I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.
This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !
Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !
Today, let’s talk about some Sweet Sarcasm…
This sassy character will keep you guessing about her true intent, as she can be so gentle and sweet one second, then swoosh, you’ve be sliced with the sword of sarcasm she keeps hidden behind that smile…
#alliterationmuch?
With an evening gown to show her elegance…And on a lighter happier note…
The design…
How amazing is this ? A totally reversible silk jacket that has a pocket accessible in both directions?!
Sweet Sarcasm had a vision of the jacket and we could not decide which silk would work better – so we chose both!!
Worn with an evening gown or a casual matching skirt or pants, this jacket will be a staple!
Custom Reversible jacket in silk:
Labour $495
Supplies:
3m Gold silk
3m burgundy silk
Two fabulous buttons
We also had some fun at the Capital Wedding Show…
Sweet Sarcasm being Sassy!Sweet Sarcasm being …Smirky<?>
One more fun thing that we were able to enjoy at this year’s Capital Wedding Show was meeting and participating in 3DAvatar‘s booth:
You walk into their time machine and are immortalized instantly!
Instead of trying to choose a weekend date or evening date that might work for some, but not others, I will be setting up 30 minute appointments for folks to come and check things out at our mutual convenience this month!
Costume items:
TAV Creations originals
Gently used Halyma pieces < bely dance and/or Bollywood styles>
A very limited selection of items from colleagues who have just a small number of pieces they have left with me, hoping to move them along.
As my summer break approaches, I am winding up on the bridal work that I need to finish before I disappear briefly to give my arm a break, refresh my creative spirit and probably lie around reading .
And as always, although I am already fully booked for the first few weeks back, I am looking ahead into the mid-late fall and contemplating some fun stuff to do.
Mainly:
1- An open house to clear out excess fabrics, supplies, costume items etc that need to go on to live new lives instead of being packed in my storage boxes/closets etc.
hemming pants is one option for a mini workshop..
2- actively promoting my Private sewing lessons – both as “Sewing Guru” in my student’s home, as well as some project oriented mini workshops in my apartment studio for limited tiny groups.
SO keep an eye out for these activities in the fall, and if you have any questions or ideas of projects you would like to work on and need some guidance, let me know!
This is the first year for Queersphere LGBTQ+ Expo!
And I am very pleased to be taking a quick break in my bridal season sewing to be there, in booth 304, to let folks know that I am here, happy to sew for you!
I just want to make beautiful things with my clients, and I want to know you are a creative soul, and that’s it!
If you are interested in meeting amazing business owners who are members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community here in Ottawa, come stop by!
And if you would like to get a 20% discount on your tickets < Trade Show and AfterParty>, use this code:
Thank you to my friends who helped me preparefor this weekend! Weeks of fittings, the photo shoots, the working the booth- every part helped create a space that was unique and fun for the brides and their crews coming through! And special note to Michelle, my bride from last year wearing her most amazing co-creation and sparkling personality – you rock!
Thank you to the brides who came with their people and stopped to chat, get more information and ask questions- there is a lot to figure out as you are planning your event, so I hope we were able to provide a bit of reassurance that yes, your dream dress is possible!
Thank you to the other vendors and businesseswho were great to connect with and are open to creating a supportive system in the Ottawa area for bridal parties and beyond!
Thank you to Shelagh Mills and Steve Mills of the Capital Wedding Show and all of their staff, as well as the Freeman staff – you folks ran a lovely show from a vendor perspective and all of your assistance and engagement along the way is amazing!
Thank you to my husband of almost 21 years for his support in the weeks leading up to and the few days in advance of it all- his photography and tech skills help everything look amazing!
Tomorrow I will take some time to process the admin from this weekend as well as take some time to relax before starting back at it this week! Already time to get meeting new clients and get things rolling for an amazing 2019!
In the spring of 2018, my focus shifted back to fully embracing my home studio space and re-examining my approach to how I wanted to proceed with TAV Creations.
Designing, custom sewing, bespoke gowns and accessories are all my favourite things – and while I LOVE to sew almost anything and will welcome any creative challenge, I really wanted to get back to my first loves…
Couture
Design
Collaboration
So, I posted an invitation to some of the wonderful creative souls in my world to join me on a couture adventure and I was blessed with 5 awesome willing participants.
From November to January, we met, we chatted, we explored ideas and began the process, each of these “clients” going on their own journey with me, and finally culminating in 3 new “bespoke”/ custom garments and 2 re-designs/ re-fit ensembles.
These pieces will be on display in person at theCapital Wedding Show this weekend, and we enjoyed the fun of having photos shoots so that I could also share some great images of the dresses for those who may not make it out this weekend!
Set up-Almost done!
Short and sweet ballerina gown
Ready to release the gowns!
Veils and more – still some prep for this weekend!
TAV Creations Studio Newsgoes up this month too! An occasional burst of creativity into your email box! Sign up today – look right – and everyone who signs up by January 14th will receive a 10% off coupon for 2019 sewing!
I created these pieces as a way to showcase a few fun examples of the many different areas of design and sewing I have visited since I began sewing for clients in 1988.
There is room to adjust and personalize, and the process is an organic journey on which the client and I co-create something unique and amazing.
A magical coat to turn any outfit bridal!
Booking a consultation gives us time to talk in my quiet home studio space and really explore the options together.
Thank you to the many clients who have inspired me over the years to get creative in different ways and bring their style and ideas to life!
The juxtaposition of being a highly skilled couturiere
Lace covered shoes to match dress
with over 30 years of experience and on the job training, with the strong need to create whacky fun things, sometimes puts my marketing choices in a quandry.
Add to that the recent connections I have had with 2 local bridal salons, where they provided a direct line of brides to my studio space – whether it was under their roof or under my own, and I’ve been letting my own marketing slide a bit to the back burner.
It is now fall of 2018 and I’ve made it through the heavy bridal season, and have been doing some relaxing projects of a geeky and practical nature, and I am ready to look at my plans for January 2019 – I’ve signed up to have a space at the Capital Wedding Show at the Shaw Centre, January 12, 13, 2019.
Now I want to get creative and plan out what to present!
After listening to Robert Sawyer‘s talk at Can*Con on Sunday morning, interesting questions have been brought to the forefront of my thinking. What is the theme*? What is the message**? It was inspiring to formulate more cohesive thoughts regarding my own creative endeavours as I listened and percolated 🙂
What is the theme* of TAV Creations?
What is the message** of TAV Creations…?
In reference to practical marketing, how do I garner the interest of folks who want interesting and outside the box dresses, which still taking care of more traditional brides – in custom designs, re-designs/ style modifications, and alterations ?
King and Queen – White chess pieces…photo by Jared Young
I want to make every client feel the most comfortable and confident in their outfit – whether it’s cosplaying a character from a well known comic series, being the Princess for a day, or King and Queen of the chess board…
What I love about custom work, is the collaboration – working with someone who has lovely ideas, a clear vision, or a fun concept and making it happen. It might be a quick fix, or it might take multiple visits, but it is a journey together.
Practical ideas: I want to make 2 new pieces, modify 2 existing pieces and I want to have live models assisting in my booth at the bridal show, wearing garments I have made/adjusted specifically for them.
I’ve already had a couple of great suggestions and I am looking at numbers and timing and realize I need to get the word out there.
Stay tuned, and I’ll get a proper game plan and indicators of the bodies I would like to have available for January 12/13 weekend within the next few days!
Definitions:
*Theme: noun: an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature: love and honour are the pivotal themes of the Hornblower books.
**Message: noun: a significant political, social, or moral point that is being conveyed by a film, speech, etc.: a campaign to get the message about home security across.
I’ve had a couple of inquiries about the bags and while I still plan to donate a few to the upcoming Witches’ Gathering Fundraiser, they won’t all go there.
If you are interested in one of the bags below, the prices are indicated, send me an email with your address and I can confirm the shipping amounts.
I’ve been blessed over the years to have folks leave fabric with me, give fabric to me, and I’ve made and carried a small variety of dance and other costumes and supplies that I would love to see in use kin the world, as opposed to sitting in my studio/ closet.
I also have just received a few boxes of costumes and supplies from the estate of Anjali, and hope that these well loved but in immaculate condition pieces can also find new life and want to give folks a chance to come take a look and see what calls to them.
Choose the date that works for you, email or message me on the Facebook event<s>, and grab a tote bag and come on over.
Items will be in 3 categories:
as priced < payment options will be visa/ MasterCard / e-transfer/ cash>
by cash -pay what you can- into the “Karma Pig” – I won’t ask how much you are giving, so there’s no pressure!
for Anjali estate items – cash donation of your choice to culturalhorizons.ca < I’ll have a separate donation box for this that I will then deliver to Tony Gaston for the charity
Although it’s in black and white, here’s the sign for the door.
Today, I start paying the rent on the studio space I’ve made my second sewing home since last June! Thanks to the lovely ladies at Luxe for helping arrange the transition to my new adventure!
Still by appointment only, so book me well in advance as the summer is filling up!
I look forward to serving brides, dancers, and other creative souls in both my home studio < with a mascot>, and my new studio at 739 Ridgewood, suite 203, just off Riverside, near Mooney’s Bay, in the strip mall, up on the second floor.
Time to get biking!
Would you like to book an appointment? Contact me either via email – tracey@tav-creations.com or fill this in:
