Welcome to my little corner of the blogsphere. I hope you like cosplay because that is all I will post here.
Wednesday 1 April 2015
Saturday 14 March 2015
Why all the fuss? PAX's rules on "Booth Babes"
I used to post my opinions about issues and articles that regularly circulate around in the cosplay community. I just got tired of getting emotional and sharing the controversy so I stopped. But It's been a long time and I have a lot of new followers that might want to know where I stand on certain issues. There's an article by reaxxion.com going around about PAX's rules on "booth babes". Some of my friends have come out to comment on this article taking a stand against PAX. You can read about PAX's rules on their website.
My opinion? I support PAX but with reservations. The writer of the article is up in arms about the subject but the tone of his writing makes me think he's upset he can't view the "sexy cosplayers" not because he cares about women.
"Booth babe" is a derogatory term and I don't like it used to describe models or cosplayers who are hired because they are beautiful and attractive. PAX states that they are referring to both genders in their rules but when have you ever seen a man dressed provocatively at a booth to attract attention to it? So boo on PAX and boo on the reaxxion.com writer.
Basically PAX has deemed it necessary to give booth staff a dress code. I honestly don't have a problem with this as conventions are attended by hundreds of children not just adults. If conventions want to remain a family friendly environment they need to show their attendants that they care about sexually explicit content.
When your working a booth you are being employed by a company as a sales person. It's a professional job, you should dress like a professional.
That being said, PAX's statement on the matter is confusing. PAX's new rules also refer to booth exhibits and contents being offensive and reason for staff to change their attire. "If for any reason an exhibit and/or its contents are deemed objectionable to PAX management, the exhibitor will be asked to alter the attire of its staff." It makes no sense. If the exhibit and content offends then staff have to change their attire?
But if this means what I think it does then Hallelujah! PAX is trying to take a stand against booth exhibits that show overt sexuality (which is unfortunately mostly female) in their products, exhibit and staff attire. I think this is a good thing and it begs a conversation on a much broader topic of the use of women's bodies to sell products. In lieu of this rant I'd like to share a different article. One that I've shared before and wholeheartedly agree with: The Sexy Lie: A TED Talk by Caroline Heldman
http://www.upworthy.com/being-a-sex-object-is-empowering-oh-wait-no-it-s-not-here-s-why-2?g=2&c=ufb1
If you agree or disagree with me I welcome your thoughts and comments.
My opinion? I support PAX but with reservations. The writer of the article is up in arms about the subject but the tone of his writing makes me think he's upset he can't view the "sexy cosplayers" not because he cares about women.
"Booth babe" is a derogatory term and I don't like it used to describe models or cosplayers who are hired because they are beautiful and attractive. PAX states that they are referring to both genders in their rules but when have you ever seen a man dressed provocatively at a booth to attract attention to it? So boo on PAX and boo on the reaxxion.com writer.
Basically PAX has deemed it necessary to give booth staff a dress code. I honestly don't have a problem with this as conventions are attended by hundreds of children not just adults. If conventions want to remain a family friendly environment they need to show their attendants that they care about sexually explicit content.
When your working a booth you are being employed by a company as a sales person. It's a professional job, you should dress like a professional.
That being said, PAX's statement on the matter is confusing. PAX's new rules also refer to booth exhibits and contents being offensive and reason for staff to change their attire. "If for any reason an exhibit and/or its contents are deemed objectionable to PAX management, the exhibitor will be asked to alter the attire of its staff." It makes no sense. If the exhibit and content offends then staff have to change their attire?
But if this means what I think it does then Hallelujah! PAX is trying to take a stand against booth exhibits that show overt sexuality (which is unfortunately mostly female) in their products, exhibit and staff attire. I think this is a good thing and it begs a conversation on a much broader topic of the use of women's bodies to sell products. In lieu of this rant I'd like to share a different article. One that I've shared before and wholeheartedly agree with: The Sexy Lie: A TED Talk by Caroline Heldman
http://www.upworthy.com/being-a-sex-object-is-empowering-oh-wait-no-it-s-not-here-s-why-2?g=2&c=ufb1
If you agree or disagree with me I welcome your thoughts and comments.
Wednesday 28 January 2015
Diurnal
Diurnal; of day or pertaining to daylight. The opposite of nocturnal.
Costume made and modelled by Beebichu Cosplay
Photography and makeup by Desiree Marie of Into The New Photography and Artistry
Diurnal and Nocturnal are both opposed and complimentary. Like Yin and Yang, darkness and light, they are a dichotomy in design.
While thinking of Nocturnal's design the concept for Diurnal appeared in my mind. I made her translucent robes first out of organza and painted the designs on with acrylic and fabric paint.
Desiree took me to a beautiful waterfall in Vernon, BC called BX Falls. We shot there for almost 3 hours.
Click on any photo for fullscreen viewing. If you'd love what I do you can help me make more costumes by supporting me here: www.beebichucosplay.etsy.com
Tuesday 25 November 2014
How to Make Skyrim Cosplay: Nocturnal's Robes
Photographs: Desirée Marié of Into The New Photography and Artistry
Cosplayer: Beebichu Cosplay
Universe: The Elder Scrolls copyright Bethesda Softworks
Greetings Mortals,
Please enjoy my Nocturnal photos and read along as I explain how I made this costume. I chose to wear a billowy satin underdress for modesty's sake so no comments on how its not 100% accurate! No cosplay ever is anyways ;)
Robes:
Estimated Materials:
4 metres of black fabric
4 metres of silver bias tape
6 metres of gold bias tape
2 metres of silver heat transfer vinyl (this kind of stuff)
And of course your going to need lots of black thread. I also used gold and silver thread for sewing on the bias tape. Naturally this was all made on a sewing machine.
Reference Photos
History: Nocturnal is a Daedric Prince who often takes the form of a beautiful woman robed in black and with ravens perched on their shoulders. She resides over the Evergloam; a plane of Oblivion. She is oft the patron daedra to thieves and assassins. Her other names include Empress of Murk, and Daughter of Twilight. There are 3 chosen individuals who protect her temple on Tamriel and act as her agents of vengeance should her temple be defiled and her treasures stolen (ironically they often are). These agents are called Nightingales.
The Pattern
Existing patterns that I modified:
McCall's M6612 for the dress and Simplicity 9887 for the hood and sleeves.
Pattern mods that were made:
Choose dress D from the McCall's pattern. Following the direction of the pattern cut out your dress size. When it says to lay out the pattern on the fabric while folded in half, make this following modification to get Nocturnal's scooping low low neckline.
So the front and back pieces of the dress should look like this:
 |
| front folded in half |
 |
| front unfolded |
 |
| back folded in half |
 |
| back unfolded |
Sleeves:
I made up my own sleeve pattern just by looking at how the McCall's dress pattern sleeves were shaped. (I should have used the Simplicity robe pattern for help but I never thought of that).
Hood:
I used one of the hoods from the Simplicity 9887 pattern to help make the Nocturnal hood. I can't remember which one but it's important to note that I used draft paper to enlarge the hood considerably. I suggest making one out of scrap fabric to test your own first.
The Silver Details
I used a material called heat transfer vinyl or iron on vinyl for all the silver details on Nocturnal's robes. It is really easy to use and comes in many colours and finishes. I used silver glitter flake from Stahls Canada for this step.
Last step is the bias tape.
If your lucky you can find gold and silver bias tape that is already pressed down the middle. If not, just iron it yourself. All you do is sandwich all the hemlines with it and sew it with gold and silver thread. Gold for the neckline and around the sides and bottom of the robes. Silver for the sleeves.
I used a material called heat transfer vinyl or iron on vinyl for all the silver details on Nocturnal's robes. It is really easy to use and comes in many colours and finishes. I used silver glitter flake from Stahls Canada for this step.
 |
| just draw your design on the wrong side |
 |
| cut with a sharp utility knife to achieve perfect lines |
 |
| Iron on medium heat and peel off the protective layer |
Iron on all the silver details before you sew the robes together!
Sewing Steps:
Follow the directions from the McCall's pattern to sew the front, back, and sleeves together. Remember you don't have to sew the inseams (sides) together as Nocturnal's robes are open almost all the way down the inseams.
Follow the directions from the Simplicity pattern on how to gather the neck of the hood and sew it to the back neckline.
 |
| fitting the robes to make sure everything is cut right |
Last step is the bias tape.
If your lucky you can find gold and silver bias tape that is already pressed down the middle. If not, just iron it yourself. All you do is sandwich all the hemlines with it and sew it with gold and silver thread. Gold for the neckline and around the sides and bottom of the robes. Silver for the sleeves.
 |
| Hallelujah! triple pressed biased tape! Viola! Enjoy your Nocturnal Costume. Or your new lingerie, whatever floats your boat. |
Monday 17 February 2014
Skyrim Dovahkiin in the Savior's Hide Armor // Photos by Andrew Snucins
I was very excited when Andrew asked me to do this shoot with him. He is such an amazing photographer. The above photo is his favourite. I chose to be a Bosmer Dovahkiin this time. The headdress mostly hides my pointy ears but they were visible in a few of the shots.
Photo by Andrew Snucins of https://www.andrewsnucins.com
Character: Skyrim Dovahkiin in the Savior's Hide Armor
Cosplayer: Beebichu Cosplay of https://www.beebichu.blogspot.ca
Universe: The Elder Scrolls
This one is my favourite ;)
PS You can see a few progress photos of how I made this costume here: http://beebichu.blogspot.ca/2013/06/how-to-make-skyrim-armor-saviors-hide.html
Saturday 4 January 2014
Skyrim Dovahkiin in the Saviors Hide Armor // Photos by Viktoria Haack and Desiree Marie
(Edit January 8, 2014)
Back in November two photographers, Desiree, Viktoria, and I drove into the back country to find a nice Skyrim looking scene as the backdrop for these photos. Not hard since everything is covered in snow. I just completed this set of Worbla armor and since my next con isn't till April a photo shoot was in order! These photos were taken by:
Desiree Marie of Into The New Photography and Artistry
All that gorgeous chain mail was made by Glen at Grimwurks Propmaking. He made it exactly like the screenshots I showed him of the Savior's Hide. Awesome work!
Photos by Viktoria Haack Photography
(Jan 4, 2014)
Photography by Viktoria Haack of https://www.viktoriahaackphotography.com
Model and costume maker is me, Beebichu https://www.beebichu.blogspot.com
Universe: The Elderscrolls V Skyrim.
Character: A Breton Dovahkiin or Dragonborn as you will.
I am wearing the Helmet of the Old Gods, Saviors Hide, Ancient Nord Gauntlets (with modifications) and Dragonscale Boots. Weapons of choice: Torch and Dragonbone Bow.
The location of this shoot was interesting. Lots of snow, birch trees, frozen lakes, it was really lovely. Oh and the truckloads of drunk hunters yelling at us and offering to "help" was fun. Is there no where in the Canadian wilderness you can go to escape drunk hunters? They've been around in all the outdoor shoots I've done.
Changes were deliberately made to the design of a few things due to the cold weather during this shoot. Please don't comment on how wrong some of the items are, believe me I know.
Thursday 10 October 2013
Dreaming...
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