Made famous by Sally Rand with her 6 foot wide, luscious white ostrich feather fans swirling about her legs like a glorious ball gown, fan dancing is one of the most iconic, graceful and beautiful of the burlesque arts... and one of the most often requested subjects in burlesque classes! But where can aspiring showgirls get their satin-gloved hands on a pair without breaking the bank? Looking online, the cheapest (and skimpiest looking) feather fans run $100 per fan and hardly compare with the vision of flowing loveliness you are aspiring to. To get the real deal, you have to spend $300-$600 PER FAN ... or do you?

In this Burlesque Fan Making and Embellishment Workshop, Bombshell Betty will demonstrate several techniques for making burlesque fans, whether starting from scratch after a trip to your local craft store or starting with store-bought fans and transforming them from ho-hum to ooh-aah in a few easy steps. Fan making kits will be discussed, as well as many alternative materials and construction techniques, including a demonstration of how to make your own acrylic fan staves.

Bombshell Betty has made burlesque fans from materials as varied as peacock feathers, fig leaves, and company postcards (for a corporate gig) and will show you how to make your own fans to match any outfit or theme, for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them pre-assembled. The peacock feather fans pictured here cost a total of $50 each in materials and supplies!

Participants will make a pair of fans in the workshop! A supply list (with suggested sources) will be emailed after registration.

DATE/TIME: February 7, 1009; 3-6pm

LOCATION:Bombshell Betty's, 715 Jordan St, Suite 102, @ 5th Street, San Francisco

REGISTRATION: This unique workshop is only $45 for general enrollment and $40 for Bombshell Betty's Members! Pre-registration is required and space is limited, so please register early to be guaranteed a spot in the workshop. Register online with your credit card or Paypal account by clicking the link below or contact Bombshell Betty for additional registration options.