January 31, 2024
Month 1 of 2024 took its sweet time–the pace of ordinary, the pace of feeling things out. Here are some outtakes. The late 1900’s. A really yummy mac and cheese I made with that cheese sauce you make from potatoes and carrot. It is so damn good. I had a Read more…
January 14, 2024
So I had this idea for a snow photoshoot, but wimped out about doing it outside in the frigid temperatures. So after getting all dressed up in the spare bedroom, a photoshoot with the extremely gaudy lamp I scored at the Salvation Army a few weeks back. Notice the lamp… Read more…
January 5, 2024
Ever since I made my Mom an Easter wreath, I looked forward to making my own. I also looked forward to diminishing the pile of craft supplies piled in the spare bedroom. I just loved the motifs and colors of the holiday. I mean, look at that bunny face. Are Read more…
December 12, 2023
As soon as I saw a collection of candy holiday decor at my local Hobby Lobby, I knew I would be crafting a new holiday wreath… because: pastels. The result, a new wreath for my Mom who also has an affinity for the pastel palate. Before I deliver it on Read more…
June 17, 2023
Finally, Coney Island’s 41st Annual Mermaid Parade is here! A sign of impending summer, the parade is the gateway to the best time of the year. This year’s mermaid vision was set quite some time ago in my sketchbook. And through the months, it came to fruition. Now that the Read more…
June 3, 2023
June means it is the countdown to the annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island! I have made several few tops–a few for some shoots later this week, my own for the parade and one for a friend. With plenty of shells to use, I’ve dived into mermaid crafting, full throttle. Read more…
April 9, 2023
Evidence of the Easter bunny. Making baskets. Easter pancakes. Totally not vegan baskets. Easter, part 2 in the backyard. Making Easter bonnets! Hope you had a Happy Easter!
March 13, 2023
As you may know, I love to craft holiday wreaths! The prospect of creating one for Easter was always alluring given the color scheme and icons of the season. So when my Mom asked for one, I had the motivation I needed to pull it off. I gathered supplies and Read more…
October 9, 2022
It was that time of the year again, time to find our way to the New York Renaissance Faire for festive merry-making. This year, a first: I would be a fairy, complete with a crafted headdress, top and bottom. A mess of nature and iridescence, the trunk was an explosion Read more…
July 15, 2022
When I saw this rock at Chimney Bluffs State Park in April, I knew I would be returning for a sunset mermaid shoot. And though there were more clouds during our eventual visit, the subtle sunset proved to be perfect for the shoot I had dreamed up in my mind. Read more…
June 30, 2022
Fairy tops are a new favorite craft. They’re so much lighter and faster than a mermaid top… a different kind of collage. And because of the fairy tops, I’ve been using this ridiculous filter. I was excited to try it ou on my first fairy shoot. But first, the couch. Read more…
June 11, 2022
My first merman piece! I’m making a lot of crowns Trying on the accessories… Since there’s no try-on room Trying to decide what top to wear! This crown needs some repairing To uncomfortable to march in but I can still admire them Can’t wait till next week!
May 27, 2022
It’s that time of year again! Time to recruit models for my new tops. To start, a reliable mermaid who has sat for several shoots last year. She scouted this location–Great Kills Beach on Staten Island, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, and we set a sunset date. The Read more…
May 17, 2022
It’s time to get ready for this year’s Mermaid Parade! The first in several years, I’m really excited to be part of it. That means I need something to wear… and so does the rest of Team Algae Bra! SO I’ll keep working on this top because I really enjoy Read more…
March 29, 2022
I’m happy to be mermaid crafting again. Besides freeing up space by utilizing my stash of seashells, I am excited to be using some new bases for my shell collage: Thick-banded plus sized bras for a more sturdy top. So much surface area! This top has great shells, but looks Read more…
February 23, 2022
As you may very well imagine, the tourist draw of a hot spring within the near-arctic is pretty high. But don’t think you will need to stay at the Chena Hotsprings Resort to enjoy them. You can come just for the springs, paying $15 at the pool house that leads Read more…
February 20, 2022
Just some random thoughts of preparation as I head out on my journey to Fairbanks, Alaska. Since this trip is, at its essence, a photographic mission, it is worth upgrading equipment to take advantage of the opportunities in the sky. So I rented a more powerful lens from Lens Rentals. Read more…
February 9, 2022
Since I need a friend to fairy it up with, a special birthday gift… my second fairy top. Let us get to dewy forest in the Spring quickly to don our wares!
December 21, 2021
If I had a dime for every blog post I started with “I’m really excited…” I would be a rich lady able to do even more exciting things! But… I‘m really excited about this fairy top… and the prospect of making others to appeal to a whole other subculture of Read more…
December 19, 2021
Vintage holiday shoots are my fave. I get to test out different ideas that accrue all year in my photo-obsessed brain. And one day, when I am running my own vintage shoot photography business, I’ll shoot someone other than myself. For now, I’ll do. And these real vintage ladies. Curlers. Read more…
September 14, 2021
Another mermaid season comes to a close with none of the regular fanfare (The Mermaid Parade) unfortunately. Still trying to do photoshoots for all the items in my Etsy shop. Here, a foot photoshoot at my favorite mermaid haunt: Coney Island. For all your mermaid stuff, this shell purse is Read more…
June 26, 2021
With my mermaid top crafting moving along, I have been having plenty of mermaid photoshoots. It’s kind of my new favorite thing to do. So many shoots have been on Staten Island because 4 of my mermaids live there… and it’s convenient for me. The moon showed up. I’ve decided Read more…
May 23, 2021
I got the whole world in my bag. Getting ready with pretty pastel wigs. Green Driving while mermaid… en route to a beautiful spot There was no horizon as the sky and sea merged A perfect haze Green-velvet covered rocks would be our thrones Baby mermaid feet A little mermaid Read more…
May 14, 2021
I am going full speed ahead with mermaid crafting, excited that the forecast is looking better for in-person mermaid events. Though I am trying to make a range of styles, I always wind up making exactly the top I want to make. This was the most different one yet. Love Read more…
April 19, 2021
Spring is Summer’s first step… and it is also the official start of my Mermaid Season. Even though I’ve been crafting for weeks (months? I am not even sure…) in hopes to have a fully stocked space at MerMagicCon, I am happy to report a new wave of excitement now Read more…
February 17, 2021
After learning that I had been approved to sell my mermaid wares at the largest Mermaid Convention in the world, I had a lot of work to do! Thankfully my school recess travel plans had to be cancelled because of the weather and my days could be devoted to getting Read more…