2019 Cosplay Year in review

| Atalanta - Fate | Allura - Voltron | Korra - Book 4 |
| Benimaru - Slime | Evil Queen Regina - OUAT | Original Fall fairy |

What do I say about 2019? It felt like an unproductive year because I wasn't able to accomplish what I wanted, however, I know that is not entirely true. Keeping up with the Jones in cosplay is very unreasonable when you work full-time so I learned to let it go and not push myself too hard for events. Overall I had a blast at the conventions I attended and I have made some lasting memories with friends. Another highlight is that I made my first male cosplay in years with Benimaru. I also feel like I have gotten much better at switching up my poses. So overall, I would say it was good.

What I've learned

• Be careful when reheating worbla over top of insulation foam - it can melt and create a hole plus toxic fumes
• It may look like a lot of rhinestones but more is better on big dresses. I put so many on Allura's dress and you can barely see them. I need to add more
• Angelus paint is great on faux leathers and stretch fabrics
• Fake fur backing is too porous for most fabric glue. You need to stitch it down
• Beware of constricting your pits when creating a costume with multiple layers of thick fabric.
• Arda Silky wigs dye as easily as the regular wigs, however, they do not like being airbrushed afterwards and it does not adhere as well.

Most Expensive Costume

Photo by Paul Hillier

Least Expensive Costume

Photo by Erik Paredes

I bought 6 bolts of crinoline, a lot of black twill, a ton of rhinestones, 2 sets of string lights, and some flowers. I did save money by reusing the the wig from my Swanna costume. I wasn't the best at tracking my purchases this year so Allura came in at about $275.

Korra was very affordable since I was using up leftovers from other Korra costumes, like the sleeves. I also had many of the material sitting around like the suede and fur for the skirt. So this came in at around $50.

Favourite Costume & Prop

Photo by Paul Hillier

I got to push myself by learning so many new techniques for Atalanta such as using iron on vinyl, stenciling with Angelus paint, and designing with Photoshop. The favourite prop wins by default because it's the only one I have for the year, although I've been working on many other props for other unfinished projects. If you are curious on the construction of the costumes, check out the costume page.

Tutorials

I only made one tutorial this year. So I supposed I wasn't productive in that arena. However, I post a lot of progress photos on my social media accounts so it is out there, just not packaged in a blog or video.

The video is about styling a flipped bob which I used for a Little Witch Academia cosplay and eventually for League of Legends - Lux.

Events

Some notable photoshoots from this year. L: with Amurita & Michaëlle Charette. R: Jumping with Paul Hillier

I went to 7 conventions this year, mainly in Canada [OCC, Anime North, Yeticon, MCC, Otakuthon] with two trips to the US [Katsucon & Colossalcon]. It was a pretty relaxed year considering I was only judging masquerades at a handful of events, usually I am for most events and it doesn't leave much time to enjoy the con or see friends. Yeticon is new favourtire convention of the year since I really took advantage of the many of the events and there were times where there were too many things I wanted to do all happening at the same time. I look forward to going next year.

Forward to 2020

I have some many ongoing project that I want to finish in 2020. I was pretty disappointed that I didn't complete them in 2019 but that's life, I'll finish them eventually. Regina and Korra were both costumes I had been sitting on for years so I cleared some of the backlog.

My goal is to produce more of my own content by shooting it myself. I already have a head start on this, so stay tuned. Everything in moderation though.

I also hope to keep on top of my blog next year. I'm likely to take more recovery days after conventions and hopefully that will give me more time to publish my post-con blogs.

For the latest in what I'm working on and where I will be attending, check out my Upcoming page.

Thx you for the support and see you in 2020!

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