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What got you into cosplay?
What got me into cosplay is a two-fold answer. The first being that I saw how much fun cosplayers were having I wanted to join in. The second being that I have always been a crafter. I use to make my living in college selling hand made beaded jewelry and I though I would give cosplay a shot. It really started with a spark of inspiration to make Inu Yasha's necklace back in 2002.
What was your first costume and why?
The first costume I made was not for myself. I made an Inu Yasha costume back in 2002. I have some pictures of it in my gallery if you are really interested.
For myself my first real cosplay costume was Hanatarou Yamada. Hanatarou is my favorite character and I wanted to cosplay the timid 4th Division member. I figured if I looked uncomfortable and worried in my first anime convention cosplay venture it could be taken as me being really in character!
Before that I did a closet cosplay of Mitsuko Komyoji from Kikaider. It was made completely of items found in my closet or purchased second hand. I even had a broken guitar as a prop. It was just for Halloween.
What is your favorite costume and why?
Currently my favorite costume is Morgan Fey from Phoenix Wright. A close second is a tie between my Mei Chan costume from the manga of Full Metal Alchemist and Retsu Unohana from Bleach.
I love these costumes since I really poured my heart into making them. I like how they all turned out and learned a lot in the process of making them. I don't think I'll be retiring them anytime soon. I just love them both too much!
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
Vivi from Final Fantasy IX is definitely on the top of the list. I want to make it but don't want to even try until I feel I can do Vivi some justice. There are lots of poorly done Black Mages out there and I don't want to be one of them.
I also have on my cosplay list characters from Trinity Blood, Last Exile, Samurai 7, Lain, Yakitate! Japan and The Twelve Kingdoms.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Actually be recognized as Rukia by the creator of "Read or Die" while I was at Sakura-con. I was worried no one would know who I was since I really don't have the right body type. I'm too chubby. But to have Hideyuki Kurata recognize me and take the time to visit with me about my costume was really an honor.
Next to that I would have to say every time someone flags me down calling out my character's name. That to me just doesn't get old. At least I know that my costume attempt wasn't so awful that people couldn't recognize me! It's even more meaningful when I am in my Mei Chan costume since she is a manga only character.
Do you participate in masquerades?
Nope. I attend conventions as Press so I don't compete. My cosplaying is strictly for fun. Maybe one of these days I'll attend a con as a regular con goer and compete. Who is to say what will happen in the future.
I have been a judge for a talent/costume contest though. I have judged the Sakura Chibi contest at Sakura-con for the two years the program has been running. The kids are sugary sweet and cute they will give you cavities!
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Nope. Not that I know of. But I did get a nomination at Sakura-con '07 for Hall Cosplay Contest but the con never announced who the winners were.
Tell us a little about yourself
By trade I am a Veterinary Technician. I worked in vet med for almost 8 years before I became disabled. I suffer from Rhuematoid Arthritis and Sjorgen's Syndrome, both are autoimmune diseases. RA and Sjorgen's causes joint pain and disfigures the joints. I work on my costumes when I feel good. What normally would have taken me a couple of days to finish now takes me weeks. This is very frustrating when I want to work on a project yet my body is in too much pain. There are times I can't even get out of bed without help. It totally sucks.
I have always loved crafting and working on costumes is just another extension of this. I only wish I didn't have joint pain holding me back. I don't let this get me down. I try to keep my chin up and enjoy life. On the plus side it makes completing a costume that much more fullfilling since it took so much more effort than when I was healthy.
I am married to a wonderful man who I have actually convinced to cosplay with me. He has just set up his account here so be sure to say hi to him. His screen name here is Novapup. So far, at the time I am writing this, he is the only Tessai (Bleach) on the site! He is a Graphic Designer for The Electric Sheep Company and does work on MTV's Virtual Worlds.
I have taken up freelance writing since I can no longer work a normal 9 to 5 job. The combination of the diseases and medication make it so that is not possible. The freelance writing allows me to work when I feel good. My writing has been published in "Arthritis Today". I've done some work for different anime companies including transcription work for Harmony Gold as well as screen anime series for Central Park Media, FUNimation, Bandai, Manga Entertainment, Viz and ADV.
I am also site administrator for an anime based website called theOtaku.com. We have a message board (OtakuBoards), wallpapers, e-greetings, quizzes, fan art and even a small cosplay section. If you are a member be sure to say hi to me. My screen name there is Panda. If anyone has any questions about the site feel free to email or PM me. I am more than happy to answer any questions dealing with the site. Feel free to stop by for a visit!
I have 2 dogs and 2 cats whom have all be rescued abandoned pets from the vet clinic I use to work at. It breaks my heart to see injured and homeless pets which made working at a vet clinic very difficult since I wanted to bring them all home with me. It was a very tough job but very worth while. I miss working with
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I actually debated for quite a while before opening up an account here. I know I am no where near the abilities of the other cosplayers. I hope as the years go by my abilities will improve and I will become an active member in the community. Until then, please be patient with me and try not to be too critical of my work. ^_^
I am really enjoying this site and have picked up many different tips and tricks to making my costumes better. I love how there is so much support for each other on the boards and I love looking through all the pictures in the galleries. It really is inspiring. It just makes me want to work harder and fine tune all my costume creating skills.
My favorite anime
So many to choose from but on the top of the list would be Bleach, Full Metal Alchemist, Azumanga Daioh, Saiyuki, Twelve Kingdoms, Ouran High School Host Club, Honey and Clover, Yakitate! Japan, Fate/Stay Night, Trinity Blood, Parakiss, Last Exile, Le Chevalier d'Eon and the series that sparked my anime interest waaaay back in the day: Robotech.
If you watch the extras on the Robotech: Shadow Chronicles DVD you can see me in the fan interview section. Unfortunately I was not in cosplay at the time. LOL
My favorite game(s)
Not as much of a gamer as I am an anime fan. Partially because of my Rheumatism. It makes using a controller difficult. But when I am feeling good I love to play the Final Fantasy games, Katamari Damacy, Samurai Warriors, Dynasty Warriors, Karaoke Revolution, Guitar Hero, Castlevania, Okami, Kingdom Hearts, Phoenix Wright games... I guess I do play quite a few games now that I think about it.
My favorite book(s)
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn.
Other than that I really don't have much time to read novels. I barely have the time to keep up on the manga series I am currently reading! I am reading the Twelve Kingdom novels. I really love that series.
Manga currently on the nightstand: Le Chevalier d'Eon.
My favorite character(s)
Hanatarou Yamada from Bleach, Genjo Sanjo from Saiyuki, Mei Chan from Full Metal Alchemist, Nekozawa (and Beelzenef) from Ouran High School Host Club just to name a few.
My favorite movies(s)
Oh so many but for sure on the list are Princess Bride, Airplane and many classics like The King and I, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Seven Samurai.
I love MST3K so most of those cheesetastic movies they made fun of are on my list too. Manos: Hands of Fate, Pod People and, of course, all the Godzilla movies.
My favorite actors/actresses
Yul Brynner is one of my favorite actors. I even named my dog Brynner after him. ^_^
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