A Creative Odyssey...

Thanks to Jess from Epheriell Designs for starting the Blog Hop! It has been wonderful to read the goals and ambitions of like minded crafters over the last two weeks. With over 40 Blogs to hop through daily it has been fun. My fellow blogger for today is Moags & Smeet - lots of gorgeous jewels over that way so check them out!

Last night was the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets. It was my first market in Brisbane and with the group. I was madly making stock this week as most of my stock has been sold over Christmas or at The Collective Store in Wynnum! Here are some images from the night. I had a Coop spot to test how Miss Rockabilly would sell. 

Two Thousand and Ten... it was a whirlwind for the development of Miss Rockabilly. Many years ago I started my crafting dream with Noogal Creations - handmade feather jewellery, and not too long ago I stumbled across the Rockabilly and Pin Up culture. I was so inspired by the art of Gil Elvgren that I decided to make my own brand, which is how Miss Rockabilly came about. There are a few things that have also pushed me to launch MR - 1. Cheap China imports and how I loathe them, 2. Inspiring the mindset of young women -  taking on the values and style of women in the 1950s and buying handmade.

Noogal Creations - Marbled Feather Earrings

Miss Rockabilly - Pin Up Girl Hair Bow

Miss Rockabilly’s goals for the new year:

Launch the Miss Rockabilly clothing range

This won't be the easiest of tasks as I am a self taught sewer, but I have been slowly collecting some original 50s patterns for dresses and other items. I want to be able to introduce unique one-off pieces to the market inspired by everything Pin Up and Rockabilly. The main issue I can see that may arise when launching the MR clothing range will be Price. This is all a matter of changing the attitude of women to buy something individual and unique and not mass produced. Because the Pin Up and Rockabilly culture is so exclusive there is always a chance at an event that you will be wearing the same thing as someone else which is why I am excited to launch once I have sewn a few more items. Here is one style I am working on with a nautical twist!

Expand Miss Rockabilly product lines

In order to distinguish Miss Rockabilly further I want to add various product lines that incorporate MR designs. At present I specialise in Hair Accessories and Jewellery, next year I will be launching clothing and part of this I want to include some MR design t-shirts, promotional buttons, art prints and more goodies. Once I have a strong range of products I will look into web design etc. Right now Facebook, Etsy and Markets are my main outlets!

Participate in more Rockabilly Events & Markets
At the moment I have tried local Markets - Broadbeach Art and Craft as well as the BrisStyle Twilight markets. In 2011 I will be trying Wintersun, Camperdown Cruise and Greazefest - all Rockabilly and Pin Up specific.  I did want to attend the Sydney Tattoo and Body Art Expo, Autumn Fest and Bright Rockabilly but they are all one week after another in March. When working full time, it is hard to get the time to make stock and attend interstate events every weekend so I will need to space 2011 and test to see what events work for Miss Rockabilly.

In 2010 I started MR with the launch of the Miss Pin Up Australia competition. I competed as Miss Marilyn McSweetie in Queensland. Since then I have also participated in the Pin Up Competition for the Gold Coast Hot Rod and Street Machine Spectacular in November.  Using my Pin Up identity I have met some wonderful Pin Up Girls along the way and have made valuable networks and hope to do more in the future but 2011 will be the year for product growth and world domination!

With love...
Marilyn xx

New Market Stock - Come on Friday and Have a look!

Miss Rockabilly has some fantastic new Tattoo Art hair accessories available at the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets in King George Square this Friday night. Here are a few new product teasers... Thanks to Wicked Minky for her wonderful hand painted tattoo art designs! They really make wonderful hair clips!

Get your Last Minute Christmas Gifts from the Brisbane Twilight Markets

If you are in Brisbane this Friday the 17th of December, be sure to stop by King George Square and have a look at all the handmade goodies on offer! The BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets will be on in full force. Click on the link to see some examples of sellers attending!

What a perfect time to get those last minute Christmas Ideas and Stocking Stuffers. Miss Rockabilly and Noogal Creations will be launching a new designs, many are one-offs so be sure to get in quick and grab a bargain and unique piece of jewellery or hair accessory!

See you there!

50s Best Dressed Competition

If you use Facebook, please head over to this link to vote for my picture in the best dressed 50s competition. The winner gets tickets to Wintersun 2011! Just 'like' and comment on my image... that's it!

50s Best Dressed Competition

Style Collective - Rockabilly Fashion Collection

Have a look at this article on Style Collective. I was approached by the wonderful Amanda to create a Pin Up inspired collection for their website. Everything you see here can be bought in Australia so if you are into the 1950s style... it's worth a look! Sign up online for all the latest fashion trends.

http://www.stylecollective.com.au/urbanstyle.asp?idcontent=1481

Pin Up Boudoir - for glamourous Pin Up Fashion in Australia

If you haven't already checked out Pin Up Boudoir, have a look at their website and competitive prices for Pin Up and Rockabilly clothing and accessories in Australia!

Recently, Pin Up Boudoir created a 2011 calendar for their range of stock and I was one of the lucky ones that got to participate. Here is just a sneak peak of one image that Faleisha took from JMP Studios.

The dress Marilyn McSweetie is wearing in this image is an Avondale Swing Dress by Bettie Page.

More images and where to buy the calendar coming soon!

Fuel Zine Magazine Feature!

Marilyn McSweetie and the gorgeous Pin Up Girls from the November 2010 Hot Rod Show on the Gold Coast have been featured in Fuel Zine Magazine! View the blog here

http://www.fuelzine.com/news/gold-coast-hot-rod-show-part-3.html

Gold Coast Hot Rod Show 2010

Yesterday was the Gold Coast Hot Rod Show at the Convention and Exhibition Centre! Marilyn McSweetie entered in the Pin Up Competition and loved it (in hot pink below)! 

The cars were amazingly shiny and I could have taken one home right then and there! Have a look at some pictures below. 

An exciting announcement is also coming soon!

My Creative Space

It seems more a Creative MESS rather than space. I really need a new desk! But sometimes the more mess the better... I seem to be able to put things together better this way... but also lose my scissors easier!

My latest creations I'm working on is my Pin Up Collection. Click on the link to go to my Facebook page to see prices etc. I am looking forward to finishing 3 others and getting stock from a lovely supplier to make even more goodies!

The Collective Store

Some exciting news... The Collective Store in Wynnum Queensland is now stocking Miss Rockabilly!
The store is made up of all sorts of handmade goodies Australian Made so if you are up that way... it's worth a peek!

1st Market!

Well the weather was lovely and sunny for the first time in 3 weekends on the coast which made the broadbeach art and craft markets just that bit more special! We had a lovely day, I went along with Carol from Gorgie Millinery and we sold some goodies to passers by.

And... I ended up getting sunburnt.. who would have thought. Note to self for next markets - sunscreen!

I will be back there in time for Christmas with more goodies - promoting both Miss Rockabilly and Noogal Creations. I am also working on attending other markets in Queensland for the end of this year so stay tuned.

Here is a peek at our display... don't forget aussie buyers... it's not too far away from Melbourne Cup if you are going to a function and I just love Carol's hats! She still has a few left so be quick!

How I Made my Mini Sailor Hat!

Hi Everyone. Here is a little detail on how to create a sailor hat like the one I have just listed on Etsy. Unfortunately I didn't do the step by step imagery so you will just have to follow my descriptions until I make another.

1. The first thing I did was get my hands on some great Millinery Ivory felt and cut half off it up to the size I wanted to mould.
2. Then I found a small shaped object and moulded the felt to it's shape.
3. Then I had Carol's help from Gorgie Millinery with the stiffening of the hat so it held it's nice rounded shape
4. The next step was to wire the brim of the hat and add ribbon as well.
5. Once the hat had it's shape I then moved on to making a separate anchor hair clip that attaches to the hat. Just for something unique and versatile. Go all out with the hat or go understated nautical with the anchor bow.

The anchor buttons I had made especially from Voodoo Rabbit. 
6. To make the hat sit in your hair I have sewn on a silver comb to one side of the hat under the rim. Since the rim of the hat can be bent to the desired shape you can put the anchor ribbon anywhere you like to suit how you want to wear it on your head.


I hope you like my latest creation!

Vintage Handmade Organza Ribbon Flowers

Miss Pin Up Australia Queensland Heats Video now up!

Well... I thought it might come back to haunt me but it's not too bad! Here is the video from Tattooink.tv who filmed the whole Miss Pin Up Australia Queensland event.


You can see Marilyn McSweetie at 2:30, 4:07 and 7:50 minutes in the recording. It was a lot of fun! Quite happy to see my pink dress in action... didn't get a photo of that one yet!

http://www.tattooink.tv/

Market Displays

I thought I'd share a few pictures of what I had planned for my market displays. Unfortunately my most recent market I was to attend didn't go to plan and I was bitterly disappointed and had to go home. I am looking into doing 3 more markets this year.. hopefully my first of those will be successful and not a shambles!

Miss Beckiejo Jolley on the Today Show

The Today Show interviewed the lovely pin up gal Miss Beckiejo Jolley this morning. Here is a snippet of a recent news article as well...

A Melbourne mother of four who dresses like a 1950s pin-up girl everyday is preparing to compete in a National beauty pageant celebrating old-school glamour. Rebeccah Jolley, 32, says being ladylike is a way of life and wears 1950s vintage clothing both at home and when going out about town. She will line up on Friday against 20 other vintage belles in the Miss Pin-Up Australia contest. Like most pageants there will be daywear, eveningwear, swimwear and talent categories. For the talent category Rebeccah says she will perform a sketch from 'I Love Lucy'. 'I'm quaking in my girdle,' she says. Whatever the outcome, she won't be ditching her heels for flats anytime soon.

You can view her Today Show interview here 

http://today.ninemsn.com.au/videoindex.aspx?videoid=0ab02ba0-153c-4890-ac70-aa9e9f6269f0

Best of luck Miss BeckieJo!

Easy 3 Minute Pin Up Hairstyle

Vintage Pinup Girl Makeup - Ask Me Makeup

Miss Pin Up Australia QLD Heats

Here are some wonderful pics from the Miss Pin Up Australia Queensland Heats from last week. I have also included some of the other lovely pin up ladies. Unfortunately I didn't go through to the finals but am still hoping for online votes to get me through to the grand final as 'Miss Popular Pin Up' so spread the word and click on this link to vote! Thanks Bloggers!

Vote For Marilyn McSweetie as Miss Popular Pin Up Australia 2011!