Qwertee: Loki Charms

Awhile back Ript Apparel sold a Loki Charms shirt and I didn't know about it until long after it was gone. I was devastated, what I wouldn't do for a Loki Charms T-shirt! But then Qwertee got hold of the print and I jump on it faster then Thor on a snowman... I know that was a terrible joke.

My shirt! I'm so happy, it came with Haribo soda-pop gummies which is awesome AND random.

I wouldn't normally buy from one of those "1 Deal a Day" sites. I usually come to find they're not such a great deal, and I like buying multiple shirts at one time and you really can't do that on those kind of sites. Qwertee charges 12$ for today's shirts and 14$ for yesterdays, with an extra 6$ for shipping. It's not a bad for something that get's made after you order it but not a steal either. Also they ship from the U.K so it took awhile to get to me, it's understandable, but everyday I had no Loki shirt was like a fresh wound to my soul. Dramatic? Maybe.

Ript Apparels version for comparison.

As you can see my shirt is a different shade of green, my print isn't actually smaller it's just the way it's laying and my shirt is longer then Ripts that makes it seem that way. My print is a little dotty up close, but looks just fine from further away. The fabric of my shirt is fantastic, it's soft but seems like it will hold up for a long time, it's long-ish which I always appreciate in women's shirts. In fact my only real problem is even though it says 'Women' on the label it seems to have ignored that women have curves and it's too loose around the waist and too tight around the hips.

I might buy from Qwertee again, but only if they had a print I really, REALLY wanted.

The Day of the Comic Show

I spent most of the comic book show under tables grubbing for the comics I wanted, no pictures of it, not much to see in any case, there were some folks in costume but for whatever reason I always get nervous asking for pictures at this show. But here's the makeup I wore that day.

I'm using Aromaleigh Cherry Bomb blush, and Aromaleigh Wallflower lip color.

All shades are Aromaleigh with Zeus on the inner corner, Serpensortia, then Jessamine.

I love these colors.

My comic haul from the show! My goal was to pick up mostly Mark Waid BOOM! stuff. I got Potters Field (a really interesting read), Incorruptible, and Irredeemable which is currently my favorite comic.

I took Becky and Mike with me to the show, afterwards to went to Slappy Cakes for awesome food stuffs.

I had my usual sweet potato pancake with apples and goat cheese. They had green apples that day WOOT!

Becky with my awesome Kiddy Creamsicle.

Anyway, it was an excellent day, I have a lovely time and I'm looking forward to next year. Hopefully Randall can come with me again.

Wonder NW

Portlands newest convention is Wonder NW a teeny little con located at the Crown Plaza near the convention center. It encompasses all levels of geek-ocity, from anime to comics, from video games to roleplaying, no nerd-tastic stone was left unturned!

It was also the first convention I went to alone. You heard me, no friends joined me on this little excursion I was left to my own devices at a convention! It's almost unthinkable. But the choice was mine, I haven't been to a convention in awhile and I decided since it was so close and so cheap (6$ for 1 day) I just had to make it out for one day! That day just happened to be the day of the lolita fashion show, and I just happened to be finishing up (but not quite done) with my latest lolita creation.

So I woke up early, got dressed and went down to register for the convention, and then, since I was so close I bullied Gloria and Shannon into having breakfast with me at Vivace.

I guess they don't look too beaten up about it.

Gloria had a mocha, Shannon a chai latte, and I got myself a tropical iced tea, and we shared a french style banana and nutella crepe with whipped cream and slivered almonds.

I also remember to take a picture of my nails which were quite cute even though pictures of them kinda suck. The stickers stayed on well for the most part, but multiple layers of OPIs top coat will to that. In fact only one came off on it's own, and it was some cherries the other hand. The color is Sally Hansens Hard as Nails in Cardinal. Only took one coat too, so impressive.

After breakfast I did a quick walk through the dealers room, my favorite part about this room was all the older toys and comics that you could buy, my problem being I really don't care about buying that stuff.

I managed to snap a few pictures of people in costume. This is Captain Red Coat the leader of PDXYAR! a local pirate group that seemed to be helping run the con.

The Baroness from G. I Joes, looking way to friendly to be a villain.

I don't know what this is from. Still kinda cool though.

After that I found a quite place and called Rose. We talked for about an hour, about how James was doing, and then about how I missed her being here and costuming with me. It's sad, but this small convention could have been a lot more fun with someone else to costume with. Eventually I was discovered by a guy in a Diablo 2 bloodthirsty cow costume named Chris, and feeling. I expect, sorry for me. Dragged me off to meet the group he was with. It was nice of him, but it just wasn't the same.

After a bit, it was time for the lolita fashion show

Again I didn't know anyone at the con so I totally stole all these pictures of me. After looking at these pictures I've decided I need a fluffier petticoat an something for my wrists.

Everyone was doing sweet and elegant poses and stuffs and I was like, I'm gonna be super grumpy!

I think my dress was well liked, I got a big reaction when I told the girls about Spoonflower.com and that you could make and buy your own fabric online. After the lolita show was over the coordinator had prizes to give out, but instead of giving them out she put a bag of prizes on the floor and the lolita fell on it like a hungry pack of hyenas. Which is maybe not a flattering comparison, but that's really what it looked like.

It had items in it ranging from a Baby the Stars Shine Bright head bow, to a cheap plastic lunchbox (I think it was a lunch box at least). Which is kinda lame, if your gonna give out prizes to everyone, everyone should get the same thing. Also lame is that there were a few girls in outfits that were completely brand. The whole dress, wig, blouse, shoes, socks, ect.. put together probably cost like 500$, and of course they got the brand items. Like jeaze, don't you have enough? Let one of the girls in the altered dresses have it, they probably can't afford it and would be more then delighted to acquire their first brand item. Where as you will stuff it in your closet and probably only wear it every now and then.

After the lolita show I didn't stick around for pictures I just took off and got myself the hell out of lolita, even put on a wig. If you didn't look closely there was no way you were gonna recognize me, (which was what I wanted) and then I went to the Costume Contest. Kinda boring actually, no skits and they spent so long getting ready that we kinda saw all the costumes already, they were just along that wall the whole time. They did give out some fabulous prizes, makes me wish I'd have competed, but Bronte wore her Big Sister costume (again) to the contest and was hands down gonna win.

After the contest I left to hang out over at Shannons place for awhile before meeting Jim and Jojo at the Bosavona Ballroom for Geeklesque. Just think your favorite sci-fi and fantasy characters dancing and getting naked, and there you go. The highlight of which was when a girl dressed as Harley Quinn belly danced to the Dresden Dolls song "Missed Me". There were also some triva contests, and I kick myself for not going on stage because I knew most of the answers *sigh*, but what are you gonna do.

In conclusion Wonder NW is not a bad little convention, it could do with some better organization and a larger space but it's just fine for what it is. Not really worth two days though, because there was only one panel going at a time there just wasn't enough interest for me. One was just enough.

Etsy Review: Ink & Paint

Ink & Paint is another one of those etsy companies I've had my eye on for awhile, it's a good example of a company doing one thing and doing it well. It first landed on my radar a few years ago when a pale blue cameo with an old picture of Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin landed in my Suggested Shops page. It was super cute but sold before I could get my greedy hands on it, after that I was a constant browser of the shop, I liked the Glinda, Last Unicorn, and Van Gogh pieces and thought about purchasing one of those, but in the end I'd rather have a piece that meant something to me. So I opted for something custom made.

After that decision was made it got more complicated, what picture did I want to use? What colors? Something dark or light? What did I want to be able to wear it with? It was down to two pictures.

First up Kamui from X/1999. X was my first taste of CLAMP and holds a very special place in my heart. I chose this picture because of all the red in it (though most pictures of Kamui include plenty of red) because I thought I might want a piece that could go with a new Lolita dress currently in the making, but also the sword hilt is quite close to his face and would make for some good visual interest in a cameo.

My second picture choice was of Sora from Kingdom Hearts. He my favorite character and this is a beautiful image from the opening sequence of Kingdom Hearts II. Right before Namine puts him into the deep sleep. I like this idea cause he could constantly looks like he was trying to escape from my pin.

In the end I couldn't choose so I got both. I sent Julia a message with the pictures, resin and rhinestone color suggestions. I wanted both of them to be broaches, but I wanted Kamui to be in what is normally the pendant setting, and then I wanted Sora in the broach setting but laying on his side. I asked her if that would be okay.

This is where customer service got really awesome. She said all those things would be fine, and instead of just catering to me we had a conversation about colors which I love. And she put together a mock up of what my pieces might look like when she's done.

First the quick mock up of Kamui which she set on a pendant setting similar to what I was asking for. Julia mentioned having the larger rhinestones as a smoked topaz to bring out the color of the sword. I never think of stuff like that, it's crazy.

I gasped when I saw the mock up of Sora. I'm not just saying that, I actually gasped, it's so pretty. I originally thought about using light gray stones on this, but when I saw the mock up with the light amethyst and Julia thought it might bring out Soras skin tone I changed my mind.

She finished Kamui first, and sent me a picture of the final product. The pendant hook was not actually attached and she said so in the message she sent the picture in.

Sora came out dark in this picture cause she took a quick photo before packaging it up, but it looks just fine in life. Julia had to make Sora twice because the first one got an air bubble in it.

The broaches were sent USPS in a basic mailer box. It was actually huge compared to the product, and wrapped in tissue paper.

Each broach came in a little organza bag. Julia included a banana split Dumdum which I promptly unwrapped and stuck in my mouth. There was also a note that said...

Thank you so much for your Ink & Paint purchases! I had fun making them and I hope they're just what you wanted.
Cheers and enjoy,
Julia

I love them!

They're quite thin and light, but sturdy. The rhinestones are placed on perfectly and are super glittery in life. Also she must have access to the best printer ever cause both Kamui and Soras pictures were pristine. Except the stones the whole thing is coated in a clear varnish that was a sort of rubbery feel, and my only complaint is the it's especially sticky on my Sora pin and is constantly attracting dust.

I would defiantly buy again, in fact I already have big plans for a charm bracelet when I have money again. My big plans do often go by the way side so we'll see. Fo now I'm just really happy with what I do have.

Edit: Julia contacted me recently about the stickiness on Sora and explained about her process then offered to let me send it back for a newer coat. How good can customer service get? I mean to offer assistance so long after the exchange process has been met. Oh yes I will definatly be buying from ink&paint in the future.

Comic Book Convention

So much easier to find people in an anime convention. If your not in costume your easy to spot being the minority. And if you are in costume there's usually something pretty recognizable about you. All this black, dark blue, and army green was driving me nuts.

Not a convention in the way I picture a convention, with events and panels to attend. This was more of a room filled with stuff to buy. Heather and Randall like to go for the very good deals on comics for those willing to search for them. Last year Randall bought most of my christmas presents from dealers there (mostly Hellboy and he managed to find a Muppet comic) so I thought I might check it out myself.

Since this is my first trip, and I wasn't sure what to expect I now have some solid advice to for anyone who goes to one of these things.

• Have something in mind that you want to buy before you go. The options are overwhelming, and I spent most of my time huddled nervously next to Randall. And just looking over his shoulder at whatever he was looking at.

• Wear pants, if your serious about finding good deal you will be on the floor a lot.

Randall doesn't seem to mind though.

• Comics will be categorized any which way. By name, character, publisher, year, etc... If you're really serious about finding something specific you're gonna need to know it all when you look through the different booths.
• If you're just an anything goes/buy whatever looks interesting kind of person, bring something to carry your comics in, you will probably be buying a lot.

Case in point...
Heather buys a few specific items...

...While Randall would buy up the whole place if he could. He's using ones of those reusable grocery bags, smart and environmentally conscious.

• People do dress up at these things, but it doesn't really make any sense considering the only reason to go is to buy stuff.
• ...Although it is still fun to do so.

Here's a Freddy Kruger cosplayer Heather and I were really excited about, we watched all the Kruger movies for Halloween. The PDX Rebel Legion (a local Star Wars group) was also there, but they were charging money for pictures which kinda pissed me off, but I'm gonna say the money is going to charity (though I don't really know). Kinda makes me want to make my own Star Wars costume and show them up.

Outside the dealer room was a fountain, the designs is kinds 70's looking. A few minutes after this picture was taken it started to snow. Also how cool is my new camera, I was walking when I took this picture.

I went to the convention look for three different series Incorruptible, Irredeemable, and Abadazad. I understand why I couldn't find Abadazad, the company went out of business. But the other two were put out by Boom! and while they're not one of the giant publishers like DC, Marvel, or even Dark Horse they have some pretty big contracts through Disney and Pixar.

I did find some Animaniacs comics that I didn't even know existed. Which is 21 kinds of awesome, Animaniacs was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. I've been buying up the seasons as they come out on DVD and they're just as funny now as they were then, plenty of adult references that kids would never catch.

Simple Cheap Halloween Costumes for Geeks

For those geeks who for whatever reason wait too long, or have no money for Halloween shopping I give you six costumes ideas where ideally you would only have to buy/make 1 or two items. Thus saving your wallets money, and you time.

1. Buffy Summers

All you need is a blond hair, a stake, and and outfit straight out of the mid nineties.

2. Arthur Dent

Most comfortable costume ever! Wear pajamas and the all important robe, and don't forget a towel. Bonus points to those find a small yellow fish to stick in their ear.

3. James Woods from Family Guy

Find a blue suit and a red tie, carry around a bag of Reese's Pieces and continually proclaim. "Oh piece of candy."

4. Clark Kent

No you're not cool enough to be Superman, but find your self some thick rimmed glasses and a super nerdy beige suit and you could be his alter ego. For those of you who just can't stand it, put a Superman T-shirt under the suit and every time someone takes a picture you can epicly rip it open.

5. Mary Jane Watson

Red hair, slight cat eye makeup and carry around something Spiderman related. Also it would be pretty easy to find an outfit that was directly from the pages of a comic.

6. Liz Sherman

Dark hair, black clothing, only very basic makeup (no eyeliner for Liz people). Buy blue cellophane and crumple a piece into a fire-like ball to hold in your hand for pictures. To be extra cool cut up pieces of cellophane into fire like shapes and glue them to your skin using spirit gum.