"We needed to have a group of regulars as a core," says Sarah Williams of College Hill, who had a dressmaker's shop in Roselawn until 1999. "We clicked so well once we got started that we organized an auxiliary and we'll call in others as we need them."

Two months of stitching supplied outfits for cast members from the three kings to dancers. Most were caftan designs because they are easy to make and quick to fit, according to Williams.

The group's next production is For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf Feb. 5-22. Information: www.cincyblacktheatre.com.

OSU bags: Who says college apparel has to be limited to sweatshirts and ball caps? Buckeye ladies will cheer these smart and stylish high-end bags, purses and wallets with the signature block-O Ohio State logo - waterproof, twill versions of designer signature bags.

These come in scarlet and gray or gray and black with black leather trim and strapping, from Fanbags created by Gary and Tommie Ramsey - of Columbus, of course. Fans can bag one at www.fanbags.com for $49 and up.

For brides: All those bride-wannabes who find a diamond under the Christmas tree will be hitting the wedding road after the first of the year. January events for brides include:

• Jan. 7: Cocktails and more than 30 vendors in the wedding field, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Madison in Covington, with one-stop answers to questions and information. Free. Madison South, 740 Madison Ave., third floor. Information: (859) 431-7370.

• Jan. 17-18: Cincinnati Wedding Showcase, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday at Sharonville Convention Center, with fashion shows by David's Bridal and Folchi's Formal Wear at 1 and 3 p.m. both days, as well as wedding vendors and exhibits. $9. Information: 891-4701.

• Jan. 17-18: Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati's Premier Bridal Expo & Luncheon, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with fashion shows at noon and 2 p.m. at Jeff Ruby's the Coconut Grove, 18 E. Fifth St., Newport. Sponsored by Lazarus-Macy's, Skeffington's FormalWear, the Monroe, Miss Martha's and the Perfect Wedding Guide. $5. Luncheon $15 (Both $18). Reservations: (937) 748-0247.

• Jan. 25: Elegant Weddings at Glendale, noon-4 p.m. at the Iron Horse Inn, 40 Village Square, Glendale, with two wedding seminars by wedding consultant Joyce Smith of Weddings Unlimited, cake tastings from Bluebird Bakery, Shoot the Moon Photography, Smith Jewelers, Twix Kids flower girl dresses, Glendale Florist, champagne and food options by Iron Horse Inn, wine tasting by Piazza Discepoli, fashions by Bella Donna. Free. Information: 771-2211.

• Jan. 27: Wedding Planning 101, Getting Started with Cecilia Rose of Eventurous, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 30 Garfield Place, downtown. $15. Reservations: 841-1500.

Bridal spotlight: Debra Moreland, owner of Paris, a couture bridal millinery shop in Reading, has taken the Bridal Accessory Designer of the Year award for the third year in a row.

In fact, she is the only person to claim the prize since the category was added three years ago by the Couture Bridal Association, an international group representing retail bridal stores and bridal publication editors.

Creativity, innovation, service and quality are the criteria used for the award. She picked up her prize in October. The Dress Designer of the Year title was a tie between Monique Lhuillier and Reem Acra. Paris is at 305 W. Benson St., Reading. Information: 948-8888.

Web hair: Not sure what to do with your hair? Two sites that may lead you down the right path are educational, easy-to-navigate and fun to boot.

The first, www.virtualhair.com, is like a comprehensive hair how-to book. It covers everything from new products and styles to handling split ends, pregnancy effects, static, gray hair, hair loss, blow-drying and styling, and finding the right cut. It also includes a question/answer page with care suggestions.

For practical advice on choosing a hairstyle, www.thehairstyler.com includes a rundown on men's and women's hairstyles for short, medium and long hair, plus celebrity styles, special occasion dos, alternative and dreadlock designs.

But the most fun can be had for a six-month $14.95 membership entitling you to upload your photo (unlimited) and try more than 2,000 hairstyles and 52 colors. See yourself as a blonde, redhead, brunette, highlighted, streaked, with curly, straight or wavy locks.

Pearl tips: Everybody has heard about the four C's in diamond shopping - cut, color, clarity and carat weight. A string of pearls is the other classic holiday gift, especially for future brides. Here are a few pearl shopping tips from the Jewelry Information Center:

• Look for surface cleanliness, an absence of scarring or pitting.

• The luster should be iridescent rather than chalky or dull.

• Look for a knot between each pearl on a strand so that if the strand breaks, pearls won't scatter. Knots also keep the pearls from rubbing against each other.

• The pearls should match in color and luster and should graduate gracefully in size, getting smaller toward the clasps.

• Roll the strand on a counter top to be sure they won't wobble. This shows the pearls have been drilled at exact center and will lay nicely. More info at www.jewelryinfo.org.

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Send information about a salon, beauty, fashion or personal grooming event to Joy Kraft; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jkraft@enquirer.com at least two weeks before the date.