Date: November 8th, 2007

 
November 2007



Costume Upgrade Time

Now is the time to start thinking about a new costume.
"WHAT??!!" you might say, "Is she nuts?"
Well, those of us up north are just finishing up the parade, picnic and festival season. Some will continue to do birthday parties and school shows, while clown clubs will shift more to nursing home visits. The gang down south is finally getting a break from the heat. Their season is just gearing up. NOW is the perfect time to assess your clown wardrobe so you can keep on top of your costuming needs.

If you are finishing up for the season, there are a few maintenance things that should be done every year. Clean. Repair. Renew. Replace. Budget. You may want to print out multiple copies of this list and tape them to your closet, hat box, wig bag, costume bin, shoe box, etc.

1. Clean.
Pre-treat stains and wash your costume. Click here for our full instructions online (bookmark this page incase you loose this email!). Lestoil made by Clorox will take out grease paint stains. Gently rub stains and let them sit at least 15 minutes before you wash. This allows the detergent to break down the grease. Use a good liquid detergent. BUT NOT TOO MUCH! People in general use twice as much detergent than is necessary. Part of the reason costumes look dingy is because people use too much detergent, and pack their washers too full. When the soap does not rinse cleanly, the left over residue attracts more dirt. I use half the recommended amount with great results. Turn everything inside out when you wash it. Zip the zippers and seal the Velcro. Put your costumes in the dryer for just 5 minutes to warm them and release the wrinkles. Then turn them right side out and hang to dry overnight.

What about that wig? WASH IT! Yes, you can wash your wigs. Click here for our full instructions online. Use shampoo and cream rinse for the best results. Wash them in the sink by gently squeezing the soap thoroughly through the fibers. Do not twist or ring them. Rinse well and roll up in a bath towel to get out excess water. Dry your wig on a wig head or a roll of paper towels. Use a wide-spaced pick comb to detangle the fibers. A brush just makes a mess of a wig. Dryer sheets keep a wig fresh while in storage. Does your wig need a trim? After a while curly wigs relax and seem to "grow". Trim them up for a fresh look. Pull out the fuzz and trim it off. Let the curl spring back into place. It really is easy. For the best results have someone trim you wig while it is on your head. This will give you a better idea how much needs to be removed.

2. Repair.
Do any mending necessary such as loose buttons, split seams, torn pockets, or any little rips. If you are not handy with a needle and thread, take it to your local tailor or dry cleaner. Don't put it off -- it is definitely worth the extra effort now. Small frays and tears can become big ones in a blink of an eye and may be beyond repair later.

3. Renew.
Take a good hard look. Is your costume faded? Sometimes you can spruce up a gently faded costume with some fresh accessories. A new collar and tie can perk up a faded print on a dress, shirt or jacket. A new shirt will brighten up a vest or pants. Something as simple as a brightly colored pair of suspenders helps as well. Replace the trim on any costume and it will give it new life. Polish your clown shoes and see if they need a trip to your local shoe repairman. This is really important. Worn down heels affect your posture and make you feel tired. A little bit of polish can make a pair of shoes look like new. Store shoes with dryer sheets in them to keep them fresh.

4. Replace.
Go through your wardrobe and look at the items that need to be replaced. Make a list of "must haves" and a "wish list". The holidays are coming. If you are hard to buy for, ask for a gift certificate from one of your favorite clown suppliers. One year a woman's kids all got together and sent her to Moose Camp for her birthday! We also have been party to surprise gifts of costumes. I did the design in color and it was given to a spouse. They were able to have something to open on Christmas morning and still be able to change any of the items to fit their style. Match up your socks and gloves. Toss the worn out ones. If it doesn't fit properly, well…we all know the honest truth, it probably never will. Plan to replace your costume with one that fits comfortably. Then if you do loose weight, it is a bonus!

I am conservative by nature. It is hard for me to get rid of anything if it still functions. But you need to draw the line when it comes to dingy and faded costumes. Sometimes it takes a third eye if you can't decide if something should go (ever seen the TV show "What Not To Wear"?). We can become very attached and sentimental when it comes to our costumes. If you can't bear to see it go to a dump, here's a thought: give it away to your local 4H clown club or Jr. Joey program - kids who are just getting into clowning need something and they would be thrilled to have anything. It may be old to you, but it's new to them -- Recycle those clown items!

You don't have to break the bank when it comes to new costume pieces. Plan ahead. Put costume replacement into your clown budget. Plan on buying one key piece a year. This way you can rotate your wardrobe and keep it looking fresh. When you only have one costume you run the risk of not having it clean or repaired in time if you clown more than one day in a row. Zippers bust, buttons fly off, face paints dribble, and markers leak.

Depending on the type of performing you do and the climate you live in, you may want to consider investing in a light-weight costume for the hottest days of the year. If you have been a basic working clown in a t-shirt and pants now may be the time to invest in a new vest or a second pair of pants.

Ladies: you can add more pockets to a dress by adding a colorful apron. This also perks up a faded print dress. Aprons are a nice addition for face painters and balloon artists. More pockets are always a plus! I would much rather dribble face paints on an apron than my expensive pants or dress.

5. Budget.
A friend of mine from New York commented that her friends can not figure out how she has the money to go to convention every year and to buy new costumes. She laughed and said she tithes to herself! She takes 10% of her earnings from clowning and saves it religiously. That way she has the money to do what she wants to do when it comes to travel, supplies and fun! I belong to a great credit union out of state. I also send a portion of my teaching fees to this account. Because it is out of state and not at my local bank I am not tempted to withdraw it! It works and I will have the money I need to take my daughter with me to the World Clown Association convention in Orlando this spring, with a side trip to Disney World.

Whether you are wrapping up your clowning season or getting ready to rev things up, a little planning and extra effort will ensure you look good all year round!

In love and Laughter!
Pricilla

YOU oughta be in pictures....

Hey Kazoo Band Junkies!

Pricilla is writing an article on the history of the Kazoo Band. If any of you have fun pictures that she could use for this article, please send them via email to pricilla@mooseburger.com. The article will appear in The New Calliope Magazine for Clowns of America International, and we'd love to feature some of those great shots you have from past Moose Camps and conventions. Please get them in to us ASAP!

Thanks a bunch!
Three (yes, THREE) Sales!




Special discount on holiday items:

This could be Santa suits or beards, Mrs. Claus costumes or wigs, elf wear, etc. If it's on this page, then it's on sale! The season is closing in, and we want to clear out our Christmas items!
If it's in stock, you'll get 20% off!
If it has to be made or ordered, then you get 10% off!
Just remember to mention the discount code "HOHOHO" when you place your order.

How will you know if it's in stock or not?
If you submit an online order, we'll send you an email letting you know the availability. If you call in your order, we'll check on the availability and call you right back.

Terms & Conditions:
  1. Order must be placed during the month of November.
  2. You must use the discount code "HOHOHO" when you place the order. Discount is not retroactive.
  3. Offer is good only while supplies last. Please note: Just because the item is displayed online does not mean it is in stock - all products are displayed online regardless of immediate availability. After you place your order, we will notify you of the availability of the items and which qualify for the 20% and 10% discounts.
  4. Offer is not good towards a purchase of a gift certificate.
20% off ANY in-stock Accessories:
If it can't be hung on a hanger, then it's considered an accessory!

Here are the pages that qualify: Wigs
Hats
Collars & Bibs
Neck Ties, Bow Ties, & Hair Bows
Gloves & Cuffs
Misc. Accessories
Sox & Tights
Noses

How will you know if it's in stock or not?
If you submit an online order, we'll send you an email letting you know the availability.
If you call in your order, we'll check on the availability and call you right back.
Don't forget to mention the discount code "NOHANGER" when you place your order!!!

Terms & Conditions:
  1. Order must be placed during the month of November.
  2. You must use the discount code "NOHANGER" when you place the order. Discount is not retroactive.
  3. Offer is good only while supplies last. Please note: Just because the item is displayed online does not mean it is in stock - all products are displayed online regardless of immediate availability. After you place your order, we will notify you of the availability of the items and it they qualify for the 20% discounts.
  4. Offer is not good towards a purchase of a gift certificate.
CLEARANCE on Mrs. Claus costume!

(Chuck, insert "mrs-claus" and "mrs-claus-detail" photos to the right of the following paragraphs, with the detail photo being below the main dress photo)
We have had this good ol' gal in stock for a little longer than we like, so we're giving her away to a good home for the low, low price of $315. That's a savings of $108!!! AND we'll throw in FREE SHIPPING and a FREE Granny Cap to sweeten the deal.

Description: For a more old-fashioned look, we took inspiration for the colonial era and designed this classy and cute gown for the holiday season. See second photo for detail on the fabric pattern and trim. Gown size is 12 - 16. Zips up the back, and has a tie-back sash so you can cinch it in at the waist for a more fitted look. The Granny-style cap has elastic in the brim so it can fit over any wig (or be worn without a wig) and has white eyelet lace trim. Sale does not include wig, glasses, gloves, or jewelry.

There is ONLY ONE of this style in stock, so be the first to call us with a valid credit card and be the winner!



Terms & Conditions:
  1. Sale is on a first come, first served basis. We cannot reserve or place a hold on this costume for anyone.
  2. There are no returns or refunds on this costume. Sale is final.
  3. Your total amount for this sale will be $315, which includes the dress, hat, and shipping & handling.
  4. Order will be shipped within three business days after sale is transacted.




Moose Camp Update
We are feverishly working on putting together a mailing for next year's Moose Camp, so be looking your mailbox in the coming months for a little bundle of clowning joy to arrive soon!

Plus, we are hoping to have a preliminary schedule ready to publish by December. Yes - December! We are so ahead of the game this year, we might be in danger of having a PERFECT Moose Camp….wait a minute - it's always perfect! (just kidding)

And don't forget about our $350 scholarships!
Click here to go online and download the application.
Deadline for you to send them in is February 1st, 2008
We will notify winners by April 1st, 2008
Good luck!

As of today, there are only 70 spots left! Don't delay signing up!



WRCA 2007 Convention


Pricilla will be a vendor and instructor at this year's convention for the Western Region Clown Association. It takes place at the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, NV and runs November 11th - 15th.

Check out the convention website - click here!

Don't forget to stop by the Pricilla Mooseburger Originals booth to take a look at all the new items and fun stuff she will be showcasing. And be sure to look her up on the schedule so you don't miss her great classes!

We hope you enjoy the fall and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
 

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