All prices are in US dollars. all shipping costs will be a flat $40.
I can drop off costumes in NYC at the end of March and at AOTB (Art of the Belly in OC MD March 22) I will be coming to the US in 2 weeks and I can ship from there. If I ship at a later date from Canada you will be responsible for all customs duty fees.

RED TURKISH COSTUME – NEW

$600 or best offer (Plus shipping)
34C bra, 38′ hip (photos have more detail measurements)
The costume comes with head piece, wrist cuffs, necklace.

I custom ordered a costume made from a talented costume designer who use to work for Bella and went on her own.I was introduced to her by Eva Chernik. Her name is Nahal. (She has designed 2 of my favorite costumes). I had a friend go over there and get it when she was traveling. When i got it, it did not fit me. So I have never worn it. I am selling it for less than I paid. I made a skirt – I am throwing that in if you want it- size small.
(To view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

GARDEN DRESS

$300
34C Size 6
Lightly used- In perfect condition.

I paid $400 for the dress. I have worn it for a photo shoot and I wore it in the Opulent Motion DVD. I have never worn it again. It no longer fits me- So it is time to get it out of my closet. Make me an offer!
Costume by El Faham Costumes and Gomaa : www.oriental-dancer.com

Sarahs article about this costume: http://shakemyday.com/site/2008/01/garden-dress-costume/

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

YELLOW PHARONICS OF EGYPT DRESS COSTUME

$300
36 B, for a person who was 5’8.
Lightly used, beads are in perfect condition. The elastic needs to be replaced.

It comes with dress, arm sleeves, head piece, shoulder shawl that was worn as a hlp scarf not as originally designed. mesh shorts were made to go with the costume (the elastic needs to be replaced). I also have purchased yellow lycra fabric to make more parts for the costume. I will include it. The original owner of the costume was Neon. I was going to alter it to fit me and I have never gotten around to it. Time to pass it on to a dancer who will love it. The dress is all yellow mesh with beading on top. The shape is a very flattering mermaid style skirt with a front leg slit. Halter type straps. The photos do not do this amazing costume justice. It was originally $950.

(To view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

GANGSTER bra and belts

$75 US per bra/belt set
34B bra, 35-45 hip (easy to move hooks to new size)

4 bra and belts are for sale. (pants not included)
34b bras and the belts are easily adjustable in size (made to have a 5 inch variation)
Costumes are not lined.

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

FLOWER COSTUME- NEW
$250
36E, 39 belt, skirt O/S. Head piece.

BRA: is 36 E Dina style bra. 2 strands of battery operated lights- battery pack gets tucked inside bra cup. The straps and back are not finished to size. I had not fitted it to myself yet. I have extra stones if you would like the stones to go all the way down to the length of your straps ( i never do because it is always changing) unlined.
BELT: 39 inches and can be extended to 44 (the over lap). 3 strands of LED battery operated lights that tuck into the belt. Not lined. the ends to not have hooks (I had not fitted it to me yet)
HEADPIECE: One strand of LED lights. Not lined. No elastic (I typically safety pin it on)
SKIRT: 2 tier chiffon. Yellow skirt is O/S brand new (originally $50 USD plus shipping from bellydance diggs.com) selling for $50.

These costumes were created as a troupe costume. I made one for myself and did not end up using it in the show. So it was not finished off and Ive decided to sell it.

See other costumes that were created at the same time: http://shakemyday.com/site/flower-costume/

GODDESS COSTUMES

$250 for bra, belt, head piece, 2 full circle skirts.
($175 for just headpiece bra and belt. )
3 costumes for sale. (2 skirt sets, 3 bra/belt/headpiece) Bras are 34C, 34B, 34B. Belts have 5 inches in play. 39 inch average.
Gently used- Like new

The costumes were worn in one performance and one photoshoot. no wear and tear. Fully lined. to read more about the costume see this article: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

GOLD/BLUE COSTUME – to be finished for you

$300 unfinished $350 finished to your size.
34C Dina bra, 34-45 belt

I was making this costume for myself a while ago. I decided I am not going to finish it for myself – So many people ask me all the time if I sell my costumes- HERE IT IS!!! comes with a matching skirt as well. This is how I create my costumes. I bead all the parts and then when I am ready to fit it to myself I finish off each part and then sew it together and then line it. So right now each costume part is separate which makes fitting it so great.

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

SHAHRAYARS COSTUME CUSTOM ORDER to be finished for you

$350
Taylor made for you. I am selling King Shahrayars belt (which is the same as my belt) I dont believe that it goes bigger than 40inches but Id had to check it later. I have supplies to make a bra to your exact size. I have my pants shown here, his pants and another pair of pants. You could have the pants or harvest the fabric for a skirt. or get a different skirt. A finished costume to your measurements will be $350 for bra and belt. Glass pearls, crystals, beautiful beading , velvet fabric. I adore this costume!!!

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

TIGER COSTUME – NEW

34C, 38 hip
Org $300 US – Make me an offer.
Comes with bra belt (and the start of a head piece and start of a skirt)

I bought it in Egypt for myself and I have never taken the time to fit it to myself. Time to get it out of my closet and on a dancer that will love it.

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

PINK DRESS – NEW

$125
Small
I purchased this dress when I was in Egypt because I thought I should. I have never worn it and now it is too small for me.

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

STRIPED DRESS – NEW
$75
One size fits all
5 dresses available

Very stretchy and incredible comfortable. Comes with sash.
I ordered these for my troupe and the shipment came in with gold beading- the incorrect color. I am selling the ones that do not match the rest of the troupe costumes- ones with the gold beading. Never been worn.

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

3pc ANIMAL PRINT OUTFIT

34C BRA, O/S SKIRTIE, SM SHARIFWEAR TOP
Worn one time in the Shimmy w Sarah Skinner DVD. Set of 4 available.
TOP org $35 from Sharifwear
EXTRA FABRIC: and there is extra matching fabric org $15 per yard available.
BRA: all of them are 34C and the shoulder straps and firm back straps are extra long to be easy to change sizes.

(to view more photos of this item please look at the gallery: http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/)

SNAKE SKIRTIES

$40
XSM,S,M green and gold skirties
Lightly used in one group show, like new

I have lots of these skirts. If you would like to purchase all the skirts – ill give you the green masks for free.

TEA SERVICE TRAYS

$65 per tray set (this is less than the price I paid) These trays were used in a Sisters of Salome production. one cup and tea silver tea pot are removable to serve yourself some tea. There is one available.

SILVER PEARL TRAY

$400
$25 if you want the LED lights and tulle topper

I made them. I have a few available for sale and I will not be making more.

More about the tray: http://shakemyday.com/site/pearl-candle-trays/

MASSAGE TABLE

$150 used. obo
I bought a massage table 5 years ago. It was my massage therapists table and I bought it so that he would have it to use at my house on me. I am no longer getting massages at home. I am selling the table and head cradle. I bought it for $500. great condition. Heavy (- made out of wood – as opposed to the light metal frames. )

To view photos on this item go to this photo gallery;
http://www.weclick.com/Sarah/Things-for-sale/

I decided that I could only afford to provide X number of costumes and that I would request that dancers create, pay for and keep one costume. I wanted to find a way to make it very affordable and easy to create for the dancers but yet still meet my high standards for costumes.

I saw the fashion trend in the rave kids to do the crystal covered bra. Michael’s sells affordable crystals in a color combination. Youtube had instructional videos on how to cover a bra with crystals and flowers. I sent that to all the girls as well as having a construction party to make them. I loved the idea so much I created one for myself even though I would not be performing the number in the show.

Skirts were ordered so we would all have matching skirt designs yet in different colors. As well as all different fan veil colors.

To make the bra and belts a little different we added in battery operated LED lights from the Dollar store. lights are in the head piece bra and belt.

These costumes make me so happy. They are joyful and festive.

Looking back on the construction I can see that the hot glue gun contraction leads to the gems falling off of the locations that have heavy bending such as the straps. Hot glue is good places where the garment is not bending such as the hard Dina bra cup. but places like the straps should be glued with fabric glue that can handle more flexing of the fabric to hold the gem on.

Most of the flowers were purchased at the dollar store and Michael’s.

The skirts were $50 US plus shipping per skirt and the bras $12, $15 fabric per costume and about 20$ in lights and flowers. the total came to just over $100.

gems glued on and the LED lights are sewn in. Before the flowers were applied. (This is the one created one for myself but was not included in the show – due to story line requirements)

Photo from the Persephone show

Photo from the Persephone show

Photo from the Persephone show

Flower head pieces were created for male and female drummers. Photo from the Persephone show

Blue colorway and pink colorways were created.

SOURCES FROM THE WEB THAT I LOOKED AT:

How to construct and cover the bra with fabric. the stone & flower Design too sparse:

two ideas (no instructional)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jXLPL8yW-c

Putting stones on with glue:

Flower ideas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc7G89IVWWo

Really nice sense of design, great flower choices- etc. (we are not doing a rave outfit)

Really nice use of flowers (again our final shape is different -but great flowers)

HEAD PIECES:

Flower crown:

Beaded tiara

I started creating the costumes with no specific plan other than it was elements that seems to be popular in Tribal Belly Dance and I wanted to make a cabaret fusion version. When I started planning the Persephone show these costumes resonated with me to be a timeless goddess costume. The opulence of the items, the soft color and the clean design. 4 costumes have been create and 3 costumes were used in the show.

The main building block of the costume was the base fabric. Toronto has a textile museum sale, Clancy picked this fabric up for me at it. I also had some gold velour fabric that matched it as well as some lining fabric already in my stash.

I have collected purple gems and metal filigree findings. I found some amber crystals on a close out sale. I had bought a bunch of gold fringe when I went to Egypt this is from that stash.

The amber and gold belly drape came from a necklace.

I had purchase the gold pleated skirt and matching Isis wings on my trip to Egypt and I have been wearing here and there with different costumes but it has found its home with this costume.

The belt is constructed in sections and lined in sections so that I can easily change the size measurements as I loose and gain weight.

Planning out the bra, necklace and the belly drape.

Planning the belly dance belt costume.

Close up of the applique in progress.

One of the outfits was lilac and gold. After the show was over, I decided to use it as the base of a belly dance costume. I realized that it matched my silk dyed costume parts I already owned by Fairy Cove. The silk color ways is called Royal fantasy and Gold. It was a perfect match making it absolutely fate and meant to be!!!

I also had gold fringe in my stash from when I had purchased things from Egypt all those years ago and haven’t gotten to use yet. I was going to sell the fringe – but I am terrible as getting things sold. It all worked out!

I have fabric to make an under skirt (which the fairy cove skirt needs) here I have stolen a skirt from another costume. It will stay on my to-do list I suppose….

In progress shot

I added a little evil eye on the costume- good luck can always help!!

I lined the costume with a blue pebble cotton fabric.

I purchased a fancy candle tray from LaUras mothers (price in 2016 $600). It was beautiful and well made. But I wanted ones for my troupe and I could not afford to purchase them for everyone. So I decided to try to create my own version for everyone. I soon learned exactly why the are so expensive and feel they deserve every penny for them. The process of making the trays have taking so much money, time and sweat to make them. I planned on making ten. I finished enough to adorn the dancers in the show and stopped. In Toronto tray balancing is fairly not done so it is a skill hard to find. I did not find 10 dancers to meet the original dream of the piece. I had to train the dancers I did convince they could learn it. Several trays are still sit waiting for me to work on them.

Just beading the swags take me a full 10 strait hours per day for a full week to bead. Thats not counting all the other parts of the tray that need to be created. These trays really took a village to create. Zobedia helped with the concept of them, Clancy sourced parts, my nephew Julian sourced parts, Kevin drilled holes, Clara’s husband hammered domes into them, I painted and jewels parts of them and more.

All this time working on them gave me time to contemplate what I was doing. I realized that it felt very unrewarding. It was multiples of the same thing. As I finished one, I didn’t get the feeling of elation of being done since there was always another one to do. This intense work for each, slaving away making something that was not for me, also lacked the excitement that you have when you make something for yourself has. It would be an item that the dancer who would get to wear them would take for granted and not appreciate what I was doing to make them look good. I started feeling resentful and not valued. And I would say in the end, I was correct. The dancers did not appreciate them in the way that matched the effort put into them. They did not have to purchase them and just saw it as an item that they did not get to keep. I am now housing them all. Anytime we perform they all get to wear them. They get to perform with them, not spend money and not house them. In my eyes it is such a multi level bonus for them.

As a troupe leader you are always faced with the choice you keep them all so that you always have a troupe costume. Or have everyone own things and then when the moment comes, are all the same people still in the troupe and can you complete it an do it again?

Looking back on it… I can see why huge shows are such a rarity. And I can see why the costumes for them are so often just hot glued crap that looks sparkly on the stage. Making something of time consuming expense is not worth it, emotionally or fiscally.

At the end of the day I would say that the final result in the show was nothing short of stunning.

In the Persephone theatrical bellydance show the trays had LED lights draped down and a poof on top.

LED light crazy is every where now. They found their way to being attached to wings. You can find them at lots of different price points and different technology that runs them. I found a reasonably priced all white set. I also wanted to have a sheer set of wings in front. These wings worked out perfect for a showcase that had a theme to which I came as a fairy godmother.

The wings were also used in the Persephone Theatrical Belly Dance show to complete the look of snow during Demeter s sadness.

Another incarnation of the wedding costumes were used in the Persephone Theatrical Belly Dance show. They now symbolized snowflakes.

The bra and belts were used but needed skirts. I wanted to have 8 dancers in this number. Affording 8 skirts for one number was the challenge (as well as costuming the rest of the show) I acquired crinolines from the same wedding charity. We made satin yokes and waist bands. Then covered the skirts in crystals found at the dollar store. This made the dancers look like perfect poofs of snowy delight.

Sebastian fell in love with with poofs. I could not get him to stop running and playing in them. as a puppy to adulthood, he loves to nestle in crinolines.

To finish the look for the snowflake costume was building LED lights hanging from the candle trays. The design was inspired from a fashion design. Originally I was trying to source crystal drape fringe but it was extremely cost prohibitive. It changed to creating a card board and coat hanger rig to hold dollar store battery operated LED lights. Each dancer had 8 strands of lights draped down around her. It had a double challenge of all of the dancers learning how to balance a tray for the first time as well as having these strands of lights catching on things. It took a lot of practice to say the least.

The wedding bra and belts costume evolved from the Love-lorn number to the big climax piece for the Arabian Nights theatrical show.

Having these wedding dresses with lovely trains I could not help but be inspired by them. I have studied for years with Elena Lentini and she often incorporated a flamenco fusion into Middle Eastern Dance. Which historically is a natural and cultural cross over. These long trains were a wonderful opportunity to to play. 4 dancers had wedding trains and bra and belts.

I also had 4 strait out wedding dresses with girls with shamans on.

All eight dancers had veils over their faces as well as 2 strands of battery operated lights on them. At a dramatic moment in the music, the stage lights went out and we all turned on our LED lights. From the audience you could hear an audible gasp. We all danced in the dark with our lights illuminating our moves. It was very haunting.

Wedding :Solo costume
The wedding costume for the lead of the show had to be more dramatic and showy than the other girls. Wonderfully the trial shop had this outrageous poofy wedding dress. It gained a nickname “the Doily”. It became the mascot of the show.

I worked with Micheal Baxter, from the west coast, to create a massive LED underskirt. We had communicated about it , long distance, for about 2 years. We worked on the functionality and design requirements. Once he completed the electronics I got to work on the underskirt. With all the elements together the skirt is able to stand up on its own. It has a train is is fairly heavy. This makes the skirt extremely limiting in what movements and choreography can be done with it. Frankly all you want to do is put it on an prance around. You can’t help but giggle for joy and bounce when wearing it.

The skirt has an on off switch located behind the right hip so it is easy to turn on an off with out being noticed. there was an additional light string that went into the veil. the on off switch for that was located in the bra accessible for the other hand to turn on. There were so many LED lights on the skirt it became a light source in the finally scene of the show.

The on off switch to my light up skirt being sewn in.

Sebastian can not stop himself but loving to hang out in the skirts.

The story starts with how I networked and came across demo inspiring source material. I photograph weddings and I had a booth at a bridal trade show. There was another booth at the trade show which was a wedding gown charity. They accept wedding dresses and sell the wedding dresses in exchange for donations to their charity. They also had a huge pile of wedding dresses that were took out of style to sell and they had in a room to make available for a small donation to artists. I took apart wedding dresses and reconstructed them into bra, belt, head piece, wrist bands. I went back at another point and got crinolines and used them as skirts.

I am going to start with the first incarnation for LOVE LORN. I knew I was going to do the Arabian nights show which would have a wedding aspect to it. So I started creating these costumes. I was also working with a classical guitarist who created a piece of music for us. I created the piece to go in the show. In the mean time I was invited to teach and perform at the Theatrical Belly Dance Conference in New York City. The performance was at the DNA theater. I decided to debut this piece there. I dressed us in the bra, belt, headpiece, wrist cuffs.

My love affair continues ever since I created the Salome costume. This time I found white white glass pearls (the Salome costume was candlelight (off white) pearl color. Pearls are a natural bead for the wedding concept.

We wanted to perform in the Theatrical Belly Dance conference in NYC but we didn’t have skirts yet. So we called up Sharifwear and said could they make us some custom white lace pants in time. The music and the choreography was very tender. I still wanted a skirt feeling. Shelly of Babs designs said that she had gotten some off cuts of crinkle chiffon and a great clearance package and donated it to our group. We created back half skirts (basically a colorful tail). We purchased flowers to match our skirts and placed them on the costume.

We drove down to NYC and picked up the pants and ran to the theater to perform. We realized the lace did not have enough stretch. As we were performing the lace was tearing. Since I shop and sell Sharifwear so much they were so apologetic and kindly credited us for them.

The music was recorded by a friend of mine and the storyline of the piece still touches my heart today. It was originally planned to be included in the Arabian Nights full length theater show but with the Fringe shows there is a strict 60 min to adhere to and the piece eventually got cut from the theater show.