2018 Year in review

| Atilla (Swim) - Fate | Storm (Swim) - X-Men | Ariel - Little mermaid |
|Storm - X-men | Lilith - Trinity Blood | Sudowoodo - Pokemon |
​| Alexandrite - Houseki no Kuni | Vivian - Dragon's Crown | Diana - Little With Academia |

Another year of cosplay has gone by. Each year I feel as if I didn't produce enough work, then I look at what I've actually accomplished and realize that it is more than I initial thought. It's important not to get caught up in other people paces and keep moving forward at your own speed and on your own path.

Many of the projects I was working on throughout the year were not completed (which is why I feel like I was lagging behind), but they are well on their way and they will be done when they are good and ready!
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Additionally, I didn't go on an elaborate cosplay photoshoot trip this year so I feel as if I was missing a part of my yearly activities, however, I had a great time at all the events I attended and made many lasting memories with friends.

​So let's jump right into it.

Erik Paredes Photography

What I Learned

1. Swimsuit version of characters are a fun and easy way to fit in more costumes in your lineup.
2. Give extra life from your wigs by doing swimsuit variations
3. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy the whole costume than buy the materials alone - $30 for my Diana cosplay!
4. White spandex is almost sheer no matter what you do. You have to double it up or just switch to ultrapreme
5. Stacking wigs (Storm) is easier than it looks.
6. Cellophane is pretty unruly in wigs once the wind hits
7. Painting velvet require patience and it doesn't provide the best finished look.
8. A good contour and highlight can go a long way
9. Wear a dust mask when working with lots of feathers of you'll be blowing coloured snot
10. Make a stencil for fine detail tattoos to save time
11. You can make fun things with leftover fabric - Sudowoodo was just an excuse to use that taffeta and the costume was fun to make and wear.
12. Don't spend obscene amounts of money on embroidery thread that you don't need. Get an accurate estimate.

Most Expensive Costume

Elite Cosplay Photography

Least Expensive Costume

By a long shot and to the surprise of noone, Lilith is the most expensive costume of the year at $390. The gold fabric was meant for another project that I got on deep discount, so I saved some money there. There was just so many little things on this costume to buy which added up: beads, jewelry, gems, bells, feathers, flowers, and embroidery thread.

Ariel cost $9 (Swimsuit top) since it was made using things I already had laying around (seashells, rhinestones, beads, etc). I reused the tail from another mermaid costume (funnily enough it was an Ursula cosplay) and the wig (Cancer & Mousse).

Favourite Cosplay

HM Photography

Favourite Prop

MH Photography

Easy to make and fun to wear. I could goof around in this costume and be the tree I always wanted to be. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the simple things.

All of my prop making skills were put to use with Lilith. The wings and wreath contraption were my proudest accomplishment, however, I really like the hat, nails, and all the other little details that went into making this beast.

Tutorials

• How to Style Blunt Edges on a Wig [video]
• Houseki no Kuni - Wig styling Tutorial [text + images]
• Cat tail - Cosplay tip

Check out my costume pages for more info and progress photos on all the costumes I've made.

Events

I went to quite a few events this year but with my busy day job I didn't have as much opportunity to write my usual con reports. If it is something you miss, let me know. I want to get back into it so long as people are interested in reading them.
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• Katsucon - Washington DC - Convention Report​
• Ottawa ComicCon - May
• Anime North - Toronto - May 
• Colossalcon - Ohio - June 
• YetiCon - June 
• Montreal ComicCon - July 
• Otakuthon - Montreal - July
• Crunchyroll Expo - San Jose - Aug 

A stand out event for me this year was Cruchyroll Expo. It a was such a great experience and I am so grateful for everyone who showed up to say hi at my table or came to my panels. It was my first time out in California and I hope I can make more trips out there in the future.

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Forward to 2019

There will be more gijinkas and original designs. I love flexing those creative muscles in cosplay. I'll also be dipping my toes in Fate with a few costumes I've wanted to make for awhile now.

My biggest challenge will be the usual time management while balancing work, life, and hobby. I am very excited about multiple projects that I am working on and I can't wait to share them.

New for 2019: I have invested in some resources to snap some of my own photos and so far so good. I'm having fun with set ideas and I can't wait to see where I can take things.

I will be attending my usual events, however, if you want to see me at your local convention, please let them know that you want me as a guest. I have a several open weekends and I would be more than happy to run some panels and judge a few costume contests.

​Cheers to a new Year!

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