What should you pack for your dance or ballet summer intensive program? Here are some tips to get your list started.
Pointe Shoe Sewing Tip for Slipping Heels
Sometimes pointe shoes slip off the heel, even when the shoes seem like a perfect fit. Dancers with narrow heels and longer feet seem particularly prone to slipping heels, especially when shoes are new.
Here are some tips to tame those heels!
Make sure shoes are not too tight or too loose. When you have a perfect fit, a shoe will feel snug when feet are flat and have a slight pinch of fabric when on pointe.
Instead of one loop of elastic, take two pieces of elastic and criss cross them. One end of each piece should be sewn close to the back of the shoe and one end near the center of the foot arch.
Sometimes a heel gripper can be helpful, but check with your pointe shoe fitter. Even adding even the slightest amount of material can change the fit.
If you are using stretch ribbon, consider trying satin ribbon for more resistance.
A customer recently shared this video of how to sew ribbons to prevent slipping heels. She tried it with success and we are going to share this tip with others. Always be open to new ideas!
Some professional dancers have custom shoes made or customize the heels themselves, but we can probably help you before you need to get to these extremes!
If you decide to criss cross your elastic, use the photo below that we marked up to make it easier to see which pieces are elastic and which are ribbon. This dancer effectively hid the elastic under her ribbon. Very clever!
Newsletter: May 19, 2021
Lots of important dates and news
It's been a challenging time and the landscape keeps changing. Sorry for the long read, but there is a lot to cover and we want to keep you informed about some important news.
Mark Your Calendars!
Shop Closed June 5 - June 16
The shop will be closed for in-person shopping, curbside pickups and shipping from June 5-June 16. Due to graduations and employee loss due to Covid (they are fine, just not in Kalamazoo) we are losing our fantastic part-timers. We are training a new team for the summer, but it's not fair to them to have them 100% responsible for the shop yet. And, frankly, I need to untether myself from the business for a short time to refuel and prepare for an interesting summer and fall season. Please plan ahead or wait until after June 16 to shop with us. I can still answer emails, voicemails and texts, but maybe not as quickly as usual.
Big Summer Sale
We are going to hold our Big Summer Sale the last two weeks in July. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that this will be the biggest sale yet. A lot of merchandise purchasing for our industry happens in February, so a lot of apparel still came during the pandemic. We are now overstocked and would like to share some amazing deals for you! Stay tuned for additional information as it develops.
There will be some great deals on a few brands and styles that didn't survive the crisis. We will say goodbye to them with thanks and share the good-deal-joy with you. The sale will be available for in-person shopping and online.
Loyalty Program
Another casualty of the pandemic was our inventory data platform. The company that housed our inventory data since 2016 was purchased by another company who decided to sunset the platform (which is a nice way to say they killed it). All product information is now safely housed somewhere else, but it does mean we have had to change our point-of-sale system and, therefore, our loyalty program.
We will have a new loyalty program launched soon. I can't promise it will look exactly the same as it did before, but it will be comparable. The good news, is that both in-store and online purchases will now go to the same system, so your loyalty bonuses will be easier to track.
If you would like me to transfer your current loyalty level to the new system, please let me know by replying to this email (I will need your name, email address and mobile phone number to make sure I can find you). Contact me by June 1 if you would like to transfer your loyalty stars.
Prepare for Dancewear Supply Disruptions
The dance industry is not immune to the global supply chain crisis. Many of our vendors are already reporting supply disruptions. Finished goods stuck in ports, raw materials in high demand (also often stuck in ports), businesses closing, etc. are all causing havoc and some dancewear brands are already backordered on popular items.
All of the financial support we have received from customer sales and a few small grants has gone into preparing The Station to be well-stocked when the dance shopping season picks up (one of my favorite fables as a child was the Grasshopper and the Ants and now I am living it). If you need specific items for your classes, please do not wait until September to get all of your dance gear.
Masks and Appointments
Bear with us as the new CDC guidelines were a big surprise to all businesses. Every few weeks in the past year has required a big change in how we are able to run our business. For now, we are continuing to require masks for in-person shopping. We are still doing appointments, but can accommodate walk-ins if our current appointment has left the shop. A lot of our guests are not eligible for the vaccine yet, and we want everyone to feel safe when shopping with us.
This summer, we expect to move to more regular hours, more walk-in shopping availability and, hopefully, less masking. If you want to make sure you can shop the way you want to, please reply to this message so that I can consider your voice as I make transition plans. Tell me what you need to make in-person shopping work for you.
Thank you!
Thanks to all of you for supporting this local independent business. Your support has made this crisis bearable in so many ways. We are in a good position to thrive this back-to-dance season and it would not have been possible without you.
All the best,
Jennifer, The Station
Moment versus Movement
The boards are coming down from the windows and our downtown is beginning to carefully reopen during the ongoing health crisis. Neither the health crisis nor the BLM movement is going away. If you notice a change in our messaging, it is not because we are flipping a switch and everything is going back to the way it was. Nope. We are just a small niche business that plans to continue to use our tiny platform for good, but also needs to survive so that our tiny voice can continue.
Today, I’ll address how The Station will do our part to support change and racial inclusiveness:
Business survival: First, we are going to have to stabilize the business. The past few months have been a rough road for the dance industry. Please allow us some time to recover financially and take on some of the easier ideas first. We can’t help change move forward if we aren’t here.
Staff training: We will investigate retail best practices to make sure that our customer service standards are inclusive.
Ballet Slippers and Tights: We will be a part of breaking the attrition cycle of: dance retailer does not stock tights and ballet slippers in skin-tone colors because there is not enough demand à Girls of color cannot find skin-tone tights and ballet slippers à Adds to the perception that ballet is not for girls that look like me à Attrition for girls of color in ballet continues à dance retailer does not stock tights and ballet slippers in skin-tone colors because there is not enough demand….. There is a risk to our business that this inventory will sit longer than is financially responsible, but we will take on this initiative in the next three months.
Pointe Shoes: More brands than ever are offering pointe shoes in skin-tone options. We will make sure we are knowledgeable about the options for special order. However, at this time, we are not able to stock all of the pointe shoe possibilities in skin-tone colors (see #1 on the list). We will, however, continue to stock satin ribbon and elastic in skin-tone colors. We will also continue to stock pointe shoe paint in skin-tone colors and offer one bottle, free with pointe shoe purchase, so that dancers of color can have shoes that match their skin immediately, while we wait for special order colors to arrive.
We will communicate with our dancewear brands when we see potential areas for more inclusivity. Shoe and tight color names that are more inclusive. Dolls with dark skin. Silence is no longer an option. In case we miss something, we ask you to tell us if you see something that needs to change at the production level so we can pass the suggestion along.
We will communicate with our local dance studios to make sure they know the products that are available in stock and support them if they would like to make changes to their dress code that promote more inclusivity.
We will work with local dance studios and dance organizations that have inclusivity programs to find out how our business can help them in their initiatives.
We will be open to conversations. We are listening.
Cloth face masks, the new must-have bodywear. How to choose a cloth face mask
Dancewear manufacturers know how to make apparel that fits perfectly, so it's no surprise that several of our brands switched gears to help keep humans safe during a crisis.
Local dancewear shops find have expertise in athletic performance fabrics, keen eye for perfect fit, close connections to dancewear manufacturers and the ability to reach their local community. In these strange times, it is this perfect storm that finds dancewear shops becoming temporary personal protective equipment suppliers.
We look forward to future days when we won't need to stock this item and we can focus on the product lines we are truly passionate about. Until then, these masks are good quality items we can offer our customers to help keep the lights on.
Until safer times, we will have some face masks in stock from some of our favorite dancewear manufacturers. You can find our selection here.
Consumer Reports has some good tips for selecting a good cloth face mask:
Social Distancing is Still #1: A mask will not protect you from the virus. A mask has been shown to help someone who has the virus from spreading the virus, but it is not foolproof. The best option to stay safe is social distancing.
Layer Up: Multiple layers are better than one, says Richard Wenzel, M.D., infectious diseases epidemiologist and emeritus professor of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. More layers means less chance that viral particles will be able to pass through.
Add a Filter: You might also want to add a middle layer, such as a coffee filter, which can make your mask more effective, says Susan Sokolowski, Ph.D., director of the sports product design master’s degree program at the University of Oregon in Eugene. You can also use the liner of a vacuum bag or even paper towels.
Consider the Fabric: Tea towels, antimicrobial pillowcases, and cotton-blend fabrics were found to be more effective at filtering out small particles than 100 percent cotton T-shirt fabric, a scarf, and silk, in a 2013 study published in 2013 in the journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.
Fabric Function: You might want to use different fabrics for different layers of the mask, Sokolowski says. For the layer that will sit directly against your mouth, she suggests a comfortable, washable, tightly knitted fabric, such as polyester, nylon, or a spandex-cotton blend—think athletic clothes. This kind of fabric wicks away the moisture from your breath.
Ensure a Good Fit: A mask should fully cover your nose and mouth, extending an inch or more past the ends of your mouth and wrapping under to “grab onto the bottom of your chin as an anchor,” Solokowski says. According to the CDC, it should fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of your face and should not interfere with breathing. If your face covering gaps on the sides while tied on, you can close the gap by adding a stitch to create a dart.
Beware of Inferior Products: Not all masks are created equal and there are unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of this crisis. This is not the time to take a chance on a cheap alternative. Purchase masks from reputable businesses.
Leave the Medical Masks for Healthcare Workers: Our healthcare workers need the N95 respirators and surgical masks. Spend your money on a good quality, washable mask.
Face Masks
made and sold by dancewear companies
Covid-19 Business Update, April 25, 2020
How’s it going dance friends? Doing ok considering the circumstances?
Per Michigan guidelines, we are now able to offer curbside pickup for any order you make online or by phone. We will make an appointment for your drive-by dancewear pickup or return.
We also continue to offer shipping worldwide. Free domestic shipping for orders over $75 continues through the end of April.
As this crisis continues, we will reflect on the best ways to support dancer needs in a safe and positive manner. We will be here for you now and when the crisis starts to abate, even if we have to do things a little differently than before.
Stay safe, dance friends!
Doing Our Part to Flatten the Curve
Dear Dance Friends,
On Friday, when our local schools announced they would be closing for several weeks, I closed the shop. My initial thoughts were that I would keep the shop closed, except for shopping appointments, pointe shoe fittings, small group studio rentals and online shopping.
However, as the news of the need to slow the exponential growth of the virus crisis continues, I have decided that more drastic measures need to be taken for our non-essential (gasp, I can't believe I'm saying this) business.
Please continue reading to see our plans and our thoughts about helping your local small businesses.
Plans for the next few weeks
Passport Days
If you have been participating in our Passport Days, please keep your passport. We will continue where we left off when the crisis passes and you will still have your chance to finish collecting stamps for your $20 leotard choice. We still have several really fun days planned and you won't miss anything.
In-person Shopping
We will not be having regular shop hours until this crisis situation stabilizes. Unfortunately, we do not feel we can serve you well in the shop and do our best to practice social distancing at the same time. In-person shopping will be suspended, for now.
We have a few special orders that are going to arrive in the next few weeks. I will contact these customers and arrange an appointment for curbside pickup.
Online Shopping
As long as people are still allowed to leave their home properties, online orders can be shipped. We will be offering free USPS shipping on all domestic shipments on purchases ($75 or more) from now through the end of April.
Want some personal shopper assistance with your online purchase? This is something we are happy to offer now and always! That is the beauty of shopping online with a small local retailer. We are always happy to help you navigate your online shopping. Let us know how we can help!
We understand that dancewear is not a top need during this global crisis. However, if you are making online dancewear purchases, I hope you consider purchasing from small dancewear businesses instead of large discount retailers.
Pointe Shoe Fittings
This is a tough one! At a time when we are all going to have more time on our hands, one-on-one appointments would be a great way to fill time. A few days ago, I thought I would continue with pointe shoe fittings during this time. However, for your health, for my health, for the health of others that will be affected by exponential spread of the virus, we are going to pause on pointe shoe appointments, too.
Now, could we set up a video conference call and do some consulting about current pointe shoes? You bet! Technology can allow us to do so much! If you would like to get some advice about your current pointe shoes, we can set up a free consult appointment. Maybe just a few tweaks with your comfort aids are needed and I can send you some options. Maybe a new pair is needed and I can take some notes about your unique situation to streamline your appointment when we can meet in person again. Let me know if you want to give it a try!
Studio Rentals
We are suspending all group classes in the studios for a few weeks.
The studios will be available to rent for individuals interested in a professional studio to dance, practice solos, teach an online class, take photos, etc. Rentals will be spaced so that rental clients will not overlap in studio transition and we have time to wipe down surfaces before the next client.
Customer Engagement
As soon as I get a few other tasks completed (someone has to get the taxes done), I'll be working on something lighthearted for dancers to engage with us, other dancers, information about dance resources, etc. Stay tuned for details.
Small Business Support
I understand that dancewear will not be a priority right now. For your purchases that are priorities in the next few weeks, I hope you look for ways to support your local small businesses. A lot of small businesses will not recover from this crisis and will not reopen. Any support you can offer goes a long way to small business survival right now.
Your dance studios are also local small businesses. I've been a part of a few discussions with local studio owners. Dancers are a lucky group! The care and thought that is going into how your studio owners are approaching this crisis is amazing! Please be patient and continue to support your local dance community. ❤️❤️❤️
Personal Plans
Having a small business means I always have lots of administrative work I can do from home. Taxes need to get done. I will have time to cook for my family the next few weeks. I've reached out to my older neighbors to offer to grocery shop and take a walk (while staying 6 ft apart). Feel free to reach out if you are feeling lonely.
Thanks for spending your time reading our plans for the next few weeks. Let me know if I can help remotely with things you need help with, dancewear or otherwise. We have a great dance community and we can get through this together.
Stay well, dance friends,
Jennifer
Pointe Shoe Tips: The Dog Ate My Pointe Shoes
Is today good day? Not if your dog found your pointe shoes. Pictured here is a brand new pointe shoe. With teeth marks. So sad. All that was left of its mate was a small piece of leather from the sole.
Make sure to keep your pointe shoes out of reach of your fur friends. Even a brand new pair that doesn’t smell like your feet can become a nice al dente chew toy in minutes. Imagine the temptation for your pets once the shoes are worn by their girl a few times?
A good habit is to take your mesh shoe bag out of your dance bag every night and hang it out of reach. A good practice to let your shoes dry out safely away from furry helpers.
Pointe Shoe Tips: I want my pointe shoes to match me.
Interested in matching your pointe shoes to your skin tone? 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏽♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏾♀️🙋♀️ The dance industry is starting to catch on that maybe some dancers would like their pointe shoes to match their skin color.
Some pointe shoe brands have made custom colors available in a few darker skin tone colors. That’s a good start! But what about dancers that are somewhere in between the color options?
We love that Pointe People have developed an easy-to-use product in a skin-tone color palette that includes six options. In just a few minutes, you can transform your shoes to a new color. The pointe shoe paint applies evenly and dries completely in a few hours.
Whether you are matching your skin or just want a contemporary look, pointe shoe paint is an easy and affordable way to get the color you are looking for. Our shop regularly stocks skin tone colors and many bright colors for costuming.
Pointe Shoe Tips: Pointe Shoe Envy
Hoping that the pointe shoes (or padding, or ribbon/elastic combo....) that work and look amazing on your dance bestie’s feet are going to work for you? 👯♀️
Sorry, girlie. That hardly ever happens. 😢
Against all odds, I fit two dancers with identical shoe and toe pad combinations last week. Twins. Same shaped foot, same shaped heel, same left foot a half size bigger than the right. One twin had feet a half size larger than her sister, but otherwise exactly the same. 👯♀️
For everyone else in the world, we’ll spend lots of time, perhaps across several shoe styles over the the years, to tweek and customize the options that work best for your feet. ⏰ Sometimes, we even have to customize the padding options for your individual feet!! 😳
Sure, we can try the pointe shoes that your friend is wearing. But, for best results, don’t get your heart set on it being the best option for you. ❤️❤️❤️Even these twins chose two different pointe shoe styles for their very first pair of pointe shoes!
#dancewearkalamazoo
#tothepointetuesdays #pointeshoefitter #pointeshoetips #pointeshoes #twins #twinning #customfit