Hello Lovelies
Welcome to 2015!
It is that time when I go over the previous year and reflect on all the awesomeness that happened in various areas of my life and businesses.
I don't do this to bore the interwebz with my life story, but rather as a way to see if I am on the right path, if the plans I had previously are happening and how to continue to grow in all aspects.
There will be 3 sections to this- Magpie Calls, Dance Tribe and Personal.
MAGPIE CALLS:
This past year I decided to up the ante. I wanted to take MC into a more professional sphere of business and to branch out my ranges.
I started by doing a "Creative 'In Store' workshop with the Ruby Orchard. This course was designed for us Creative Businesses who want to price our work accordingly, how to work with suppliers and stores etc. Was a really informative and gave me the kick up the butt to want to make my brand and business presentable to stores and consumers
As a result I finally got the Fabulous Fathima Kathrada from Happiness Is to design a full Branding package for MC. I LOOOOOVE it and have started to incorporate it into all aspects of the Brand.
I have also wanted to start branching out into the Bridal and Special Occasions market. In 2014 I got to help make 2 Brides look Beautiful for their weddings, and I have 1 Commission for 2015 already. The plan for 2015 is to create a look book for boutiques etc, network more, place some pieces in boutiques etc. Maybe even do a Bridal Faire. LOTS planned and on the to-do list!
I am also wanting to get some more ready-made Bellydance peices together , including a range of Bindi's I have designed, mainly head-dresses/pieces, belts and other misc accessories.
Of course I will still make some fun and funky creations for everyday wear.
DANCE TRIBE:
This year has been a great one for myself and the studio.
In March Benni and Myself went to Las Vegas for Tribal Massive and trained with Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Mira Betz, Sharon Kihara, Jill Parker and Amy Sigil. We performed our set "Red" on a Vegas Stage at the Massive Showcase and it was well recieved (A "That was Great" from Zoe Jakes made my Day)!. It was SO good to immerse ourselves for 8 days into this Dance style we love, and to be with Dancers from around the world who inspire and motivate me with their awesomeness. I then got to be there for my friend when she went to New York to meet her family for the first time. A life-long dream realised.
In July I travelled to Joburg to perform in "Tribalation" an annual showcase of Tribal style Bellydance. I performed a solo entitled "sweet dreams", and also participated in another SA first- a group ATS colab with the Durban Tribal Collective and the Joburg Tribal Angels. Total Improvisation on stage , it was SOOOOO Fab and just epitomized the spirit of community in Tribal Bellydance.
I did a Fab workshop in Durban with the newly crowned "Drum Solo Queen" of SA Thelma Rose, and learnt great tips and Tricks for super shimmies and working with drum based music. SA has some talented dancers out there.
In November Dance Tribe and Left of Centre Dance put on our second annual studio production called "Tribal...The Gathering"- a Geeky themed showcase which incorporated multimedia intros and even an Acapella group. In the show Ioleen and I also performed a collaborative duet- another first for 2 Teachers from separate studios in KZN. We had 2 other studio Teachers join us as guest dancers and our dream of a collaborative, unified community is being realised- and we LOVE it! We have had THE most awesome feedback from everyone and we have some very exciting things planned for the next couple of years. WATCH THIS SPACE.
In November Ioleen and myself performing as The Durban Tribal Collective entered the South African Dance Teacher's Association competition under the Bellydance Division , and in the Tribal Category we won Gold. This was despite the lack of electricity because of load-shedding and dancing to the light of many cellphone torches.
I am really excited for the future of the studio and the ideas and plans I have for it. Thank you to all my students and our supporters for making it a wonderful year of dance.
PERSONAL:
This year has been one of consolidation- figuring out where I see my businesses going, making and building on new and old friendships and learning to be content with where I am in life, while still striving for goals and dreams. I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and feel orientated in the world as a whole. I have great friends, businesses I love and am passionate about,
and a Family who are supportive of me and my dreams. :D I have had fun (and apparently dressed up as various characters a lot hehe).
2015 is the year of action- DOING so that dreams can eventually become reality. I've set good groundwork and now it is time to start building on that.
I hope you use this first part of 2015 to reflect on your own lives and not set unobtainable resolutions that are never finished, but to slowly start building up the life you want, bit by bit!
much love and sparkles
