Two Wishes

Gocco lost, Gocco found....

It's here!  It's here!  After many months of waiting (more on THAT below), I finally have a new Gocco in hand!

I have wanted one of these babies since reading about them in the very first issue of Craft magazine.  At the time, though, the company had stopped making Goccos, and even if you picked up a used version there was no guarantee of future supplies.  I've already seen the supply chain cut off for one of my hobbies, and the resulting feeding frenzy was a pricey nightmare.  Plus, the expense was hard to justify for just a hobby....

But then, along came wedding invitations!  And the company started production of new Goccos.  And life seemed rosy.  I went on Ebay and purchased a PG-11 for the amazing price of $117 after shipping.

Unfortunately, it never showed.  I waited and waited, getting more and more jealous every time someone on Weddingbee mentioned Gocco.  I emailed the seller multiple times, asking about the tracking and insurance.  No answer.  Finally, I turned to Ebay's Dispute Resolution (Item Not Received) process, only to learn that the dispute must be opened within 60 days of purchase and I'd missed the cutoff.  Thank heavens for my first rule of expensive and/or international Ebay purchases -- always pay with a credit card.  I contacted my card company, and hopefully will receive a refund through the chargeback process.

Meanwhile, I researched all the available purchase options and once again decided Ebay was my best bet.  But this time, I went with a long-established seller with 100% positive feedback!  For those of you who are considering Goccos of your own (and I know you're out there!), here's what I learned in the purchase process:

-  Most Goccos for sale are the basic model, called PG-5 (formerly B6).  Rarely, you come across a PG-11 (formerly PG-10), which is the same size but makes for easier multi-color prints.  There's also the PG-Arts (formerly B5), which makes bigger prints but is MUCH more expensive.

- Ebay generally has the lowest prices, even if you factor in roughly $45 express shipping from Japan.  I paid $175, after shipping, for a brand-new PG-11 from seller PrintAddict.  In contrast, PG-6s run roughly $145 after shipping.  You can also find Goccos on Etsy from sellers like feltcafe, PrintAddictJapan (same as my Ebay seller), and alittlegoodness.

- If you'd prefer to order from the US, one excellent source is Northwood Studios.  They had the PG-11 and a basic kit of supplies for roughly $250 after shipping.  If you factor in the cost of supplies, this was only about $25 more than what I paid on Ebay.  But I'm cheap, and I also wanted to pick my exact ink colors rather than relying on the basic kit.  I did order all my start-up supplies (ink, extra bulbs, masters, etc.) from Northwood, and they had excellent customer service.  A good list of other US suppliers is available on SaveGocco.

- Looking for more information or tutorials?  In additional to all you'll find on Weddingbee (link goes to a comprehensive list of posts), there's a huge set of links here.

Now ... to figure out what exactly to print.  Invitations are hard!

Based on the amount of discussion on the boards, it seems there's a lot of interest in Gocco out there.  Do you plan to use a Gocco for your invitations or other wedding items?

Finding Inexpensive Bridesmaid Dresses

Because I am a well-known cheapskate, I couldn't imagine asking my bridesmaids to spend a fortune on their dresses.  But it can be hard enough to find dresses that suit your colors and style and fit everyone involved -- adding a price limitation makes the search that much harder! 

My main search goal was keeping the price under $50 before alterations.  Most of my own party dresses are Marshalls/TJ Maxx specials, so between that option and my Ebay shopping fixation, the goal seemed tough but do-able.  In fact, I found a good candidate on Ebay after only a bit of searching:

(Bill Levkoff #964; $156 retail; my Ebay prices for "new with tags" dresses were $27 and $54 including shipping.  The neckline matches that of my wedding gown, and the double straps are reminiscent, so it seemed perfect!) 

Ebay can be a great source for inexpensive bridesmaid's dresses.  As with wedding dresses, bridal stores often sell off discontinued stock at a huge discount.  Unfortunately, most stores only have one of any given dress, so it can be a challenge finding a set.  With a bit of searching, though, you can sometimes find matching dresses offered by the same seller.  Some are dresses that have already been worn in a wedding, but there are also whole sets of new dresses from canceled weddings or from bridal stores.

Some Ebay tips:

Suitable dresses aren't always identified as "bridesmaid's dresses," so a search of that term will only get you halfway.  There are 3 possible ways around this problem.  (1) First, you can go to the categories where dresses live and simply scroll through the listings.  Sets are usually listed one after another, so the series of identical photos will stand out.  The best categories for this type of search are "Clothing, Shoes & Accessories: Wedding Apparel: Bridesmaids' Dresses" and "Clothing, Shoes & Accessories: Women's Clothing: Dresses."  (You can further narrow the latter category into "Formal Gowns" or "Cocktail" by using the drop-down menus on the left-hand side of the page.)  Here's an example of a current listing that I found through this search method:

(David's Bridal new dresses; sizes 2, 4, 6 (two), and 10 are currently listed by a single seller at $45.99 buy-it-now (the auction price is lower but carries oddly inflated shipping, while buy-it-now offers free shipping/handling).)

(2) Second, you can try searching for names of particular dress designers.  The names often appear in the text of the listing rather than the title, so it helps to check the "search title AND description" box under the search bar.  Some possible searches for frequent Ebay brands include: Levkoff, "Alfred Angelo," "Bari Jay," "Mori Lee," "After Six," Watters, Hjelm, Sottero, and "David's Bridal."  Fancier brands like Valenta or "Vera Wang" are less common but do also appear.  If you want to see all options, don't forget to click on the "See additional Buy It Now" link at the bottom of the listings.  Here are some Bill Levkoff dresses I found on a quick search by name:

(Levkoff style #704, available in sizes 6, 10, and 20 from a single seller for $34.95/$39.95)

J. Crew bridesmaid dresses also appear quite frequently on Ebay.  You can narrow your results by searching specific style names.  (For example, Ava, Avery, and Sophia seem to be common styles at present.)

(J Crew "Avery" style in Navy; new with $215 value; listed by a single seller in sizes P2, P4, P6, 4, 6, 10, and 14 for $49.99)

And lately I've been into BCBG dresses as possible bridesmaid dresses.  (In fact, I may change our own bridesmaid dresses to turquoise BCBGs.)  Not all BCBG dresses are bridesmaid-worthy, of course, but the ones that are tend to hit the sweet spot of being truly re-wearable....  I recommend Ebay seller JT & Company because of its sheer number of BCBG listings (hundreds!) and because a link within each listing shows you all current listings of the same style.  Here's a current JT&Co favorite:

($188 Max & Cleo dress; currently listed in sizes 6, 8, 10, and 12 (two) starting at 95 cents on auction or for $74.95 on buy-it-now)

(3) Finally, you can search for "bridesmaid* lot" to find listings that offer a whole set of dresses.  (The asterisk is a search expander to pull in "bridesmaid," "bridesmaid's," etc.)  Some will be identical, while others are often sets of different-styled gowns in a matching color scheme.  (For example, here are 3 gorgeous pale aqua gowns starting at $1!)

Other Ebay tips:  (1) Be open to finding different styles in a similar color scheme.  Ebay is a cornucopia of choices if you're not tied to identical dresses. 

(2) If you find something you like, snap it up immediately!  I learned this the hard way: Originally, I planned 3 bridesmaids, but I put the 3rd dress in my "watch list" for a few days ... and someone else bought it in the meantime!!!!  Now, it's either 2 bridesmaids or back to the drawing board on the dresses!

(3) If you know exactly what you want, you can have Ebay email you new listings as they appear.  For example, in hope of finding a 3rd red dress, I'm watching for listings that contain "Levkoff red," "Levkoff garnet," and "Levkoff 964."  To do this, run your search as usual and then look for the link that says "Save This Search." 

Web choices other than Ebay:

I admit my experience in this area is extremely limited!  I would imagine there are consistently good dress options out there from regular department store sites (especially their sales) or online discounters.  I've long been a fan of Smartbargains.com (a Loehmann's affiliate).  Overstock.com often seems to have good options for less than $100.  Bluefly consistently offers attractive designer dresses, but prices tend to be higher (lots in the $150-$200 range).

Any other options or suggestions??  Where did you find your bridesmaid dresses?

Buying a Wedding Gown on Ebay (Pt. II)

As mentioned in Part I, in addition to brand-new gowns (which can be sold with sales tags ("NWT") or without ("NWOT")), there are 4 distinct categories of wedding gowns that show up again and again on Ebay.  Each presents a few considerations worth noting:

   + Bridal Samples:  Ever wonder what happens to the sample dresses that brides-to-be try on in salons across the country?  Once they are pulled from the designer's line, many of the sample dresses end up on Ebay.  If you wear the sample size (often a bridal 10-12) or know a good tailor, you're in luck!

 

 Richard Glasgow Mikado Silk Gown, size 10, retail price $3,925, listed at $850 fixed price from seller Scarlett's Closet. 

These listings may offer fantastic bargains on well-made designer gowns, but it is wise to pay close attention to the listing descriptions.  (Due to the specialized nature of the supply chain, the sellers of these dresses most often are professionals whose listings are quite thorough and informative.)  Some of the dresses have been tried on by brides who were less than careful, and the gown may have makeup smudges, dirty hems, missing beads, or similar flaws.  Most issues can be addressed by a good dry cleaner.

$1,100 lace and satin gown, maker unknown (no tags), size 10, listed at $9.99.

   + Secondhand Dresses: These days, many brides turn to Ebay to sell their gowns after the wedding is over.  In theory, you can save a bundle by purchasing a secondhand gown, and the fact that it has been worn one time should in no way detract from its beauty.  (Actually, some of the dresses in this category are even new, as a surprising number of gowns from canceled weddings turn up on Ebay as well.)  In practice, prices can vary in these types of listings, and some of these gowns are better deals than others.  Some women can't seem to appreciate that the beloved gown that was $3,000 in the bridal atelier is no longer anywhere near a $3,000 gown once it has been altered, worn, and offered for sale on Ebay.  Other women just hope the dress receives more use from another bride than it would in a box in the closet.

Ulla Maija Couture Gown, Eur Size 6, listed at $3,000.

The main consideration with secondhand dresses is that the sellers are not pros and may not know how to list measurements, take well-lit photos, etc.  And measurements are particularly important for these dresses given that most secondhand gowns have been altered and may no longer conform to the designer's standard measurements for the given dress size.  Do not hesitate to ask for more information -- even better photos if necessary -- on a dress that strikes your interest.

Melissa Sweet "Hallie" gown, size 4, listed at $1,200.
 

   + Vintage Dresses: For brides who like to showcase a unique style influenced by past decades, Ebay is also a source for stylish and inexpensive vintage wedding dresses.  In addition to the regular categories (mentioned in Part I), wedding dresses often show up in "Clothing, Shoes & Accessories: Vintage: Women's Clothing."

1960s Cotton Brocade Dress, 36" bust and 30" waist, $45 fixed price listing.

Vintage dresses are in many ways just a specialized form of secondhand gown.  One unique consideration of vintage gowns, however, is that -- even if they show a manufacturer's size (as handmade gowns do not) -- you should be particularly certain to check your own measurements against those of the gown.  Standard sizing has gotten smaller over the decades, so that what was once a size 10, for example, now fits more like a modern size 6.  Also, it is especially important to read the listing description for disclosure of any holes, age or water spots, lace breaks, missing beads, or other signs of the passage of time.  And brides with visions of sleek satin 1940s gowns or sassy 1960s mini-dresses should be warned that the definition of "vintage" in an Ebay search now also includes the puffy lace monstrosities of the 1970s and 1980s!

Late 1930s / Early 1940s Slipper Satin Bridal Dress, 38" bust and 27" waist, $99 fixed price listing.

   + Custom-Made Dresses: Ebay's bridal gown listings are also full of solicitations from tailors who are willing to custom-make a dress to your measurements.  This option can be ideal for brides who have a vision of the exact dress they want and know it can't be found in a store, or at least not in their size or price range. This option also can prove quite inexpensive, particularly when you consider that additional alterations should not be necessary because the dress is made to your measurements.  A tailor might sew a gown of your own design, recreate something similar to a family heirloom, or follow a modern or vintage dress pattern that you admire.  The Ebay tailors also offer to recreate well-known designer styles at lower prices.  You often can spot these listings because they offer an entire range of sizes in the same gown style (e.g., "sizes 2-22") or their prices are significantly cheaper than most gowns (often 99 cents or $9.99, though often with much higher shipping charges).

White custom-made dress, listed at $8 with $173 shipping from China.

The major pitfall of this option is that most tailors are located overseas, which means you will have little control over the process in between the day you pay and the day the gown (hopefully!) arrives at your door.  Your best safety net is to (1) look for sellers whose feedback offers positive raves, rather than just a lack of negative feedback; (2) use a credit card for payment (even on PayPal) because you will reserve the right to deny charges if necessary; and (3) if possible, leave plenty of time between your order date and your wedding, in the (hopefully!) unlikely event that you find yourself in need of an alternate dress.

"Jessica" silk gown from seller Gloria's Bridal, listed at $240 fixed price with $55 shipping from China.  (Seller has slightly higher prices, but 100% positive feedback rating.)

Buying a Wedding Gown on Ebay (Pt. I)

Ebay can be a fantastic source for well-priced wedding gowns, with choices ranging from under-$50 bargains to couture gowns with prices in the thousands.  However, there are a number of potential pitfalls to buying a gown you can't try on, so it pays to understand the system before you look.

As it turns out, I bought not just one wedding gown on Ebay, but three!  (There's the probable actual gown, the one that was such an amazing deal I had to try it, and the vintage beauty I found while writing Part II of this post....)  Guess that makes me about as much of an expert on the subject as any bride, so I wanted to share what I've learned.

(My "such a good deal I had to try it" dress -- a new $1,600 BCBG silk charmeuse gown that I got for under $100.  Turns out it's not right for my pear shaped figure, but at that price it will remain a good deal for someone else when I turn to Ebay to re-sell it....)

    • First, it helps to know what you’re looking for.  The category “Clothing, Shoes & Accessories: Wedding Apparel: Wedding Dresses” generally contains well over 5,000 auction listings on any given day.  You can find thousands of other wedding gowns or wedding-appropriate dresses listed in the category “Clothing, Shoes & Accessories: Women’s Clothing: Dresses.”  Without some way to narrow your search, the sheer volume of possibilities will be overwhelming.  (And, realistically, even using some of the following methods to narrow your search, you should be prepared for lots of browsing.)

 

(One example of a dress near the top of the Ebay price scale is this $2,150 Jim Hjelm gown (new, size 10) -- perhaps pricey for what traditionally has been a "discount" shopping service, but still a significant markdown from the gown's original $4,200 price tag.)

   • One weakness of Ebay is that it offers no perfect method for searching these many options.  You can try using the Search bar to enter the name of a particular designer, attribute (“silk” or “lace”), design feature (“empire” or “mermaid”), etc.  The Search bar searches only the titles of listings, unless you check the small box underneath that brings in the text of the listings as well.  Initially you will be shown results for auction and short-term fixed-price listings only.  There are many more fixed-price items in Ebay Stores (thousands!), but you must generally click a link at the end of your results to view those listings.  The major shortfall of any search, and particularly a search of listing titles only, is that your results are limited to the actual words used by the seller in her listing.  For example, a search for "lace" gowns will miss those described as "lacy," and a search for wedding dresses designed by "Watters & Watters" will miss listings by sellers who misspell the brand as "Waters."

(Most common are the dresses costing a few hundred dollars rather than a few thousand.  For example, this new Mon Cheri "spun gold" color dress (size 8) is listed at a "Buy It Now" price of $150.)

    • Another way to narrow your results is to use the “Dress Finder” menu on the left-hand side of the category page.  This is often most helpful for narrowing the field to your proper dress size.  However, not all sellers list their items using this feature, so it can be helpful to also run a title search using your preferred wedding dress size(s) to search for title descriptions containing that size number.  If you look to the bottom left of any listings page, you will find a section that also lets you check boxes to narrow listings to only U.S. sellers, which will weed out most of the foreign tailors offering to sew knock-off copies of designer gowns, or narrow results by price -- especially helpful in weeding out those pretty Vera Wangs and making you stick to your budget!

(And then there are the real bargains, such as these final examples that were all listed for less than $10!  This new gown from an unknown designer has beautiful rosebud details throughout and was listed for only $9.99.)

    • Dress sizes vary considerably, so the most important rule is to KNOW YOUR MEASUREMENTS.  Take your bust, waist, and hip measurements as described here.  This is not the time to be vain; in fact, it's best to add an extra inch or two of “breathing room” between your own measurements and those of the dress.  And (I know this battle from experience) be realistic when comparing your measurements to those of a dress that you love -- you might be able to shave an inch or two off your waist with some shapewear or a last-minute diet, but 2 or 3 inches off the hips are unlikely no matter how much you love the dress!

 

(Casablanca A-line gown (size 12), store sample, listed at $9.95 with $38.70 shipping/handling.)

    • Finally, as with all Ebay purchases, pay close attention to all descriptions in the listing and to all details of the photos.  Check the shipping fees, because sometimes they're unexpectedly high.  Note the seller’s feedback rating and the comments of previous buyers to be sure this is someone you feel safe doing business with for such an important purchase.  And don’t be afraid to email the seller to ask any questions.  You can even ask the seller to email more/better photos if appropriate.

(New Alfred Angelo gown (size 12), bridal store sample, listed at $9.95.)

Coming up: Part II will address the 4 common types of gowns sold on Ebay.  Stay tuned!

A New Household Obsession: The Jeff Koons Puppy Vase (Or Not)

I've recently added a bunch of interior design blogs to my daily reading list, entirely for the pretty pictures.  And one of my favorite pictures of late has been this one:

Photo from Desire to Inspire

Turns out, I'm a bit late to the party when it comes to this fabulous dog.  Everyone in the design community either already has a Jeff Koons puppy vase or already covets one.   Unfortunately, they were designed in a limited edition of 3,000 and now sell for around $6,000 in galleries.  If you know me at all, you know that's not going to happen!

But you can also probably guess where I'd turn for a solution ... Ebay!  It turns out there are scores of "dog planters" on Ebay at any given time.  While they may not have the same high-end lineage as the Koons vase, many of them are quite stylish.  How about this guy, who's listed for $7.50?

Or this little fellow, who's from the 1940s (according to another listing) and going for a mere $1.99?

You can search broadly for "dog planter", or try more specifically for "McCoy" or "Shawnee", which are art pottery makers who seem to have created some of the more attractive dogs back around the 1940s.  Or you can also search for breed.  (Wouldn't it make a cute gift to find the breed of a friend's dog and fill it with flowers before a visit??)

My biggest problem is that I feel I should be loyal to Zoe, but the Sheltie (well, Collie) offerings aren't really as stylish.  They tend to be more realistic rather than pop-artsy:

But I'll hang in there.  Out of the thousands of listings on Ebay every week, I'm convinced it will happen one day.  I'll keep you posted!