Wahoo! (Norwescon!)

Well, I finally got to enter a costume up in Seattle at a *really* great science fiction convention called Norwescon. I've always enjoyed Norwescons: they have great programming, lots of art/dealers stuff and tons of hall costumes. I've only seen more hall costuming at an anime con. Most of it's goth-y (it's the home of the Vampire:the Masquerade club and a big larp event). This is also the masquerade where, many years ago, I had an epiphany when a costumer who'd done an exquisite monster bat costume showed me how to fake the jack legs. Full credit to him for both coming up with the trick and for being willing to show me how it worked! (And I wish I could remember his name! He was an spfx artist from Toronto!)

I entered Reales (Ray-al-us) and had practiced and refined the routine I'd done at Further Confusion. Lots of practice, counting the music beats, and timing where I was and what I was doing at each beat. Needless to say, I was having my usual major anxiety/stage-fright attack and had nearly gone tharn in the hours before the show. Don't ask why: I just stress out before showing a costume. I'm happy with the suit, or I wouldn't be showing it in public, but I still don't know what the public reception will be or if there will be some catastrophic failure. It's great when they say, "We'll remember your costume for years!," but it's less great when they remember you for years because you fell off the stage (and yes, I've seen it happen!).

The work and rehearsing paid off, because I took both Best Workmanship: Master and Best in Show: Master (single participant). Wah-hooo! Lots of ego-puffing kudos from people and only now is it really sinking in (and why I'm so happy). At the time, I was mostly just relieved that I hadn't fallen off (they have a great set of spotters and a terrific staff: totally organized and helpful!). I also won some actual prizes: a leather jacket (XL-yay!), a silver ring, and a great book of historical costuming!

The Workmanship judges were thorough! They -did- notice every popped seam, exposed stitch and flaw, but they also took into account what actually would be seen (and didn't dink my much for those). And they were fascinated by the wide variety of materials used to achieve different effect. I was thrilled at what they noted, both good and bad! This is a pretty fun group of costumers (I think they're the Northern Lights Costume Guild or something to that effect...I'll check. More fun than politics!

Plus I got to pose with a Hot Chick (unfortunately I don't know who she is, or I'd be married by now!):

( Chicks and Wolf )

Wahoo! (Norwescon!)

Well, I finally got to enter a costume up in Seattle at a *really* great science fiction convention called Norwescon. I've always enjoyed Norwescons: they have great programming, lots of art/dealers stuff and tons of hall costumes. I've only seen more hall costuming at an anime con. Most of it's goth-y (it's the home of the Vampire:the Masquerade club and a big larp event). This is also the masquerade where, many years ago, I had an epiphany when a costumer who'd done an exquisite monster bat costume showed me how to fake the jack legs. Full credit to him for both coming up with the trick and for being willing to show me how it worked! (And I wish I could remember his name! He was an spfx artist from Toronto!)

I entered Reales (Ray-al-us) and had practiced and refined the routine I'd done at Further Confusion. Lots of practice, counting the music beats, and timing where I was and what I was doing at each beat. Needless to say, I was having my usual major anxiety/stage-fright attack and had nearly gone tharn in the hours before the show. Don't ask why: I just stress out before showing a costume. I'm happy with the suit, or I wouldn't be showing it in public, but I still don't know what the public reception will be or if there will be some catastrophic failure. It's great when they say, "We'll remember your costume for years!," but it's less great when they remember you for years because you fell off the stage (and yes, I've seen it happen!).

The work and rehearsing paid off, because I took both Best Workmanship: Master and Best in Show: Master (single participant). Wah-hooo! Lots of ego-puffing kudos from people and only now is it really sinking in (and why I'm so happy). At the time, I was mostly just relieved that I hadn't fallen off (they have a great set of spotters and a terrific staff: totally organized and helpful!). I also won some actual prizes: a leather jacket (XL-yay!), a silver ring, and a great book of historical costuming!

The Workmanship judges were thorough! They -did- notice every popped seam, exposed stitch and flaw, but they also took into account what actually would be seen (and didn't dink my much for those). And they were fascinated by the wide variety of materials used to achieve different effect. I was thrilled at what they noted, both good and bad! This is a pretty fun group of costumers (I think they're the Northern Lights Costume Guild or something to that effect...I'll check. More fun than politics!

Plus I got to pose with a Hot Chick (unfortunately I don't know who she is, or I'd be married by now!):

( Chicks and Wolf )

Wahoo! (Norwescon!)

Well, I finally got to enter a costume up in Seattle at a *really* great science fiction convention called Norwescon. I've always enjoyed Norwescons: they have great programming, lots of art/dealers stuff and tons of hall costumes. I've only seen more hall costuming at an anime con. Most of it's goth-y (it's the home of the Vampire:the Masquerade club and a big larp event). This is also the masquerade where, many years ago, I had an epiphany when a costumer who'd done an exquisite monster bat costume showed me how to fake the jack legs. Full credit to him for both coming up with the trick and for being willing to show me how it worked! (And I wish I could remember his name! He was an spfx artist from Toronto!)

I entered Reales (Ray-al-us) and had practiced and refined the routine I'd done at Further Confusion. Lots of practice, counting the music beats, and timing where I was and what I was doing at each beat. Needless to say, I was having my usual major anxiety/stage-fright attack and had nearly gone tharn in the hours before the show. Don't ask why: I just stress out before showing a costume. I'm happy with the suit, or I wouldn't be showing it in public, but I still don't know what the public reception will be or if there will be some catastrophic failure. It's great when they say, "We'll remember your costume for years!," but it's less great when they remember you for years because you fell off the stage (and yes, I've seen it happen!).

The work and rehearsing paid off, because I took both Best Workmanship: Master and Best in Show: Master (single participant). Wah-hooo! Lots of ego-puffing kudos from people and only now is it really sinking in (and why I'm so happy). At the time, I was mostly just relieved that I hadn't fallen off (they have a great set of spotters and a terrific staff: totally organized and helpful!). I also won some actual prizes: a leather jacket (XL-yay!), a silver ring, and a great book of historical costuming!

The Workmanship judges were thorough! They -did- notice every popped seam, exposed stitch and flaw, but they also took into account what actually would be seen (and didn't dink my much for those). And they were fascinated by the wide variety of materials used to achieve different effect. I was thrilled at what they noted, both good and bad! This is a pretty fun group of costumers (I think they're the Northern Lights Costume Guild or something to that effect...I'll check. More fun than politics!

Plus I got to pose with a Hot Chick (unfortunately I don't know who she is, or I'd be married by now!):

( Chicks and Wolf )