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2019 IG, Cosplay, and Conventions
5 min read
Here we are in the glorious year of 2019... now, I don't know about anyone else, but for me I always dread odd-numbered years. For some reason in the past, odd-numbered years seemed to constantly shit on me. 2017 was pretty okay I think, if you don't count the two times I needed to move while pregnant (thanks Army) and then of course my husband being deployed still during his birth. I had lost friends that year, lost trust... but gained a son and then in 2018 gained a daughter as well. So I can't complain *too* much for the last few years, but things are changing around here.
For starters, as I'm sure some of you already know, I've retired from burlesque since moving away from Colorado. With two kids back to back, I didn't feel confident in my body at all, plus PPD mixed in... I wasn't entirely in a good place. I lost weight in the most unhealthy ways and I've gained it back but I still need to work on toning up again. That will take time if I want to do things the right and healthy way. It's not exactly a New Years' Resolution though- I'm smart enough now to know that my body isn't just something to care about in the beginning of the year, but year-round.
ANYWAYS.
So without burlesque taking up my weekends, I found myself itching to craft. Over the year of 2018, I had given myself the ambitious task of creating a beastly costume of Elias Ainsworth. It was the most rewarding cosplay I think I've ever done to date- and though I will continue to improve him, he will always be a favorite now. His debut was at Youmacon2018 in Detroit, MI. I managed to pick up runner-up Best of Novice, which... seeing the competition I had, just *blew* me away completely! (The cert is totally on my wall, framed, alongside the stage photo of my Elias. Fuck yeah I'm proud of that!)
But what about this year? Well... it's sad to say, but I will not be attending Youmacon 2019. There is another convention that runs the EXACT same weekend EVERY year for some stupid reason... and I have promised that weekend to my husband to attend it; BlizzCon. The big one. The one he has been dreaming of going to since he picked up World of Warcraft back in 2005.
What does that mean cosplay-wise for me? Well... it doesn't mean anything, really. I'm not attending, but my husband is- so I will be using the next several months to work and craft him the best goddamn WoW cosplay possible.
For ME though... there *is* a convention I am still going to; C2E2. Based in Chicago, IL, it's essentially the equal to Comic Con.
I'll be honest though, I'm only attending because an old friend has invited me out to be a part of a WoW group. In my honest opinion I don't really find the Comic Con-style cons to be very fun as they CLOSE like it's a goddamn store. I'm used to things like NDK and Youma whereas there is ALWAYS something to do for the attendee... even so, I was not about to pass up a chance to be part of a cosplay group and be able to get a big shoot in for pictures with other interactive cosplayers. In fact, I believe the only other collab I've done was during the NDK after-party at The Church Nightclub, where my burlesque troupe all banded together for a Sailor Moon routine... but let's be honest, it wasn't a legit cosplay group. In fact some of the newer and more naive members of the troupe at that point in time didn't even know what Sailor Moon WAS too... so it was a little disappointing that first time.
So to get invited to something as precious to me as WoW? Fuck yeah I'm gonna go! But uh... C2E2 is at the end of March, so...you all know what that means;
Cosplay crunch.
I will be working the next month and a half to create my very first WoW cosplay as Tyrande Whisperwind. I'm honestly really excited- I see this as a sort of trial-error deal. I want my husband's cosplay to be amazing- so what better way to test out techniques and the like by making another WoW beforehand? I've already started patterning out the cosplay, I've ordered my wig, and the ears, contacts, and body paint have all been already picked out and should be ordered by the end of the month so that I can have time to get them before the con. Fabric has been bought- worbla has been obtained, and my Lady Lucille (my dress form; yes I named her) has returned from Noch's workplace whereas she had been displaying some kevlar vests and is ready for me to work off of.
So... that's what I'm up to cosplay/convention wise. Now, if you are the type of DA user that likes to check out the WIP of cosplay... I do have an Instagram. I got it originally as it was a requirement of being part of the Chateau, but somewhere down the line it became my go-to for... literally everything. You'll find cosplay, WIP, crafts, rants, clips of my kids, and tidbits of my life with near-daily updates of what I'm working on or dealing with in my life on there. Feel free to follow if you'd like; I always try to be as REAL as possible though so just be prepared for some vulgar language and stuff like that.
IG: kitty_chrysalis
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Youmacon 2016 is a Go!
3 min read
I'm super excited to say that my plans for coming back to Youmacon this year are set in stone! I got my badges purchased, my room's been reserved since January, and I'm all set for the budget of the drive and food expenses! I even have all of my conmates' set up and the price of splitting the room fees figured out, so now all that's left is to prepare for a great time! ....And finish the cosplays ^^' (I have a few more things to do but they should be done by next week!!!!)
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how big Youma has become. The last time I went to the con, it was the first year that they started to branch out into the Cobo Hall, so I wasn't sure how that was going to go. Now I have friends telling me that there's now yet ANOTHER building/area that it's stretched on into!
I want to make sure to hit up all of my favorite artists and dealers, if they're there. Already I'm making a wishlisht of the things I KNOW I'm getting; I definitely need some new artwork on my wall, and I could always use a good wig. Out in Colorado we definitely had the anime shops that sold wigs, but nothing beats having the ability to go to the companies themselves at cons and see what they're bringing to the table rather than wait for a store to order new stuff in.
Another major thing that I'm looking to get....nerdy anime baby stuff. That's right! Nox and I are expecting our second child now that's due in the Spring, so I'm going to scope out the Artist Alley for anything I can decorate it with x3 I'd love to do a Studio Ghibli theme...
Anyways, I also wanted to announce my cosplays for the convention this year.
Friday- Team Rocket (Return of the Poke'ball baby belly?)
Saturday- Princess Luna (MLP)
Sunday- Smaug (I suggest unless you want to be covered in glitter you'll do good to just take pics and not hug the dragoness xD
I'm hoping to have more of a baby bump for two of my cosplays to be able to paint myself up for a laugh, but I'm not sure this time around. Unlike the last Youmacon that I was pregnant at, I'm not as far along x.x
That's about it for my babble update, until then!
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how big Youma has become. The last time I went to the con, it was the first year that they started to branch out into the Cobo Hall, so I wasn't sure how that was going to go. Now I have friends telling me that there's now yet ANOTHER building/area that it's stretched on into!
I want to make sure to hit up all of my favorite artists and dealers, if they're there. Already I'm making a wishlisht of the things I KNOW I'm getting; I definitely need some new artwork on my wall, and I could always use a good wig. Out in Colorado we definitely had the anime shops that sold wigs, but nothing beats having the ability to go to the companies themselves at cons and see what they're bringing to the table rather than wait for a store to order new stuff in.
Another major thing that I'm looking to get....nerdy anime baby stuff. That's right! Nox and I are expecting our second child now that's due in the Spring, so I'm going to scope out the Artist Alley for anything I can decorate it with x3 I'd love to do a Studio Ghibli theme...
Anyways, I also wanted to announce my cosplays for the convention this year.
Friday- Team Rocket (Return of the Poke'ball baby belly?)
Saturday- Princess Luna (MLP)
Sunday- Smaug (I suggest unless you want to be covered in glitter you'll do good to just take pics and not hug the dragoness xD
I'm hoping to have more of a baby bump for two of my cosplays to be able to paint myself up for a laugh, but I'm not sure this time around. Unlike the last Youmacon that I was pregnant at, I'm not as far along x.x
That's about it for my babble update, until then!
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