Miss Mina Murray

Dear Constant Reader,

I hate writing these. This one more than most. And it’s taken me so long to figure out what to say.

Toni Elling was the first Legend I met. It was at Miss Exotic World 2006, the first time the event was held in Las Vegas (and the only time I’ve been.) I was sitting by the registration desk, chatting, and this graceful woman came over and said “You look like what we would call an ‘exotic’.” then complimented my outfit and apologized for interrupting. I believe I was speechless beyond…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I’ve been having a wonderful time working in my garden, but I wouldn’t forget your tip. Here it is!

When cast in a theme or other one-off show, think about the reusability of your act.

Your time and creativity are valuable. Spending a lot of time on an act that you’re only going to perform once is kind of a waste. Throwing one together because you’re never going to perform it again is a disservice to yourself and the audience. Consider how you can create the act to be…

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s a lovely Friday here at The Manor! Mostly because I don’t have to be anywhere — a welcome change from the past six weeks or so.

Here’s your tip!

No idea is stupid.

When trying to come up with a new act or costume or show, there is no such thing as a stupid idea. It may not be feasible for certain reasons — budget, space limitations, technology, your own skills — but maybe it’s a jumping off point. Maybe it’s something you can come back to later when circumstances have changed. Or…

Dear Constant Reader,

Tomorrow night The BeauTease are appearing in Spring Fling, our post-Expo celebratory show, at Deacon Giles. Get your tickets now because you know how limited seating is! You’ll get to see the act that I performed at Booklover’s Burlesque in Oregon plus a fan dance that has not seen the light of day for many years.

Here’s your tip!

If you are renting a venue and you need to leave it in exactly the same condition and configuration as when you arrived, take lots of photos before you do…

Dear Constant Reader,

The past six weeks have been a crazy whirlwind and I want to tell you all about them. However, that will be after I host a Burly-Q Party and perform in Spring Fling with The BeauTease this weekend.  After that I might have a moment or tree at my writing desk. 

In short:

Booklover’s Burlesque Festival — delightful

Costume-Con 39 — lovely

The Great Burlesque Expo — excellent

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron,…

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday! Tip time!

Organize your photos and videos.

Decide on a system that works for you and stick with it. Whenever you receive your pictures, take a few minutes to put them in your photo storage place, whether that’s on your computer, on storage media, on-line or somewhere else, but they should all be in the same place, so you always know where to find them.

I make sure each photo can be identified by date, event, and photographer. If I’m feeling really virtuous, I also tag them…

Dear Constant Reader,

Greeting from San Jose, CA! I’m at Costume-Con this weekend. Two cross-country trips a week apart… I’m not exactly sure how that happened…

Anyhow, here’s your tip!

When measuring yourself for a costume or fitting one, ask a friend for help.

It’s possible, especially of you have an excellent dress form, to do this sort of thing yourself, but it’s always more accurate to do it on your own body. However, if you move, you’re changing your measurements. And you might need to contort…

Dear Constant Reader,

Greetings from Oregon! I’m in Portland for the first annual Booklover’s Burlesque Festival. If you were one of the lucky ones to get a ticket to the now-sold-out Cozy Classics Brunch, you’ll see me perform The Faerie Queene on Sunday.

Here’s your tip!

When traveling, plan your outfits to bring the fewest items while still looking good.

I know there’s this image of the showgirl with her massive pile of suitcases. Legends would travel with trunks, one for the theatre and one for the…

Dear Constant Reader,

Just a quickie today…

If you’re using magnets on your costume and they’re proving too strong, swap one of the pair for a steel washer.

The magnet-to-metal connection is weaker than magnet-to-magnet and will make it easier to remove.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Just a quickie! Book is due today!

If your hem falls down, temporarily mend it with pastie tape!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.