Staying Motivated

The closer we get to Oz Comic Con, the more excited I should be, right? Well, I am excited for the event, but at the same time, I'm incredibly frustrated with my costume. It's definitely the most advanced thing I've ever made, and I've had to learn so many new techniques that I feel like I'm back at school. After a week of setbacks, most of which related to my illnesses, I've decided to write a short guide to staying motivated. Most of these tips should be second nature, but it's amazing what our brains are capable of forgetting under pressure.

1. Have a Cosplay Partner: I'm lucky enough to be able to work with my fiance on costumes, which I'm incredibly grateful for. Although Andrew doesn't usually end up wearing anything, he plays a big part in the preparation and creative process. I'm very good at visualising what I want and how I want to go about it, but sometimes it's difficult for me to begin a project because I'm not confident in myself. Andrew usually gets the ball rolling and we work on different pieces based on our strengths.When one of us is feeling down and unmotivated, there is someone there to boost morale. If you dislike working with others, or you just don't have anyone that you trust enough to work with, have someone on hand that you can at least vent your frustrations to. Everyone ends up doing last minute repairs and trips to the hardware store, so we may as well laugh about it together.
2. Have a Plan: I'm big on planning and making lists, especially for big cosplay projects. As soon as you have a character in mind, and you've figured out when you would like to cosplay, I recommend working backwards from ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE EVENT. Now, technically according to that logic, I should be finished my Goa'uld costume by Friday. At the rate I'm going, I'm thinking Tuesday might be more realistic. The one week buffer should be for minor adjustments, make up tests, even photo shoots so you can practice posing. Unless you're an expert seamstress/prop maker, one week is not enough time to perfect a costume.
3. Learn New Techniques First: The reason I suggest this early on is that the closer you get to your chosen event, the more efficiently you're going to have to work. We'd all like to be able to plan for every eventuality but it's just not possible. The more rushed you are, the more likely you'll be to cut corners. It's also easier to absorb information when you're feeling fresh and relaxed. And don't count failed attempts as wasted time. As long as you learned something, then your time was well spent.
4. Complete Tedious Tasks Early: If there's anything that requires a lot of attention or is quite repetitive, I recommend completing these tasks early. I also recommend having a quiet work space away from distractions like Facebook and TV. If something is particularly boring, your mind will begin to wander and you'll make a mistake. Be sure to get a good night's sleep and have a decent breakfast too.
5. Strike While You're Motivated: If you're on a roll and you've finished everything on your To Do List for the day, see if there's anything on the next day's list that you feel up to completing. You'll thank yourself when you hit a slump day later on.
6. Don't Punish Yourself: If you don't get everything done by your deadline, or if your costume isn't one hundred per cent what you'd like it to be, don't be too hard on yourself. Cosplay is about having fun and there's no rule against revisiting a costume in the future. I'm definitely going to revisit my Goa'uld costume. Not only would I like to make the bodice, but I'd also like to try some new techniques to make another Ribbon Device.

I'm really looking forward to hanging out with people at Oz Comic Con. I've decided to bring my tripod and microphone so I can do some on-screen interviews while I'm there. I'd love to hear about your costumes, so come and find me. :)

Featured Cosplayer: CB Studios Cosplay

If you've ever run into my next Featured Cosplayer at a convention, you would be forgiven for thinking that he'd just stepped off a film set. Known on Facebook as CB Studios Cosplay, Curt is somewhat of a guru to myself and many others. When I first met him, I just thought he was a cool, tattooed metal-head. I didn't realise that sitting in front of me was an incredible artist.

After seeing a few of his projects on Facebook, I decided to ask Curt for some advice on building a Silent Hill Nurse costume. I don't know if I should thank him or hit him over the head for introducing me to Barnes. My wallet would certainly be a lot fuller if I never got into cosplay, but then I wouldn't have such an amazing creative outlet. In all seriousness, it's because of people like Curt that cosplay is such a fun hobby. It's touching when a person you hardly know is willing to share their knowledge with you, simply because they love their craft.

Curt as Evil Ash (Army of Darkness)
Photo: Ryan Williams

When you look at the standard of Curt's costumes, it's hard to believe he's only twenty-five. As an avid Star Wars fan, it was the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, that inspired him to get into cosplay.

"I'd watched the original Star Wars trilogy and I wanted to be Darth Vader. It took five years to finish, but that was the start of one hell of an expensive hobby," Curt says.

Twelve years after he decided to give in to the Dark Side, Curt has become known for his screen-accurate creations, including his most popular cosplay, Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean).

"I've spent an obscene amount upgrading and tweaking every individual part of my costume, and it always gets an amazing crowd reaction," he says.

Curt as Captain Jack Sparrow
Rebecca Burton Photography

"My current favourite cosplay is my Mr. Lordi. I've made several versions over the years and I love dressing up as him. It's hot and uncomfortable, but it's a massive rush to 'become' one of my idols."

Curt as Mr. Lordi
Photo: Elissa East

Hot and uncomfortable are feelings that most cosplayers can relate to. I'm guilty of what I like to call 'con rage' - wanting to punch everyone around you because you just can't deal with anymore body heat. It's sad, but it can make certain costumes less enjoyable.

"My least favourite costume would have to be my Batman," Curt says.

"I love my suit, I put a hell of a lot of work into custom sculpting the body armour and making almost every part of it. It looks amazing, but it's shit to be inside it."

Curt as Batman
Photo: Daniel Hutton

When you first decide to take the plunge and enter the world of cosplay, it can be incredibly daunting and somewhat confusing. I've often found myself wondering where to start, especially before I'd had the chance to play with casting materials and a proper sewing machine.

"I usually start working on a small interesting piece, and hopefully keep momentum going through the whole project," Curt says.

"If I can keep doing tiny interesting bits, I usually see the whole thing through."

Curt as Tonto (The Lone Ranger)
George Wong Photography

Browsing through his photos, it's clear that Curt goes to great lengths in order to bring his heroes to life. While there's no law that says you need to look exactly like your chosen character, there's nothing wrong with going that extra mile to include some of the finer details.

"Exercise is a horrible thing, but my upcoming 'secret project' does require me to lose my beer gut," Curt says.

"I'm also no stranger to body mods for cosplay. I still wear a nose ring I had punched in for a Slash (Guns 'n' Roses) cosplay back in 2008. I've dyed my hair for The Joker and, more recently, I've had Captain Jack Sparrow's signature tattoo inked permanently on my forearm."

Curt's Captain Jack Sparrow tattoo.

It seems to be a running theme lately, but everyone is being very hush hush about their upcoming projects. Curt is no exception.

"I've got one major secret cosplay in the works for Brisbane Supanova at the end of the year, and a bunch of projects in various stages of completion. I'm trying to set up a life size Darth Vader display, as well as a replica Raiders of the Lost Ark Indiana Jones costume."

As popular as he is, Curt doesn't let anything go to his head. He's always enthusiastic about helping his fellow cosplayers, and he'll happily pose for a photo or two at a con.

Just look for the guy who looks like he belongs on a film set. ;)

Featured Cosplayer: Tara Cash

My next Featured Cosplayer is someone I've only communicated with via Etsy. I'd been tossing up between building a Chandra (Magic: The Gathering) costume and a Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) costume for this year's PAX Aus. Given where I currently am with my Goa'uld costume, it's probably better that I went with Lara. I really want to do Chandra justice, and I know it's going to be a lot of work - more than I would have been capable of with two other costumes to prepare before the end of the year.

Thankfully, while searching Etsy for a replica of Lara's necklace, I came across Another Little Shop. Turns out the owner, Tara Cash, is an amazing Lara Croft cosplayer herself. I've been following her shop since late last year and I've watched her constantly add new and better items to her inventory. Being incredibly time poor, I decided to order as much as I could from her.

I assumed Tara had been cosplaying forever, but as it turns out, she only picked up the hobby a couple of years ago.

"I've always loved Halloween and emulating my favourite fictional characters, but Halloween only comes once a year," she says.

"I've never been big on the 'wear as little as possible' bar scene. I eventually discovered Renaissance festivals and then conventions as a better outlet."

Although Lara Croft is definitely her most successful cosplay, she's tackled a few other pop culture favourites.

"My first real cosplay was probably Corpse Bride during my senior year of college. I had this awesome pageant dress that only needed a little bit of altering. I made my own veil and bouquet, bought a wig and coloured my skin blue. I even entered a costume contest!"

"I think that was the same Halloween that I dressed my boyfriend (now husband) as Fry from Futurama. It was a pretty poor costume, but I have since created Futurama costumes for us both that I'm really proud of."

Tara has been featured on GeekXGirls and The Mary Sue, which would be flattering, if not for some of the snide comments that were made.





"Haters gonna hate, no matter what. I usually handle criticism very well, or can easily ignore it. But there were a couple of remarks that really got to me. They said my photos 'focused too much on T&A'. This really angered me, because I consider myself to be a pretty modest person, and that wasn't our intention in the least."

I was curious to read these comments for myself, so I searched for the articles. I've been warned in the past to 'never read the comments', but I'm a glutton for punishment.

"When you're more concerned about the bow emphasizing the line of T to A than with how a bow is actually used by a normal person who shoots with a bow... Well, you're seriously losing cred."

"Yeah, was rather turned off by the sexy poses - Laura definitely didn't give a shit about that!"

Firstly, who the hell is Laura? If you're going to criticise someone on the accuracy of their cosplay, you had better make damn sure that you have dotted every I and crossed every T. Secondly, the first comment smacks of jealousy and slut-shaming. (I should point out here that this is MY opinion and does not reflect the opinion of my Featured Cosplayer.) No one bothered to comment on the amazing prop work, or the fantastic locations used in the photo shoot.

One of the so-called 'T&A' shots
from Tara's collaboration with City Light Studios.

Tara is a little more diplomatic about the whole thing.

"I just think when it comes to cosplay, if you don't have anything positive to say, you should keep your opinions to yourself."

(Check out this YouTube video from FanService Renji. As he says, "I make cosplays for myself. As long as I'm happy with it, I don't care what I could have done better.")

At last year's DragonCon, Tara (in her Tomb Raider cosplay) and her husband (dressed as Indiana Jones) bumped into the head marketing director of Marvel.

"He's been attending cons for over twenty years. He told us it was the best Indiana Jones he's ever seen."

While Tara regrets not getting into cosplay sooner, she admits that she's learned a lot in a short space of time.

"Cosplay wasn't as mainstream when I was in high school. I sometimes imagine all the techniques I could have learned by now, but I don't let it discourage me too much."

"A year ago, I never would have thought I'd be using power tools for cosplay, let alone silicone moulds, resin castings and 3D printing."

That's me wearing Tara's distressed tank tops, necklace and watch.
I haven't had a chance to make my bow and arrows yet,
but when I do, I can show off the amazing quiver.

I'm so glad I found Tara's store on Etsy, and really happy that she jumped on board as a Featured Cosplayer. Since conducting the interview, I've received everything I ordered from her and I can honestly say that she does amazing work. I'll be proud to wear her props at PAX. I might even sneak in a photo shoot before then.

And I'll totally poke my butt out if I want to.

Goa'uld Hand Device: Update

With Comic Con fast approaching, I've had to ramp up my workload in order to finish my costume. I began working on my Ribbon Device back in April and my goal was to have it finished by the end of June. Sadly, finances and illness got in the way, and I'm still working furiously to get things done.

I spent a fair amount of time practicing engraving in order to create the pattern on the arm band. After spray painting it, however, the engraving is barely visible. To be honest, it's not a big deal, but for future versions I will be sure to create deeper lines.

Sculpting the sun piece for the bottom end of the arm band was more difficult than I anticipated. I had to enlist my partner to help. While I have no problem with organic shapes, lines and measurements are not my forte. He created a template on baking paper and we used a scalpel to cut out the shape we needed.

Thankfully, making silicone moulds is incredibly easy. I was able to purchase everything I needed from Barnes.

The first thing you need to do is assemble the mould box. Be sure to leave enough room around the object you are casting. This will ensure the object is completely covered in silicone.

Next, seal the edges with some modelling clay. This will ensure that no silicone escapes while the mould is setting.

As with most chemicals from Barnes, measure (by volume or weight) each part into separate disposable cups. Pour Part B into Part A and mix until there is no white left. You have around six minutes of working time before the silicone starts to set. I suggest mixing for no more than four minutes before pouring. That way, there will be no need to rush and cause air bubbles.

Each mould only takes about twenty minutes to set. Carefully dismantle the box to remove the mould, take the positive out and trim away any excess silicone.

As you can see from the above photo, I also sculpted a small crystal to sit on the back of the wrist. The centre of the sun piece is gold tinted resin. Unlike the red gems I created earlier this year, the gold ones contain a powdered tint. I'm still working on perfecting the amount needed.

The half spheres normally take around twenty-four hours to completely set. I removed the sun piece from its mould the following day and, to my horror, it was still pliable. Thankfully it has since hardened. The problem with resin is that the smaller the amount, the longer it takes to set.

I still have to sculpt a cradle for the tiny 'quartz' crystal. Once I've assembled the pieces, I will re-spray everything with the gold paint.

This will be my last update on the Ribbon Device until it's completed, otherwise I would just be repeating the same information. I've also purchased a pattern and fabric to create my dress. I had intended to create the Hathor Bodice but I'd rather not have to do a half-assed job. I'll definitely revisit the costume in the future though.

Living Dead Clothing: Brisbane Deadite Meet Up

Knowing that I had a big day ahead of me, I went to bed early on Saturday night. I was determined to look and feel my best when I was introduced to my fellow Deadites.

Sadly, it was not to be. Between my crippling social anxiety and the swarm of ideas for my blog/Facebook page, my brain would not shut up!

Thankfully I was able to get up early and make myself look pretty.

Leggings: Princess Deadite
Bag: Victorian Clock
Wig: Classic Wavy in Auburn

I'm so glad I made it up to Brisbane to meet everyone. The Deadites are an amazing, warm and welcoming community that I am incredibly thankful to be a part of.

After lunch (and a few freebies) we had a mini photo shoot down at the river. We'll be having a bigger one next month (after I've had time to invest in some more Sailor Scout skaters).

Special thanks to Angela for taking a few snaps of me.

Me with my long lost twin, Rhian.
Like her accessories? Contact her for a commission.

Wearing my Chibi Wonder Woman leggings.
Thanks so much for our presents LDC!

Product Review: Living Dead Clothing - Long Torso Swimsuit

It's no secret that I love Living Dead Clothing. I've already posted reviews/style guides for their Sailor Scout skater dresses. When I heard they were releasing Long Torso swimsuits, I was incredibly excited. I've always had curves, and while I'm okay with them, having an hourglass figure can make it difficult to buy clothes. You end up with tops that are constantly creeping up, showing your tummy, or you buy swimmers, only to have to keep pulling them up to avoid 'wardrobe malfunctions'.

As this was a trial release, there were only fifty swimsuits available. I think we were all a bit nervous when we sat down to place our orders. I went straight for the Chibi Zelda design, then hesitated and added a Sailor Venus skater to my cart (don't judge me, I'm collecting the whole set!). Sadly, by the time I got to the checkout, my swimsuit was gone. Gah!

I decided to try for my second favourite design, Muz Man. Success! Honestly, I would have been happy with any of the designs, as I was more concerned with being able to review the material and cut of the swimsuit.

Upon unwrapping my LDC care package, I was immediately inspired by the Muz Man print. It's far too cold to go swimming in Australia, but that doesn't mean I can't wear my swimsuit.

Flatlay featuring Muz Man LT Swim and RockStar Wigs Rainbow Bob.
All accessories are offbrand.

And so the time came to try on my new nylon treasure. Although I've been losing a lot of weight during my recovery, I'm still not quite back to the size I used to be, so I bought a large. I found it a little bit too tight around the thighs, and I wasn't one hundred per cent comfortable taking a photo in my swimsuit. Thankfully, my fellow Deadites came to my rescue.

Deadite, Bayah, showing us a comparison between her Zombie Oz Swim (Top)
and her Muz Reunion LT Swim (Bottom).

Having purchased one of the original LDC swimsuits, Bayah was able to give the most accurate review of the LT version.

"I find my Zombie Oz swimsuit a little on the small side. I have trouble keeping my boobs covered when I wear it," she says.

"The LT swimsuit is amazing. It gives me perfect boob coverage, so I don't have to keep pulling it up all the time."

Deadite, Yvette, looking lovely in her Mushroom LT Swim.

Boob coverage - while it sounds funny, it's super important. Sure, we might be body confident, but that doesn't mean we want to go around flashing our lady parts to the world. I mean, imagine if you're at the beach, or a theme park, surrounded by kids. The consensus seems to be that the LT swims offer a good amount of coverage, but allow for a small amount of cleavage. Hey, it's okay to look hot.

Deadite, Jessica, showing off her Space Invaders LT Swim.

So, what do we do while we wait for the weather to warm up? Bayah and Jess seem to have had the same idea as me. Although, I wouldn't recommend wearing too many layers, unless you're prepared for some awkward toilet time. Remember, it's not a bodysuit.

Look at me, trying to be a model.
The sun and I have a love/hate relationship.

Featured Cosplayer: Cospole

Scrolling through your Facebook news feed can become incredibly repetitive and boring, especially when everyone you know is at work all day and you're stuck at home sick. So it came as a nice surprise when this image showed up on my screen:

Cospolers Beck and Kat, with guest Cospoler, Casey
Get their dresses here.

Okay, so I'm a little biased. I see Living Dead Clothing and I see Sailor Moon and I go gaga. But there's more to it than that. Before all the crappy illnesses that landed me in the sick bay, I was a dancer. I learned ballet and jazz from age five, and only gave up when I left Sydney to move to the Gold Coast. I've always had a deep respect for dancers because, while they make their craft look easy, it can take its toll on your body.

I knew I had to find out more about these amazing ladies, so I went to their Facebook page. Turns out Beck (23), Kat (26) and Caitlin (22) are all cosplayers. I went from interested to seriously interested very quickly.

The three began practicing pole fitness just over twelve months ago. As self confessed nerds, it wasn't long before they decided to combine their love of aerial arts with their other love, cosplay.

Full time illustrator, Kat, began cosplaying in 2011, but has always loved dressing up and having fun.

"When I moved to Melbourne, I realised that conventions existed and I could stop wishing Halloween was a big deal in Australia," she says.

"I was in a Steampunk Sailor Moon group at Manifest and we got completely swarmed for the three days. It took us two hours to walk back to our car - which was only about ten metres away from the entrance - because we were stopping for so many photos."

It's an amazing and addictive feeling that myself and my fellow cosplayers will relate to. Seeing people enjoy the work that you've put into a cosplay is incredibly rewarding.

Fellow Cospoler, Beck, had just been introduced to Anime, when she learned that people dressed up at conventions. She loved Mio Akiyama (from K-ON!) so much, that she decided to give cosplay a go.

"As soon as I walked through the gates of the Melbourne Showgrounds, a guy ran up to me and hugged me, screaming, 'Oh my God, Mio!' - I haven't looked back since," she says.

While all three ladies love cosplay, they are also very open and honest about some of the more negative aspects of the increasingly popular hobby.

I always ask my Featured Cosplayers if they are okay with store bought costumes, or if they prefer to make everything themselves. I was surprised, but also impressed with Beck's answer.

"I feel this question is hard on those who are newer to the cosplay world. I mainly buy and adapt pieces to create costumes, as I do not currently possess the skills to make my own. I am working on these skills and to have people criticise me for buying my costume is unfair and exclusive," she says.

"I dislike the whole view that you're not a real cosplayer if you buy your costume. If I waited until I could sew well enough to make the lycra suit for Kitty Pryde, I'd never be able to cosplay her."

Beck as Kitty Pryde with Lockheed

The girls agree that cosplay is for everyone, no matter who you you are, what you're into, or even your body type.

"It's so upsetting when a cosplayer - man or woman - is simply trying to enjoy themselves by bringing a character they love to life, only to have a handful of people criticise them because they're not buff enough or not skinny enough to play the character," Caitlin says.

"People are allowed to cosplay who they want, how they want, even if their body doesn't fit your view of the character," Kat says.

"I also really dislike the attitude towards female cosplayers. Slut-shaming and saying 'she's a fake geek girl' just because she's attractive is completely disgusting."

Those of you who read my blog regularly will remember my early post about my first experience with cosplay. When you immerse yourself so completely in a subculture, it's easy to get caught up in the elitism of it all, especially if you have self esteem issues. You see a cosplay that isn't quite as good as your own, or you see a girl in what could be considered 'sexy cosplay' and the claws come out. I'm certainly guilty of convention bitchiness, and I'm sure I will probably be guilty in the future. But it doesn't really make you feel better. It doesn't fix your own insecurities. Since I began this blog, I've learned so much about my fellow cosplayers and I find myself questioning my own behaviour at times. "Oh look, she didn't sew her own skirt, she must be a terrible cosplayer." Or, she could be time poor. This might be her first cosplay. Maybe she is still learning to sew. Do you really need to make that bitchy comment? No, you don't.

Kat as Tank Girl

While I enjoy tackling some of the more serious issues that affect cosplayers, it's also nice to focus on the positives. You may not agree with me, but I consider cosplay an art form. As such, like any other art form, the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a cosplay is one of the best feelings you can experience.

"The satisfaction of actually completing a costume is a great feeling for me, since I'm prone to procrastination," Caitlin says.

"Having the chance to temporarily become a character at a convention or photo shoot, that's just the icing on the cake."

We all face obstacles as cosplayers, but these ladies have the added challenge of incorporating their costumes into their aerial routines.

"I like the challenge of coming up with a trick appropriate for the character, then actually doing the trick in costume," Kat says.

"Sometimes you realise the costume doesn't allow for a really awesome trick and it's a shame. It's a bit of a balancing act between costume and trick."

I'd love to tell you what the girls have planned for the near future, but I received the same answer from all three of them:

Needless to say, I'll be keeping a close eye on them.