Found object costuming is often derided as 'ghetto cosplay' -- but they aren't the same, and found object costuming doesn't have to be bad! There's an art to costuming from the unexpected, and a good found object costume can rival a sewn-from-scratch project. Come and learn how to make truly fantastic costumes out of what's in your closet, your local second-hand store, or even your trash! You'll make a elfin tunic to wear out.
You've spent hours creating the perfect costume, but it doesn't get the attention it deserves, or you want to make your FO costume seem much more. The answer is presentation! Learn to characterize your movement, speech, & gestures. Can you walk like a man or a woman at will? Change your age or your personality? Also, we'll discuss performance for hallway or stage and writing a skit that will become a crowd favorite. Active participation here!
Many fantasy costumes include non-human bits. We'll discuss small, hallway-friendly wings, larger wings for stage, realistic working wings, and other animal attachments such as horns, tails, and more! Learn what makes the difference between a cheesy costume and a striking accessory. Finally, you'll make a pair of hall-safe wings to wear out and enjoy. Be the first on your block to have stylish wearable wings!
Want armor, without investing in metalworking or risking toxic chemicals? We'll cover alternative armoring for historical and fantasy costumes with a variety of readily-available and more specialized materials. You can even make a piece to take home yourself!
Want to get started in historical costuming but not sure where to begin? Want to make your fantasy costume a little more realistic? Journey through history's wardrobe and a primer on clothing trends, fabric choices, period hairstyles, and even -- oh, yes! -- historical undergarments. (Ooh la la!) We'll discuss discuss popular historical fashions from AD 66 to 1966. Also, make your own toque or bonet (hats) to take!
No costume is complete without appropriate makeup. Learn how to look more masculine or more feminine. Give yourself enormous anime or video game eyes, change your ethnicity, or add special effects. Make yourself a Night Elf in three steps! So your costume looks great, but you always look terrible in photos? We can help with that, too. Workshop includes instruction, demonstrations, discussion, and hands-on session. Materials provided.
Nothing defines a character like a signature weapon or jewelry. Imagine Zoe Washburne without guns, Gimli without an axe. Don't let your amazing costume be brought down by a foil-over-cardboard sword when you can make something that completes your look! Topics include economical non-toxic methods of creating body armor and hall-safe swords as well as creating props to abide by con rules. Also you'll make a hall-safe gun to take with you!
The best wigs look like real hair -- even if impossibly colored or improbably spiky. But it can be hard to find the perfect wig for your fantasy costume or to replicate that style which has never existed in real life. Your wig is too long, the wrong style, not curly enough, or the wrong color? Need to make that cheap nasty wig look better and last longer? We can help. Also: you'll make a custom styled clip-in extension to take with you!