Witchy Chapeaus, Sailor Moon Jewels, & Oh Hell, Fall

YOU MADE IT TO FRIDAY, MY FRIEND.

Excellent job, let's celebrate.

 I even found the perfect party hats, handcrafted by EverCrumblyAndWitch. (Say that name out loud for a chuckle).

Behold!

Can confirm, my grabby hands would like to be-holding this. Heeeeeeeyo.

Or this!

These sweet witchy hats are magical, and come in so many gorgeous styles:

The mushrooms! Eee! Give Ever Crumbly a follow on Instagram to see more, or head to their website to shop.

*****

Speaking of magic, watch THIS:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by OLGA | BROOCHES HANDMADE 💎 (@v.olga_arts)

OooOOOooooh.

Olga makes mostly Sailor Moon designs, but she also mixes in a little Harry Potter and even Star Wars with her beaded brooches:

WDW's Spring Dapper Day 2022: Sunday Looks From Hollywood Studios!

Happy Friday, you delightful dapper dish, you. Mrow.

I'm back with my favorite looks from last weekend at WDW's Hollywood Studios, and once again all of today's photos are courtesy of my sweet friend and volunteer photographer, Traci:

(@MeridaAnn)

Hi, Traci!

Her outfit for the day was a bound of Keyleth from Critical Role.

Traci was attending solo this year, and she reports having a mission (find and photograph EVERY DAPPER) made the day more fun, if also more draining. It takes a ton of social energy to do this, so huge thanks to her for pushing out of her comfort zone to bring us these sweet pics. (She sent me batches straight off her phone throughout the day, then I did all the editing.)

A lot of dappers match their outfits to the parks, so Sunday is when the Star Wars looks came out to play:

Can you ID them all? First two from the left are easy with those purses. After that I believe we have C3PO, possibly Chewie?, and Ahsoka on the right.

Gorgeous Padme - love the dress and headband! - and Anakin.

Chewbacca and Rey:

I'm impressed Chewie is still grinning despite wearing fur in this heat!

Ohh now this one made me squeal:

First, dapper Salacious Crumb on her shoulder. YES.
Second, Jabba the Hutt's never looked so good, love that dress!
And the cherry on top, dapper Boba Fett with arm garters. Amazing.

So many lovely looks - and did you catch the subtle Vice Admiral Holdo on the end?

Speaking of subtle, I love this interpretation of Queen Amidala's famous red gown:

Cartoon Shoes, Alien TP, & The Cutest Mini Moon Knight

Happy Tuesday, adventurers! I come bearing treasure from the distant wilds of the spidery inter-webs.

Also this photo of a yard here in Florida:

(pic by Sherry K, friend of a FoE.)

Just 'cuz.

:D

 

Starting with the latest custom kicks by the queen of cell-shading herself, Ginoza Costuming:

HEART-EYES

 

These are themed to the new Borderlands video game Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, which I can't wait to play with John. 

Even if you're not a fan of the game, though, who wouldn't want cartoon shoes? Here are more Brittani's painted:

 

You can see more - including Brittani's internationally acclaimed cosplay - at the Ginoza Costuming Facebook page. (Srsly, prepare to have your jaw drop. This woman's got SKILLS.)

*****

Because I'm a sucker for all things glowy and colorful, I bring you the creations of Fiore Di Luce, or Flowers of Light, in Milano, Italy:

My Google Translate isn't working, but I believe these are all handmade by a single couple, Elisabetta & Pier. From the process photos the lamps look like a form of paper fiber stretched over individual wire frames. Amazing.

Their lamps and pendant lights come in all sorts of fantastical floral designs, plus there are a few with butterfly wings:

Meet My New Fashion Icon: Jack of Cozypunk

You ever find someone new-to-you on social media that you fall instantly in love with, and then you have to obsessively inhale all of their content?

I love it when that happens.

So today, I want to introduce you to my new favorite person on social media, Jack of Cozypunk:

 

Hi, Jack!

My friend Pam linked me to the Cozypunk Instagram about a week ago, and Jack had me at their first little wave hello. I went full anime heart eyes, y'all. Not only is Jack's fashion sense speaking to my very SOUL, they also exude a kind of warmth and joy I'm just not used to seeing online. I can't help but smile every time I see them, and that alone makes their account worth sharing.

 Almost all of Jack's content is video as opposed to still photos, and look how charming:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jack they/them (@cozypunk)

If you've been here a while you may remember my ideal fashion sense is a mix of Toddler Grandma Style and Mori Girl, so you can definitely see how Jack's "cozypunk" hits all my favorite notes.

I'm a HUGE fan of layers, drapey fabrics, color, and boots/flats as opposed to heels - and Jack brings all that together while making it look absolutely fantastic:

Note how they wear rolled linen pants under all their skirts, the better for foraging/climbing/adventuring in. YES.

 This next one's caption reads, "Massive NPC merchant energy today!"

10 Makers Of Fun & Funky Christmas Jewelry I'm Loving This Week

It's Black Friday, bots, so I bet a lot of you are bunkering down at home, eating leftover turkey, and - oh yes - shopping online. Woo woo!

So in the spirit of retail therapy that doesn't require elbow pads *or* pants, allow me to present some Christmas Jewelry Currently Endangering My Bank Account, or CJCEMBA, for short.

I'm not a big fan of traditional department store bling, so I went for a merry stroll down Etsy lane. I also did my best to focus on independent artists and makers, so we can help support some more small businesses while we shop.

Ready?

Then please... jingle this way.

First up, the sweet vintage designs of Lali Blue:

Gema has 35 different Christmas designs in her shop right now, from brooches to necklaces to earrings, and they remind me of vintage holiday cards in the best ways:

I spent way too long trying to decide which ones to show you, they're all SO GOOD.

Most of them are also dimensional, with stacked layers of wood or acrylic. So cool.

Be sure to visit her shop to see the rest!

*****

Disney fans, you'll want to bookmark Le Petit Mouse:

I can't get enough of these adorable gingerbread Minnie & Mickey pins:

She has plenty of non-holiday designs in her shop you'll love, too.

*****

If you're A Christmas Story fan, then Wilder Mind Design Co has the earrings for you:

In dangle or stud, and made of wood so they're not... fra-GIL-e. ;)

*****

Born 2 Blossom Designs is another shop tormenting me with too many awesome choices. LOOK:

For my Friends friends. Look at the glittery fez & mirror lenses in the sunglasses!

They also have A Christmas Story earrings:

This Magical Photo Series Of Black Girls Made My Week 1000% Better

Remember Creative Soul Photography's Black Princess Series from last year? Dang, was that amazing. Go click over if you missed it.

Kahran & Regis Bethencourt are the visionaries behind Creative Soul, and this month the Atlanta-based duo is back with more from their new series, "Afro Art." Seeking to "empower children of color to embrace their natural curls and the skin that they’re in," Kahran & Regis transform young girls into warriors, fae creatures, royalty, and more, and I dare you to pick less than half a dozen favorites:

Seriously, hold on to your hearts. This is gonna be gooood.

::swoon::

I love that they don't have the girls smile. You get hints of a softness or amusement here and there, but mostly there are just steady, powerful gazes.

Or this!

Grown-Up Jewelry That Will Thrill Your Inner 4-Year-Old

Remember Toddler Grandma Style?

I don't hear it called that much anymore, but it's still an accurate descriptor of my fashion sense: basically a mashup of a rainbow-loving 4-year-old and a vintage-loving grandma. (Though lately I've skewed more towards the 4-year-old, ha.)

Lucky for us, Lenora Dame Studios lets us live our best Toddler Grandma life with her jewelry designs:

Dino-MIGHT

Obviously I'm all about the oranges, but that lower right is calling to me, too. Vintage beads & sparkly costume jewelry are my jam.

More dinos, because I love the fun color combos.

There is so much more where those came from, go browse her Etsy shop here.

*****

Lately I've been super smitten with acrylic jewelry - the brighter and bolder the better - and Rock The Panda Jewellery makes some of the best designs I've seen:

WANT

Isn't this incredible? I love how parts of the acrylic have a pearly finish.

Rock the Panda does limited releases, and their latest collection is all big cats:

Dapper Day Fall 2020: Both At Home And In The Parks!

I guess one benefit of the time limbo that is 2020 is eventually you lose track of all the fun things you were supposed to do this year - which is my excuse for how I completely forgot Fall Dapper Day was last weekend. o.0

For Spring Dapper Day last April the organizers asked everyone to dress up and celebrate at home, which led to some truly magical gems where folks had photo shoots around their houses and yards with their pets and kids. (You can see all my favorites here.) This time, with both WDW and Disneyland Paris open, they had a hybrid celebration: some folks dappering it up in the parks, others at home. I love how this lets everyone participate, and honestly I hope there's an "at home" element for every Dapper Day going forward. 

But enough intro. Ready to see some dapper delights?

Let's start with a couple Epbot readers, who are the ones that oh-so-helpfully reminded me Dapper Day was even happening:

(Jillian Marie Joan)

There's nothing low-key about Jillian's dapper flapper Loki - and I high-key approve. :D

Karen did a groovy 60s 'bound of Pluto, I love her makeup and the scarf "ears":

(Karen Rose)

This group couldn't be at the parks for the weekend, so they celebrated a little early:

(Bethany Paige)

Any day can be Dapper Day if you believe - and convince a few friends to come with. 

Lauren is an amazing cosplayer and 'bounder, she celebrated with some stunning vintage Belle vibes:

(Dresses and Capes)

I recommend checking out all the accounts I'm linking, btw; lots of great follows to add more pixie dust in your feed.

Fall Dapper Day is better than Spring for 2 reasons: A) it's marginally cooler here in Florida, so we sweat less, and B), more importantly, CHRISTMAS DAPPERS.

(Miss Bettie Bookworm)

 Flailing over Bettie's Nightmare Before Christmas look!

And check out Fifi in front of her sweet tinsel garland:

(Fifi)

I want this whole outfit, Fifi, but especially your hat!

Brace yourself, because little Luke 'bounding as R2 is almost painfully adorable:

8 Disney Crafters On Instagram Who Will Make You Want To BUY ALL THE THINGS

Ohhh, y'all. I have so many cool things I have to share today or I'm going to bust. Or just buy everything. Which would probably be worse.  ...maybe.

So listen, I dislike online ads as much as anyone, but Instagram has me pegged SO WELL that it keeps showing me cool new accounts to follow through their sponsored ads, plus I'm forever following link roundups and recommendations from the 'grammers I already know. Essentially I'm on a perpetual treasure hunt for the best stuff, mostly because it's fun, but also because you guys are the best online shopping excuse EVER.

John: [looking suspiciously at my screen full of Disney shaker charms] "So... what'cha doin?"*

Me: [innocently] "Working."

(* Are we also watching a lot of Phineas & Ferb lately? Yes, yes we are.)

 
So in no particular order, here come a bunch of new-to-me makers making awesome Disney things. And as always, nothing here is sponsored in any way. I legit just like this stuff.


- First up, Shop Sunshine Seekers and their too-cool-for-school Mickey pom-pom earrings:

HOW CUTE ARE THESE??

I almost wish I had pierced ears - just not enough to actually get them pierced, because, you know. ::chicken sounds::

Anyone else happy that Spoopy Season is early this year? Everyone's rolling out their Halloween goodies, and I am here. for. IT.

Pom-Pom ghosts & pumpkins! D'awww.

Check out the Sunshine Seekers' online shop to see what's still available: these sell out fast!

*****

Next, the magical 3D wood art of  27 Willow Lane:

I have only one word for this candy apple cuteness: GIMMIE.

And their Haunted Mansion Small World mashup is a scream:

Honestly if you've ever been stuck on Small World for a while, this mashup makes perfect sense. And I have a high tolerance for creepy dolls. :p ("And now consider this chilling challenge: To find... A WAY OUT! Muah-ha-haaaa!")
 

Now let's try to pick just one favorite from this sweet "Home" collection:

Catbusters, Cake Fascinators, & Jareth Drives Us Crazy

Hey. 

You know what we need right now? 

We need Yzma and Kronk sitting in their roller coaster car, where Yzma's lookin' all 2020 grumpy and Kronk's still blissfully 2019.

OH LOOK:

The Emperor's New Groove Sketchbook Ornament from Shop Disney

I don't collect character Christmas ornaments - in fact, I don't think I've ever bought one? - but this may be the exception.  I wouldn't hang it on a tree, of course; I'd have to build a little roller coaster track for it, maybe have it wind around the wall? :D


*****

Mary Jane McGuire combined two of my favorite things: Ghostbusters and cats:

MASS HYSTERIA.

I love the "slime," and how concerned "Ray" is for "Venkman" after.

Hee!

*****

Someone in my Labyrinth fan club just got this sunshade, and I'm preeeetty sure you need to see it:

For me it's the photoshopped steering wheel that really makes it. And you KNOW there's a song parody coming now, right?

Ahem hem hem.

♪ How you turn my world 
you precious thing ♬

I MOVE THIS CAR FOR NO ONE

::bowing::

Thank you, thank you very much.


Someone else in the group posted this link to purchase the shade, but I can't vouch for that website, so shop carefully, k?

*****

My Modern Met is a great page to follow for all things beautiful: art, nature, photography, etc. This next gem isn't geeky per se, but it's gorgeous and inspiring:

Mask Update: Lose The Contact Cement; We Can Stitch Craft Foam!

Note: This post will only make sense if you've seen my last mask-making tutorial. So check that out if you missed it!

 *****

I'm still a mask-making machine over here, though I only think to take a picture when I'm sending fabric choices out for people to pick their favorites:

  

I work on masks most nights to relax, while I listen to Critical Role. Not to sell -  so sorry to those who've asked! - but to give away. Right now I'm supplying the teachers I know, family, close friends, and everyone we work for during the week. Teachers get the largest sets: 2 frames and 5-6 covers each, so that's been keeping me busy.

Once I'm caught up I'll be making custom sets for any of you Squeegineer winners who want one, so be sure your e-mail entries are in for this month's give-away. Then YOU could get pics like this to choose your favorites:

 

Here's my latest batch of prints, can't wait to dive in to these beauties:

I'm beginning to understand why people end up with huge fabric hoards. Even with our JoAnn's mostly sold out, there are SO MANY PRETTIES. And I want them alllll.

More importantly - and the reason for this update - thanks to your suggestions our foam frame design keeps getting better and better. 

OH YEAH. Check this out:

A Rainbow Plague Doctor Mask, Miniature Muppets, & The Cutest Mermaid Camper

How've you been this week? 

Do you identify more with this green pepper Isabella discovered?

 

 Big 2020 Mood.

Or would you say you're more like Andrea W. and feeling a little...

... Goofy?

:D

Seriously, though, we need more Disneybounding and closet 'bounding with masks. Anything to make them more fun, to bring a little nerdy whimsy when you're out and about.

John's favorite mask has rainbow cats all over it, and he reports that it gets so many smiles, he never wants to wear a "boring" mask again.

So hey, John, have you seen Kirsten's mask?

Bahahaa! Omigosh, I LOVE IT. That quilting is amazing, Kirsten.

As always I have so many saved goodies from the Fans of Epbot group on Facebook - you guys brighten up my feed every day - so let's see how many more things I can cram into one post. 

There's a gift exchange on FOE called QUACK where members make & send each other nifty nerdy things, then share pics with the group. I keep forgetting what "QUACK" stands for, even though we've had 9(!!) rounds so far, but here's one of my favorite creations from last May:

Sherry G. made this miniature Muppet Show stage shadow box - complete with needle felted Muppets!! - for Nicole C., and there was MUCH rejoicing. And Kermit-flailing.

A closer look: