Gold Workhorse Maintenance July 2011

Some pics of my old gold bra I have been slowly rehabbing back to life. You may remember I started ripping it apart and adding cup extensions to it sometime last year. I added about 1.5 inches to the top edge of the bra, repaired the broken fringe, missing sequins, added completely new hooks, shoulder straps and lining, and added some acrylic gem stones for extra bling.

Originally, the bra had looped stomach fringe along with straight fringe on the cups that mimicked the belt fringe. I ripped the straight fringe out years ago because it was too boob-tastic for my liking. I left the looped stomach fringe and sun-catcher stone hanging from the bottom. For the rehab, I have added tear drop gems to mimic the sun-catcher's shape and intend on adding them to the belt at a later date.

Detail of gem stones and new cup extension connected with a new row of silver "Ropes". The new gold sequins are larger and a slightly different color.

Instead of ripping out sequins and imbedding the gem stones I just tacked them on top of the original beadwork. It was actually harder than it looks. The bra is made out of something akin to titanium and almost impossible to poke a needle through. We will see how long the gems last floating on the surface.

 Back hooks and broken sequins replaced. Fresh new lining, Hooray!

The old straps and left over bra fringe from the original purchase are transformed into matching arm bands.

Gold belt rehab is next. It should not take as long as the bra. Right now, the belt is in one piece and wearable. Having just gotten the bra back together I do not want to take the belt apart. I have missed wearing this set.

~N

Now listening: IAMX
Mood: Fried Chicken and coleslaw

"Big" Bellydance

Marilyn Monroe full figure icon

Now playing: Tori Amos - American Doll Posse
Mood: no more bananas with peanut butter...i think i OD'd

I my quest to put together info and exercises about stage presence I have thought quite intensely about how self image affects stage presence and how important it is to the end result of your dance. And I've concluded that no matter how good of a dancer you are, if you can't get past yourself, you can't reach your BD potential.

Anyway, I was excited to find Big Bellydance, a website that promotes/supports plus size and full figure dancers. It doesn't really have much info at the moment but is supportive nonetheless. There is also some full figure Q&A Here.

Unfortunately, I find that there is very little info available on this subject and next to no info on self image and respect that pertains to BD. Most of what I've found is where to buy bigger sized costumes and how to dress to hide, accentuate, look slimmer, look sexier in your costume than any real discussion on why women (of all figures) are drawn to BD and what they go through mentally. The other stuff I found has a heavy new age overtone or just rolled up with pilates, yoga, and pregnancy.

BD puts, at least American women, in a very vulnerable place. And each of these women are working to feel better about herself in some way, whether body image, performance anxiety, appreciation, self expression, belonging to a group, and so on.

I have said in the past that all Bellydancers are nut cases in some way, and I don't mean that in a derogatory sense. But, we (Bellydancers) all seem to have our hang-ups that we use BD to deal with (me included).

So, hum, where am I going with this?

I guess I'm trying to say BD should be seen as therapeutic and that I wish there was more available out there for the women and men who need its support.

But then that would lead to a who is right and who is not, mess. Dance therapy taught inappropriately by non-therapist. Oh well, the yin yang of the universe and stuff.

~N

More links kinda sorta related to this topic:

Belly Dance Therapy
Beinthenow.org
The Healing Power of Dance