MayFaire Moon Corsets & Costumes

Queen of Hearts

2009-10-29T06:05:13Z

Queen of Hearts, originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

Just in case you thought I wasn't busy enough, this went out today: the lovely Queen of Hearts. It's going to the utterly fabulous Linda in Boston, for a costume wedding on Halloween.

One of the OTHER reasons no one's seen me.

2009-10-15T01:16:08Z

Organza before and after., originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

This is the second of three big projects all due right now. It's a lovely wedding gown in blue satin with a white embroidered organza overlay. It just went out the door a few hours ago with a very happy bride. Huzzah!

What am I working on?

2009-10-12T20:24:12Z

Textures., originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

Well, it's been a while since I posted, I know, but I thought I'd let everyone know where I am: awash in bridal! I'l have another gown to photograph and put up soon, but these quick-and-dirty shots should give you an idea of what's going on.

This gown: embroidered Chinese silk, tulle, and lace. It will feature detached hand-painted silk sleeves, a four-yard detachable train, and a five-yard tulle veil with hand-appliquèd lace motifs, all beaded with 1,400 real gemstones in garnet, citrine, and ruby.

I can't wait!

Bliss....

2009-02-23T05:27:31Z

I'll post photos when I can-- the ones that won't get someone slapped-- but for now, suffice it to say that I had an amazing time at Wicked. I saw people I haven't seen in ages, and I heard, "I came to Wicked specifically because I knew you were going to be here" from a bride-to-be who commissioned a wedding gown. I worked all day, then got to dive into a dancefloor full of glorious freaks. I've been away from my tribe for far, far too long.

Business was good, the company was excellent, and a good time was had by most. Thank you to everyone who came out to see me and the show!

A special announcement!

2009-02-19T15:22:40Z

I have something to show you. You know you want to look.

Soon, all too soon!

2009-02-17T08:49:59Z

Will I see you there?

Where will I be? What am I doing? What's with the handbasket?

2009-02-06T16:16:35Z

Well, I'm glad you asked.

In two weeks' time (February 20th, 21st, and 22nd) I'll be at the sometimes-disturbing but always-exciting Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire in lovely Whippany, NJ. At lest, they tell me it's lovely-- I don't think I've ever been there. But the hotel's supposed to be absolutely fantastic-- with a real Irish pub in the lobby!-- so I'm quite chuffed.

I've also just come back from another buying trip across the Great Pond to pick up new silks from my favourite shop in London. I'll have samples at the show, and oh, you'll love them. They're exquisite. I'll post some photos.

Lastly, I am now conducting a search for MayFaire Moon Minions of Doom.

It's not the most glorious of positions, but it can be fun. I need someone to help me transfer patterns, cut them, pin them together, and do some basic sewing. Depending on experience, there may be a little more. You have to be precise on many aspects of this stuff, and I can be quite...er...detail-oriented, shall we say. I can't really pay, but you do get fed while you're here in my exceedingly small and somewhat disorganised home/workspace. You may learn some new sewing skills. You get all the West Wing/HGTV/Daily Show you can watch.

You also get your very own, custom-made, MayFaire Moon Corset.

I have a dog and three cats, so if you're allergic, this might not be your best option. My schedule is kind of nuts, but that can be an advantage, especially if yours is, too.

Feel free to spread the word, if you know someone who might be interested.

Probably one my most fun corsets.

2008-11-06T05:01:42Z

A custom three-lace made from New Kids On The Block bedsheets. Yes, I made a New Kids On The Block Corset.

Pictures will follow. G-d help us all.

And the other....

2008-10-30T01:22:17Z

Rapunzel Two, originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

Image by Faith of Tiny Dragon Productions; Model: Donna Ricci; corset by MayFaire Moon Corsets & Costumes.

Rapunzel has given up on her Prince coming to get her. Perhaps there IS no Prince.

At last.

2008-10-30T01:21:27Z

Rapunzel One, originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

It's taken...mmm...two years? But I finally have the most amazing image of the MayFaire Moon Rapunzel corset. It was done by Faith of Tiny Dragon Productions, and is being worn by the glorious Donna Ricci, gothic supermodel.

Er...seems I forgot to mention....

2008-09-15T20:09:05Z

...that I was at Salon Con this past weekend. Mea Culpa.

But much fun was had by all. Seriously. This was also my first time doing two shows at once, and while I had visions of crashing and burning like one of Abney Park's airships, it actually turned out to be a great show. This is only its third year, and there were some growing pains, to be sure, but I'll definitely go back next year.

Sadly, I took a grand total of ONE customer shot. But it's a good one. Many thanks to the lovely Shadesong for permission to post!

Next show, Wicked Winter, 20th to the 22nd of February. And I've just been told it's a good idea to book your hotel room NOW. As in, NOW.

I'm also, of course, still at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire every weekend through the end of October. Do come out and say hello!

Must be said, alas.

2008-06-09T23:52:10Z

Hullo, all. Today, I'd like to talk to you about stripping. Yes, taking off your clothes. Specifically, taking off a MayFaire Moon Corset.

Please remember that these are handmade pieces, and that I love each and every one of them. Even the ones I want to throw across the room. When you put them on, you should feel proud and uplifted and very, very upright. When you take them off, you should feel like you've had a good day, and looked good. Your corset should be a trusty friend for you all the live-long day, helping you do what you need to do in a fabulously curvy way.

And so they shall-- they'll do their utmost for you, because that's the way they were brought up: to do their jobs, and do them well. All they ask in return is a little loving care, and common sense.

In other words, when you take your corset off, please remember a few things, especially if it's your first time doing so.

1. Go in one direction. All the way down or all the way up, it doesn't matter. But it'll be easier, trust me, because if you don't:

2. Your corset may hinge on one post and keyhole if you can't get all of them unattached in one direction. Usually, this is going to be one of the middle clasps. This happens all the time, and can be annoying, but take a breath-- yes, you can-- and try a different tack, namely:

3. Re-hook either the top or the bottom clasp, and use it as a fulcrum to undo the obstinate clasp. In other words, if the center clasp is stuck, re-hook the top, grab the stomacher on both sides at the bottom, and use the top clasp to lever the center one open. Think of that top clasp like a hinge, or the screw in a pair of scissors.

4. If this fails, just loosen the ribbons until enough tension is off the busk that it opens all the way. You'll have to tighten again later, but eventually, you'll get used to it, and this will all become much simpler. And you won't have to worry about tightening and loosening, which is the point.

The busks I use are incredibly strong. In all the years I've been doing this, I've had exactly two break-- both because someone panicked, and couldn't get the corset off. The first time, a post just popped right off. The second, wow...I'm not sure I want to know what happened, but one keyhole was snapped, the one below it was bent and shows metal fatigue, and the steel of the busk was bent. Really. It's okay. Take a deep breath, and reread the above instructions. Unlace completely if you have to.

But please, please don't hurt your new baby. It's only doing what it was made to do.

The End Is Near!

2008-06-06T14:54:32Z

I've had a great response-- woot!-- but alas, all good things must come to an end. So if you still want to order a MayFaire Moon Corset at the sale price of $50 off, today would be your last chance!

If you have ordered, but I haven't sent you a measurement list, drop me a line or comment here, and I'll zip that out to you.

Thanks to one and all!

ARRR!

2008-05-30T01:40:14Z

ARRRR!, originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

One of my sales from the first weekend of VARF: the Pirate Map Corset, complete with Freddie's Booty Pin. The corset was a stock piece, but it fits this fabulous woman SO very well. She's been back several times, and very time, I get someone coming to my booth and saying, "Did you make that? It's GORGEOUS!"

Want one? They're $350 for a custom-made 3-lace, and $450 for a custom-made 5-lace. Come see me at a show, and I might even have one ready-to-wear. And I promise you, they turn heads EVERYWHERE.

A sale! Great heavens, a SALE!

2008-05-29T23:11:19Z

Have a look here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ysobelle/sets/72157605323965884/

Like what you see? Hey, I'm here for you.

Some things to keep in mind: when I say average, it can mean anything from a size six to a size fourteen. I'm not being difficult, I swear: these corsets really will fit anyone in that range, though some better than others. When I say average length, I mean the measurement from underarm to waist is about 8". Taller women are often, but not always, 8.5", 9" or up. Shorter women, of course, 6.5" up to 8". Please do contact me at info@mayfairemoon with any questions.

This sale will run through June 6th, but I can't guarantee I won't sell these at VARF. And you must mention the sale, of course, or I won't know to give you your lovely discount. As always, I do accept payment plans: I require $100 down, and you have six months to pay the balance.

Thanks very much!

Huzzah! A Schedule!

2008-03-27T17:32:01Z

So yes, I WILL be at Fairie Fest, May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2008 at Spoutwood Farm in Glen Rock, PA: http://www.fairiefestival.net/

And yes, I WILL be at The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, August 9-10 through October 25-26
Plus Labor Day Monday, 11am-8pm
http://www.parenfaire.com/

And it looks like I WILL be at Salon Con, September 13th 2008:
http://salonconvention.com/

And if anyone has any further suggestions, let me know!

At last!

2008-02-23T01:17:27Z

At long last, I managed to get a few of the amazing photos kylecassidy took of jenny_fur's wedding gown uploaded to my site.

http://www.mayfairemoon.com/gallery/view.php?gallery_id=8&page=1

No, I didn't have to sacrifice small animals to do it-- it just felt that way. At least this time I didn't have to email snipeyhead in a panic. That's progress, right? Kind of?

Woot!

2008-02-19T07:23:13Z

Thanks to Chateau Bizarre for the link!

http://www.chateaubizarre.com/

I'm a featured retailer of the day! YAY!

We'll have fun if it kills us, dammit.

2008-02-01T00:57:17Z

Okay. So as most of you are aware, we've had a few...issues...with the Holiday Inn where the Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire is to be held this weekend. Having said that, I fully intend to party like it's 1989 (What can I say, I was living in London then. As a student. Rent-free. Werd!) and bring some nifty new corsets to sell.

Please do stop by. And if I'm standing there with a baseball bat and a blood glare in my eyes, you'll know why.

PS-- My Magic 8-Ball says I'm going to make money this weekend. So if the hotel gets in my way and gives me any more grief, I shall beat them with live skunks. From a distance, of course.

And where am I already booked?

2008-01-15T22:48:09Z

http://www.wickedfaire.com/

I should have posted about last weekend's event, the Fetish Fair Fleamarket thrown by those fabulous folks at NELA, the New England Leather Alliance, up in Providence, Rhode Island. That was quite a weekend. My bad. But I'll be at Wicked next, which will be on February 8th and 9th, at the Holiday Inn in Edison, NJ.

After that, I'm looking into Dark Odyssey's Winterfire in DC in March. Then, as previously stated, I'm looking for events in April, May, June, and July. All suggestions welcome!

Looking for more, more, MORE!

2008-01-15T22:15:49Z

So. Where would YOU like to see MayFaire Moon? I want to do more fetish events, more fairie events-- hell, just more events. Not at the same time as the PA Ren Faire, as I think my head would explode, but during the other nine months. (November-July.)

For example: who does/knows/supports/abhors:

Dark Odyssey Winterfire: Washington, DC, March 21-23 (http://www.darkodyssey.com/winterfire/home.html)

Marcon: Columbus, Ohio, May 23-25 (http://www.marcon.org/index.php)

Balticon: Baltimore, MD, May 23-26 (http://www.balticon.org/)

Otakon: August 8-10, Baltimore, MD (http://www.otakon.com/default2.asp)

Who attends these events? Do you think I'd do well there? Why? Or why not? I'm looking for all the feedback I can get, so by all means, ask around, and feel free to repost!

ETA!

Well, it looks like PARF runs from August 9th to October 26th this year. So scratch the Otakon/Convergence idea. Back to the drawing board!

Catching up!

2007-05-25T06:16:36Z

I've been hideously lax in updating the MayFaire Moon LiveJournal. So this is what I've posted in my personal journal, covering the fabulous time I had at Fairie Fest, and the other Very Important News for MFM.

Woot!

Entry The First!

First off, I have to say Fairie Fest went wonderfully, thanks in a VERY large part to the fabulousness of gypsybandit, surlywench, snugglyevil, mirroreyes, duckypin_tfa and husband, and the as-yet-LiveJournalless Sterling. I wound up having my best show yet, though I've realised there are several productive changes I can make to ensure the back-of-house procedures run more smoothly. I was amazed to find that, far from being overstaffed, I was actually tight for people when the booth got crowded. Good to know.

Speaking of the booth, my sparkling new Panther Pavilion went up lickety-split, thanks to surlywench, who truly knows her shite when it comes to pitching a tent. (This is the originator of, "Oh, look-- a rock!" after all.) It was lovely to have the space, and it feels quite airy and light, being all fresh and new. Thank G-d for a dry weekend: we folded it up, and the canvases came home with me for safekeeping, where they'll stay nice and dry.

mirroreyes and snugglyevil also brilliantly decorated with my extra fabrics, displaying my wares, so to speak, and making the tent look much more attractive. I'd been toying with the idea myself, but as usually, had had far more complicated visions that were fairly pointless at that moment. Also, bless foxglove_8778 for the loan of her amazing wedding dress, which brough little girls in in droves to ooh and ahh, and several brides to drool. I had an Amy Lee ringer who told her fiance that she didn't care about the rest of the wedding plans and he could do what he wanted-- she just wanted a MayFaire Moon wedding dress. Awwww, yeah.

I'm most proud, though, of the corset that was made from the embroidered Indian silk I waffled about for two years before buying. It's a pale pink with pink lilies and green leaves and stems embroidered on it, and laced in pale pink ribbons. It's utterly gorgeous, and I've been showing it off everywhere. surlywench did a fabulous job cutting it with only a little guidance, and it's nigh unto perfect.

Today was yet another milestone in MayFaire Moon life: today, we broke ground on the new booth at PARF. While the photos of Craig swinging the mini backhoe with abandon are pretty boring for most folks, I do promise I was in ecstasies. I was also in the very bright sun, and my arms-- especially the left one-- are crisped. Owowow. By the time the encroaching storm forced us to call it a day, nine of the thirty holes were dug, and only one had to be temporarily abandonded due to a big honkin' rock. Frighteningly, though, NO ONE knows what's buried where on site, so no one could tell us if we were in danger of hitting water, sewer, or electrical lines. "Go slow, and see what you hit," they said. Woo.

Tomorrow, the rest of the holes, though I'll be home attempting to get some work done, as I can't work a back hoe, and there's little else of use I can do. Anyone wants to come out and help next week, though, you're very welcome to.

Entry the Second!

Booth Building!
Originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

As Angela looks on, plans in hand, Craig takes the first bite out of PARF dirt for the new MayFaire Moon booth-- only to encounter an extraordinarily large rock a foot or so down.

Oh, well. At least it wasn't an electrical conduit, or a sewer line. No one knows where those are, you see. Seriously. No one. There are no site plans for such things. I kid you not.

Updates! Get your updates here!

2007-04-17T06:10:52Z

Well, as you may know, the second date in Ohio didn't happen. Alas, I must have been over their budget, as they didn't contact me again. The first date, however, went off rather well, though I could have cut out several slides from my PowerPoint presentation, and no one would have been the wiser. I made new friends, had a fabulous time, and got to geek out about corsetry. What more could I ask for?

Speaking of which, I am, at last, in the home stretch for my next engagement: Fairie Festival, in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. This is an event I haven't attended before, but many of my friends and fellow merchants have, and they've all had wonderful, wonderful things to say about it. I can't wait! I take delivery of MayFaire Moon Mobile mere days before: my very own 12'x18' Panther Pavilion. Now I just have to get my sign together, and I'm good to go. I hope.

Fairie Fest runs May 4th from noon to 7pm, and May 5th and 6th from 10am to 6pm. I'll have some truly lovely corsets to share: I got some absolutely beautiful silks, and they're ready and waiting to be made up. And, as ever, pre-made corsets are $50 less than custom corsets, so come check out my stock.

Hope to see you there!

Because once is never enough!

2007-03-03T01:56:02Z

Okay, so apparently, I'm big in Ohio.

April 15th

Before Meeting Social and Dinner - 6pm
At the Rock Bottom Brewery in the Powerhouse. Ask for the Ohio SMART table. We usually have
at large table for 20 or moe in the bar area. We start at 6pm. Come socialize with other members.
Rock Bottom Brewery - 2000 Sycamore Street - Cleveland, Ohio 44113 - ph 216-623-1555

Newcomers Meeting - 7pm
At the Rock Bottom Brewery in the Powerhouse - ask for the Ohio SMART Table. We are in the bar area.. Newcomers Meeting starts at 7pm.
Rock Bottom Brewery - 2000 Sycamore Street - Cleveland, Ohio 44113 - ph 216-623-1555

Monthly Meeting - 8pm
Doors open 7:30-8:30pm & 10-11p
****Meeting is held at the Dungeon around the corner from Rock Bottom Brewery*****

Play Party - 10pm
Dungeon Play Party after the meeting. 10:00pm until 2:00am. Note the new later closing time!!!

New Pricing for Ohio SMART Meetings !!!!
Meeting only - Members are $10 each
Non-members are $20 each

Play Party only - Members are $10 each
Non-members are $20 each

Meeting and Play Party
Members are $15 each
Non-members are $25 each

Membership is $25, good for 1 year from the date you join. You may join at anytime. When you join you will receive the member rate that night. Members usually receive a $10 discount for every event they attend.

Dress is either casual or fetish wear. Full Nudity is allowed. We have multiple bathrooms and you are welcome to change after you arrive. Please note we are on the 4th floor, and there is NO elevator. You will have to walk up 3 flights of stairs.

Speaker for Meeting: Me!

Yup. That's right. OhioSMART is flying me out to Cleveland to give a talk/class on corsets, as apparently just doing it on Columbus isn't enough. Now alll I need is someone to want me in, say, Dublin or Paris. Actually, I'd do Atlanta this time of year, too.

Please note that the address for the dungeon where the meeting is held is NOT posted on the OhioSMART website for obvious reasons. Everyone will meet at Rock Bottom, and walk around the corner. All are welcome, and I'll have corsets to sell and will be taking measurements for those interested after the class. Bring your friends, and bring your questions! As a matter of fact, if anyone has anything they'd specifically like me to cover-- whether you'll be there or not-- let me know!

Check them out at http://www.ohiosmart.org

Getting all scholarly.

2007-02-19T07:28:53Z

http://www.nlacolumbus.com/orphans/calendar.html

NLA-Columbus General Meeting. 2PM. Open to everybody. Stonewall Columbus, 1160 North High Street, Columbus, 43201.

On Sunday, March 11th, I'll, be giving a talk on corsets in Columbus, Ohio, hosted by NLA:Columbus. It's a free event, I'm given to understand, so if you're interested, come out and hear me. To make matters even MORE interesting, I have no idea as yet exactly what I'm going to say, so this could be quite amusing.