Tag Archives: remade

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RAINBOW GOGGLES

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For some people, goggles are essential at Burning Man. Me? Not so much. I’ve gotten along fine without them, but I would like to have the option during a particularly dusty day. Plus, I’ve always thought those reflective bug-eye lenses look cool. I wear glasses, and while I am planning on using contact lenses* most of the time, it doesn’t make sense to have goggles that only work with certain eye-gear setups.

rainbow goggles Goggles in progress

rainbow goggles Painted, glittered, and relasticated, I’m one step closer to being ready for Burning Man.

Both goggles started off as standard plastic Dr. Peepers, which fit well over most glasses and have that bizarre alien look that we all try to cultivate. I taped over the lenses, front and back, and then covered them with spray primer (the key to having paint stick to plastic is to do several thin coats). Next came a layer of very shiny chrome paint–a great foundation for any project.

The decorations are done with a high-quality acrylic paint. I wanted the silver to still show through, so most of the acrylic layers were pretty thin. I wanted the two goggles to belong together without matching, so I used many of the same colors but in different places. I really enjoy painted in duplicate, because it allows me a chance to experiment with designs as I move between each goggle.

Goggles in progress Goggles in progress

I mixed different glitter with a water-based high gloss sealant, and I added a coat of Duplicolor Clear Effex glitter spray paint, cause I’m not holding anything back.

Goggles in progress Goggles in progress

One of the most crucial steps to achieving my look was the replace the boring black elastic. My sparkle rainbow elastic is a tiny bit wider than the original. At first I was concerned about not being able to find the hardware goggles detail to make my strap adjustable, but then I realized that the point of customizing my goggles was so that they didn’t need to be adjustable!

Minor additions were foam padding where I needed it (another benefit of really claiming an item as YOURS), and a few delicately placed rhinestones were unavoidable.

Last but not least, I added my name and playa address on the inside of the frames. If I were to loose these, I imagine I’d be pretty mellow about it–did I lose my goggles or is some stranger about to discover a really awesome gift? But still, I’d want the dusty stranger to know their story!

*Contact lenses are actually much easier than glasses at Burning Man. You find somewhere out of the wind to put them in, and you’re good to go all day without worrying about cleaning your specs or having them fall off!

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GLAM-CREEP MASKS

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In addition to every else I’ve been trying to take care of for Burning Man, I’ve been making these zippered masks like crazy. I actually really love it: the fabric is mostly scraps from bigger projects, it’s the perfect use for small bits of elastic, and the hand-stitching is a form of meditation in my otherwise hectic life. Plus, honestly, the sales make me euphoric!

Danielle in a pink zipper mask Hannah in a diamond mask retro glam mask blue mask Danielle in a velvet mask copper mask Hannah as an acid frog Danielle in a gold mask gold tooth zipper mask

They are all trimmed in fold-over elastic, and have adjustable elastic straps to keep them securely on. The zippers, like I mentioned, are sewn by hand with some bright embroidery thread. Lately I’ve been mixing up the zippers by cutting the head off one and putting it on the teeth of another, so that both parts are different colors. And now I can’t stop doing it!

acid frog mask green zipper mask Hannah as a star gold zipper mask Hannah in a yellow mask purple zipper mask Hannah models a mask velvet mask Hannah in a neon mask

Trust me, I know, it’s A LOT of masks!

Delightfully, most of these have sold already but I am constantly making more. If you’d like a particular color combo feel free to send me an email about it, and you can see what I do have available in my Etsy shop!

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BIKE SHIRT REVAMP

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Well I just got back from Burning Man, where I was too busy partying to take great photos of my costumes. Guess I’ll be modeling those in the alley, but until then, here’s something a little less sparkly.

My friend John Preble made this shirt for the Louisiana Bicycle Festival, which he founded. I love the image, but a unisex white shirt from Hanes is a little touristy for me. I’m a traveler, and I don’t like to look like an idiot. John, this is how your shirts would look if you had style.

LA Bike Fest tee LA Bike Fest tee LA bike fest tee

Before:

the before photo

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See, the original shirt is just boring. Although what I great image. It’s got bicycles, a rocket, hearts and stars, and dancing bikini girls.

LA Bike Fest tee LA bike fest tee

I dyed the white around the image with some watered down acrylic paint and cut out the scallops after it was dry. I stitched it onto a yellow tank I made with Fabric Planet jersey using red embroidery thread.

Much better my way!

PS: John, please send me Bike Fest tees from past years so that I may make them awesome as well.

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