So last Friday - with just one week to go to MegaCon - I was looking at all the steampunk goodies I've never worn and decided to put together a new costume. Just feelin' the itch, ya know? No specific characters or anything, just a "generic" steampunk ensemble with a tribal/art nouveau/cyberpunk flair.
Of course I can't do a cosplay without a mask, so I quickly stitched up a simple leather design and embellished it with plastic pipe "respirators." Then I started on a feather and chain headpiece like the ones I'm always drooling over on Etsy.
K, 'nuff talking. Time for PEEKTURES!
I only have one side of the headdress complete; I'm about to run to JoAnn's (for the 4th time in as many days) for the final piece for the other, smaller side. (The band itself is 2 leather belts from my craft stash, glued together and embellished with metallic Rub n' Buff.)
(It seems most of our cashiers at JoAnn's are going to MegaCon in costume, too, so shopping there is extra fun as we all geek out together. :D)
The mask is done, and has tiny orange lights inside the respirator canisters. I'm hoping the mask will also help protect me from the con crud.
I made everything on my own, no assistance from John even with all the sawing and leather work. Makes it feel more my own, and since it's come together so quickly I've been having a LOT of fun working 'til the wee hours each night.
The forehead pendant is an altered necklace from my favorite steampunk jeweler, Friston. Isn't it beautiful? I'll be wearing another of his big statement necklaces and a large cuff bracelet, too.
I plan to wear this on Friday, so look for the mask then, fellow con-goers!
I've also made an upgrade to Lady Vadore's helmet which makes me super happy, even though most people will never notice it. I went from this flimsy foil gear and plastic gem:
To a custom resin Imperial symbol with a real crystal:
The symbol is a custom-made pin from this UK Etsy seller; I clipped the back pins, re-finished it to an aged copper, and then cut apart a cheap $3 brooch to harvest the fake emerald in the middle:
This photo shows my new copper finish a lot better.
I finished by backing the whole thing in black craft foam and centering the gem:
Like I said, SUPER HAPPY.
Well, I have more last-minute costume crafting to do, so I'll see some of you at the con! And for everyone else, I'll post finished photos when I have them.
Hope you guys are having a great week! And sorry again for being a bit light on posts; rest assured I'll be inundating you with MegaCon pics after the weekend. :D
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your thoughtful details, like that Imperial symbol! I don't suppose there's any chance you're coming up to Awesome Con in DC in April, is there?
ReplyDeleteProbably not - but I do love DC!
DeleteBeautiful!! We're so excited about MegaCon, I'm taking my daughter for her birthday present again this year. Hope to see your cosplay in real life!
ReplyDeleteI just love the almost subdued colors on the feathers and gears, but that flower really pulls it all in with a pop of color! I love, love, LOVE it - and I'm not usually a fan of the orangey reds unless it's in a sunset or a tulip!
ReplyDeleteOh man, that mask looks so great! And I love that Imperial piece on Lady V. Those little things REALLY amp it up. Your blog always inspires my creativity. If only my bank account could keep up. [;
ReplyDeleteSome friends I know are going to MegaCon but it's not in the cards for me this year. Too bad, I would have loved to meet you and Lady Vadore in person. Maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteYou Rock!! I love when you share your projects, so inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteYou have outdone yourself yet again. I cannot WAIT to see the rest of that costume!!!
ReplyDeleteI want to fly down and see this in person. (OK, getting out of Maine sounds really good about now). I can't wait to see the other Friston pieces you are wearing with this.
ReplyDeleteYour headdress and face mask are awesome!
ReplyDeleteAlso loving the improvement to Lady Vadore!
I love going to cons vicariously through the pictures you share afterwards! Traveling to cons has always been prohibitively expensive for me as a student, especially with a small child. Some day, though, I'll be able to go in person more often!
ReplyDeleteLove the headdress! It is so beautiful.
Amazing work! You inspire me to get to work on something for RavenCon here in Virginia. Have a blast at MegaCon :)
ReplyDeleteIs it sad that I was slightly jealous of your JoAnn's cashiers? No disrespect to the lovely septuagenarians at MY local JoAnn's at all, but c'mon.
ReplyDeleteThe mask looks fantastic! I can't wait to see the rest!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I won't be going to Megacon, but 2 of my best friends will be. I'm going to try sending them your way because you'll LOVE their Anna and Elsa cosplays! If you tweet any location updates, I'll text them along to my friends (since the Internet in the convention center is usually so awful).
I hope you have a great con!
-Kate (LifeIsProps)
We drive down to Orlando as soon as I get off work, I can't wait until MEGACON tomorrow! We'll keep an eye out for you and John. (My group includes an Elsa. Ezio Auditore, and a Castiel)
ReplyDeleteJen, can I also just say how much I appreciate your Cakewrecks-honed scrupulousness (? scrupulosity?) about grammar/spelling/punctuation conventions in all your posts? Just seeing a post of yours titled "Sneak Peek" and realizing that I didn't even have to brace against the slight involuntary twinge of processing "Sneak Peak" makes me feel all reassured and comfy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for making your blogs a safe space for sticklers!
Kimstu
"so I quickly stitched up a simple leather design and embellished it"
ReplyDeleteBecause gosh darn it Jen is just that crafty, yes she is!!!
LOL -- you super woman you. Wow -- it looks terrific. And I am betting it will look terrific on you, as well. Have fun and avoid the con crud!
Cool headdress!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the MegaCon photos! Hope you guys have so much fun!
KW
Oh! It's so not fair! I REEEEAALLY wanted to go to MegaCon, but since we live on a farm, someone has to milk the goats. Phooey.
ReplyDeleteThat mask and headdress are absolutely stunning! Beautiful work, Jen! Have fun and may the force be with your AT-AT rocker auction!
ReplyDelete"Cosplay" is not a real word.
ReplyDeleteBeing a stickler for the recognized conventions of written language usage is not the same thing as setting up draconian barriers to the natural evolution of popular vocabulary. Of course "cosplay" is a real word.
DeleteYou can use the original Japanese coinage "kosupure" instead if it makes you feel better about it, though.
Kimstu
Since the Oxford Dictionary recognizes it as a legitimate word, your argument is invalid.
DeleteOkay, I love the rub 'n buff on the leather belts. The next niftily patterned belt I find at Goodwill is being grabbed! You're so clever.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've just recently started watching Dr. Who on Netflix. The first thing that popped into my head when I saw your gas mask was, "Are you my Mummy?" ;) It's beautiful and I can't wait to see you wearing it!
ReplyDeleteSaline wash (in your nose) twice a day, seriously. It'll keep the con crud away. Google it if you don't know how. Have so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as ever! And with this "I'm hoping the mask will also help protect me from the con crud" it adds a bit of functionality as well. Having finally (yes, I managed to dodge that bullet for two years) actually gotten the con crud at the last one we went to, I can say that anything to reduce the risk is definitely your friend. To make it pretty to boot? Added bonus!
ReplyDeleteYou are so impressively crafty! I am always amazed by the things you make. I am a knitter/crocheter but looking at cross stictch and wondered if you counld reccommend any good places to look for geeky patterns or kits? Xx
ReplyDeleteIt was so great to finally meet you today at Mega Con! My daughter Ruth and I really enjoyed talking to you and John. So hope to see you tomorrow and Sunday! By the way, you are really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are brilliant! That is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSqueelicious! The belt-headband is beautiful, I need to see more. I have one fear (and its mine but I thought you'd humor me, please?) I'm worried about you getting enough air with the mask. I'm sure you've checked it out, especially since you have already done a couple other face covering masks, but please make sure you've got good air flow!
ReplyDeleteI love the headpiece! You're much more knowledgeable on this stuff than me...but do you have any air-holes cut into it? (under the "respirator" or anything?) Because I'd imagine it would start to feel super stuffy and claustrophobic trying to breath through a leather mask?
ReplyDelete