After having issues with the wig I ordered and realizing the temp job I had manged to get is NOT the right one for a person like me, I talked it over with my cosplaying hubby to be and we realized we would be saving a LOT of stress if we simply saved that cosplay for Sakura-con. We have focused a lot of money and attention on our new Tsubasa cosplay and props. So that'll be out main cosplay this year. I highly doubt I'll want to take off Sakura's Hanfu anyway. It's so pretty! Well...I'll see it on August 24th when its supposed to be here.
But we're not going to buy contacts or new boots for Break this time. I might wind up bringing the costumes just in case. But I highly doubt we'll wear them. No one really knows Sharon from PH at Kumori-con anyway and that outfit is very STRESSFUL to wear. So taking a break from it will be awesome. I'm really excited about going to the con even through this job isn't going to work out.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sakura sphere prop
Now that I have the supplies I'm going to start on the last few touches of my props. Gold paint will be painted on the sphere and while it dries I'll be making the two sakuras that are on the sides. I'm very excited and I'll update soon.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Wigs...
Since I basically damaged my Gothic Lolita wig by trying to add some curls to it (Then getting upset about how they turned out....poured more hot water on them.) I have to buy another wig for my up coming con. I really don't trust most wig stores on Ebay so I really have no choice but to buy from Gothic Lolita wigs again. I'm afraid of not being able to make enough to buy another wig (All my earned profit from today at the garage sale is going towards a wig) since I only made it into the thirties today. I'm really nervous and sort of upset about it. I really did love how my wig was but I just needed something to do...and I royally fucked it up.
It was my fault really. Not the wig. I rushed into it and made a poor choice. It was a pre-styled wig and I should have left it alone. So this time I'm trying to decide on which wig to get. I have many choices but its really frustrating not being able to help my hubby out with the con costs. I feel bad since we have to get contacts for both our cosplays since the last ones we bought were not good and I kept having issues throughout the con.
I'm hoping to make at lest 50 or so. So I can buy a wig that has pigtails. I love the look of those. So very pretty and girly. Prefect for my pink and white lolita outfit. So I have a lot to think about so I'm off for the night...
Wish me luck! I'll be needing it!
It was my fault really. Not the wig. I rushed into it and made a poor choice. It was a pre-styled wig and I should have left it alone. So this time I'm trying to decide on which wig to get. I have many choices but its really frustrating not being able to help my hubby out with the con costs. I feel bad since we have to get contacts for both our cosplays since the last ones we bought were not good and I kept having issues throughout the con.
I'm hoping to make at lest 50 or so. So I can buy a wig that has pigtails. I love the look of those. So very pretty and girly. Prefect for my pink and white lolita outfit. So I have a lot to think about so I'm off for the night...
Wish me luck! I'll be needing it!
Monday, July 16, 2012
How to chose a character to cosplay
Congratulations. You've decided to cosplay. Cosplaying is a wonderful world and I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much. Especially your first con. Walking through the convention's doors in full costumes is one of the best feelings. You'll be excited walking through those halls wearing the costumes of a beloved character. When people stop and ask for a picture you'll feel not only honored but pleased knowing your hard work has been paid off.
Cosplaying is a awesome, but expensive hobby. But its worth it. As a cosplayer the world is a huge, wide place open to all sorts of possibilities. Whether your cosplaying with friends or by yourself. It's a lot of fun. But you might be thinking "Who should I cosplay?"
Picking a character is easy. But you should keep a few things in mind when choosing.
1. Pick a character YOU like.
Perhaps your going with a large group of friends or joined a cosplay group and they want you to be a character no one is. Sure its easy to say yes and make your friends happy but cosplay is expensive and it should be a character YOU like. If you want to be Ciel and there is already two other Ciels, be Ciel. More than likely there are numerous other outfits of a certain character you can do and still be different from the rest.
See? Lots of outfits and there is even more of them.
2. Only do costumes your comfortable with
Don't like showing your stomach? Arms? Thighs? Then don't. Chose an outfit that suits your tastes. You don't want to be walking around a three day con feeling uncomfortable. There are lots of ways to modify a costumes to suit your modesty level as well. Layered Nylons work well for that bare leg look, especially if the character is showing thigh.
3. Are you buying this costume? Or making it?
Keep in mind if you are buying they might not make the outfit you want. Some do commissions and will make the outfit for no extra charge, but always look at reviews before buying from someone online. Especially if its from Ebay, where people like to steal others' pictures. If your making it, you should keep in mind if your willing to find or piece together different patterns. Or make your own. If you make your own you can enter it in cosplay contests!
4.Weight, height and skin color doesn't matter.
If a character, let's say Sailor Moon is super skinny and you've got some serious (But hawt) curves, it doesn't matter. You can still cosplay that character. Do keep in mind what I said on number 2. If your tall and want to cosplay Edward Elric, then do it. It doesn't matter. So what if your black and want to cosplay Miku, it doesn't matter! Don't let these things get in your way of cosplaying. Your, race, weight, height, skin color, gender should never be the one thing to stop you from cosplaying someone you love.
5.Money
Sadly money can be a big wall blocking you from your dream cosplay. Make sure you don't over do it. If you want to do a big cosplay then don't do a bunch of little ones. Save up and take your time. So what if you only have one or two cosplays for a three day con. There is no rule that you can't wear the same cosplay over and over. So do what you feel is best for yourself.
6. Learn how to "become" the character
Characters each have their own personality, their own poses, their own way of speaking. These can be helpful for con. Learn from them. You don't need to talk like them but listening will help you understand their personality much better. Mannerisms are very important. You can use this information to create poses. If you really want to get some good pictures I suggest having about three different poses to do. (I'll talk more about posing later)
Here are some good sites for choosing a character and or a outfit.
http://www.minitokyo.net/
http://animus-panthera.deviantart.com/journal/Cosplay-for-Beginners-214230893
(Always check on the convention's forums! They normally have a thread for "Who should I cosplay")
For me it was easy to chose. The main manga I was reading was Pandora Hearts. I fell in love with Sharon's outfits and her willingness to help others. I cosplay with my fiancee so we choose couple cosplays or pairings. So I let him chose which pairings to do. Our choices were Oz and Alice or Sharon and Break. He chose to cosplay Break first and I was very willing to cosplay Sharon.
With us we take turns choosing who to cosplay. Our next cosplay is Sakura and Syaoran from Tsubasa. We of course make sure we are both into the manga/anime/movie, ect that we are interested in cosplaying. Luckily for me I got him interested in Tsubasa AND XXXHolic.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Prop update
Oh man it's getting so close to Kumori-con. I seriously cannot wait. Our costumes and my wig have been ordered. It'll take 15 days for our lovely tailors to make. I'm really hoping these guys do a good job so we can buy from them again and again. We're impressed by not only the pictures but the prices. So our costumes, my wig and my head piece should be here by August 24th. I sure do hope so!
Now on to props!
I've been working my tail feathers off. Syaoron's staff is almost done. I just need to stop being lazy and put on varnish on the needed areas. Besides that it is done. And man does it look wonderful. I just hope I don't drop it anymore. I have a bad habit of dropping it when I get hyper and play around with the staff.
(I'll update with a photo later.)
The feathers are already done. Although I might put on some fresh paint and a layer of varnish before the con just so they look good. they are mainly for pictures so they weren't my main focus. I do wish however I took more time painting them because I did mess up a few times on the design.I cut one of the feathers shorter so it fits inside the sphere.
Now the sphere....Holy crap this was a hard prop to make. I should have done it all in wire but for now the magic clay model will have to do. Although I might start on making a full metal version in case the clay one breaks during the con. It's very delicate so it'll be used only at certain times for pictures. I had to re-do this once already. The paper mache didn't work for this piece so the second model is made out of magic model clay, gesso to make it hard and firm and varnish to stop any cracks from happening. Then it will be painted gold. Each swirl was made by hand, piece by piece was glued with hot glue. Sadly my hot glue isn't very good. Its cheap and is coming apart quickly. I may have to glue the parts coming apart with super glue in order for it to stay together for the con. I still am working with keeping the sphere in shape and staying together. So it's not painted yet.
The base is done (Finally!!!) and is a bit delicate. So I'm working on finding out how to keep it steady and from cracking. The hot glue is an issue so I'm thinking outside the box with it.
It sure does look good in pictures! I'm so happy. It still needs some touch ups but I'm just glad its staying together (for the most part) and is able to be held without having issues.
Right now I'm working on the hook that will be attached to the bottom where the tassel will hang. I use a wire base inside the clay so the clay keeps shape. Unlike the swirls I reenforced the base for the hook twice then wrapped (neatly) more wire around it so it's heavy and wont fall when the tassel is on.
It's very firm and isn't too heavy. I just put on the clay and it's looking very nice now. The hook will be attached on the bottom with super glue so it wont fall apart like the swirls have with hot glue.
Here is the tassel for the bottom. It's not as long as I would have liked but the Asian market didn't have many tassels. So I had to get what the very kind man sold. We got one huge one for the staff and this one which matched the larger one for the sphere. I think with it being smaller it'll be less pressure on the bottom of the sphere so it will work out in the end.
This is a good luck tassel!
It's very fine and soft. I love running my fingers through the bottom.
Of course there is still something missing. The sakura flowers on the side of the sphere. I don't have fabric to make them yet. This will be a easy project. Simple sewing and gluing. So this will be the finishing touches on the sphere.
I'm so excited!!!!!
Now on to props!
I've been working my tail feathers off. Syaoron's staff is almost done. I just need to stop being lazy and put on varnish on the needed areas. Besides that it is done. And man does it look wonderful. I just hope I don't drop it anymore. I have a bad habit of dropping it when I get hyper and play around with the staff.
(I'll update with a photo later.)
The feathers are already done. Although I might put on some fresh paint and a layer of varnish before the con just so they look good. they are mainly for pictures so they weren't my main focus. I do wish however I took more time painting them because I did mess up a few times on the design.I cut one of the feathers shorter so it fits inside the sphere.
Now the sphere....Holy crap this was a hard prop to make. I should have done it all in wire but for now the magic clay model will have to do. Although I might start on making a full metal version in case the clay one breaks during the con. It's very delicate so it'll be used only at certain times for pictures. I had to re-do this once already. The paper mache didn't work for this piece so the second model is made out of magic model clay, gesso to make it hard and firm and varnish to stop any cracks from happening. Then it will be painted gold. Each swirl was made by hand, piece by piece was glued with hot glue. Sadly my hot glue isn't very good. Its cheap and is coming apart quickly. I may have to glue the parts coming apart with super glue in order for it to stay together for the con. I still am working with keeping the sphere in shape and staying together. So it's not painted yet.
It sure does look good in pictures! I'm so happy. It still needs some touch ups but I'm just glad its staying together (for the most part) and is able to be held without having issues.
Right now I'm working on the hook that will be attached to the bottom where the tassel will hang. I use a wire base inside the clay so the clay keeps shape. Unlike the swirls I reenforced the base for the hook twice then wrapped (neatly) more wire around it so it's heavy and wont fall when the tassel is on.
Here is the tassel for the bottom. It's not as long as I would have liked but the Asian market didn't have many tassels. So I had to get what the very kind man sold. We got one huge one for the staff and this one which matched the larger one for the sphere. I think with it being smaller it'll be less pressure on the bottom of the sphere so it will work out in the end.
This is a good luck tassel!
It's very fine and soft. I love running my fingers through the bottom.
Of course there is still something missing. The sakura flowers on the side of the sphere. I don't have fabric to make them yet. This will be a easy project. Simple sewing and gluing. So this will be the finishing touches on the sphere.
I'm so excited!!!!!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Things to come
I want to start getting into this blog more (as well as my writing one) So I'm throwing around some ideas right now of things that I could post either weekly or every other week. Besides updates on my own projects (There will a update on props in the next day or two) So I decided since I'm getting ready for Kumori-con and everything is going great I'll focus on the character I'm cosplay.
Topics I'll be covering over the next few months.
1. Make-up -Tips,brands,character make-up, tutorials, everything from fake nails, to fake eyelashes.-
2.Sewing -What should be in your sewing kit, some good sites to learn how to, and more.-
3.Bought costumes -ProsVSCons, Good sites, How add on to the costumes, ect.-
4.Wigs -How to style, wash, prep and pack, put on, Long wig care/how to keep them on,ect.-
5.Poses-Tips and tricks,ect.-
6. Body image-Sites for safe weight lose, good apps (Kindle Fire/android), how to be comfortable.-
7.Props and accessories-Everything from which to pick, from where to buy/how to make.)
8.Reviews- Cosplay costumes/wigs/make-up products/everything that is somehow related to cons.-
9. Con review -I'll TRY to do during the con, blog about it each night during the con weekend.-
10.What to bring/traveling-How not to over pack, what's important, how to be organized. -
11. Dealing with big costumes- How to survive the heat, dirt and how to keep neat.-
I'll be starting with this very soon. Starting with make-up.
Upcoming cons
September- Kumori-con
December- Newcon
(2013) April- Sakura-con
Cosplay check list
Shoes []
Syaoron's wig [x]
Sakura's wig [] Ordered
Sakura's hanfu dress [] Ordered
Syaoran's outfit [] Ordered
Colored contacts []
Sharon wig []
UPDATE: Our costumes and my wig are booked to come to my house around August 24th!!!
Prop #1-Memory feathers [100%]
Prop #2-Syaoran's staff [99%]
Prop #3- Sakura golden sphere [70%]
The two characters I'll be going over are Sharon from Pandora Hearts and Sakura from Tsubasa. I found it funny I chose two characters that are both royal (Sharon=Duchess, Sakura=princess) and are both starting with the letter S. Truth be told I love BIG dresses, fancier the better for me. Even if they are a pain in the royal arse. Of course I chose the characters because I like them. That's most important. So I'll also go over how to chose a character as well.
So that's just a little what to come. Right now I need to go get ready to go see the job guy and hopefully the job I want is still open. Wish me luck.
-Jessica
Topics I'll be covering over the next few months.
1. Make-up -Tips,brands,character make-up, tutorials, everything from fake nails, to fake eyelashes.-
2.Sewing -What should be in your sewing kit, some good sites to learn how to, and more.-
3.Bought costumes -ProsVSCons, Good sites, How add on to the costumes, ect.-
4.Wigs -How to style, wash, prep and pack, put on, Long wig care/how to keep them on,ect.-
5.Poses-Tips and tricks,ect.-
6. Body image-Sites for safe weight lose, good apps (Kindle Fire/android), how to be comfortable.-
7.Props and accessories-Everything from which to pick, from where to buy/how to make.)
8.Reviews- Cosplay costumes/wigs/make-up products/everything that is somehow related to cons.-
9. Con review -I'll TRY to do during the con, blog about it each night during the con weekend.-
10.What to bring/traveling-How not to over pack, what's important, how to be organized. -
11. Dealing with big costumes- How to survive the heat, dirt and how to keep neat.-
I'll be starting with this very soon. Starting with make-up.
Upcoming cons
September- Kumori-con
December- Newcon
(2013) April- Sakura-con
Cosplay check list
Shoes []
Syaoron's wig [x]
Sakura's wig [] Ordered
Sakura's hanfu dress [] Ordered
Syaoran's outfit [] Ordered
Colored contacts []
Sharon wig []
UPDATE: Our costumes and my wig are booked to come to my house around August 24th!!!
Prop #1-Memory feathers [100%]
Prop #2-Syaoran's staff [99%]
Prop #3- Sakura golden sphere [70%]
The two characters I'll be going over are Sharon from Pandora Hearts and Sakura from Tsubasa. I found it funny I chose two characters that are both royal (Sharon=Duchess, Sakura=princess) and are both starting with the letter S. Truth be told I love BIG dresses, fancier the better for me. Even if they are a pain in the royal arse. Of course I chose the characters because I like them. That's most important. So I'll also go over how to chose a character as well.
So that's just a little what to come. Right now I need to go get ready to go see the job guy and hopefully the job I want is still open. Wish me luck.
-Jessica
Friday, July 6, 2012
Goals for Kumori-con
1.Lose ten-twenty pounds
Losing weight is very important for me right now. No ladies I'm not about to complain about my pant size. I'm having health issues and am feeling bad in my body. I'm not doing it to be skinny or to wear the latest jeans. Although it'll make me very happy to see the sleeves on my Sharon gown baggy.
My plan (Eating a healthy diet. No added sugar/salt. NO SWEETS) is
5.min of jumping on the mini trampoline
5.min of cardio (I have a awesome free app on my Kindle Fire for this)
5.min of toning yoga. (Yes, yoga does help you lose weight.)
Walking three times a week. Running/jogging twice.
2.Practice my photography.
I've been getting back into photography and want to start taking photo shoots at cons. So I really need to show what I got and learn the in and out of my camera. Although it's not the best it's what I have and I need to learn how to use it better.
3. Get a job
Two years of searching has gotten me no where. Maybe I'll be lucky and find one before the con. I have a wedding to plan after all. We're hoping to get married next year on April 27th, our seventh year together.
5. 50k
I badly need to catch up on my writing. Its my dream of getting published I have to really work on focusing on it. I'm having health issues right now but hopefully afterwards I can focus back on my writing. If I have to bring work with me to K-con so be it. I really need to get it done. Luckily my word count goal is only 70K. I think I'll be able to do it now that I've switched up the plot a bit.
Goals make those three days of con time even better, especially if you've been able to complete them all. I didn't add any cosplay goals to this because with losing weight I'll be busy enough. My only real cosplay goal right now is finish my props.
Losing weight is very important for me right now. No ladies I'm not about to complain about my pant size. I'm having health issues and am feeling bad in my body. I'm not doing it to be skinny or to wear the latest jeans. Although it'll make me very happy to see the sleeves on my Sharon gown baggy.
My plan (Eating a healthy diet. No added sugar/salt. NO SWEETS) is
5.min of jumping on the mini trampoline
5.min of cardio (I have a awesome free app on my Kindle Fire for this)
5.min of toning yoga. (Yes, yoga does help you lose weight.)
Walking three times a week. Running/jogging twice.
2.Practice my photography.
I've been getting back into photography and want to start taking photo shoots at cons. So I really need to show what I got and learn the in and out of my camera. Although it's not the best it's what I have and I need to learn how to use it better.
3. Get a job
Two years of searching has gotten me no where. Maybe I'll be lucky and find one before the con. I have a wedding to plan after all. We're hoping to get married next year on April 27th, our seventh year together.
5. 50k
I badly need to catch up on my writing. Its my dream of getting published I have to really work on focusing on it. I'm having health issues right now but hopefully afterwards I can focus back on my writing. If I have to bring work with me to K-con so be it. I really need to get it done. Luckily my word count goal is only 70K. I think I'll be able to do it now that I've switched up the plot a bit.
Goals make those three days of con time even better, especially if you've been able to complete them all. I didn't add any cosplay goals to this because with losing weight I'll be busy enough. My only real cosplay goal right now is finish my props.
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