Bad Day Project: Pirate Ship Hair Comb

Tonight I was having a bad day, you know the kind where nothing seems to go right and drama gets thrown at you like....................................................................................... a Frisbee at a dog park.

 What did you think I was going to say.

 (we are a PG blog folks.)

So what do I do when I am having that sort of day?

 I create!

I decide to make a large "leather" Pirate Ship Hair Comb.

HOW DID I DO THAT YOU ASK..... 

Okay you probably didn't ask but I have to pretend someone out there is talking back to me while I type, so bare with me. Here is what I did.

I took a pleather belt, similar to this one.

  I bought mine at a discount jewelry and accessory store for $3.

Carefully tore it apart by separating each piece.

 Then I reattached the grommets.

I backed it with black felt to hide any imperfections that occurred while I was deconstructing the belt. Next I added a comb, finishing the comb with the same black felt.

Then finished off the piece with a pirate ship, this was a pendant from a dollar store necklace. THRIFTY !!! 

After about 2 hours of work, mind you frustrated work which tends to be a bit faster in my case, and you have a new hair accessory! This one cost about $6 in material plus the 2 hours in time. Not too bad, huh?

Here is what mine looks like.

 I didn't take more photos of the actual process, but like I said it was bad mood work and I never think about photos at times like that. Sorry.

This is what I do when I am having a bad day. What do you do?

Steampunk Photo Shoot #3

We are getting so many amazing shots from the talent photographers from Saturday's photo shoot. I am so impressed with them all! The models really ROCKED the whole day. I will continue to share photos as they are released. Today a few AMAZING shots were released!!

This is one of my favorites from today. I love that my handmade hat and goggles are on our Steampunk Juliet. But I am super proud of my hand painted original creation of my Juliet is the Sun and Kills the Envious Moon mask. 

I think it turned out BEAUTIFUL! 

What do you think?

The stunning model, Sarah, really in-bodied a steampunk Juliet persona and photographer, Mike Woods captured an amazing shot. Love that she is looking through the mask as it is covering only half her face. 

Model - Sara White-Pedersen
 The The July Studio - wardrobe & jewelry https://www.facebook.com/TheJulyStudio.Dreamstress
 Nina Pyle - hair & makeup https://www.facebook.com/starburst89
Hat, goggles & mask - www.facebook.com/aBeesCreations
Square Peg Photo - Branson - location and backdrop https://www.facebook.com/SquarePegPhotoStudio Mike Woods/ Woods Web and Photo - photographer https://www.facebook.com/woodswebandphoto.biz

I am enjoying posting these wonderful images from a super creative and fun collaborative photo shoot. If you want to see more shots, you can go to my facebook page. I post photos as they are released so you can catch all the amazing images and can find out more about the TREMENDOUSLY talented people I got to work with.
www.facebook.com/aBeesCreations
  Don't forget to give my page a like by clicking the thumbs up on the page so when I post it comes up in your newsfeed. 

Steampunk Collaborate Photo Shoot #2

On March 22, my business aBeesCreations was a part of an amazing collaboration Steampunk photo shoot.  I had the privilege of having several of my handcrafted hats, accessories and hair pieces paired with marvelous dresses and jewelry. The photo shoot was hosted at Square Peg Photo studio in Branson, Missouri. 

The staff at Square Peg Photo Studio was so great. They were very welcoming and if you are in Branson and want a a great photo studio experience with amazingly talented photographers, you should check them out. 

All the clothes and jewelry was provided by Casey July and Sarina Lane of The July Studio. 

We had several stunning models wearing our creations and were lucky to have several Talented photographers shooting all day! It was amazingly fun!!!!!!!

I shared a sneak peek here.

Here are a few photos of our had a Geisha Steampunk Princess, our Pirate Queen with our Wendy from Neverland, and a Steampunk Red Goddess.

Geisha Steampunk The Green Dream Sarah Elizabeth - Model
 Wardrobe Casey July - The July Studio and Jewelry - Sarina Lane - The July Studio https://www.facebook.com/TheJulyStudio.Dreamstress
Accessories, Hats and Hairpieces - aBeesCreations www.facebook.com/aBeesCreations Hair and Makeup - Nina Pyle
https://www.facebook.com/starburst89
 Photography - Mike Burch  https://www.facebook.com/mike.burch.568
Studio Space and Assistance - Square Peg Photo - Branson  https://www.facebook.com/SquarePegPhotoStudio

Pirate Queen and Peter Pan's Wendy
Angela Graham and daughter - models
Casey July/The July Studio - wardrobe & Sarina Lane - jewelry https://www.facebook.com/TheJulyStudio.Dreamstress
Brandy Howard - hair and makeup
AJ -ABeesCreations - hair pieces, hats, and accessories www.facebook.com/aBeesCreations
 Square Peg Photo - Branson - location and backdrop  https://www.facebook.com/SquarePegPhotoStudio
 Mike Woods/Woods Web and Photo - photographer https://www.facebook.com/woodswebandphoto.biz

Steampunk Red Goddess Amy Burlingame - model
https://www.facebook.com/tyme4changes
Wardrobe and jewelry - The July Studio
 https://www.facebook.com/TheJulyStudio.Dreamstress
hair and makeup - Nina Pyle
 https://www.facebook.com/starburst89
Accessories, hats, hairpieces- aBeesCreations
 www.facebook.com/aBeesCreations
 Photographer - Mike Woods/ Woods Web and Photo
https://www.facebook.com/woodswebandphoto.biz
Studio and Props - Square Peg Photo
 https://www.facebook.com/SquarePegPhotoStudio

 What do you think so far?

 Do you have a favorite?

SteamPunk Photo Shoot Sneak Peek #1

Yesterday, March 22, my business aBeesCreations was a part of an amazing collaboration Steampunk photo shoot at Square Peg Photo studio in Branson, Missouri. I want to thank Bil Deck and the wonderful photographers and employees at Square Peg for being so welcoming and terrific to work with. 
The best part of the day, I got to work with my dear friends Casey July, who is an amazing fashion designer and owner of The July Studio, and Sarina Lane, who is a fantastic jeweler at The July Studio. I had the privilege of having several of my handcrafted hats, accessories and hair pieces paired with marvelous dresses and jewelry.
We had several stunning models wearing our creations and were lucky to have several photographers there to catch exquisite images. I will be posting these images as they are released by the photographers. I hope you enjoy! Here is sneak peek #1:

 Here is our Juliet, model Sara White-Pedersen, wearing my hat and goggles paired with "Juliet" dress by Casey July and necklace by Sarina Lane of The July Studio
Hair and Makeup - Nina Pyle
Photographer - On Point Imagery Crissy Carsten 
Studio Space and Assistance - Square Peg Photo Studio

Be on the look out in the next few weeks for even more AWESOME shots of STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL models from several TALENTED photographers! 

Clara Bow Gotta Love An It Girl

Check out my new design at my CafePress shop. Gotta Love An It Girl; Clara Bow design. Many products available with this design, including this duffel bag.

To purchase click Clara Bow Gotta Love An It Girl Duffel Bag Classic Hollywood aBeesCreations

Robby the Robot for the Sci-fi Fan

I just relisted my Robby the Robot Anne Francis altered art print in my etsy shop. I LOVE sci-fi movies and of course I LOVE LOVE LOVE classic movies! Which is why I use so many classic starlets in my art works. This one is of my favorites. It captures the essence of the early sci-fi movies and of course features the most FAMOUS robot movie star of its time. I mean who doesnt love a Robby the Robot!

 If you would like to order a 5x7 print of my art you can do so at https://www.etsy.com/listing/104910879/anne-francis-and-robby-robot-altered-art

If you are wanting a different size please contact me. THANKS

Steampunk Goggle Tutorial: Easy Level

Steampunk Google Tutorial #1: Easy Level by AJ

First gather your tools and supplies.

1 pair of inexpensive swim goggles.

 I got mine at our local dollar type store for, you guessed it, a whole dollar.

Metallic colored spray paint. 

Your choice in colors. I use a silver and a gold to enhance the style and give the goggles a layered aged look.

Ribbon or leather cording

I used a metallic colored ribbon with metal threads. 

(If you use the leather cording you may have to sew it onto the plastic so a needle and thread will be added.)

Hot glue gun and glue sticks.

Wire, Nuts, Gears, and such to use as embellishment.

Total cost of supplies should be $7 to $15. Of course that depends on the embellishments you use. I had the spray paint on hand so I didn't have to purchase any for this project.

Directions:

1. Take the goggles apart by pushing the lenses out and removing the head strap.

2. Spray paint the frames with your choice of metallic spray paint.

BE SURE YOU ARE OUTSIDE OR IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

I layered two colors, gold and silver to get a aged look.

3. Pick whether you want to use leather material or cording or ribbon. I chose a metallic ribbon because I wanted to keep this simple and didn't really want to sew today. 

If you chose to use leather or leather cording you will need a thick need and thread that matches the color of your leather. You will then hand stitch the leather to the suction area of the lenses.

But like I said I didn't feel like sewing today so I opted for ribbon. I chose a ribbon with metallic threads. 

4. Using a hot glue gun attach the ribbon to the suction area of the lenses. Be Careful not to get glue on the actually lenses, especially if you want to actually see out of these. 

Make sure to fold over the ribbon and finish the inside as well as the outside.

5. After the paint is dry and the suction area is covered in the material, pop the lenses back into the frame.

6. Reattach the head strap to finish reassembling the goggles.

Now you could finish here.

 

But that is NOT much fun now is it?

7. So now for the FUN part! Embellishments!!

I chose gears, a washer, a nut, and some copper colored ribbon wire.  Wrap the wire around your embellishments and through the side strap slits. wrap wire tightly and in a pattern you like. 

Finish up with some hot glue to stabilize the embellishments if needed.

Now if you want you can spray the head  strap and ribbon. Just be careful to tape the lens to keep visibility intact.

Hope you enjoyed my first tutorial. 

Happy Fabricating!

~AJ of aBeesCreations

If you would like to purchase custom made steampunk goggles or other accessories please contact me. 

You can find my Art and Accessories for sale online at

www.etsy.com/shop/aBeesCreations

or 

www.cafepress.com/aBeesCreations

New Design now available

I have new designs in my Cafe Press shop. I am hoping that my springtime design will help me get out of my snowy cabin fever mood.

Here is the design, originally made for an ATC swap, entitled Springtime in Paris.

What do you think she is thinking about?

If you would like to purchase this design on many products including iphone cases, journals and more please visit my shop aBeesCreations on CafePress

SteamPunk Time

I have been working on some Steampunk accessories this last month. I have several pieces currently on loan for some photo shoots and runway shows. But here are a couple that I have on hand. First is a set of Steampunk inspired goggles. Fabricated by me and modeled by my hubby!

They are not attached to the hat but are tied on like a hat band. So that they can be put on any hat or even wear them as a necklace style accessories.

And here is a bowler hat with steampunk inspired embellishments. This hat is one that is currently on loan to The July Studio for photo shoots and runway work.

Here is the hat at one of the photo shoots.

Jenni- Model 

Casey July/ The July Studio- Dress 

Sarina Lane- Jewelry of The July Studio

aBeesCreations/ AJ - Hat

Unfocused Model Photography- Photo — at

 Shoot the Ramsay.

 So what do you think of the steampunk accessories? Are you a fan of this genre?

Both pieces are currently for sale, please contact me for pricing.