Sweet Nothings: Women in Rockabilly Music

Janis Martin, 1956, Age 15

Image courtesy of the WRVA Collection, Library of Virginia

After 6 1/2 years of graduate school and much blood, sweat and tears, my Master's thesis "Sweet nothings: women in rockabilly music: LaVern Baker and Janis Martin" has been published and is available for download (free!) online through my university. It is 99 pages of rockabilly goodness, focusing on LaVern Baker and Janis Martin, of course.

Lewin-Lane, Stephanie P., "Sweet nothings: women in rockabilly music: LaVern Baker and Janis Martin" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. Paper 11. http://dc.uwm.edu/etd/11

The most exciting part is that I was granted permission to include transcripts of several interviews with Janis Martin, and her mother Jewel, that have never been available for scholarship. This was through the generosity of documentary filmmakers Beth Harrington (Welcome to the Club) and Elizabeth Blozan (Rebel Beat: The Story of L.A. Rockabilly).

Do yourself a favor and check it out. It's an easy read, if I do say so myself!

Shabby Apple Sale

Shabby Apple has a new line of clothing that I just adore! It's called Highclere Castle and it is glamorous, with a vintage flair. Kind of like Katherine Hepburn meets Marlene Dietrich.  Right now they are having a sale. Click the picture below to get 10% off.

Craftsy Classes on Sale until Sept 17

Just got an email today that Craftsy classes are on sale for $19.99 until Sept. 17th. So many rockabillies are DIYers so I thought I'd put this out in the blogosphere. Here are some of my faves:

Sew Retro Perfect Bombshell Dresses

Drab to Fab Furniture Upcycling

Product Photography Primer

Red Hot Plus-Size Rockabilly Dress

Modcloth has an adorable plus-size dress that is fun, flirty and RED. It's called the Singing Shirley Dress. The cut looks comfortable and conforming to your curves. At $49.99 the price can't be beat.

Sweet Revenge by Tart Deco

This dress would look super cute with this Tart Deco hairflower...

Vivien of Holloway Hiring

For any of my readers that live in London (or want to and need an excuse to move), the amazing vintage reproduction fashion company Vivien of Holloway is hiring! It looks like they need various positions filled, and they say they are looking for "candidates with a passion for vintage, a hard-working ethic and an open personality. We’re recruiting in many areas from office administration to the shop floor."

If I hadn't already spent $140,000 and the last 7 years getting two Master's degrees to be a librarian, I might think about it...

If you worked there, you would be seeing beauties like this all day!