What buxom, blonde haired beauty reclines like the Sultan's favorite
odalesque? It's Golde, who wears the glittering garb of a belly dancer
but is simply TOO stuffed to perform....She prefers to pose.
She's shown here lounging in a bead store window.
Having a doll like Golde around solves the problem of
"What do you do with a belly dance costume
when you aren't wearing it?"
Like her cloth cousin Katherine,
Golde started out as recycled and embellished cloth and clothing. Her body
was cut using a pattern I drafted and an ivory damask curtain lined with moiré.
There was just one panel of the curtain at the local Thrift Store--and when
taken apart, it supplied the fabric for the whole doll with the exception
of her hands, which are vintage gloves.
The same store was the source for her golden slippers---though they
started out a bit too drab, some gold glitter paint easily brought them
in line with the costume and a pair of earring as buckles add another pearly
gold touch.
The necklace shown with Golde's pieces here will eventually
go with another doll---sometimes in a busy studio projects get made all
together and separate themselves out later! Golde's harem style pants are
silk fabric, carried back to me as a gift from the Orient by my uncle,
and sewn using the Folkware "Sarouelles" pattern. It
is also the sort of pants in their Tribal
Style Belly Dancer pattern.
Her bra is completely changed in its look
from the original boring white garment it was, and is now festooned with
all sorts of beads, bells, glitter and trims, and costume jewelry accents.
By starting out with a plain but sturdy foundation garment, all the
attention can be given to the details.
To see more info and pics about embellishing costume bras, click here.
For a page of links to costumer's resources and doll artists, click here.
Here's Golde dressed as a brunette in the Fall. She had a very "gypsy"
sort of look going that month. She has copper jewelry and ornaments on her vintage
shoes.
She's also made up as a festive part of the Christmas
Window 2007 at the bead store in a spangled
red and gold holiday outfit.
She's ready for the party down to her bright red fishnet hose and scarlet shoes--even though they don't show, sitting inside a gift wrapped box as
she is!
She's wearing beads, of course, and holding a Gift Certificate. The
perfect present!
The complete window display took 1st prize in our Downtown Business competition. The previous year,
the window
featured a miniature slice of "Brooklyn" created by Fara Shimbo,
and we tied for first place.
I'm no longer affiliated with the bead store, but it sure was fun while I
was there!
Here she is as a Snow Princess complete with beaded
tiara. (Everyone needs one!)
Then of course comes Valentine's Day and the Wearin'
o' the Pink.
She's also featured in the Flowers, Fairies &
Crystal Window.
That's a 140 pound citrine
plate alongside her!
I'm not sure what she'll be wearing next...check back again and see!
