Labyrinth Project

I am so happy that we finally brought our vision to life. Casey July, The July Studio, and I have been working on putting our Labyrinth Project together since February. On July 25 we were hosted by Distorted Utopia in downtown Springfield Missouri. It is so rewarding to watch your creations come to life. 

Our Sarah and Jareth

Clothing by Casey July, Masks and accessories by AJ Blanton, Photographer Brian Martin

Our living window display

Clothing by Casey July, Masks and accessories by AJ Blanton, Photographer Brian Martin

Clothing by Casey July, Masks and accessories by AJ Blanton, Photographer Blue Skye Photography

Our Ball

Clothing by Casey July, Masks and accessories by AJ Blanton, Photographer Teresa Baker

The Invisible Girl .... Wallflower Son

One of my friends asked on a facebook status a few weeks ago what our super power is.... After very little consideration I answered. INVISIBILITY!

Why invisibility?

It seems that I tend to blend into the background more often than not. I think it is probably a lot to do with my extreme introverted personality and social anxiety. But even when I force myself to be social or conduct business it seems I am still plagued with my invisibility.

A few months ago I attended an event for a movie premier. This event was attended by several people I have not only worked with, and met on several occasions, but people who call themselves my friends. at least on social media. 

I arrived early, as usual. I am a stickler for being prompt! I sat at a table and watched everyone arrive. I even got the courage to speak up and say hi to a few. The result, a blank stare in my direction and then a silent walk on. 

At first a part of my self esteem or lack of took it has a hit! I mean maybe they dont like me. Maybe they didnt want to talk.... so many possibilities passed through my mind. 

After about 45 minutes of being INVISIBLE a very outgoing friend of mine arrived. She walked up to me and then all the people who walked by me started talking to me. Well at least acknowledging my existence. 

So I was determined after that to make an extreme effort to be visible. Problem no one else seemed to get the memo. 

I have attended several events since that night. And guess what, I am still plagued with my invisible powers. The main issue I have is I can't seem to control it. I try to be vocal and visible. But I don't think it works. 

I do get to spend a lot of time being what my son calls the chronic wallflower. I get to study people. This is always interesting. 

Yes, that is a quote from Perks of Being a Wallflower. It is one of my son's favorite books. And he says it reflects a lot of his life. 

I agree with that. I raised a wallflower. 

He isn't as invisible as I am but he is just as introverted.

So I am the Invisible Girl who has a Wallflower Son. 

I am still trying to figure out how to break out or control my invisibilty. I actually do wish I knew how. 

But I also have been told maybe its a good thing to be able to blend into the background in a lot of situations. 

So what is your super power? 

Is it something you wish you could get rid of?

Do you have ways to work with your powers?

Seriously I would love some tips. 

Until next time...

Goodbye from the Invisible Bee.

Artist Spotlight: BLUNDERGIRL WHOVIAN

In my adventure into the cosplay world I get to meet a lot of great artistic people. One of my favorites is Amanda of BlunderGirl Whovian    
I have actually had the opportunity to work with Amanda and on some of her costumes... although she typically does all her own costume work. Which she is FABULOUS at! 

Amanda
Dress by The July Studio
Accessories by aBeesCreations
Photo by Teresa Baker

I met Amanda during the HaHa Tonka collaborative photoshoot in November 2014. Casey July of The July Studio and myself of aBeesCreations worked on a Shattered Silk Studio collaboration for this shoot. The Shattered Silk Studio is the online outlet for collaborative events, projects, and such between aBeesCreations and The July Studio. 
Amanda was one of our models during the shoot. She becane our 1920s inspired butterfly lady. 
And you can see she is stunning! 

Amanda
Photo by Ron McGinnis

After this wonderful experience, I can say I have made a friend. But not just a friend a fellow WHOVIAN friend! 

Yes, I am a Whovian to the core. And Amanda is too. :)

Of course che goes to many conventions throughout the year in her wide array of Doctor Who and his companions cosplays. 

 

BlunderGirl Whovian in all 12 of the Doctors. 

So I asked Amanda when she developed he love for the Doctor and his world?

"I first watched Doctor Who as a suggestion from Netflix,

around 2012. I wasn't instantly as

obsessed with it as I am now. In fact, I really only got partway

through series 3 and then stalled for a few months. But a 

friend at work was really obsessed and told me to keep 

going...so I did. Late 2013, you might remember, was the 

50th anniversary of the show. I saw a pin on pinterest 

advertising Whofest in Dallas as a celebration. I have a 

friend who lives near there and thought it would be fun for a 

trip. Really, attending Whofest is what solidified my passion 

for the show, and for conventions. After going to that 

convention, I was excited to start creating costumes inspired 

by the show."

So Amanda do you have a favorite companion? And if you do why?

"It's hard to answer the question, "Who is your favorite 

Doctor/Companion?". Just like trying to choose between your

favorite kids...I mean, when you dedicate so much of your 

love, devotion, and appreciation to a fandom...you might love

every Doctor and companion in their own way. I will say, 

though, that the one companion whose appearance on 

screen never fails to engage me is River Song. Something 

about Alex Kingston's portrayal is simply riveting. This is not 

a performance that I could let "go on" in the background 

while I'm doing dishes. If River's on screen, she's got my 

attention!"

Amanda not only has AMAZING Doctor cosplays but she has been doing an awesome job with her Year of the Companion Cosplay!

So Amanda, what is your favorite cosplay that you have created?

"My favorite costume so far is the renaissance gown that was

inspired by the TARDIS. I put a lot of love and time into that

dress and it has been extraordinarily fun to wear to 

conventions. It's going up on my Etsy shop soon and I'll be 

giving 100% of the sale price to the Cystic Fibrosis 

Foundation, so watch for that! 

I also really loved the process of creating the War Doctor's 

costume, which my husband wears. That one involved 

painting clothes, which is really fun."

But dont think that Blundergirl Whovian is strictly a Doctor Who Cosplayer..... Although, it is by far my favorite thing she does. I love to see how she interprets the characters from my favorite show!

She also shows her love for a few more favorites. 

Her and her husband love to show their Slytherian House Pride!

Dont forget the LOTR, that is Lord of the Rings, for anyone who doesnt speak my favorite language! The language of the NERD!!!

In February Amanda contacted me to see if I could create a Elfish circlet for her Galadriel cosplay. Of course I was all in! Here is her finished project! 

Amanda even made her husband a Thorin Oakenshield Cosplay.

And you cant forget Game of Thrones... now can you? 

Yes Amanda does that as well. Below is her Daenerys Targaryen.

The dress was made by Casey July and I created the belt, beads, and the shoulder pieces for it. But Amanda brought it to life with her dragon egg and her fun loving spirit! 

Thanks Amanda for always being so awesome and for being a good friend. I can not wait to see what is next.... BTW, idea for next year, Monsters of Doctor Who!! 

Please go give Blundergirl Whovian's pages a like:

www.facebook.com/blundergirl.whovian

www.etsy.com/shop/blundershop

You can find my pages here:

www.facebook.com/ABeesCreations

www.etsy.com/aBeesCreations

WEDDING WEEKEND

I have been a wedding officiant in the Branson Missouri area for over 5 years now. I love doing it! Being a part of a couples special day always makes me feel happy. 

This weekend I actually had the pleasure of officiating 3 weddings in 2 days. 

Such a busy Bee!

I wrote each ceremony to showcase the couples and their journey to get where they are. I always ask my couples to answer some questions and then I work on wording and personalizing their ceremony to fit their personalities. 

I believe that every couple deserves to have their own unique ceremony. 

Although I do not yet have photos from these ceremonies, here are a few photos from past weddings. 

Chasitity and Crew
Photo by Dakota Friend (Friendly Fire Fotography)

Heather and Austin

Vaughan and Julie
Photo by Dakota Friend (Friendly Fire Fotography)

Taylor and Tyler
Photo by AJ Blanton (Friendly Fire Fotography)

Taylor and Tyler 
Photo by AJ Blanton (Friendly Fire Fotography)

If you are getting married in the Southwest Missouri area and want a wedding officiant, please let me know. 

You can book me on GigSalad or Thumbtack

www.gigsalad.com/shattered_silk_weddings_branson

&

www.thumbtack.com/mo/branson/wedding-services/wedding-officiant 

Labyrinth Project back on

I have been working on the Labyrinth Ball scene with fellow artist, Casey July, since February. Labyrinth is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE movies and I was so excited to work on this project!

Unfortunately, We had to reschedule our original plan to showcase the clothing by Casey and the masks and accessories by me. 

But I am happy to report that thanks to the wonderful shop, Distorted Utopia, in Springfield Missouri we are now moving forward. 

The Labyrinth Project is now a Distorted Utopia event featuring clothes by The July Studio and Masks and accessories by aBeesCreations.

Check out the even here

THE LABYRINTH PROJECT at DISTORTED UTOPIA

On July 25th in Springfield Missouri

It all begins with a wish, a summons, if you will. All turns will 

lead to Distorted Utopia. It starts with a live window display, 

from 4:30 until 5:00. The spell will continue as the dancers 

perform inside, wearing beautiful costumes by Casey July. 

You can be a part of the ballroom scene, taking pictures with 

the dancers in full costume. There will be light snacks, photo 

opportunities, and a chance to purchase clothing and 

accessories. You can come in costume, if you wish. 

Distorted Utopia is thrilled to announce the addition of 

handmade clothing by Casey July, to Distorted Utopia's 

amazing clothing and accessories. 

To celebrate this union, Distorted Utopia is 

having a party for all of our friends to see, try on, and plan 

your future steampunk, pinup, and even cosplay outfits! 

Masks and accessories provided by Aj Blanton, of 

aBeesCreations. Don't miss this unique and fun event!