Friday, October 31, 2008

Grand Opening Contest


Okay, opening an etsy shop isn't as easy as it looks. The Darling Petunia shop is open, but right now, it's kind of the equivalent of a bare room with a folding table and a shoebox for the money. An avatar? A banner? Shipping to Sweden? Policies? I'm on overload.


I needed pictures for this new venture, but every time I planned on having Gerry take pictures of the aprons, it would either be too dark, too rainy, too late, or too cold. We finally got a few taken inside, but they weren't that good. I also felt like a complete dingbat "modeling" the aprons and a complete tyrant telling Gerry, "Get more of the skirt in the picture. No no no! Not just a picture of the bow! Why did you let me stand there that way? Why didn't you tell me I looked like a house?" (I'm sorry, Gerry.)

So we're at the gym yesterday and I'm struck by this thunderbolt of inspiration: There's a dressform at my mom's house! Sort of. There's a dressform all right, but it's ancient. Check this out:


The tee shirt was a must, to cover Mrs. X's bosoms which are, to put it mildly, well worn. Now, I don't know how old this thing is, but when I first laid eyes on it, it looked like it was wearing a bustle. Seriously. A wasp-waist and a well-padded rear. I managed to make some adjustments, so it more closely approxiamates a modern-day body, but the bosom is still a little wonky, and it looks like it has a mild case of scoliosis.

However, I think it will be just fine for aprons. (Especially if all my customers have curved spines and wonky boobs.) Only I think it needs a name. So let's have a contest, shall we? Submit your idea for a name, and if I pick your name, you will win this apron!




Now I have to confess, this is an apron I rejected for my shop. As it turned out, the black fabric is kind of flimsy, so I refuse to sell it. For a freebie, it's okay, but don't think this is typical of the quality of my work!

31 comments:

Teri H said...

I think she fits the bill (or apron) just right! I think she looks like Miss Elsie Mae... (I like old-fashioned names! and that is my grandmother's name) Congratulations on the Etsy shop!

Anonymous said...

Georgette!

Anonymous said...

I've stared at the darling figure for quite a while now and the only name that really sticks (in my mind, anyway) is Betty. I find it appropriate, with inspiration like Betty Crocker, and think it has a feminine ring to it! Anyway! That's my suggestion. :) Love the work and can't wait to see more pics of future designs on Betty :)

Anonymous said...

Aishling-I'm sure you know it means 'dream or vision"


Penny
psmjaguar

Unknown said...

Her name is Brunhilda. Duh!

Anonymous said...

She looks like she's ready to break a ribbon at the finish line. A real winner, just like you. So how about Wilma? After Wilma Rudolph?

Becca said...

Polly Esther
tehe..get it? It's a bad joke I know. My mom told one of her friends she was naming me that and he got really mad. Congrats on the shop!

becca

Anonymous said...

Beutina...I bet you thought I was gonna say Thorita!!

Lynne

Mrs Swan said...

Daisy or tiger lily :)

I think the apron is HOT! Heheh

Anonymous said...

I think her name should be Petunia! She can be your mascot!
VickyLyneQ

Christy said...

aw, everyone else took my ideas.=( Wonky is a good name...or Esmerelda. Chesty LaRue?

Anonymous said...

I think the name "Miss It" would fit her perfectly and I love the apron!

Bunny B said...

Call it Darling! :)
Cute apron!

bunnybx at gmail . com

Anonymous said...

How 'bout "Isabella's Chagrin"? :oD

N'n

Anonymous said...

How about Pearl, Rose or Charlotte?

Anonymous said...

I would name her "Petunia"
Everything looks great, Susan...you are very talented!!!

Anonymous said...

OOOPS...someone already suggested Petunia...shoot....How about Geri....its gets someone else we know out of modeling for you..LOL

Anonymous said...

Helga is the first that came to mind. Or The Iron Maiden.

Ruth's Place said...

I would call her Araminta.

Good luck with your new venture!

KLS said...

She has one of those "sticking out" kind of behinds, like she has some junk in her trunk.
Therefore, I'd have to call her, Bertha, Bertha Butt, one of the Butt sisters. LOL (For all the 70s music fans...)

Anonymous said...

hmm,
Bess or Betsy

oh, when you are ready to take orders, let me know. i have a specific color request .. lol.

Anonymous said...

She looks like a Drusilla to me!

Anonymous said...

OMG I love Becca's suggestion...

Julie Zaccone Stiller said...

I'd name her Deenie. After the main character in the Judy Blume book, who has scoliosis (curvature of the spine). I think she's brilliant, and will make a great model for your faboo aprons.

Anonymous said...

Miss Eugenia!

I love the ancient dressform. She has character!

Anonymous said...

Esmerelda

Christy said...

Penelope! Good luck with everthing!!

Anonymous said...

Blanche, as in one of the "Golden Girls" characters. She was the sassy one, and I think that description suits anyone who loiters about the Etsy shop in nothing but an apron ;)
~Kate

Chicnlittle said...

Laverne or Shirley... from the old sitcom... they were kind of wonky too :)

Mrs Swan said...

2nd try here as it came to me in a dream hahah

toula or tulla (My big fat greek wedding)

bunting said...

Hello
I think Miss Pinny would do - pinny suitable for pinafore - which is mostly the style of your aprons, and pin could also a bit of a pun, referring to your love of sewing!