Female

I am a self employed clothing and costume designer and seamstress. I was able to quit the rat race in the fall of '06 to dedicate all my time to making fabric creations and dancing. I started sewing Renaissance costumes for my husband and myself in '01. Since then I've ventured into many other areas...Victorian wedding dress, bellydance costumes (tribal, folkloric, and cabaret), and "every day" clothes. I've been interested in bellydancing for a long time, but only took up the art 5 years ago. I've taken classes at Jawaahir and Ammala Middle Eastern Dance, starting out in traditional oriental classes, but quickly realized my true passion - Tribal/Fusion style bellydance. I'm learning more about it all...American Tribal, Tribal Fusion, Gothic style and many other dance style outside of bellydance. The Afsana Sisters is my bellydance troupe, a collective of fantastic women. LuuLuu, Nilat, Sabine, and Iscah are all part of the sisterhood. (Verthandi & Noya will always be honorary sisters, but have left the country and pursued other interests) Afsana means to "story" or "fable", and we like our performances to tell a story, even if we only understand it. ;-) I also collaborate with other talented dancers, infusing fresh ideas and cool choreography into performances.
I am passionate about animals - the treatment of them, what wonderful influences they are, NOT eating them. I've always been involved in animal causes and non-profits benefiting animals. Some of you were able to attend our fabulous bellydance animal fundraiser, "For the Love of Bunnies and Cats and Dogs..." - we hope to do more in the future.
The older I get, the wiser I become - realizing the effect I have on the world; people, animals, & planet. I try my best to do what I can, and lead by example. My life is blessed with many wonderful friends that have become family to me. I feel very lucky and loved, and I like to perpetuate that sentiment with others.