Crikey Aphrodite

I'm getting rid of a several samples, please do have a look. I need to make room for new collection pieces and these have all served their purpose so they've been discounted between 30% and 50%.

The star of the show is the outfit that's been a trademark look for me for some time and has been the face of Crikey Aphrodite in a way as it's adorned much of my promotional material, site headers and even the avatar above :) It's going to be tough saying goodbye to it but it deserves a home.

Cinderella outfit  - corset, skirt and bustle
Bust 33", Waist 24", High hip 33" (it's cut high on the hip to allow for the skirt). Closed measurements
The skirts measure about 26/27" on the waist.
The underskirt is 18" long.



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I've done loads of bra fits this week! That's me properly working as a bra-fitter now and it's actually really fascinating seeing how different figures fit. Every age from teenagers to great grannies and all shapes and sizes. Mostly larger busts though, the smallest I've done this week has been a DD, the largest a GG. It's amazing seeing the difference it makes. They look slimmer, more upright, less downtrodden.

When we start a fit we take an underbust measurement. Partly as a starting point and partly for the customer's sake as they seem to think a tape measure means it's official. But we don't use the measurement really, we go by how the bra they're wearing and how the bra we try on them fits. Some measure 34 and need a 36, some need a 32. Then you can't measure for the cups, they're done on judgement and trial and error.  

The skill seems to be in judging the size when an 18 year old comes in wearing a bra she's had since she was 14 that barely covers her. And in working out what styles suit who. A teenager will be fine with a moulded t-shirt bra but a 70 year old likely won't fill the cup and will leave the top part hollow. Then there's balcony, plunge, half cup, side support, a myriad of different seam patterns. The side support ones are great, they really stop bigger boobs migrating to the sides.

And the customers: some are shy, some whip their bras off without hesitation (often the older women, which surprised me a bit). We mostly go out the room while they change but if they're showing no hesitation we just stay in. Some easy to please, some impossible.

The worst bit is going out to the floor and being unable to find the size. The biggest problem is small backs, large cups, we're struggle because they sell and the suppliers seem to ration them. It's amazing how many people really do need them. That's annoying and frustrating for us and the customer.

So yes, enjoying it and I'm sure it's having a knock-on effect on my corsets. 

I started some bra fit training the other week and I'm picking up a fair bit myself. I have a decent starting point of course, but a lot of the fitting skill relies on knowing the different ranges and how and who they fit. That takes time. And then there's age, pregnancy, post surgery etc all with their own problems.

My own size has changed from a 38D to between a 36DD and a 34E depending on the brand and style now that I know what I'm looking for.

It's quite astounding just how many women are wearing sizes that are completely wrong for them, and just how much difference it makes when the size is right.

So how many of you think you might be wearing the wrong size? Pssst - get fitted!

Stuff all set up at the Indulgence show in the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh. I'd never been there before. It was easy enough to find the right bit of, and we were parked in a large barn that smelled...farm-like (lots of agricultural shows here). The parking was excellent actually as it was really near the hall. It's the typical large show set-up. Various sized shell stands and everything from Venison and hog roast stands to crafts, perfume, home goods and Hamleys toy shop. It's generally fairly high end so it'll be interesting to see who the average visitor is. My little stand has borrowed curtains from Beautifully Boudoir and my nice new 5ft x 3ft banner from Glasgow-banners in Easterhouse. 3 mannequins crammed in and a couple of knicker forms for bloomers. It's all good to go.

However we did get lost on the way out. I hate driving in Edinburgh, the road system is awful and they signpost you then leave you high and dry at a junction where you have to guess. Then guess wrong and spot a tiny sign on the wrong road when it's too late. So we ended up on the A71 through Livingston before we got back onto the M8. Considering the amount of tourists Edinburgh gets you'd think they'd make the signage clearer! Of course they probably don't want anyone going to Glasgow LOL!

So we'll see how it goes. It'll be interesting to test the Edinburgh market and hammer it with cards. I look at these things as advertising. It's costing less than a press ad but it gets good coverage. 

I don't know where I am with LJ at the moment. I'm about but I'm jumping between this account and the old one so I can read Cathy's Peacock Gown posts as it's the other account that's on the filter. Plus there's a few people who never did add this one so if I want to see what they're doing I have to jump over. But I don't really want to use that account (for reasons I foisted on myself) so I end up not posting anything much. Besides it's oh so quiet in here these days.

But otherwise, busy but now taking it a bit easier. Loaded with the cold this week so I'm not making much progress anyway. On the hunt for a part time job that fits in with other stuff - not easy! But I could do with it the regular income. I'm starting doing alterations at a wedding shop soon but it's a new store so she's just at the ordering in stage so there's time to get the workroom set up. But that means I need a part time job that leaves a day at the weekend free to do fittings there. Great thing is, I get a nice roomy workroom to use as much as I want, with plenty space for cutting larger projects, so it'll be easier to do skirts etc.

I don't think there's much else to report :)

I just found out today the RSN is holding classes in Make It Glasgow (a sewing cafe near the city centre). They're running introductory day classes in crewelwork, blackwork, goldwork and silk shading. And, they're doing certificate courses that you can then take forward. However, the certificate is just shy of £1000 so not something I'll be doing anytime soon!

So I have signed up for a goldwork class as I figured out of all those listed it had the biggest leap in technique from regular embroidery. I can't wait! I used to do loads of hand embroidery when I was young but then sort of stopped in my 20s and I've only dipped in occasionally since. But I'd like to more and the goldwork appeals as something a bit different to anything I've done in the past.

The same teacher holds tambour and bead embroidery classes in London, I wonder if she could be persuaded to put that on the syllabus here!

Sorry, I know I'm a bit random and scarce at the moment. But I'm insanely busy and will be for the next few weeks at least.

I have just delivered one of the most challenging yet satisfying corsets I've done to date. This was the largest client I've fitted so far, around a UK size 30, and as she was more apple than pear we were never going to get much of a reduction or make her into an hourglass. But she's delighted to be smooth and neat under her wedding dress, to the point she invited her whole family through to see the corset.

Lovely as it is to make something for a perfectly proportioned model figure, you really cannot beat the glow you get from seeing someone with any sort of figure issue which affects their confidence put on a corset you've made and like themself just a bit more. That's the reward from this job, and more and more I realise that's why I do it.

Anyone that knows me well will know I'm not really one for a lot of analysis. Although I do live in my head in many ways, I don't do much dissecting when I'm in there. I think about things to a point then I just go with my instincts. It doesn't always pay off so it's probably the wrong approach (my navel gazing ex hated that about me) but I have quite a low tolerance for bullshit and a high level of scepticism towards anyone I think is trying to work me for their own ends. I might not always be the one to voice it in public, but it doesn't mean I'm unaware. I see a lot more than I say.

However, I was blown away by the speaker at a Women into Business event I attended a few months ago, Patricia Elliot, and I've been following her blog since. To be fair the blog can at times read a bit self-help book-ish, and she's written one (it helps if you read it in a slightly strident, eloquent Glasgow accent). But in person she's a hoot and very inspiring. Maybe because she's Scottish and down to earth and speaks my language. I'm sorry, it's very prejudiced of me but put an American accent on a speaker like this and the associated turn of phrase and all I hear is evangelical psychobabble and whooping and I switch right off. Which is entirely my issue as there are some very valid, motivational people out there, but it just isn't for me.

This lady has had an amazing life. Adopted, abusive marriage, lawyer, musician, writer, psychologist. Smart, funny and very down to earth. If you get an opportunity to hear her speak (she does talks all over the country) then give her a go.

The blog is here: http://mindcircles.co.uk/?cat=3

Ok, well it's taken long enough to get proper photos of these on a body! but finally :) Apologies to those on my facebook who have already seen these pics.




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Just putting this out there. I've booked a place for the Symingtons Foundations Revealed trip. I just decided to go for it and work it out as and when, on the basis if the worst came to the worst I could always sell it on. But it should be fine.

However, petrol costs are a concern.. and company for the drive. I don't mind driving the distance as long as I have breaks but an extra pair of eyes and some general company is always good. So, if anyone is thinking of going from either Scotland or the north of England then do let me know as I'll have spare seats for either or both legs. It's looking most like I'll be taking the A1 route down, not sure on way back. Could go either that way or M6. All I'd want is a petrol contribution - and I have a peugeot 207, it's not a gas-guzzler or anything :) (but it is newish and comfy and plays from an ipod or usb drive)