Kropserkel - correcting the course of our entire social structure on the planet Earth.

New this year we have the talent and enthusiasm of Kropserkel contributing a bra to the show.

Without giving away the surprise, this one is very topical to some big news at Kropserkel. They've acquired the rights to the very classic Metropolis Robot! (SWEET!)

A Canadian-based creative studio serving the entertainment industry and private clients with physical artifacts, Kropserkel is a creative workshop that designs and fabricates props, costumes, and other curiosities. Their licensed Metropolis Robot, the 'Maschinenmensch' will be completed later this year.

Their rather impressive credits list includes fan favourites like Battlestar Galactica and Resident Evil: Apocalypse!







Thank you so much Kropserkel!

A reflection of good taste

Mardi-Bras is delighted to announce the latest generous donation to our silent auction from an anonymous donor.

This piece, Floating Table with Cup, is by Mark Manchester, who is a key grip and amateur photographer.

According to Mark, this photograph was taken using a Pentax 750z digital camera while working on the set of Being Erica, during the summer of 2008. The picture was cropped and slightly colour amended in iPhoto before being printed on an Epson R280 printer.


Mark writes: "The interest to me at the time was the number of reflected elements visible. The table is reflected in the window of the building that was a location for our television show. The building across the street which acts as a background was being lit by reflections of sunlight hitting our building. The green and black squares shown are the reflection of the building we were in. The cup in the foreground is also the cup on the table.

"As a key grip, I play a role in the lighting of a set. Light, shadow and reflections all fascinate me and create a richness of texture which helps become that temporary world for the actors and storytellers. On occasion I will record an interesting image as I see it. Lucky for me the sets have been lit by a talented team of professionals... I merely take advantage of proximity."

Don't be so modest, Mark! This is a beautiful fleeting moment that has been captured forever by someone who noticed it and the resulting masterpiece will be treasured by a lucky bidder in our silent auction.

Thank you very much to our generous anonymous donor!

We're officially coast to coast!

Today, Mardi-Bras got it first Mardi-Bras Bra from the East Coast, and our second out-of-province submission. This lovely piece of art -- yes, it's a bra, but it's a lovely one-of-a-kind creation -- is from our talented Bra Artistian, Sarah O'Malley of Halifax! It's a really beauty and continues the high standard for Mardi-Bras Bra submissions we have received so far! Thanks Sarah!

Just 15 days to go!

The Bras are coming in fast and fantastic!

We at Mardi Bras are thrilled to announce that another wonderful Mardi-Bras Bra has been received!

This lovely creation is from Bra Artistian Karen Killbride. Karen is a classically trained animator and illustrator. Her career includes credits with Disney and Warner feature animation. Presently, Karen’s time is occupied with her wonderful family and job, yet she still manages to squeeze in a little time to be creative!

Karen dedicates her Bra, as always, to Heather and Jodi, who are at the top of her list. Then, to the memory of darling Michelle and the future her tiny children face without her.

Thanks to Karen Killbride for her superb creation which is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Fuzzy fun!

Banjo Puppets has once again added some fuzz and fun to the Mardi-Bras silent auction! We are the proud temporary custodians of three little puppets, who are all eagerly waiting for new homes! The puppets donated by Banjo Puppets for last year's silent auction were a hit and more than one person was sad not to go home with one of the adorable critters. (They are very trainable!)

Banjo Puppets is a Toronto-based company, which makes fabulous hand-crafted puppets that have been featured on television, in music videos, on live stage and in festivals.


Joel even made us a Mardi-Bras exclusive. She is so glittery, drag queens would think she's a bit much. We've named her Zsa Zsa. Won't you consider giving a home to one of these wonderful puppets?


Thanks so much to Banjo Puppets!

An old-fashioned way to beat breast cancer

Jamie Pratt has donated two handmade books to the Mardi-Bras silent auction!

Several years ago Jamie took a course on bookbinding and has subsequently bound dozens and dozens of books; both old volumes with worn bindings, which required some loving care to once more become treasured objects and new books made from blank pages. Jamie is currently rebinding an early 19th-century set of Samuel Johnson's works. After rebinding each volume in the set, Jamie is reading it, so by the end he will have read all of Johnson's papers, introductions, essays, novels, etc.

The two books Jamie has donated to Mardi-Bras are purse/pocket size and have blank papers which are perfect for jotting down thoughts, recording journal entries or for drawings.

Thanks so much to Jamie Pratt!

All Dressed Returns!

Our latest contribution to the Mardi-Bras silent auction recently arrived from Arlen of All Dressed couture!

Like last year, it's another gorgeous handmade scarf, using a silk blend velvet lined with 100% silk charmeuse and chiffon. She does the burn out pattern by hand and as always, her work is absolutely flawless.

All Dressed is Arlen's own label. She is an accomplished couture with an education in historical costume and can handle any kind of special request. Arlen has created everything from original costumes for bands, film, television to tiny puppets and enormous mascots, and replicas for those of us with a taste for authentic Hallowe'en costumes. She also handles custom-fit corsetry, bridal and evening wear.











Thank you so much Arlen of All Dressed!

It was in the cards

Mardi-Bras is delighted to have our tarot card reader return from last year's event.

Since childhood, Leanne has felt a special calling to the imaginative power of archetype, and has devoted much time and study in her adult life to further understand the mysteries of our universal story. She considers the time she spends reading the cards as a spiritual practice, intended to shine a light on situations in our lives that can confound us if we do not recognize the richness and complexities that surround our circumstances.

Please spend some time with Leanne and the tarot to help us beat breast cancer at Mardi-Bras!

Lola By Design

This very exciting gift has just been donated to the silent auction by Lola, one of our glamorous models, a Mammy Gram's girl, half of team Cola and brilliant mind behind Lola By Design!

A private four-hour workshop (value: $150) - Introduction To Flameworking

This individual one-on-one workshop will serve as an introduction to the art of glass bead making.

The weekend class is four hours long with a one-hour lunch break. All tools, glass, safety glasses, and equipment are included. Students are asked to tie back long hair and wear natural cotton fabric clothing with long, tight-fitting sleeves. Old jeans are suggested as the workshop can sometimes get a little messy.

The workshop will start out with a overview of the equipment and tools, as well as basic safety information.

Bead making topics will include pulling stringer and twisted cane, how to make spacer and round beads, adding dots, stringer and twisted cane decoration to your bead, floral beads, and tabular beads. You may expect to finish 5 - 10 beads during the four-hour workshop.

All beads that are made in this workshop will be kiln-annealed and available for pick-up the following day.

Lola is an award-winning animation director who enjoys the meditative practice of working within the medium of glass. Fascinated by the process of rearranging a substance at the molecular level by the application of the primal element of fire, she suspends these moments in time allowing her to create unique developments in the colour, form and texture that is ultimately present in the finished pieces.

Thank you so much Lola By Design!

The First 2 Mardi Bras!

It's been a big week for Mardi-Bras!

We have received our first two bras for the show! Just like last year it was Jenn of Paper People Clothing who was first to enter and first to hand in! In case you missed out last year, Jenn did a fabulous pair of designs using all recycled materials! She even hand punched her own sequins from pop-cans! Talk about attention to detail!

Just like last year, we're not going to post photos of the Bras. We're saving the big reveal for the show. In the meantime, here's a bit about the artist herself:

Jennifer Fukushima grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where the only clothing options were cookie cutter fashions from the local mall and second hand findings from the Salvation Army Thrift Store. In search of something different, she began surfing the internet, perusing crafty DIY sites like Sparkle Craft and Epitome Girl. At the age of seventeen, Fukushima decided to launch her own line, Paper People.

Fukushima moved to Toronto to study fashion at Ryerson University and soon her line was carried at local downtown boutiques. She sourced second hand t-shirts and turned them into funky, eclectic tank tops. Paper People has since evolved to include eco-friendly options, such as bamboo, hemp and organic cotton garments. The line blends colour, texture and pattern for a DIY, handmade appeal.

Today Paper People is carried at many independent boutiques in Toronto and across Canada. Check out: www.paperpeopleclothing.com for more information and shop listings.












Thank you so much Paper People Clothing!