This Blog Just Got a Bit Glitch-y (Cosplay in Progress)

It's officially my first day of Spring  Break! After spending the majority of my morning laying in bed and watching Attack On Titan via Netflix, I decided to start working on My Vanellope Von Schweetz cosplay.  I am hoping to have this costume done by Dallas Comic Con in May.

                                                          (image by Disney/Pixar)

I decided that I wanted to work on a Vanellope costume the second time I saw the film because that is when I truly fell in love with the character. I loved that she was a Glitch in the game Sugar Rush and seemed to be a dose of sarcasm in the sugary sweet world. After searching E-Bay for about a month, I was unable to find any pre-made hair clips that I felt would be *perfect* for the bits of candy and sprinkles in her hair.  I decided it would probably be best to make my own.  Luckily,  my problem was soon solved when I found jelly bean shaped beads. Almost every crafter knows that glue guns are the secret to creating magic..

so this morning, I put on my Pikachu Kigurumi (Because I am *such* a serious person) and set to work.

(yes, I took a picture to back it up)

I gathered my supplies while my hot glue gun heated up.

Which Included:

• One Ad-Tech mini Glue Gun from walmart ( I feel compelled to brag about my glue gun having a zebra print design which makes me a huge crafting dork.)
• One mini glue stick (I think these were Ad-Tech brand as well)
•  Bobby Pins  (I used basic black ones and actually need to buy more)
• Jelly Bean Beads ( Multiple colors from E-Bay $4.00 Including shipping gets you 24 beads)
  

  Simple right?

Basically, it took about 15 minutes to attach the beads to the black bobby pins. This can be done by applying a small dot of glue to the closed end of the bobby pin and then placing the  bead on top of it. once you have placed the bead hold it in place until the glue hardens. I actually placed my beads differently (some up and down and others sideways) this is because the bits of color that are in Vanellope's hair are not perfectly symmetrical. Some of the glue might create what I call "gluey webbies" or strands. glue imperfections tend to peel off easy, so don't be too worried about it if this happens.

If you were wondering, this is what the beads look like before they are glued to the pins.

and this is what the finished product looks like when in my hair. Keep in mind I will be adding a lot more because some were not finished drying and I ran out of pins.

The pins will actually be more camouflaged  and there are more colors as well. I just wanted to take a photo to give myself a better idea of how they actually look in my hair.

First Post-Hello!

Hello!

If you are reading this, I am honored to say that you have stumbled across my fist blog post.  I think I should begin with a little introduction before I expose you to my general nerdiness.  My name is Ann and I am a 27 year old college student from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I am currently trying to earn my Associates Degree in teaching before I segue into library technology and become a children's librarian. Yay books! (insert an Agnes from Despicable Me-esque song about books here)

In the two and a half years that I have lived in the state of Texas, I have searched my local Toys-R-Us, toy stores, dug through bins at flea markets,  and  have scoured the dealer room at many local conventions for toys and comics.  It is safe to say that I love anything of the action figure variety. My main collections range from My Little Pony, She-Ra and He-Man to any super hero related figures . I have absolutely swooned over a Masters of the Universe Fright Zone play-set before purchasing it. I know the utmost joy that finding a toy from your childhood (that you either had or dreamed about) can bring to someone.

I have also been known to cosplay at local conventions as well.  If you are unfamiliar with this term, cosplaying is when a person decides to dress up as their favorite character- be it from a comic, television show, whatever.

Now....

Here is the part of my blog where I explain the other half of my user-name. In addition to being a female of the super nerdy persuasion, I also have a disability.  I was born with a mild form of Spastic Cerebral Palsy  (hence the gimp part of my user-name) and because of my disability I have to use a mobility aid.


 Does this stop my desire to dress up? NO.
                           



 (Me as Rainbow Dash at Dallas Comic and Pop Expo)

Am I doomed to cosplay Barbara Gordon as Oracle for the rest of my cosplaying days? NO.

 ( side note: If you haven't already, go read the Killing Joke by the great Alan Moore. seriously. DO IT! It is one of my FAVORITE story lines in comics, EVER. I cried for DAYS... because I cry at everything)

Will I eventually cosplay as Barbara Gordon as Oracle? Yes, because I love her. This is not because she has a disability but because she is a strong female and AWESOME.

Was I ever apprehensive because I am cosplaying with my walker? Yes, and honestly I still am (usually for the first 15 minutes upon entering the con.)


here is where I let you in on a secret... ready?

The cosplaying/convention community here is so full of love for others dressing up and showing love for their fandoms.  sure there might be jerks that think, oh that girl is too chubby to be______  or girls can't possibly *really* like Star Wars. Thankfully, that sort of thinking is becoming more and more rare. With the explosion of comic book movies onto the big screen and shows like the big bang theory being shown I think this is the best time to be a nerd.

So, Join me on my quest to share my nerdiness and improve my costuming!  Please? I am burdened with glorious purpose.

-Ann A.K.A. The Nerdy Gimp