Lady Octopus WIP: Preliminary Design

Okay ladies and gents.

 It is summer, and I am actually going to attempt to do Lady Octopus from Marvel Scarlet Spider. I know what you all are thinking... She has lost it. And to be honest, if you have ever had a conversation with me, yes, yes I have, indeed, lost it... a long time ago. Who are we to dwell in the past. That's right, let's keep on keeping on!

 Okay. For those who don't know this is Carolyn Trainer aka Lady Octopus (Well, technically this is a variation of her than the comics, but i have really fallen in love with this artist's version):

   

 She is going to be a lot of fun to costume. I can't wait. This will be my first attempt with Worbla and making costume armor. Something I have been wanting to add to my list of skills for a while.
Here are preliminary concept drawings I have of the set up, so far:

 

I know, if you are an engineer at all, we are going to have a problem. However, I am in aerospace engineering and know a few (now that it's summer) bored engineers. So, I am fairly confident to get these arms developed with my crack team of Engineers. :)

Preliminary Design:
Aluminum plate that the pond tubing will be built off of. Cable will run through the tube to give the arms some sort of framing. Building articulating claws to be placed at the ends with a red LED as well (Weight will play a huge part in this). As with anything in design, this will of course change. Right now just looking into the possibilities of it actually working. Balancing is going to be key with these. Gotta make sure it's actually wearable and not just a pretty piece of art in the lab.

 Anyway, hoping to actually keep a running WIP of my Octo Arms.

 HOLLA!

 "Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." -Carl Sagan (My main flame)

Swatches and Updates

The path on researching for all of my cosplays this year has been a daunting one. Such as planning for my Marveluminecent Dark Phoenix (Tron inspired). I have sent in my request from Stretch House, where I will be getting sample swatches of all the possible fabrics I will need this year. Including Dark Phoenix, Princess Python, and Crossplay Uncanny Wolverine. One thing to ALWAYS remember about purchasing fabric online is to make sure you get samples in. When you are on a budget the double check is always good to do. Especially when working with particular colors such as red or yellow. I am getting a lot of yellows in to be sure I get that perfect X-Men yellow for my Wolverine.

Dark Phoenix:



Another decision I have made on my Dark Phoenix cosplay is to make a dark red spandex suit and then get dark red leather to construct the EL Wiring from. It will be better to have pieces that attach as opposed to one long suit because the EL wire DOES NOT stretch. I have found a great website on how to attach EL Wire to clothing. That has been the biggest challenge in research. I found how to work with EL Wire but not *HOW* to attach the EL Wire to clothing. I am holding off on purchasing EL Wire until I have bought the spandex and leather for my cosplays and probably wont buy EL Wire until I am almost done with the body suit.

One thing I definitely recommend before starting a challenging project like the Marveluminscent cosplay is to draw it out. As you can see in this picture, I am not very artistic at all, but this helped me really visualize what I was doing. I took some of the Marvel Tron concept art and included that within my design. Adding more wire lighting. I am pretty excited about this project. It will be very challenging, but I think I will really be proud of it once it is completed.


Princess Python:



One thing that has been the most challenging about Princess Python has been finding realistic looking python fabric and what to do about her tights. I love the folks over at cosplay.com! I posted about having dificulties in finding fabric for a stuffed Python i was making for my cosplay and someone gave me what I do believe I will end up purchasing.

I am going back and forth on what to do as far as her tights go. Whether i want to get fish scale like tights and just dye them the appropriate color or what. We will see. Still up in the air.


Crossplay Uncanny Wolverine:




As I said up top, I am making sure I get the perfect X-men Yellow.

Dead Bowie:





I have found the perfect mullet and it doesnt look cheap. I will admit, if mullets were popular in this day and age.. i could totally pull it off... no? ... Not feeling it? :P

Found this wig on Ebay, where I find most of my wigs. They have the best quality. Because overseas they just make better quality wigs... I have become a wig snob... it's sad but there is really nothing like a well made wig. One you can style and get the most out of.






Pin Up Black Cat:


No Update.



Rarity:

I have decided to add Rarity to the list, My brother bought me Pony ears for Christmas and well... Since I have them, why not!?





That's about it! Will post again when I have decided on fabrics.

Happy Cosplay!

"Come away with me, where you will never have to worry about grown up problems again." -Peter Pan

Skies are clear.... Launching in 5..4..3..2...

My name is Mary Kate or MK, I go by either. I am currently working on my Aerospace Engineering Degree with a concentration in Astronautics at Mississippi State University. I am in love with the hobby of cosplaying. I have been learning and growing for the past 3 years. This year my list is quite a challenging one! So I thought I would talk about it and document the process as I go. I think this will also keep me motivated to finish all of these costumes! It is quite a challenge to do both Rocket science and Cosplay, but we all need our outlets to keep us sane inside insanity, right?! This is a blog that I am starting for my Cosplay endeavours for DragonCon 2012. I feel like it could be fun to document what I do with all of my cosplay projects for 2012. So, I will hopefully start posting soon about the starting of most of my projects. Below are some of the costumes on my list for 2012. Some are tentative and some are for sure. This just means budget wise whether I can afford to do all of these.



Cosplays for 2012:
-Pin Up Black Cat (For Sure)
-Crossplay Wolverine Uncanny (Tentative)
-Princess Python Evening dress (Tentative)
-Princess Python (For Sure)
-Marveluminescent Dark Pheonix (For Sure)
-Dead Bowie (For Sure)
-Yankee Poodle (Tentative) ((Not pictured))
-Rarity (Tentative) ((Not Pictured))

Hope that this is helpful and/or interesting to folks!

"Death and pain are just a small price to pay for the enjoyment of battle!" - Kenpachi