millicent Garconne Tap Shorts, Rubie Bow Belt

New This Week: Kitty, Ruth, April and Julia

There is so much new in store this week! It's been so satisfying transforming some of my most coveted ribbons, fragments and laces into truly wearable pieces. Check out the freshest additions to my Honey Cooler Handmade Etsy shop!

Clockwise from top left: Kitty Bow Belt, Ruth Souvenir Top,

April Bow Belt, Julia Deco Camisole

What's your favorite piece from the new stash?