A Masquerade Costume

In commedia del'arte, the character Arlecchino, a playful prankster, puts on airs, trying to be very fancy. He collects scraps of fine fabrics then patches them together to make his clothing. When we take our mobile store to historical re-enactment events, we are required to disguise it as a period structure, so we patched together a tent that knods at renaissance commedia del'arte performance space, as much as it embodies that playful character on cast. Watching Shawnie and I erect this "garage" on merchant row, before driving our bus into it, amused the attendees of Realm of Chivalry's Pirates Plunder event in May 2019, our maiden voyage. We learned a lot! Made modifications to the set-up along the way. Added a side awning from Renton ReRack, added higher structure over the engine, to even out the big box tent look. Our stops in 2019 included All'sFaire, followed by Westport, 2 Legacy Bay events in Oregon and ending the summer festival season in September at the Northwest Viking Festival. During October, we used the bus as a SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP STUDIO!! Watch for our upcoming events in 2020, where you, too, can come shop aboard our bus mobile store named Arlecchino.

Guys, how about Royalty attire this year at Faire? Or pose as a bishop and offer to marry people?

Thank you Black Swan Bo***ir photography in Redmond for sharing images you have shot with our products.

Adding flowers to 18th century wigs really pleases my eye today! Come let us custom embellish your wig for your next masquerade attire.

Time to be your faerie best? We got you! Come on into the shop and we can help you finish your look. Be sure to bring any pieces you are already using with you, so we can put it all together!
https://www.facebook.com/100060254724407/posts/913115317373617/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

This year, we are adding a back-story, characters and immersive performances to the 15th Annual VENICE IS SINKING MASQUERADE BALL on April 20th!

The Queen of Venice, Allesandra Della Piazza, has invited the Fae Queen Titiana and her King, Oberon, to attend the Masquerade Ball.

"For 14 years, Queen Allesandra, a woman of unparalleled grace and influence, had hosted the illustrious Venice is Sinking Masquerade Ball, each year surpassing the last in splendor and intrigue. Yet, as the years passed, whispers began to circulate through the canals and cobblestone streets of Venice. Rumors of a subtle unrest, a feeling that something was amiss, began to taint the air of celebration...."
...TO BE CONTINUED....

So, in addition to 1700s period piece costume or formalwear, you might want to come dressed as fae, faery, pixie, etc.

TICKETS: www.EpiphanyEvents.net/buy-your-tickets

Story about our store on King 5 Oct 10:

Where to find theater-quality Halloween costumes on the Eastside Redmond's "A Masquerade" has been providing stage-worn and handcrafted clothing and props for 24 years.

Evening Magazine hosted from A Masquerade Costume Oct 10, 7:30 pm, channel 5.

The calm before the storm. We welcome you to stop in early for best selection. For rentals, you can take them now and return them before November 4th. No extra charge for the early pickup. You pay just 1x the rental rate. See you soon!

With huge gratitude to those who pitched in the lighten the workload during the move,
we are happy to announce that we are now "soft open" at the new address.

It's just one block away from the old store.

It's still a "hard hat zone" and it may take a few weeks to settle in better.

Look for announcement of Ribbon Cutting Grand Opening celebration in July. Stay tuned for exact date and details, including:

* Mask Giveaway for everyone who attends, along with one free raffle ticket

* Raffle Drawings once an hour for $100 gift certificates (you do NOT need to stay present to win, we will contact winners)

* More ideas? If you have an idea that would make the celebration more meaningful or interesting, and you want to help execute that idea, please feel free to reply.
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Parking Challenge:

We share a small parking lot on Cleveland St that is often full. The LOADING ZONE at our door is technically *not* a parking spot so we will keep a Traffic Cone there to prevent long-term parking. However, we encourage YOU to move that cone and use that spot if you are popping in quickly to return your costume. Or you can use the UPS 15-minute zone parking if you are quickly dropping off a costume.

Street parking is available in 2 hour slots.

Redmond Way has more parking, and you will see we have a door on Redmond Way as well. HOWEVER, Redmond Way door to our store will be LOCKED, with doorbell.

Be prepared that you might have to walk a little ways between where you find parking and the store itself.

LAST PARKING NOTE, CAN YOU HELP US? Our 24-ft converted tour bus “Mobile Store” needs a new parking spot. We are hoping to pay less than the $200/mo fee at Public Storage. If you know about better value for RV-size parking, please let us know.

We've heard people expressing interest in

· Makeup Training classes.

· Mask Decorating Workshops.

· Sewing basics for cosplay.

If these topics sound interesting to you, either as a participant or as the instructor/leader, please comment to let us know about those interests. Feel free to drop a line about other ideas you have as well, please.

We are figuring out how to best use sections of our new store for the workshops and classes, by creating flexi-spaces.

Such a FUN weekend seeing many familiar faces, and THANK YOU for bringing your friends and family who have never been to the store before! I was feeling the love, and I am very grateful. Thank you, again, for your ongoing support keeping this small business afloat, and lightening our load-out, while financing our move.

Also, this amazing silver dress did not sell over the weekend. In fact, there are still FIVE rolling racks full of clothing with green dot stickers on them. The move begins May 1. Please come empty these clearance racks between now and then. If there was green tag item you liked, and the price tag seemed too HIGH, don't be SHY to make offers! Tell me a number that makes sense for YOU to adopt the babies, because they really need to find new homes!

Used, previously rented stock is ALL on sale.

We have added green dots to price tags of items that have not circulated in the last year, at least 30% discount, or make me a reasonable offer. I will either accept your offer or counter with my lowest price.

The rest of the Previously-Worn rental items, without green dots, start at least 20% discount, also accepting reasonable offers with same rules.

BONUS if you shop March 25 and 26, 11a-4p, there is a nearby estate sale in Kirkand featuring vintage clothing, and performers' wardrobe, offered by 2 burlesque performers. Stop by our store first to get the address!

Our sale starts March 25-26, 11-7, and continues through April. We begin moving May 1 and hope to have lots less to relocate.

Yesterday the new landlord stopped by to check out our operations and negotiate the lease.

New Location-- We will be moving 10 min down the road -- into a warehouse in a business park. It's off the beaten path, and you won't see us from the street, but we hope that you will make the effort to come find us!

Stop in early for your mask and attire for Venice is Sinking May 20. If you are renting your look, it's the same flat price to pick them up today as it will be to pick them up in May. We are also offering 10% courtesy discount for this event and any events we promote. Tell your cashier Where You Are Going! https://m.facebook.com/100060254724407/

Stop in early for you mask and attire for Venice is Sinking May 20. If you are renting your look, it's the same flat price to pick them up today as it will be to pick them up in May. We are also offering 10% courtesy discount for this event and any events we promote. Tell your cashier Where You Are Going! https://m.facebook.com/100060254724407/

Venice is Sinking Masquerade Ball 15th Annual Venice is Sinking Masquerade Ball
SATURDAY, APRIL 20th, 2024

Calling all carvers! Queen Victoria popularized mourning jewelry carved of black JET, long before the faceted beads could be more easily molded from plastics and other materials we now have at our disposal. The beaded belt showing the photo is authentic vintage Victorian. But even better is the LARGE size of this gemstone grade raw JET boulder, big enough to carve some ATHAMES before using the smaller remains to carve beads. JET is organic black glassy material, highly desired for making this 2-sided dagger used in ritual. The finished knife in the photo is not in our possession, it's just a sample so that you can see the vision.
Jet is not readily available, especially in larger sizes.
This particular jet is the flow of air borne pollen trapped in flowing water and deposited in seams that also bear a softer coal.
This gives this jet a particular smooth grain. My dad procured this from an old prospector who drives it from Virginia to Quartzsite and other points. My dad says, referring to himself, "One old Pagan with some vintage tools could turn out an Athame."

My dad is no longer personally planning to carve ritual daggers from the material. Are you the person to take over the project?

One 14" piece is at my shop, come make an offer! The other 4 pieces are in Apple Valley. The longest is 17".

New Address coming soon! Our lease is up July 31 and the building is scheduled for demolition and groundbreaking on residential building. We have not yet finalized our next location, keeping costs in mind as market rates for commercial rent have gone up substantially during our 7 lucky years in the favorable lease we are enjoying for a few more months. If you are interested in helping with the move once we have an address, please let us know.

The photo is one of our newest acquisitions, called LONLINESS, from Cafe Nordo "The Witching Hour". Yes, the rental collection continues to morph in strange and beautiful ways even in the face of the transition of address.

"Garage Sale" to benefit Bellevue Youth Theatre Tomorrow! Saturday Oct 9, 9am to 2pm. Includes some items donated by our store!

Now hiring!

Retail Sales Associate, Wardrobe Specialist, COSTUMES - retail /... A Masquerade Costume is a year-round costume store featuring theatrical quality costumes and wearable art for rent and for sale. We also offer retro vintage clothing and alternative fashion, as well...

If your finances are more tight than usual, remember RENTAL is always a great value, and, as a small business, we are FLEXIBLE on pricing, and can meet your budget while creating looks you love. Thanks for your ongoing support!!

The strip mall that is home to my little costume shop has been sold. I met the new property manager today Jan 7. He said the demolition has not yet been scheduled. There is no concrete timeline yet, but his best guess was at least two years before I need to move out. Whew.

Santa solutions:
1) RENT attire from us... or...
2) HIRE "live" Santagram, includes 6ft selfie:

Turkey costume in stock! $40. Curbside pickup available. Contactless payment options from your phone. Text to set up your pickup time: 206-697-6800

New acquisitions from Sass in Satin.

Portable open-air photo booth kiosk now available for rent, for your special occasion! Includes optional customized theme props and accessories from our collection. The kiosk disassembled fits into carrying case, with 2nd carrying case for your props. Images can be emailed or texted to guests /users. Mirror view allows you to see how you look before the timer takes your picture. Open air means more people can fit into the picture.

Uses software, and give photo credit for these sample images to SparkBooth

Whimsical headdresses to wear for your Zoom call... By local maker House of Shaun