Registration Begins!

Registration for Boots and Costume Customisation begins today, Monday 29th August 2011.

Please ensure that you read the Registration and Order Process and

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) posted above.

Should you have any questions after reading please send us an email at: afro.chic@hotmail.com

Registration Begins Soon!

And The Winner Is...

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

Dianne Askaran Lee

Winner of the Boot Decorating Service valued at $300.00!

Congratulations!

An email will be sent to you with details on redeeming your prize.

Take part and win Boot Decorating Services!

ONE Lucky winner will win Boot Decorating Services valued at $300 (TTD)

To Enter Todays Sweepstakes

LIKE Boots By Afro Chic Fanpage on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/BootsbyAfroChic

and use the CONTACT tab to send an email answering the following question:

In what year was Boots by Afro Chic started?

The winner will be chosen by random draw from among the correct answers to the question.

Sweepstakes Rules:
1. Only entries submitted via the CONTACT tab on the Boots By Afro Chic fanpage will be eligible for the draw.
2. Boots must be supplied by the person who wins the sweepstakes.
3. Boots must be received on or before the 14th February 2011 so that there is adequate time to deocrate the boots.
4. Contest Closes on Tuesday 1st February 2011 at 6:00pm
5. Winner will be announced on www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com on Wednesday February 2,2011

Registration for T&T Carnival 2011 is CLOSED

Due to an overwhelming response we have had to close off boot registration for T&T Carnival 2011. Thanks for the support and we look forward to receiving and customising your boots!

Remember the deadline for receipt of boots and downpayment is Friday 31st December 2010.

For details on where you can drop off your footwear please send me an email at: afro.chic@hotmail.com

Platinum Carnival Diva Decorating Services

Need your cup blinged out? Corset decorated? How about that wire bra?

In addition to custom decorated boots, Afro Chic will be offering the Platinum Carnival Diva Decorating service, customising ANYTHING you desire to complement and complete the look your Carnival costume...GO BIG, OR GO HOME!

Our creativity is only limited by your imagination.

You can fill out the registration form here: http://afrochic.wufoo.com/forms/platinum-carnival-diva-services-by-afro-chic/

Regional and International Carnivals

If you are interested in having your boots done for those regional and international Carnivals, please send me an email with the following info:

• Your name
• Email address
• Location
• Costume photo
• Boot photo

Boots by Afro Chic Review...

This is the only review I have received, but feel free to send in your reviews, you can post them on the Boots by Afro Chic Fan Page or email them to me at afro.chic@hotmail.com.

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I am repeat customer of Boots by Afro Chic.
While having always done a stellar job on designing and decorating my boots, her level of dedication and customer service surpassed even my wildest expectations this carnival.

For the past couple of years I had been wearing the same boots in which Afro Chic would work her magic on. Those boots started out brown, went to turquoise, and then to silver. I was planning to reuse the same boots for this year's carnival, since they were well broken in.

Unfortunately, there was a mishap in the delivery of the boots from the US to Trini, therefore not giving me enough time to ship a new pair of boots in time for carnival. Anxiety set in because I thought it would be too late to get new boots to Trinidad and for AC to work her magic in time. I had visions of me in black or brown non matching boots, or GASP!!!, the unforgiving white sneakers.
My anxiety was unfounded. I popped Afro Chic an email, explaining the situation, to which she replied, " No problem. Bring the boots when you come to Trinidad.".

A few days prior to my travel, I received a detailed email from AC which included a highlighted map of where to drop the boots once I reached. That is what I called customer oriented.

I dropped the boots off at the designated location on the Friday before carnival.

On Sunday night around 9pm, my boots were delivered to me. Once again... I was not disappointed. My boots went from this

to this

In a short span of two days, Afro Chic had turned my boots from a piece of coal to gold! My plain black boots were now a golden carnival diva fantasy footwear appropriate for palancing and posing on Tuesday.

Goodies such as extra gems and glitter, to condoms were also included in her delivery package.

Afro Chic does an excellent job of matching boots to costumes, and I was tickled pink to see the feathers on my boots to be an exact match to the feathers on my headpiece.

I was happy with my matching coordinated look on Tuesday, and so were my feet!

Job well done Afro Chic, and I will continue to be a repeat customer!

Did you do-it-yourself?

These boots were done by two sisters in 2009 who played in Sonia Mack's Paradisus (Island People).

The sisters asked me for feedback and what I told them then was this.

"I think is a good first attempt. I like the second one, in particular the use of the male arm/leg piece. Very nice touch."

With regard to the visibilty of the print under the paint I said, " In future so you don't see the previous colour/pattern, you should spray a base coat (white is your best bet as it makes the top colour 'pop'). Then you can spray the colour of your costume.

Send pics of your do-it-yourself projects to afro.chic@hotmail.com and I'll post them on the blog and give you some feedback as well!

Boot Picks - Last Minute Boots

With only 7 more days to go until we palance in the Savannah, you might still be looking for boots.

Francis Fashion is getting into the boot trend as well, and has these in silver, gold and bronze.

I tried them on and didn't find them that comfy though and the heel and sole felt a bit hard to me.

If you're interested, you can check them out. They have both the mid-calf and bootie versions and they have been flying off the shelves I heard.

Boot Pick Of The Week - Yuh Stickin'

If you do not have your boots by now you REAL stickin'! What you waiting on?!

With costume collection for some bands having started this week, this is just a reminder that you can do your boots yourself.

Here are some of the tips that I covered for those of you doing it on your own.

Using Your Leg Pieces

Sand, Spray, Glitter

Spraying your Footwear

Ask Afro Chic - Your questions answered

Q. I would like to add some shimmer/sparkle to my boots but I do not want caked on glitter, I just want a hint of shimmer. Do I use the glitter spray?

What do you recommend to achieve this effect?

A. I have never personally used the glitter spray on boots, but glitter spray does give a very light barely there shimmer that could work.

If you wanted to achieve that same hint of shimmer without using the glitter spray, I would suggest you use the fine glitter and not the coarse (larger) glitter. Spray your boots using the adhesive spray glue and sprinkle your glitter very lightly, shaking off any excess as you go along. Once the boot is dry you can then use a fine grade sandpaper sand off any glitter to achieve the desired effect.

Q. I have some soft suede boots that are knee high but my calves are too big...can I cut the boot myself down the back seam and add laces myself or should I take it to a shoemaker to do this for me?

A. I am actually doing this to a pair of boots at a client;s request this year. I first approached a shoemaker but he said he could not do it as he could not guarantee the job. If you find a shoemaker I would say let him do it, if not, I think once you take your time to cut and seal/sew the edges off nicely you should be good to go.

Q. Is it easy to change the colour of black suede boots with spray paint? I'd like to change them to silver.

A. It is always a bit of a challenge to go from a darker colour to a lighter colour. You can check out this Do-It-Yourself: Spraying your Footwear which gives step by step instructions.

Ask Afro Chic...

From today until next week Monday 1st February, I will be leaving the floor open for your boot-related questions.

Leave your question in the comments section of this post, and I will post the answers starting from next week Tuesday.

Remember you can also join my Facebook Fan Page and get your information, updates and photos of my past and current projects.

Boot Pick of the Week - Divalicious!

For the divas who can rock heels to play mas, these are for you. Available at www.amiclubwear.com, these heeled boots range in price from $24.99 to $29.99.

Boot Picks of the Week -$9.99 boots

All boots featured today are only USD$9.99 from www.amiclubwear.com, perfect for those of us watching our Carnival dollars.

Do-It-Yourself: Spraying your footwear

Materials:

Spray paint - you can use regular spray paint in the can.

From my experience this covers MOST materials including suede, and goes on smoothly if your footwear is vinyl or leather/leatherette.

Gloves - to protect your fingers.

If you are not using gloves, the paint comes off easily enough with some soap, water and elbow grease.

Old sheet/cloth - to protect the area you are going to spray.

I try not to use newspaper because the newsprint can come off on your fingers and footwear.

Directions:

Step 1

Tape off the areas you do not want to be sprayed, such as the sole or zip of the boot/sneaker.

Step 2

Begin with a base coat to prep the surface of your footwear.

This step is very important especially if you are attempting to change the colour of your footwear from a dark colour to a lighter colour.

Wait about 15-30 minutes or until the paint feels dry to the touch.

Step 3

Start with your next colour and use steady, overlapping strokes until the surface is covered to your liking.

If you are using two or more colours wait for the spray paint to dry between colours.

Your footwear may require one or more coats for full coverage.

Step 4

You can apply a clear coat of spray to seal/protect your colours.

Step 5

Add your embellishments: gems, braid, fringe, feathers, leg pieces etc.

Tips:

Spray your footwear during the day in natural light, this allows you to see the colour properly and any missed spots.

Before you start to spray, do a test spray on a vertical piece of board. If the paint drips it's not quite ready, so give the spraycan a few more shakes.

Remember to avoid the nozzle getting clogged, turn the spraycan upside down when you are finished to clear the nozzle.

Boot Pick of the Week - Booties

Came across these ankle boots while browsing Cutesy Girl.

These range from $19.99 to $24.99 and if you use the code JAN20 you get 20% off!

Do It yourself: Using your leg pieces in 3 easy steps

What you need:
1. Your boots

2. The leg pieces from your costume

3. Glue: you can use wither hot glue, uhu glue(in the yellow tube) or Magna Tac

Instructions
1. Take your leg pieces and position them how you want on the boot, taking note of the zipper location, any overlap etc.

2. Carefully apply glue to the back of the leg pieces. Depending on the tyoe of glue being used you may be required to wait for the glue to become tacky.

3. Apply the leg pieces, cutting off any overlaps etc. and you're done!

Boot Picks of The Week - Cute Sneaks

Someone recently sent me an email with regard to the colour footwear for Island People's Morgandani. While browsing Carnival Kicks, I came across this sneaker which I think is perfect!

EDITED TO ADD:

By request, here are sneakers from Carnival Kicks to go with Island People's Chutney Bhaav

All followers of AC Boots receive 10% off at www.carnivalkicks.com enter coupon code "bootsac" at checkout.

Boot Picks of the Week - Fantastic Metallic

If you are still in doubt about the colour boot you should get to match your costume your safest bet is to get a boot in a metallic colour.

There are lots of metallic boots out there, from silver to gold to bronze and pewter. Here are just a couple.

Silver boots work well with TRIBE's Eri

Pewter for Island People's Raja Aur Rani

Gold boots for Island People's Nakshatra

Bronze boots to complete the look of Spice's Adulis