»Since you've been into cosplay for a long time (12 years, wow!) you've probably seen the "scene" change quite a bit, are there any changes that you enjoy? And what keeps you coming back
The cosplay scene has grown and changed tremendously. Through the internet and websites like Deviantart, cosplayers from all over the world can connect with each other. It makes cosplay a global phenomenon! There are also many many more resources and materials available to cosplayers today, such as a variety of wigs, armor making materials, shoes, pre-fabricated pieces, tutorials etc. When I first started cosplaying, I would have killed to have access to Wonderflex.
What ultimately keeps me in the community of cosplay is the constant challenge I set myself to make better costumes. As long as there is something out there for me to learn, I'll keep crafting. And I still feel very inspired and motivated to cosplay all these characters on my "to make list" so I'll be hanging around for a good while to come.
»You have a large collection of costumes from all different fandoms, what has been your favorite costume, either that you made or wore?
It's impossible to pick one favorite costume so I'll list a few of them - the most complicated but also most satisfying costume I've made so far is Carmilla, the most fun character for me to pose in is Felicia, and the most comfortable costume is Amber.
» Do you prefer to do costumes of characters, or original designs?
I love both equally because I get totally different things out of them. Bringing a character to life makes me a happy fan and allows me the chance to cosplay with friends, and there is a challenge in making something that another person has designed because they may come up with elements in the costume that you never thought of before. And some of these designers draw parts that are entirely gravity defying and seemingly impossible to recreate, and I love those challenges. Designing costumes myself gives me ultimate freedom, I'm not locked down to a fabric color/type for example. It's also an amazing creative outletthrough which I can express myself as an artist. Whatever themes and fantastical images were trapped in my head and be transformed into awearable costume.
» Here's a fun one (if you don't mind sharing) what was the most embarrassing moment you experienced either cosplaying, modeling or congoing?
I've been lucky so far that nothing horridly embarrassing (falling off a stage, major costume malfunction etc) has happened to me yet *knocks on wood*. There have been countless random, weird and awkward moments while cosplaying though. The one that comes to mind is from a few years ago, in Las Vegas, when I was doing a photoshoot in my Felicia costume (blue haired catgirl in white bikini with paws, ears and a tail lol) in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. With the highway on both side, my weird appearance was causing minor fender benders and we had to leave the location before there was a serious accident. We moved to the street in front of the MGM Hotel where the Lion statue was, but didn't realize that during that same week was the Adult Video convention in Vegas, where pornstars were walking around in sexy halloween costumes! Of course I was mistaken by a tourist as being a part of that convention, and my whole photoshoot team all got a great laugh out of it.
»Out of all the costumes you have done, what gave you the biggest
challenge?
Carmilla for sure, not only because of the amount of fabric involved but also the many different skills I had to utilize to create the outfit. Engineering the weird shoulder and hip pieces, the collar, wig, sculpting and casting the jewelry and accessories out of plastic and rubber, sewing velvet which I hate... There was just a lot of costume lol. But I enjoyed every moment of it and can't wait to sink my teeth into an even more complicated cosplay.
»Yaya Says:
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» Top Tutorials
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» Great Resource
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- Buying Guide for Utility Knives
A guide to choosing the right Utility (X-acto) Knife for the job! Great read for anyone who is buying one for an upcoming prop construction project.
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» Pro Tips
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Here are some tips to help you survive a con!
+ Don't want to bring a backpack with you because it doesn't match your cosplay? Make a backpack based on a mascot character in the show so you have a cosplay companion!
+ When drafing a pattern use a cheap fabric to create a mockup. If you are making armor you can make a mockup with paper or cardboard.
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» Cosplay Tutorial Updates
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- The newsletter is sporting it's new look, enjoy the more clean design!
- Cosplay Tutorial's Where to Buy List has officially launched. Wondering where to buy your cosplay supplies? Check the list for some suggestions.
- Learn how to create your own legendary hammer for a Thor cosplay or to bring along to the Avengers movie! With this Mjolnir Prop Guide
- Cosplay Tutorial has two new links on it's homepage. Check out Adventures in Cosplay a cosplay blog and cosplaydays.com/ which lists tons of cosplay conventions by country!
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