Am I Still Making Assiut Masks?

Well, here we are, two years later, and I’m still making assiut masks!  Over the past two years, I’ve made thousands of masks. I’ve made them for my family, for my friends in dance, and for sale. Lots of folks are contacting me who purchased a mask in the Summer of 2020, asking for new masks, replacements for worn-out masks, or for colors related to their costumes.

2022 – Watch for Monthly Etsy Drops

In 2022 I’m focussing on the “big build” making 30 looks for the new book.  With my tight schedule, I’m unable to take commissions. However, when I do have a spare moment in the flow of my work, I will squeeze in making assiut masks where I can.  These masks will be available exclusively through my Etsy store as a monthly “drop.”   As I finish a batch, they will wind up on Etsy, and the listings will vary.  If you want to get a mask, be sure to visit my Etsy store and give it a heart or like.  Then, when new things get added to my store, you will get notified.

Assiut Masks: Back to Scraps

As my “30 Looks” sewing project progresses, I will start using assiut scraps to make masks. I’m using up the fabric intentionally bought to make masks in 2021.  Because these are all hand-crafted, no two will ever be quite the same.  But when it comes to using scraps, they will undoubtedly become more whimsical as the year progresses.

Need one Soon? Tips for making your own!

Need to get an assiut mask in the right color for you?  Why not make your own, or have your favorite seamstress make one for you. Here are my top tips for taking the DIY approach:

• Buy Assiut from a Dealer in the US – Check out Etsy and Ebay and look for dealers who are shipping within the US and can ship to you quickly.  Try Etsy and eBay when sourcing materials using a keyword search, and look at the shipping details.
• Make a Sample out of Plain Cotton – I published a .pdf with a pattern that I have since modified and customized many times.  You can use this pattern as a jumping-off point to make your own. Make any necessary adjustments to for your face shape and comfort. I highly recommend making a sample before cutting into expensive assiut.
•  Sourcing Specialty Supplies – Over the past year, I’ve upgraded my elastic and invested in silicon sliders. I buy these supplies via Amazon. Here’s a basic list to get your started looking for the things you need.
  • Pre-cut ear bands with sliders in black and white.
  • Pre-Cut Ear Bands with sliders – color assortment
  • Just the Elastic in black or white
  • Silicone Sliders in black and white
  • Nose Bridge Strip or Use Wire in 18 or 20 gauge
• Use Quilting Cotton – I’ve found this is best for strength and stability.  It holds up the best to repeated washing and wearing.

HELP – My Assiut Mask is Limp!

Over time, 100% cotton will get softer and more supple.  That’s a kind way of saying limp!  What I do to revive my assiut masks is to treat it with a steam press and some starch to stiffen it back up again!  I know, pressing and starching seem very old school, but it’s worth it to get more life from your assiut mask.  I have a can of Niagra starch that I’m slowly going through.  This one can might last a lifetime!  Right: The Retro-Fabulous Nicole Simone aka “Modern Day Mae” wearing an assiut mask from Studio Davina.

I hope that this info helps you get ready for the 2022 performance season. 
Stay Safe – Stay Healthy – and HAVE FUN!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
February 24, 2022.

PS —->>  I’m trying to reach a goal of 1000 YouTube subscribers. If you enjoy YouTube, would like to see more of this vlog series, please click through the image below.  Like and Subscribing will help get to over that first hurdle, and unlock the tools and support that come with achieving that magic 1K number.  Thank you for your continued support of my research, costuming, and writing!

 

Embellished Ribbon Sewing Demo/Workshop

Thursday, February 24th, 5:00 pm Pacific
$7 Tier – Studio Davina Patreon
Click here to sign up!

This month I’ll be presenting a demo of how to quickly create embellished ribbons to decorate your costume and accessory projects.  Ribbons are a great design method for quickly adding sparkle and shine to your performance dancewear.  In this 40-50 minute talk, I will share with you my key strategies for embellishing ribbon and using it in your costuming. This method helps designers stay focussed, work quickly, and future-proof their costumes.  This workshop is good for costumers at all skill levels from beginner through professional.

Why Embellish Ribbon?

When you embellish ribbon first, then apply it to your costume, you’re actually saving yourself self a lot of time, reducing the stress on your hands, and future-proofing your costume.  Some of my top reasons for using ribbon as the basis for belly dance costume surface design includes:

• Ribbons are easier to hold and manipulate while embellishing than full garments.
• Design motifs provide structure and serve as a guide for embellishment placement.
• Embellished ribbons are quick to apply to any garment.
• Easily change costumes, make size and fitting adjustments.  Ribbons are easily removed or replaced.
• Ribbons easily cover supporting structures like straps and bands.
• Linear motifs are useful for making accessories and creating complete, cohesive looks.

Embellished Ribbon: Workshop Organization

I will begin this presentation with an introduction followed by about 15 min talking about the usefulness of this design approach. I will dive into the essential hand-sewing tools, design formulas, and a variety of embellishments.  Then we will move on, covering key design formulas for layout and design, strategies for using various ribbons and supplies, and sewing tricks to speed up your work. Then we will wrap up the session with examples, hand-sewing tips, and time for Q&As.  Sign up here.

With luck and good fortune, I will be able to share a recording with attendees for future reference.
Thank you for supporting my work.  Perhaps I’ll see you there!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
February 20, 2022.

Tribal Bazaar – Ethnographic Jewelry Supplier

I thought I would take a moment to share one of my favorite sources for Central Asian jewelry components, Tribal Bazaar.  I’ve been a fan of Tribal Bazaar for many years.  I’ve been shopping for their products since back before the turn of the century!  I use their components for the ethnic-fusion costumes and assemblage jewelry that I design and make for myself, and my clients here in Northern California.

Shopping The Tribal Bazaar Booth

Back in the heyday of belly dance festivals, Tribal Bazaar circled through my community sharing their wares at such classic events as Rakkasah West and Tribal Fest.  

I enjoyed chatting with the lovely Yasamin, a fantastic belly dance costume designer and fellow lover of assiut cloth. I would spend hours circling their booth. Imagine me, basket in hand, picking and choosing.

I would start shopping at the Tribal Bazaar booth on the first day of the event.  I would get a basket, and start with the complete jewelry pieces.

Then, throughout the event, I would circle back every few hours to see how the booth displays evolved. My basket would slowly fill up as I added things with each pass. Before the show ended, I would swing by and purchase my pieces and head home with a big smile on my face and brimming with plans for projects.

Jewelry Treasure Boxes

These days, I’m still shopping with Tribal Bazaar via their online store.  Their jewelry has been sourced from all along the Silk Road. If you visit their website, you will find both ready-made necklaces, earrings, bracelets, belts, and more. 

My most recent purchase is one of their “Treasure Boxes.”  I named my price, (I think her current base price is $50,) and a rough “wishlist” and Yasemin went into her collection and pulled the bag you see at the right. She popped it into a flat-rate USPS box, and it arrived within the week.

Bits and Pieces, Pendants and Coins

The result? I’ve got enough bits and pieces, pendants and coins to make my signature assemblage Jean Jinglers. I spread them out for you to see the kind of an assortment of glass and stones mounted into jewelry and on coins. 

As I sorted through this treasure bag I laid all the pieces out. I was happy to find a few damaged and broken necklaces that I was able to quickly fix and repair.  This hamsa necklace just needed a wash and a swap-out of four corroded coins. And I harvested the replacement coins from the bag. 

Is a Tribal Bazaar Treasure Box right for you? 

If you are looking for ready-to-wear earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, I recommend shopping directly from the Tribal Bazaar website.  

This box is good for anyone who makes jewelry or costumes. You will need a good set of jewelry-making tools to further disassemble the pieces and parts to their smallest components. 

Once the pieces are disassembled, I like to give the pieces a good wash. In my studio, I use Dawn dish soap and an old toothbrush to clean the parts.  Then, I place them on an old towel to dry. Before I store the pieces, I use a jewelry polishing cloth to get a good shine on some of these pieces.  Then I sort and organize the pieces in labeled bins so I can easily find them.

Now I’m going to go into my studio and make
a few assemblage-style jean jinglers!
Best of luck in all of your dancing and costuming adventures,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
February 16, 2022.

Why Vlogs?

If you’ve been following for a while, you know that I’ve been posting sporadically to YouTube for many years.  I started my current channel just before my birthday in 2011.  My mission back then was to have a place to put up dance clips and performances of my friends, my troupe, and myself.  I had dreamed of putting up content, but I never really had that one “great idea” that I could really sink my teeth into.  Until now!

Making My Own Challenge

Between 2014 and 2018 I joined a few makeup challenges and had a blast sharing the craziness.  These were month-long topic-driven events with a list of prompts to drive the project. Didn’t know what to do for a day?  Look at the prompt!  I found it very gratifying to throw myself into the process of completing the challenge but was also grateful when it was over.   Here’s a playlist of my submissions for the the 2017 belly dance makeup challenge.

Sustainability, Interest, and Motivation

Makeup is one of the key elements of my “5 Layers” of belly dance appearance.  But, during these challenges found that I would run out of steam and energy, and sort of let the challenges just drift off.  In 2017 I learned a critical lesson, I’m not a makeup artist, and I just couldn’t sustain the energy to come up with a month of different and unique looks.  And just so we are clear, I still love WATCHING makeup videos.  I still love buying cheap and cheerful products, and setting aside “makeup playtime.”  Makeup video creation was fun, but not a sustainable choice for me. 

What I needed was an angle to my topic of belly dance costuming that I would find interesting enough to make content regularly.  I also needed to find a video quality that was good enough to feel motivated to share.  And finally, I needed to hone in on a workflow that allowed my work on YouTube to be a sustainable process. Sort of like writing a book!   

And that’s when it came to me:
I needed to share content about being a costumer/author! 

Silver the Tabby, one of my Studio Assistants

2022 – The Year of ABCD

This year, I’ve created my own year-long challenge that involves me documenting and sharing the process of finishing up my book.  Moving forward from here, I’m going to be sharing the process of book creation starting with the raw materials for the costumes.  Then, I’ll share with you peeks into my world as I design and make “30 Looks” for this new book ABCD or “Assiut Belly Dance Costuming in Detail.”  There’s going to be a ton of things to see and do over the coming months, I hope you will join me. 

1K in 2022?  Subscribe to the Studio Davina Channel!

If you want to support my work, my first YouTube goal for 2022 is to reach the 1K subscriber mark!  I’m almost halfway there!  When a YouTube creator reaches 1K, their status changes behind the scenes, I have access to more data and tools, and I will rank higher in search. Thank you for your ongoing support.

I hope you are having a great day!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
February 7, 2022