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My younger brother convinced me to attend my first Comic Con in 2011 and I reluctantly agreed, dreading taking time off work and wondering how I could possibly spend three days at a comic book conference.
He insisted we show up early to pick up our badges and hit the floor before the panels began. I remember standing in line not particularly paying attention to anyone or anything, and then I found myself looking directly at Sam Winchester. But not the actor who played Sam Winchester on Supernatural — it was someone who had dressed up (and nailed it!).
My first cosplay experience left me starry-eyed and inspired. I was astounded by the creativity, awestruck by the craftsmanship, and thrilled by the collective experience.
“I could do that.” — Kristy Podelnyk
After I recovered from the shock and wonderment of my first Comic Con experience, I quickly realized not only did I want to cosplay, but I could cosplay.
I’ve been a casual crafter since my teen years, painting and sewing my favorite creative fallback. I’m also an enormous fan of all things pop culture, anime, and fantasy.
So, I decided to start small — pick a simple costume and dip my toes in the water of the Rose Cite Comic Con. Little did I know that cosplay is my romance of choice.
Flash forward to present day and I’m more in love with making stuff and cosplaying now than I ever could’ve predicted.
“I like to try to make outfits that look like they could have walked straight out of life, history, or off a movie screen.” — Syagria
There have been a lot of cosplayers, crafters, and hobbyists who’ve inspired me to try different things and experiment with a multitude of fabrication techniques.
Through diligent research and tons of internet searches I’ve learned how to build EVA foam armor, sculpt polypropylene props, create silicone molds, resin cast props, and wire LEDs. I’ve learned a lot through failing forward and iteration. I believe that’s as much a part of the art and journey of cosplay as is wearing the actual costume.
What you can expect to find here, in this corner of the internet, is the story of my experiences, my portfolio, and hopefully some helpful tidbits to help my fellow cosplayers along their road of discovery, creativity, and, lets face it, some hard-core critical thinking.
“Crap, I just scratched the hell out of my armor. Well, that’s just the way it is now.” — Jesse Lagers
I couldn’t have said it better myself – for me, cosplay (and making stuff) is just the way it is now.
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