June Update

Hey guys! So I'm back and ready for action!

...Or I would be if my sewing machine weren't broken! D: Good thing this happened after Anime North!

Anime North was a huge success! Our group won a Technical Achievement Award in the MASTER DIVISION. Awesome! So now I am officially a Master level costumer! Time to crank out some really good stuff! Hahaha

Check out our Entry: Katamari Coup D'État! Timing wasn't our strong suit because none of us could see, or hear... yeah.

Tons of awesome stuff coming up these next months! So look forward to that. Inside looks at our full Katamari group including: Prince, Princess, Nickel and of course the Katamari itself! And yes... I keep saying I will put up my original Jumper up, but I haven't gotten around to taking those finished photos... It will happen... soon...

Otakon is coming up in July, and I am making 2 new costumes for that. :D I am also attending a wedding (which I am currently making my own dress for).

In other news: I got a dress form! Introducing Molly Bobbin the first! >:D

That's all for now! Cheerio! ;D

Set Model - A Midsummer Night's Dream

Another project of mine from school. We were set with the task of creating a set for any scene in A Midsummer Night's Dream and making a scale model of that set.

 I had tons of fun with this project! The materials I used to build the set and stage were illustration board, foam core, and air-dry clay. I painted the clay using white acrylic, and all the cutting was done with exacto knives. My glue was Weldbond.

I have to say, despite the fact that it takes a bit to dry, Weldbond is fantastic! It holds really well, the downside is holding the pieces in place while it dries. The good thing about foam core is you can hold the pieces together using sewing pins. ;D

Sword Prototype

My other major creative project from first semester: my shop project. I chose to make a sword. :D

It is more a prototype, than anything else. My original plan was to use it for a costume, but I am unhappy with the end result for this design. As it is my first time using power tools, I felt that it's ok that it's not perfect.

So lets get cracking. :D

I decided to draft this out at half scale and blow up the drawing to fullsize, so I could trace out the design onto the wood. This made it much easier to get the proportions to a place where I was satisfied with them. For some reason I decided to put WAY more of a curve into the blade than my original intention, to the point where it's not functional as a normal sword. My advice to all of you: When you have too many people you don't know giving you different advice, chances are you will be most satisfied if you don't follow anyone you don't trust completely. That's where you go wrong before you even leave the design phase. >:/

 I picked a piece of maple. Hardwood is necessary for a sword (or any piece) this thin, or it will snap supper easily. I traced it onto the wood, then clamped it to the table, having the handle overhanging.

 Here is my draft after I blew it up to full size and cut it out.

 I began slowing cutting away at the handle with a jigsaw. Doing the most complicated, tightest inwards curve first is important. (Because it ensures that you actually have enough wood to camp it down.)

 The I cut out the blade on the bandsaw.

I continued cutting out the handle.

 EPIC SWORD BATTLE!!!

 I wanted to make the blade thinner, but I wanted to shave off an equal amount from each side, so I took the sword and stuck it in a clamp so I could draw a center line down the blade's edge, and then 2 more guide lines showing how much I needed to take it in by. 

 Once I finished that, I began shaping the blade using sanders. Then I added the edge. :D

I cut out the other side of the crossguard and used epoxy to glue it all together. Then I sanded down the edges to smooth it out.

I then measured how much aircraft cable I would need for the 'basket'. I had a friend drill a hole in the handle for the cable to go into. 

Masking and painting came next. :)

Then end paint result I am not happy with... I picked a 'hammered' effect spraypaint for the guard, but decided I wasn't a huge fan of it.

Then I had my good friend Emily help me attach my aircraft cable. Believe me when I say it was a two person job.

I wrapped the handle with a leathery rope, then sprayed the blade.

Not bad for my first time using power tools. ;D I will probably only ever use it to decorate my wall though.

(And special thanks to Emily for all the pictures she took for me when I misplaced my camera.)

April Update: We're Back! ;D

Hey guys! So after a lengthy hiatus, we're back! It sure feels like ages since I have posted anything!

I finished my first year of university, which is quite the relief. Now I have the whole summer to work on personal projects. >:D Time to get cracking!

So what's to expect in the next months? My jumper, jean bag, sword, and set design, will be up soon! Look forward to those. Haven't posted any in-depth posts in a while.

Upcoming conventions this summer are: Anime North, Otakon, & FanExpo!

Upcoming costumes for said conventions? My katamari group is planning to enter the masquerade at AN this year, so look forward to that along with many in-depth posts on how those costumes were made. My next more casual costume I am putting together is a surprise! (The wig has already arrived!) Hopefully it will debut at AN as well. Planning an Alice costume for Otakon, which will be my first US convention! Thinking of making another costume for that as well, but we'll see how that goes...

Once again I have a table at FanExpo, so look forward to seeing me there at the end of the summer! Currently planning what I will have in my stock.

There are also some new additions to my team of faithful tools! ;D You will meet them soon enough. 

(For those of you that also follow my photography blog--Photo Escapes--it will also be updated soon, so expects more posts on that front as well!)

That's all for now! Expect updates soon! :D