April Recap

So I've been quite slack lately with keeping up with my blogging. But rest assured, I have quite a collection of tutorials and other various controversial topics I have been working on. Its just a matter of finding time to finish them.

So what have I been so busy with? Well, let me give you a little recap of how my April went.

First there was Gold Coast Supanova. Holy. Crap. Most fun I've had at a convention yet! Im going to put that down to the fact I was a lot more organised than I usually am, and had some wonderful friends to hang out with. I took my Nightingale costume (Skyrim) and Maya (Borderlands 2), both are relatively easy to wear costumes, though standing in the sun in a full suit of latex armor waiting in the mile long line wasn't to fun. I got to hang out with my good buddy that is Lithium Cosplay and her partner (who's quite handy with a camera) took some amazing shots over the weekend.

(photos by Andrew Grazier)


I was also lucky enough to meet the amazing team that is SmilesareBetter Cosplay and get a double feature in their youtube video recap of supanova cosplay. I highly recommend checking out their channel. GREAT work coming out of these guys, and they are super friendly to boot!

I also got a chance to work with Lorenzo So Photography who not only does some of my most drooled over photography work, but was also rally nice and introduced me to as many people as he ran into.

Overall, I found people to be extremely friendly at this convention. The atmosphere was great, and the quality of the costumes I witnessed took Cosplay to whole new levels. People are really getting their game on now, and its so great to see!


Aside from Supanova I've also had a few Etsy orders to fill. Nothing too tedious at this stage. A few Borderlands class mods and smallish props. I've also started taking on work for other people, in the costume department. My first full costume being a fem version of the Winter Soldier. I'll be posting a separate blog with all the gory details of how I'm going about that one.

My daughter also turned 4. So with birthday celebrations and family gatherings for Easter, it took up a large portion of my month. After receiving the Tinkerbelle movie for her birthday, my daughter has since requested a Tinkerbelle costume. So that is also on the cards now.

But for myself, I haven't really had time to work on much when it comes to my own costumes. I'm still searching for a small piece of suitable fabric for the upper sleeves of my Arwen dress. And I have also cut out he pattern and began marking out the fabric for my Arwen dress. Once I get that done, its just a matter of sewing it all together, and that will be another costume that 'bites the dust' as I already have everything else I require for the costume.


So, in short, I've been keeping busy! And I've also managed to grow my list of to-do costumes. So I guess I'm only going to get busier!

But fear not, because I will endeavour to keep you all updated as my work progresses!

Happy costuming!

Courtesy to Cosplayers at Conventions

I've just had one of the most amazing weekends at a Supanova convention on the beautiful Gold Coast, Austartlia. The atmosphere was great, people were friendly, and the event was well organised. Aside from the usual mile long line to get in (which was to be expected IMO) everything moved along smoothly and seemingly hassle free. The event was entirely indoors, and I know I for one was grateful for the fully air conditioned convention centre.

There wasn't much I could fault about this event. There were plenty of food outlets, and if they didnt cater to your taste, it was only a short walk down the block to an abundance of cafés and restaurants. There were. Plenty of drink and snack vending machines also, and staff worked well to make sure they were always well stocked. 

Now, from a cosplayers point of view, there was only one thing that left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth. And make no mistake, I don't think the event organisers are to be held responsible for this at all. I think it's just something that needs to be made aware to the public. Perhaps some printed posters around lobby and resting areas would be enough? Or perhaps a hall or room somewhere where cosplayers could go that's a strictly 'no camera' zone?

Well, before I get caught in rambling, let me tell you briefly about my personal experience. 

A friend an I had been at the con for quite some hours, and had met up in a hallway for a break. It was a hot day, the crowds had been thick, and many people had stopped us both for a number of photos. My friend was suffering from a headache, and I just needed to sit down after being on my feet for so long. But due to the nature of my costume I needed to remove parts of it in order to sit comfortably, as well as remove all my props, hood, gloves and gauntlets to cool off.

We hadn't been sitting long when a lady approached and asked my friend if she could get a picture of her costume. My friend was reluctant, but obliged anyway. As she was getting her photo taken, another man approached me, asking to photograph my costume. I felt mean in saying no. I felt rude. And I could see his disappointment. I didnt even get up off the ground when he asked me. But at the time, I really didnt feel like going through the hassle of replacing all the pieces of my costume I had just taken off so he could snap a picture with his cell phone.

I am fully aware that as a cosplayer you will receive attention, both good and unwanted. But I think there comes a point when we have to remind others that we aren't always the superheroes we sometimes dress to be. Extravagent outfits can really take it out of a person when worn for long periods, and I just think that sometimes the public needs a little reminding of this.