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V277: Working With Ostrich Feathers: Plumes, Drabs, and Spads

V277: Working With Ostrich Feathers: Plumes, Drabs, and Spads

Today I would like to share my experiences with ostriches. ... or... at least their feathers. Ostrich feathers are not as straight-forward as one would think. There are three different...
American Duchess
V274: Steampunking at Piper's Opera House, Virginia City, NV

V274: Steampunking at Piper's Opera House, Virginia City, NV

Last night was our 2nd Annual Victorian Steampunk Ball . It was riotous and epic and wonderful, and despite running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I...
American Duchess

V252: Midnight Vintage Shoe Finds on Etsy

Nothing teaches one the construction and detailing of a vintage or antique shoes as, well, an actual vintage or antique shoe. I was thrilled to find quite a few shoes...
American Duchess

V239: Cassell's Household Guide

There is something so -udderly- wonderful about household guides of the 19th century. And what is even more wonderful is that they are all out of copyright and readily available...
American Duchess
V222: "Miss Nevada" 1890s Vaudeville Secret Gala Costume

V222: "Miss Nevada" 1890s Vaudeville Secret Gala Costume

I'm terrible at keeping secrets, but managed to not make a peep about my "super-secret Costume College Gala costume" for the greater part of a year. All the Northern Nevada...
American Duchess
V211: I Like Big Bustles and I Cannot Lie

V211: I Like Big Bustles and I Cannot Lie

It is rather like an insect carapace, isn't it. Last Friday night, I took a class with the industrious Mary Crawley, leader of the local Steampunk club, High Desert Steam,...
American Duchess
V171: A Vintage Button Hook

V171: A Vintage Button Hook

We've all seen these funny little tools. What are they for, even? We no longer wear button-up shoes these days, but back in the 1920s and prior, this was an...
American Duchess
V169: The Pony Express Re-Ride at Fort Churchill, NV

V169: The Pony Express Re-Ride at Fort Churchill, NV

This past Thursday, my parents and I ventured out to Fort Churchill, Nevada, to see the Pony Express Association's annual re-ride event, in which riders travel the same route, in...
American Duchess
V163: The Carson City Rendezvous, 1860

V163: The Carson City Rendezvous, 1860

Mums on the left, me on the right, in our plaid hoop dresses, and bonnets made by dear friend Maggie This past weekend Mummsies and I attended the Carson City...
American Duchess
V162: My First Re-covered Victorian Parasol

V162: My First Re-covered Victorian Parasol

Yesterday I showed you some lovely extant Victorian parasols that I looked at for inspiration in re-covering a long-handled polyester parasol I bought at Valhalla last weekend. This is the...
American Duchess

V161: Pretty Victorian Parasols

Happy Saturday. I'm a bit late with this entry because I was away at the Carson City Rendezvous for most of the day, but better late than never. These are...
American Duchess
V157: Opinions Please - Mid-Victorian Shoe Survey

V157: Opinions Please - Mid-Victorian Shoe Survey

Hi Ladies! It's market research time once again, and your invaluable opinions are needed to help us decide on a mid-Victorian style of shoe, for next year's historical footwear lineup....
American Duchess