Meet the Contributors - Tanya Crouse of Flamingo Cupcake Studios

SR Pin Up: Today we get to know Tanya of Flamingo Cupcake Studios & A Journey from Junk, our go to girl for Oddities, Kitschy Finds, not to mention our Cupcake Queen!

Tanya is the Manager of A Journey From Junk and Owner of Flamingo Cupcake Studios.

A Journey From Junk 8247 Main St, Ellicott City MD 21043

Websites: www.ajourneyfromjunk.com & www.flamingocupcake.etsy.com

Social Media Addresses:Facebook: A Journey From Junk, Facebook: Flamingo Cupcake, Instagram: xatomicbettiex

Hey everyone, Selena from 13th Moon here again...I met Tanya Crouse (and her friend Sara of A Ghoul's Best Friend) in early 2011 during my first time ever in Jim Thorpe, PA.  We were vending together at the Burlesque Festival and I have been lucky enough to get to know her more and more ever since.  She is by far one of the sweetest people I've gotten to meet in my lifetime.  Tanya reminds me of a living, breathing Mark Ryden painting.  She owns her creepy adorable-ness (yes, that is the word I'm using, there is no other way to describe her) in the most inspiring way.  I've never seen her with a hair out of place, make up smudged, or without the cutest little outfit ever.  We have the pleasure of getting to see Tanya and her fabulous mom whenever they come to town to visit and we just don't know what we'd do without them!  Please welcome Tanya to the Sinister Rouge Pin Up Team!

SR Pin Up: Tanya, can you tell us a little bit about how and when you found your passion?
Tanya: I had a love of all things vintage since I was a teenager. I loved thrift store shopping, searching for ‘junk’, and going thru my relatives old belongings. I wore my grandmothers pink vintage dress under my gown for my high school graduation. I just like the idea that everything has a past; some kind of story. I’ve been collecting ever since. The weirder and more kitsch, the better. As for my love of oddities and bizarre things in general...I think I blame finding Tim Burton at a young age. Watching Beetlejuice all the time as a little kid. That might do it to you! All those weird things I love in pop culture helped spark my creative endeavors for Flamingo Cupcake Studios. I love John Waters, Freddy Krueger, and Twin Peaks. Why not put them on jewelry?!

SR Pin Up: When did you start your business?
Tanya: 2010 for Flamingo Cupcake Studios

SR Pin Up: What keeps you focused & keeps you going when things get rough or discouraging?
Tanya: Going out and doing shows motivates me. I love meeting other people who are creative. Its also nice to see people smile when they see my work. Its like a pop culture flashback!

SR Pin Up: If there is one mark you could choose to leave on this world, what would it be?
Tanya: I would love to be able to change peoples perception of what beauty is these days. Booty shorts and a tan are not very attractive in my eyes.
 

SR Pin Up: In closing, what advice or words of wisdom do you have for the newbies in your field?
Tanya: Do what you love and love what you do.

PA Burlesque Festival this weekend!

 

Selena from 13th Moon here...I'm super excited to announce that not only will we be attending the 5th Annual PA Burlesque Festival in Jim Thorpe this weekend, but I will also be there vending for 13th Moon & representing Sinister Rouge Pin Up with the one and only Jolie Kasar!  Stop by and say hello, we'll be in the Mauch Chunk Ballroom above the Museum on Broadway from 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday!  Did I mention that the 13th Moon/Sinister Rouge make up line will be unveiled here for the first time, too?

Jolie Kasar will be representing Sinister Rouge at the PA Burlesque Festival this weekend!

The PA Burlesque Festival and Madame Corsetiere hold a very special place in my heart for many reasons.  For starters, it was her invitation to be a part of the first Burlesque Bazaar in 2011 that first brought me to this magical mountain town known as Jim Thorpe.  It was at that event that I met two ladies that would not only be a part of our business once we got to town here, but also a spark of inspiration for so much more.  They both have joined us here at Sinister Rouge as contributors as well, Tanya Crouse & Sara Vogel!

Tanya Crouse, Sara Vogel, & Selena Mazmanian at the 2013 PA Burlesque Festival

Then, there was just being a part of such an amazing event.  Women of all shapes, sizes, and ages gathered to feel beautiful and empower each other, I had never been in a room with so many women all smiling and having fun.  No one was hiding in the corner feeling bad about themselves, there were no groups of mean girls making others feel bad about themselves, I didn't have to stick up for anyone getting bullied and that really stuck with me.  How was she able to create this atmosphere?  I still haven't totally figured that part out, but what I do know is that I want to be a part of it every chance I get!  Hope to see you there!

For more information on the PA Burlesque Festival, check out www.PABurlesque.com or their Facebook Page.