Hi there! Kansas Homestuck as well! In our Convention tag there are some local cons that I’ve given basic information on (I’d do more if people want me to). There are quite a few that I know of near by.

There is Anime Festival Wichita, which is in Wichita. 

Motaku is an anime con in Kansas City, MO. It’s a little smaller and I’ve staffed at it before. Ahn!Con is run by the same city (different hotel though) and it’s a 17+ yaoi con.

There’s also Naka-Kon which is in Overland Park and it is a very large con and by far my favorite (and first). 

I also think Planet Comicon is in KC. And there are a few Arkansas conventions, and there is Anime Nebraskon in Nebraska. Many of my Wichita and KC friends adore it. 

There’s also Cosplacon that is coming up soon in Jefferson City, MO. It’s an entirely cosplay based convention and they ADORE the Homestuck fandom from the feeling I got from their staff members at other cons. 

That’s all that I know of near our beloved state. If you’d like you can also check out Kansastuck’s facebook group or their cosplay group and they may be able to tell ya more.  I run the tumblr page for now, but it’s not well organized or ready to be on par with the groups just yet (not until I get a co-admin, preferably someone who’s in charge over on FB).

I apologize if that’s a lot of link. Each one leads to the cons home page, or to the pages I listed specifically. I hope this helps out. :)

I’m not sure about the rest of the world, but here in the middle of the US (aka, Kansas) it’s getting HOT. 

Make sure to drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun while you can. Take good care of yourself. If you’re able to, skip the soda and try some iced tea, fruit or juice. Water is best though. 

A little tip (not sure if they do it elsewhere though) but here the energy companies charge more between the hours of 11am and 5pm, as that’s when it’s the hottest and they say it puts a strain on their systems. If you’re able to, sew in the morning or later at night to avoid the risk of a skyrocketing electric bill. 

Have a wonderful week, everyone! Please take care of yourselves. You are more important than your cosplay. :)

-ZK

Also know as the “3, 2, 1” Rule to others who like to do things the bare minimum way. 

Whenever we take a huge group of people to a con, new and veterans, we like to remind them of this rule. It ensures they’re able to take good care of themselves and enjoy the con without passing out.

It’s simple:

1 shower a day

3 meals a day (some go for 2)

6 hours of sleep (some go for 3)

Why do I prefer the larger numbers? As fun as cons are, 2 meals a day and only 3 hours asleep can be very taxing to you and may even hurt the younger attendees. 

Six hours of sleep is considered the bare minimum for adults for them to function. Some cons go on into the wee hours of the morning, but often times (for me) there’s nothing to do when it first starts on Saturday or Sunday. So when I get in late, I try to sleep in a little later than my roommates. It also ensures me the bathroom to myself when they leave. If you’re not staying at the hotel, please go home and sleep. If you can’t get home, ask a friend if you can crash on the floor, or if they’d be willing to take you home. Don’t try to nap in the hotel lobby or in the con area. They will catch you, wake you up, and escort you off the property. 

Two meals a day is okay but, three is better. Even if one of those meals is just quick snackage through out the entire day. I like to pack granola bars and eat maybe two or three of those a day, as well as the sandwich stuff and ramen we pack with us in our cooler. Eat filling things with protein (peanut butter and banana sandwiches, or deli meat sandwiches for those that bring a cooler), get your fruit in you, water, maybe some dairy if you can bring small bottles of milk or yogurt. Or if you have the money to buy food while you’re in the city, go do it. Go out and eat a nice meal. 

One shower a day. That should be explanatory. No one likes con funk. No one. Sometimes we get smelly and sweaty through out the day, true. But if you shower in the morning (or at night) and make sure to wear deodorant and take care of your personal hygiene, it should not be so bad. If you’re staying in the hotel, they do provide bathrooms and showers. If you aren’t, ask a pal if you can slip into their hotel room real quick. Go home and shower. Go to your friends house and shower. Please. Shower.

Out of all of this, don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Bring your own water bottle and fill it up at water fountains in the area. Some convention centers supply jugs of water and little cups should you need it. If the hotel has an ice machine, fill your ice bucket (and liner) with ice at night and drink the melted ice in the morning. Just make sure you drink water.

Most accidents and injuries at cons happen because an attendee has not been fully hydrated, rested, or eating right. Take care of yourself and your friends. 

-ZK

Oh, wow!!

We gained 5 followers in one day! Hello, all!! :) It’s nice to meet ya, so to speak. 

I do hope you enjoy the blog and will be involved in the future with our questions or submission requests. 

Have a good evening.

-ZK

A small tip that I’m sure many of you have heard by now, but it’s by far a life saver in many of my cosplays.

Buy a spray bottle (or do like me and vigorously clean an existing one) and fill it with 3 parts water 1 part your favorite fabric softener. Use it to help your wigs smell fresh and to make those tough spots easier to untangle while you’re combing/brushing them. I’ve never used wig conditioner or the spray some companies sell, but I always get comments and compliments from those that do.

I also use it on the cosplays I need to hand wash in unscented soap. Do a spot test on the fabric where others aren’t likely to see it (I keep scraps of the fabric for this reason, as well as when I need to remake the cosplay if I liked the fabric). Then lightly mist it and let it dry. It will smell wonderful through out your next con.

-ZK

Iced coffee or iced tea is a wonderful way to start a day, especially when you need a little perk to get started on those cosplays and it’s so warm outside.

Juice or chocolate milk work too if you’re not too into caffeine. Just be careful, too much milk before you go out into the heat might make you sick. 

Stay cool today darlin’s. :)

-ZK

I’m sorry, darlin’, but aside from paint I don’t really know. You meant white-ish, right?

Perhaps if it’s just for a short photoshoot, heavy layers of talc or baby powder? A zentai suit/bodysock? Or.. Hm. I don’t know. The only time I’ve ever lightened my already pale skin was when I put on too much lotion. 

Do any of our followers have any suggestions. 

Thank you for your opinion.

I feel like when I made my opinion on that it was worded wrong. My main opinion is just.. Y’know. How do I explain it?

Follow the rules of the con. Even now adult cosplayers are not allowed to have under or side boobs showing in their costumes at most family conventions. I know two girls were escorted back to their rooms because they were covered in just body paint, pasties on their breasts, and very tight spankies (what cheerleaders wear) at a rave during Naka-kon. They were 15. 

I know. Your body, your comfort zone. But, sometimes (more often than that) many adults assume that the more skin you’re showing, the older you are. It gets many of them into trouble and gets younger girls (and boys, I’ve seen them in very little clothing) into a situation they were not prepared for. 

The Nurses from Silent Hill are actually very modestly dressed in comparison to some video game and anime characters. Short hemline and deep neckline is really the only ‘offense’ to them, but still could be seen as a tasteful outfit should it be done with different fabric and less.. blood. 

Really, all I ask is that you follow the rules of the con when it comes to dress codes and please be aware that even at conventions, there are unsavory men and women. Be safe. 

I’ll admit, I can sometimes be a prude and I do not like seeing (even adults) cosplays that are less than the showiest of swimsuits. Mainly for hygiene reasons and the worry of a nipslip around pervs and children, or people who are not comfortable around nudity or anime/games/cosplay (imagine a nipslip in front of a Russian Men’s Volleyball team, or the Kansas state senator. Those were risks some made at AFW in the past). 

My advice to you; be comfortable with what you’re doing. Keep a buddy with you, know your surroundings, and if needed.. Bring a jacket. I’ve done it once or twice when I was in normal clothes and noticed guys staring at my form fitting t-shirt (normal neckline so no cleavage, but I am a 40D) and I would just put it on until I got away from them. And just be warned; you may know what you’re getting yourself into, but new things pop up when it comes to the safety of minors and women in general at conventions. The worst of the human race is getting bolder and terrifying.

And I do worry for all of you guys. As someone with security experience, it’s the worst thing to hear when a con goer (minor or not) comes to me to report harassment or is freaking out because a friend has gone missing and they describe them wearing something a perv would prey on (hypothetical as that situation has never come up with my con, but still).

ayellowbirds:

oohmanada:

Reposted from Pixie Belle

Just thought I’d give a heads up to everyone at the con this year:

If you got a photo with Image Solutions please read this:

So since I wanted to talk about this. Apparently if you have ever taken photos with a photographer in image solutions…well…you’re a body pillow now. I found this horrible thing in the dealers room. Apparently it’s legal because it’s a “promotional item”. Since when did promotions gets charged? All I can say is I wasn’t told these were going to be made when I SPECIFICALLY talked to him last year what he was going to do with the photos and I do not approve of it at all. He was selling these in the dealers room of the convention he took them at last year thinking the cosplayers would be okay with it. Obviously this man is beyond stupid. He had small pillows and larger ones too. When me, and two friends confronted him he had the AUDACITY to tell me that I was a popular seller, as if that would make me feel more comfortable about this. There were many others who had pillows made and every other person I talked to was disgusted with this.

Here’s the Article

Here’s his deviantart.

And here’s his “Professional” page.

Be careful of his unsavory business tactics, and if you find out he’s selling you as a product, make sure to confront him and demand a physical copy of whatever crap he had you sign, Also, he doesn’t ask for ages when he does photos, so that being said, there is a chance that some of these photos are of underaged girls. Regardless, it’s shoddy, its horrible, and this guy needs to stop, or get his camera broken. (When I discovered my girlfriend on a pillow and a sticker set…I wasn’t too happy).

 

This is absolutely atrocious behavior.

cosplaytipsandtricks:

Hello, followers new and old! Often I like to ask our followers a cosplay related question, see how everyone ticks and to share experience. It might become a weekly thing actually.

What’s the worst thing to happen to you/your cosplays right before a convention? 

First off… 6th grade. So a few of you are twelve. I do hope you’re nearing 13, for the sake of following Tumblr’s rules. Sorry.

Secondly. Oh, lordy. Third, I love Tokyo Mew Mew and you’re even doing characters from A La Mode~! Cute!! (I’m actually planning a cosplay myself so I”m looking up things as well, but it’s a next year thing). 

With the money, do some extra chores around the house. Get a paper route, sell some of your things, maybe do some art commissions if you feel confidant in your skills. Ask for birthday/holiday money. 

If you can get to a Jo-Ann’s (we have to drive 45 minutes to get to any fabric shop) here’s some things to know.

Here’s one post full of helpful cosplay links, some wig shops included. Here’s a link to all my wig reviews.  Five Wits might have the wigs for those characters. There are some good ebay sites for wigs out there but I suggest looking at the reviews and asking around to make sure they’re not just reposting pictures of other stores’. Yes, that happens sadly. 

I do suggest going to Cosplay.com and perhaps searching Tokyo Mew Mew or the characters you’re doing in their forums (join too if you’d like). Someone may have posted tutorials for those outfits, or asked the same questions you have about fabric and such. If someone posts what they’ve used fabric wise (and if it’s from Jo-anns) you could possibly order it online if you’d like. Again, coupon code all that. Get on their email list, it really does help. They have sales often.

I wish I could help more, I really do. Other cosplay blogs may be able to help, even fandom blogs for Tokyo Mew Mew.

I wish you luck! And remember, screen shots, concept art, and photographs of any figures they sell are your friend!!

-ZK

Hello, followers new and old! Often I like to ask our followers a cosplay related question, see how everyone ticks and to share experience. It might become a weekly thing actually.

What’s the worst thing to happen to you/your cosplays right before a convention? 

superkaylock:

So, I just wanted to remind people who cosplay that some of us have skin allergies

Personally, I’m allergic to adhesive, it hurts to put on a bandaid and my skin becomes sore and tender

Now this means that I cannot do a lot of makeup things that others can because spirit gum makes me break out in a painful rash

I just wanted to remind people that some cosplayers cannot do things in a way that won’t hurt them. A friend of mine is allergic to whatever it is in ben nye and other theatrical make-ups like that.

So yea. don’t get mad at people for not being able to do make-up or small things like that

Some of us can’t

saccharinesylph:

vintage-aerith:

mary totally came up with all of these, i contributed the spray paint fumes

I’M WEEPING WITH LAUGHTER

I believe that decision is up to the cosplayer.

I know a Tenth Doctor cosplayer that imitates him perfectly and yet can go to being any other character immediately should they choose.

I sometimes will try to imitate a character’s speech mannerisms or dialect if I can, but as a girl I can’t quite get my voice low enough for some of the male characters  I like to cosplay. Likewise, I can’t get it high enough for some of the female characters I like, as I have a low-ish sounding voice. 

If you want to try to practice his voice on your own and get better at this, by all means go ahead! But, if it hurts your voice or becomes to difficult, then you don’t have to. Take care of your voice and don’t ruin it for a cosplay. As long as you’re a good person at the cons, they won’t matter what your voice sounds like. :)

-ZK