Comic-Con Satchel

I made this handbag specifically for going to conventions, just in time for Emerald City Comicon! I started out with the diamond shape (from Superman's logo) but I decided to do it in black and yellow (Batman colors) so I could use black leather.

I didn't use a pattern, other than drawing out a diamond shape. All of the sides are basically rectangle pieces so I just had to measure the lengths of each side and then make all of the strips 5 inches wide. I added an 18" black zipper to the top and a 7" black zipper on the side (for a secret side pocket). The lining is yellow satin fabric I had leftover from my World of Warcraft Priest costume.

When it came time to add a strap, I struggled with indecision. Do I add D-rings and then make a strap out of the black leather? Where am I going to find the right hardware to make the strap adjustible? Then I looked over in the corner of my craft room where I had a pile of Warner Bros. bags I had hoarded from SDCC 2011. I had a "duh!" moment before I whipped out my thread ripper and pulled the strap off one of the bags (which had Big Bang Theory on it). Not only did the strap fit perfectly, but the colors were spot-on!

Find Us at Emerald City Comic Con!

Stop by our table in Artist Alley and say hi! We will have a large selection of our handmade costume accessories and art available for purchase.

If you enter the main exhibition hall floor through the big doors from the sky bridge, just go straight down the aisle all the way back. We are in the back right corner!

And hey, you might just find something to buy...

Emerald City Comicon is March 1-3 in Seattle, WA.

Winged Backpack

It's wings AND a lightweight drawstring back pack AT THE SAME TIME.

I made this with convention cosplay in mind.

Drawstring backpacks are my favorite way to carry things when I am in costume if I don't have a back or purse that matches my costume, because the strings are slim and subtle and the bag isn't bulky or heavy; it hides well in photos. Then I figured, why not take it one step further and make it a part of the costume by sticking wings on it? Viola! Instant cosplay for any cute dress.

View the Winged Backpack on AvalynArtistry.com

Steampunk Cosplay from SteamCon 2012

SmallRiniLady and I attended SteamCon this weekend in Bellevue, WA. There were many fabulous things to see, and most of the attendees dressed up in Steampunk costumes, ranging from historical Victorian wear to fanciful, unique characters. I wish I could have taken pictures of them all!

SmallRiniLady as a marionette doll

Wind-up porcelain doll

Walter and Victoria's fabulous mini-crossbows!

Make-up of Death!

Very realistic-looking fox puppet!
His puppeteer had a really cute Steampunk outfit too, love those stripes.

Cosplay group photo-shoot - the more the merrier!

Eric the vampire, befitting the Victorian Monsters theme.

Mouse lady with a cage of wee mice!

SmallRiniLady will have more pics up later, so come back and check for more Steampunk cosplay!

We're going to PAX 2012!

This weekend hordes of gamers descend upon downtown Seattle for the annual Penny Arcade Expo which will take place Friday, August 31st through Sunday, September 2nd at the Washington State Convention Center (and various nearby "spillover" venues, including the Paramount Theater).

PAX Dev has been going on already, and today, Thursday, is "setup day". Eager to partake in the weekend festivities, I stopped by during my lunch break today to score a sneak preview while enjoying a Mondito Burrito at the Taco Del Mar inside the convention center. I thought I'd just camp out in the chance of encountering a rare spawn. I heard Wil Wheaton and Gary Whitta were in town already, among other notables.

 As soon as I entered the venue I was greeted by a massive statue of Ryze, a playable hero from League of Legends. The statue is impressive, a fully lit-up, life-sized replica of the character, complete with floating spellbook, a glowing ball of conjured ice energy, and an impact crater festooned with runes, with blue light emanating from beneath the cracks. I want one for my living room.

This is going to cause a major traffic jam on Friday, just wait.

A friendly (and dashing) Riot employee saw me snapping (or should I say "tapping") photos on my smart phone and offered to take a picture with me in it. He also conveniently knew exactly the best angle to capture Ryze. Now I just need to get another photo with Ryze while I'm dressed like Riven!

Come See Us at Geek Girl Con '12!

Cosplay or Costuming? What is “cosplay,” what is “costuming,” and how are they similar or different? How do you approach a new costume project? Costume Reproduction – when and how is accuracy important? Poses & Personality – how do you bring your character to life?

We will be hosting our Intro to Costume Crafts and Cosplay panel for the second year in a row at Geek Girl Con! According to Geek Girl Con Sunday Programming the panel will be on Sunday, August 12, at 12:30 PM in RM204.

Make sure you buy your tickets now before they sell out! Last year they did sell out, so folks showing up at the door were unable to purchase tickets. Don't be a sad panda and miss out on all the fun!

Emerald City Comic-Con 2012

In the year of 2012, thousands gathered at Ye Old Washington State Convention Center to partake in the annual event dubbed the "Emerald City Comic Con".

>> View all photos in an album

Wait, what century is this?

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away?

Who knows?

Dark Helmet Wants You

A case of mistaken identity or just two poor men who lost their parents?

Another case of the multiples... there is some debate over what to call this: Katnisses or Katni?

Well, it doesn't get cuter than this...

I mean this:

Or more uncomfortable than this.

This is the part where the Tusken Raiders took over the sky bridge.

Phoenix Jones and the Real Life Superheroes had to get involved.

And the Red Power Ranger.

Rick almost got eaten by a zombie.

This guy swooped in to make an appearance. (his wings are made of painted blinds!)

Followed by this guy. (his wings open and close!)

Then the Steampunk Justice League (and villains) saved the day! ...

...after I finished my sandwich. (ah, Subway, the (un)official food of ECCC and PAX).

>> View more photos

Geek Girl Con report

The first annual Geek Girl Con help in Seattle was an awesome success. Doors opening for Saturday and Sunday and selling out tickets within two hours each day.

SmallRiniLady and Ava got involved and has a panel to talk about "Costume Crafts and Cosplay". So much material we will devote a week to it later this year to cover the material we presented.

SmallRiniLady also held a booth in Artist Alley selling lots of her cosplay and hair accessories. From there she got to see all sorts of Geeky Girls and many of their geeky male supporters (suprisingly a lot of them attended, which is always awesome).

Let's see what kind of people attended geek girl con.

Lots of Star Trek Fans


Including zombie versions


Video Games, her bag is knit!


Even some of the plushies get to be cosplayed

Anime Fans


Comic Book Fans



Ok this is apparently the first female super hero




Ok . . . so this green arrow is the version from the SmallVille TV series



Dr Horrible Sing-A-Long Blog was awfully popular





So was Dr Who, but I didn't catch any one in a Tardis outfit though I heard that there was one wandering around.

The closing ceremonies for the convention was a Sing-A-Long Labyrinth (1986 Henson) showing. Which ment the Jarad Cosplayers and multiple puppet making Panels



Star Wars Puppets


Sock Puppets



This is SmallRiniLady's little Sock Puppet, he was manning her booth for a while, brough in some customers while scarring away others.

So not everyone has to dress up in cosplay, but just dress up.  This family has a fun story.  They tried to make little tricorn hats.  So they kinda screwed up but ended up with fortune cookies instead.  Still makes a fun hat.

How are you any more geeky than a GIANT multi side Dice