A dieing trade in America

It is shocking how few qualified seamstresses there are in the U.S. Per capita. There are fewer seamstress for the quantity of work that could be produced here in the U.S.

Work in America has always been a hot topic dating back to our first settlers. Today, it is still on the lips of every American. Chatter sources suggest, the subject even supersedes the topic of our Nations horrific Deficit. After all we can’t pay our bills if we don’t have work. Americans are making monumental strides in making it worse.

Just like any business, our country is also a business, thus, every single American is a business owner. The cost of goods has become the foremost concern of buyers for small and large businesses. Now that the flood gates are open, NAFTA and the like, American buyers are going outside the U.S not only for goods that could be produced right here in America, but also for cheaper labor to produce those goods. Right about now you’re saying yeah yeah I heard all about the cheap labor thing.

I work in two industries, the retail industry and the manufacturing industry since my team and I make and sell all of our designs right here in the U.S and sell worldwide. I meet fashion designers all the time that sell here in the U.S but have all of their designs manufactured in another country. Sell in the U.S on one side of the scale, and manufacture internationally on the other side. It’s no wonder sewing is a dieing trade in America along with other garage skills. I define a garage skill as a trade you can do without having to punch a clock for the man.

The desperate and hasty decision implemented by big money business owners set the stage for more business owners to follow suit. I’m not just whining, I have some suggestions for a remedy. Encourage our young soon to be professionals to learn a skill. Show them how to use a needle and thread, show them the “do it yourself” section in the library, change break pads, fix the roof, show them that short of churning our own butter, we will be better off.

Author; Tuley

My Blog

Posted: May 24th, 2008 under News.
Comments: 1

It would seem impossible at first but self lacing a corset can be done easily with some practice. First, find a hoyer lift, just kidding!

In all seriousness, the most effective self lacing technique is to tie your laces to the chimney and jump off. Alright, I will get on with it before my readers accuse me of being a coffee addict.

Step by Step instructions (Self Lacing a Corset)

1. Call your BFF and let her know what you are about to do. ( Cant be too careful).

2. Leave a love note for your family so that if something happens to you they wont do the, “I didn’t even get to say goodbye”, thing. You may want to include your ATM pin # at the bottom of the note.

3. Put on clean underwear.

4. Have a snack handy.

5. Loosen the back laces and put your corset on.

6. Fasten the front completely closed. If your corset has a busk front closure, you may need a fork.

7. Put the fork down

8. Find a door knob

9. Ensure that the door knob is actually attached to a door.

10. Hang a poster of your favorite Hollywood Icon just adjacent the door knob, at least 10 feet away, to give you a focal point.

11. Secure the back corset laces to the door knob with a Braided Turks Head Knot.

12. If the phone rings, DONT answer that! You don’t need ANY distractions right now.

13. Other expert lacer’s say to lace slowly, but I say get it over with.

14. Walk swiftly, I dare say run, towards your Hollywood Icon poster. If you move fast enough you can take advantage of the short delay in the time it takes your body to send a message to your brain that, “this was a bad idea”.

15. You are laced now and it’s time to tie the back laces. First you have to Untie the Braided Turks Head Knot which will take you a while.

16. It’s time for that snack.

17. Tie the back laces in a pretty bow.

18. By now if your Best friend hasn’t shown up, she isn’t really your friend.

Congratulations, for a successful self lace!

Xo Tuley
http://www.pinklabelcorsets.com/blog
My Next Blog: Sewing, a dieing trade in America?

Posted: May 9th, 2008 under News.
Comments: 1

First you should know that Phaedra made me a thousand air. Then I want to impress upon my readers that I never spend money, unless I cant find any other way out. Really, I don’t want to label myself cheap, but I dislike parting with my dollars. I have been jabbed and scrutinized by my close peers regarding my lack of enthusiasm to spend. With five kids to feed, a full time business and full time college, I have to pinch my pennies.

There are only two things in this world that would get me to part with my cash willingly. One is if a customer is upset with me, happens, then I will stumble my own feet to please. The other is a verified needy person. By verified I do mean painfully obvious that there is a need.

Now let me introduce the woman who made me a thousandaire. Phaedra of Phaedra Wed Design found me lurking the forums of The Switch Boards. She swiftly responded to my plead to the forum for a website critique by handing me a list of critiques and her references. Talk about a quick sale! You already know I’m not a quick sale. So the job was on.

Phaedra can work a website like Edward Scissor Hands can cut hair. It’s like she jumped in, and I heard pots clanking and brooms moving and Bing!, It was done! When I opened the doors to peek inside I could hear the chorus chiming a heavenly song as I clicked each page and caressed each jpg. While that does sounds pretty dramatic, I have to say, it’s how I felt. After having the same crummy website since 1997, it was like I had been handed a ticket to the real world of online shoppers. Just like the show Extreme Makeover Home Edition, where Ty Pennington saves the “New Car”, in the driveway for last, Phaedra surprised me with a revamped MySpace page as well.

Pink Label Corsets experienced an 80% increase in revenue which in turn, made me a thousandaire. That isnt rich by anyones standards for sure, but there wasn’t any one thing that I could have done to generate that kind of increase on my own. Thank goodness for professionals like Phaedra who practice good business and offer a great bargain without cutting corners. Thank you Phaedra!

Phaedra Specializes in Affordable Small Business E-Commerce Web Design.

Tuley
My next blog: How to self lace a corset, easier than getting your cat to take a pill.
http://www.pinklabelcorsets.com/blog

Posted: May 6th, 2008 under News.
Comments: 1

I told you I couldn’t wait to write about match stick models. Hold on to your seats if you have one this may be a bumpy ride!

My disclaimer: What you are about to read will probably upset those of you who think 5′ 9” at 100 lbs is acceptable, and you know who you are.

If your boyfriend or husband has told you, it feels like he’s laying on coat hangers when you snuggle, then you are a match stick model.

I have seen a lot of portfolios. Woe onto the models who have gone through all the trouble glamming it up, hiring a photographer, and creating a portfolio, all for the purpose of sharing their vision of sharp hip bones, pointy shoulders and cheek bones that cant be fixed with any amount of makeup artistry. The look can not be curred by implanting silicon modules into the breast area either. In fact that just makes it worse, and further enhances the fact that the model is just skin and bones. The results of breast implants on a 100 lb model is reminiscent of stuffing a car into a water balloon. Obviously I could talk more about augmentations in general but this article is about match stick models.

I get it, all of us are built differently, but why pray-tell, choose to be a model if you just cant get past the 100 lb mark. It’s perfectly acceptable to be whatever weight you are intended to be, but if you choose to show it off, make sure you are leaving a positive lasting impression on society, particularly our young women who think they need to starve to be glamorous.

On a positive note, Match Stick Models are being pushed out of the mainstream, and rather quickly. More designers, and makeup beauty care companies are promoting the idea that healthy and natural is the new Buzz. I am a supporter of Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. Check it out, the statistics are startling! “75% of girls between the ages of 15-17 world wide avoid certain activities due to feeling bad about their looks”. (Dove). Gee I wonder how that happened!

This is just one designers opinion but I hope it transcends into a positive message in the end, that a healthy weight looks great in anything.

Tuley
http://www.pinklabelcorsets.com/blogs
My next blog, “Phaedra made me a Thousandaire”

Posted: May 5th, 2008 under News.
Comments: none

I’m sitting here in my workshop surrounded by fabric and sewing machines, preparing to write my very first blog. You should know, that first sentence took ten minutes.

Up until now my blogs have been about events, new models, and other types of Pink Label Corsets information. It occurred to me, that those types of blog posts while informative, are boring, even for me to read.

After several days of deep blog thought, I decided that I really don’t know what to write about on a daily basis. I asked my friends and piers what they thought and the resounding response was, “Why don’t you write about all the things you and the other designers, friends, and customers talk about?” Then I had an epiphany! I do have some seriously interesting/funny/scary things to talk about. Just the other day Lori Bainbridge (our skirt designer), and I were chatting about match stick models and how we seriously dislike skinny models.   I can’t wait to do a write up on  that subject!

Some of the other subjects I will write about are, the things I learned about running an online business, people I work with, network with, juggling 5 kids, business and college, being almost 40 and how scary/cool it is, things that are junk, things that are worth a second look, things I love/hate about the fashion industry, and some other juicy controversial stuff that I hope my readers would chime in on.

Here is a leader into tomorrows blog…. I told you I couldn’t wait to write about match stick models. Hold on to your seats if you have one this may be a bumpy ride!

Subscribe to Tuley’s Blog here http://www.pinklabelcorsets.com/blog

Posted: May 4th, 2008 under News.
Comments: none

Pink Label Corsets is thrilled to announce they will be acting as the personal designer for the most fabulous plus size cabaret act around… The Glamazons! You may remember them for their super-sexy, jaw-dropping performances on the 2007 season of the Simon Cowell produced hit America’s Got Talent. Since reaching the top 8 on the show they have stayed on the fast track to stardom with a sultry, show stopping act that blends exceptional vocals, top notch choreography & a vibrant, playful spirit.

In 2001, Meryl “Lady” Finger, a successful cabaret/burlesque artist and NYU Theatre graduate, focused on the idea of bringing together a dynamic group of full figured, body positive women that would defy the ideals of conventional beauty. Sandra “Candy Apple” May, an American Musical and Dramatic Academy & Performing alumni, joined in 2004. Next was Laura “Caramella” Johnson, a back up singer who has preformed with an eclectic mix of artists, in 2005. Sarah “Ginger Snap” Orr, a plus sized model & actress, won a 12 week “America’s Next Top Glamazon” contest in the summer of 2006.

Embracing a “Big is Beautiful” attitude, the four possess an undeniably intoxicating chemistry that is every bit as delicious as their stage names imply! Performing nationwide, they’ve brought their steamy show to illustrious venues such as the Roxy, The Rainbow Room & Webster Hall.

The group is currently developing a brand new television show for The Oxygen Network that is set to debut in 2009. Pink Label Corsets will be designing an entire line of superstar outfits for the show, which will follow the lives of these refreshing performers as they work to triumph in the music industry while balancing personal lives and following their dreams. Stay tuned to see these rockin’ ladies strut their stuff in our exceptionally glamorous designs!

Posted: May 3rd, 2008 under News.
Comments: 2

Introducing the infamous fetish model London Shadows. Not only has London been a fetish model for over 9 years, but she’s also been a professional makeup artist and stylist for over 19 years. London is well known as a DJ for the goth-industrial scene in Washington D.C.

London Shadows showcases our newest sensation, aptly named London’s Corset, and Pink Label Corsets is excited to add her to the team of sensational models. Photographer Larry Bradby shows off his talent by capturing London’s personality on film.

Posted: March 27th, 2008 under News.
Comments: none

Upcoming event:

We are excited to be participating in the 9th Annual Noir 2008 Fashion show at the University of Michigan , on April 6th, 2008.

This event will benefit the Speak Out Loud Campaign.

*The proceeds from this year’s fashion show will be donated to the Alexis Goggins Hero Fund. Our goal is to implement programs about domestic violence awareness and prevention in the name of this seven-year old, local hero who was shot six times, in an effort to protect her mother from an estranged boyfriend.

Upcoming event:

Pink Label Corsets will be participating in The American Soldier Rock Fashion Tribute Concert on Sunday, August 31st 2008, where we’ll be showcasing our corsets and accessories. Check back for date, time, and ticket information.

Fashion and music event honoring the American Soldier. Proceeds donated to charitable veterans organizations.

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Look who’s talking about us:

Pink label corsets is making news again! Lorie Sigua had a lot to say about our corsets in her article entitled UnleashYour Hidden Seductress with Pink Label Corsets!

Stop by She Unlimited Daily Confections and check it out.

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Upcoming Photo Shoot:

We are happy to announce an upcoming photo shoot for She Unlimited Magazine featuring the beautiful Megan Colley.

Megan will be showing off our NEW Retro Fur line and we can’t wait to for you to see it! Keep an eye on this blog to see the photos!

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Envy Photography will be showing our Marie Antoinette line in their upcoming Notorious Women’s Exhibit. This exhibit will feature diabolical & sinister women of history, such as Marie Antoinette, Bonnie & Clyde, Lizze Borden and many more.

The photo shoot featuring Ms Madison James as Marie Antoinette is scheduled for January, 2008 and is sure to be an awesome shoot.

Posted: January 9th, 2008 under Events, News.
Comments: none

“The corsets and skirts at Pink Label Corsets are to die for; the party girl’s ultimate wardrobe. From ready made to design your own, the wonderful party wear comes in a wide array of fabrics and adornments; with or without piping.”

Read the entire article:
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Pink Label Corsets
-Daily Confection - She Unlimited

Posted: October 16th, 2007 under In the Press, News.
Comments: none

Exotica Detroit
November 9 -11
Expo & Ball
Detroit, Michigan

Special thanks to Exotica Detroit for inviting us to participate!

Posted: October 16th, 2007 under Events, News.
Comments: none