The Little Mermaid for DragonCon

[Blaze]

Well I think this is probably the best place to post this! :D

I am a long time attendee of DragonCon (http://dragoncon.org/) & will be returning this year as usual. I'm finally getting around to making myself a Little Mermaid costume which is about time since so many people just assume I'm Ariel if they can't figure out what costume I really am wearing. :p My Husband will be dressing as Jack Sparrow and is looking forward to carrying me around a lot. ;) Anyways I thought I would share some progress pics!

Here is a photo-collage of my actual shells (will be adding more pearls and rhinestones) for my shell bra (which could double as salad bowls; I'm a 34FF) along with my sequin fabric below it and a photo of Ariel on the right that I am going for:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/5833201956_26e6a26fd7_z.jpg


I've started collecting materials to make the fluke part of the tail (along with my sequin fabric for the top part); it's going to be a walking tail/skirt:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5953096190_4b202331fa_z.jpg

Not sure if I will use all the fabrics but just grabbed them to experiment with!

A friend of mine is making the starfish crown (also who made the shells for me) & I should have that soon. Still looking for appropriate shoes to wear! :D

[Mermaid Sirena]

SPARKLES!!! I love sparkles and I feel if you have to do a land locked mermaid look the more shimmer the better ^_^ I love the bra's and I think you choose an excellent image of her to base the costume off of! Excellent choices for the fabric they all look really awesome together and I can't wait to see how you put them together! Will the starfish crown be sparkly? I would suggest a nice solid purple shoe (pumps?) to go with the bra and tie it all together.

[Blaze]

Yes the crown is going to be painted with gold shimmer and will be rhinestoned as well. As far as the shoes I am planning on a sea green as I want them to blend in with the tail rather than stand out & match the bra. Don't want people to see my feet! ;)

[Princess Kae-Leah]

Yay, another dry cosplayer mermaid! Sometimes I feel like an almost literal fish out of water not being a great swimmer, yet still being a mer-'fin'atic.

[Mermaid Sirena]

Oooh that makes sense... Maybe order a pair of the mermaid scaled pair ^_^ I've seen a couple different kinds floating around the interweb.

[Blaze]

Oooh that makes sense... Maybe order a pair of the mermaid scaled pair ^_^ I've seen a couple different kinds floating around the interweb.

Really? I haven't found any good scaled pairs (actually am a little frustrated I can't find any!); if you happen to have a link to them I would love to see them! :D

[jukumerboii]

omg i LOVE sparkles as well,,and the bra is beautiful,,i cant wait to see pix,,i love seeing the different ways cosplayers come up with ways to portray ARIEL!

[AniaR]

this looks like SO much fun! :)

[Blaze]

this looks like SO much fun! :)

Dcon IS a ton of fun. i've been going for 10 years now and pretty much stopped going to all other cons because they were just dissapointing compared to Dcon. :D

[Blaze]

Wow I didn't realize how frustrating finding shoes to go with this would be. I was hoping to find green sequin wedge heels; the wedge makes it more comfortable to walk around in for long periods of time while still adding height for me. I can't find anything pretty! :(

[New York Mermaid]

something like this; http://www.wondercostumes.com/starlight-silver-shoes-adult-accessory-ptsswc.html

[Spindrift]

Or this, but in green: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/sequined-platform-shoes--super-glam-fully-sequined-platform-wedge-shoes-by-report-signature
Maybe you could get a pair of regular wedge heels and decorate it with sequins.

476

[Spindrift]

I also found these, but they're not wedges.

477

http://theshoegirldiaries.blogspot.com/2010/04/day-two-hundred-happy-birthday.html

[Blaze]

The red sequin is the shape I am looking for; I'd really like a wedge heel so my feet don't kill me. With being in costume and walking around for 4 days straight I need to try and minimize pain as much as possible.

As for decorating my own I was really trying to avoid that; time is sooooooo very short!

[Winged Mermaid]

I saw several walking Ariels at Comic Con, and all of them were wearing flats. Even Traci Hines (who I couldn't manage to find.. ah well, it's Comic Con.. kind of impossible to find 1 person in all that) wore flats with her Ariel outfit.

http://www.joblo.com/moviehotties/images/news/1SexySixComicCon2011.JPG
(Image source (http://www.joblo.com/moviehotties/the-sexy-six-comic-con-cosplay-hotties))

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185438_2241454202515_1432869547_32479677_1831663_n .jpg
(Image source (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=t.1051367183&type=1))

I rather think wearing heels for a 4 day cosplay is rather asking for misery and not enjoying the con for the pain :/ While wedges and solid platforms are lesser evils, flats would serve you better. Plus you can sew and glue and paint all kinds of things on flats!

[Blaze]

Thanks for the advice but after 10+ years of doing 4 days of costume at Dcon I've figured you what sworks for me & how to avoid the pain. Wedges work for me! :D

[Winged Mermaid]

Whatever works! I just know I overheard a convo with some girls at Comic Con were talking about how much their feet hurt and another asked why they couldn't just wear flats or sandals and some chick said that it was "practically a rule" that you had to wear heels for a cosplay. I just thought how ridiculous. But if it works for you, no use fixing what isn't broken ;)

[Blaze]

Heh, it's taken a long time for me to figure out my limits but with a combination of gel insoles, soaking my feet in the evenings, alternating real heels, wedges & flats sometimes as well (usually when not in costume though) and a little advil I can make it through. :D Glamour hurts baby! Or something. :p

[Dacora]

566 Something like this? Lol im not sure if this is a wedge(does not like shoes) I rather wear flip flops or go bare foot :p
Here is the link. http://www.shoebuy.com/funtasma-star-16g/308292/658760?cm_mmc=cj-feed-_-none-_-none-_-none


(http://www.shoebuy.com/funtasma-star-16g/308292/658760?cm_mmc=cj-feed-_-none-_-none-_-none)

[Blaze]

566 Something like this? Lol im not sure if this is a wedge(does not like shoes) I rather wear flip flops or go bare foot :p
(http://www.shoebuy.com/funtasma-star-16g/308292/658760?cm_mmc=cj-feed-_-none-_-none-_-none)

Heh, err no. That is a flat. A wedge heel actually has a heel (your heel is raised up off the ground) and is solid like this (to form the wedge):
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/b3/9/AAAAAou9-QoAAAAAALOYKA.jpg?v=1197833128000
Going barefoot is not an option; I'm in a public hotel with no only a dress code but a lot of other con goers who spill or drop stuff on the ground.

[Desert Mermaid]

I recently did a Juri (from Streetfighter) cosplay recently and my favorite part was that Juri is barefoot :):lol:

[Blaze]

I recently did a Juri (from Streetfighter) cosplay recently and my favorite part was that Juri is barefoot :):lol:

Heh while it would be comfy I would never want to go around barefoot at DragonCon. Too many people and too much random stuff on the floor!

[Dacora]

XD ^^; oh lol srry. I know you cant go 2 a con bare foot just saying i like flip flops and bare feet over shoes any day :p

[Thelma]

I'm on the hunt! I found these, which can be dyed to match your dress/fabric:
http://www.dyeableshoestore.com/dyeable-shoe-store/dyeable-shoes/dyeable-wedges/coleen--3--heel.asp

The store can also dye the shoes for you, either a custom job if you send them a swatch, or a "generic color": http://www.dyeableshoestore.com/dyeable-shoe-store/dyeing.asp

I (http://www.dyeableshoestore.com/dyeable-shoe-store/dyeing.asp)'m going to D*C too! I'll be bringing my tail and probably hitting a pool on Thursday night (before it's closed off), but mostly I'll be running around as nyan cat.

[Thelma]

What size shoe are you? I found these on eBay: http://compare.ebay.com/like/380360276730?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y

A (http://compare.ebay.com/like/380360276730?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y)nd you can't beat the price on these (kinda remind me of seaweed): http://www.amiclubwear.com/shoes-wedges-sr-startrekgreenpatpu.html#

[Blaze]

I wear a shoe size 8. I didn't know they close off the pool (I've never tried to go in it before actually); I'll be in on Thursday as well!

[Blaze]

My crown is done! Will be in my hands soon; I'll probably add pearls and more stones:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/drgnfyre4/arielcrown3.jpg

[Blaze]

Two possible shoe options:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Green-Platform-Wedge-Sandals-Shoes-Size-8-1-2-New-/370531894893?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item56456c066d

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/Green-Crocheted-Sandals-Ankle-Buckle-Wedge-Size-39-US-8-/220827792104?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item336a5cb2e8

I'm kinda liking the second ones; might paint the heel...

[MermaidAubrin]

Good luck!!! Sorry I have no helpful input

[Blaze]

I ended up getting these. :D

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g126/Oceanblue104/sandalsgreenone.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g126/Oceanblue104/sandalsgreenbest.jpg

Will decide if I want to apint the heels when I get them but will be def adding more sparklies!

[Blaze]

Well it's pretty much done aside from the little waist frill which I haven't figured out how I want to do yet. Want to add some more rhinestones to the hair flower as well & I'm not sure if I like it or if I want to make another one (this one was made by Lisa Fabio; the lady that makes Traci Hines costumes).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6063541819_9267afa0b8_b.jpg

Yay!

BTW, I decided that I am not going to use the crown; it ended up being a little too pointy and made me look like the statue of liberty. :p

[Spindrift]

Gorgeous!

[jukumerboii]

OMG I JUST DIED!!! U LOOK STUNNING...WOW!!

[New York Mermaid]

beautiful

[Blaze]

Thanks everyone! :D I worked on the new hair flower last night so now I have shimmery purple paint all over my nails. :D So much to do on my other costumes & so little time!

[Blaze]

New hair flower; little bigger than I realized so will have to make my hair extra poufy. :D

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6075019507_9213fc70e9_z.jpg

Dinglehopper I picked up yesterday!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6075559836_d12a2548b7_z.jpg

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Haha, your dinglehopper just made my night! :P

[Blaze]

Haha, your dinglehopper just made my night! :P

LOL thta could sound dirty to someone who isn't familiar with TLM ;D

[Spindrift]

I love the dinglehopper! What do you do to make your hair more poofy? And beautiful flower. :)

[Blaze]

I love the dinglehopper! What do you do to make your hair more poofy? And beautiful flower. :)

Heh I didn't do anything to my hair; it had been up in a bun the whole day while sewing the costume & I just took it down and shook it out before taking the photo. :lol:

[Blaze]

Well I'm back from DragonCon! Got to wear Ariel on Saturday during the day & had a blast! Need to edit my tail a bit; the sequins on the inside on the seam scratched the heck out of my legs so i will cover them with some seam binding. Was a huge hit with the kids there too; one funny thing is it took me a few times to remember to step away before kneeling down as I kept bonking children on the head with my shells! :$

me with my friend in her Snow White costume
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6120806331_10eae1a720_b.jpg

With Hubby in his Jack Sparrow
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6121349066_1d0e4dc862_z.jpg

Caught!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6120806193_55825b37a2_z.jpg

With more friends!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6121349104_09c11a6321_b.jpg

Currently dealing with some drama due to someone thinking I copied their costume so I'm a little cranky; will try and share more when that's over.

[Nerissa]

OHMYGOSH, THAT'S SO AWESOME!

[jukumerboii]

COOL pix,,love the overall costume!

[Blaze]

A few more!

With other Disney Princesses
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6124457308_f6b0de3bd1_o.jpg

With Hubby (this is amusing on so many levels)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6124457380_6342a14003_b.jpg

[Aquatica]

Dragoncon rocks
I have been going for 8 years now and other cons seem kind of...meh.. now.
I have started plans on working on a tail for next DC 2012
If there is enouph of here we could do a photo shoot in the marriot pool..or there are some realy nice fountains around there we used for other shoots.
Dcon IS a ton of fun. i've been going for 10 years now and pretty much stopped going to all other cons because they were just dissapointing compared to Dcon. :D

[Blaze]

Pic a friend did for us!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6162940262_10558788e9_b.jpg

My Mertailor tail got to my house while I was away for the weekend; haven't had a chance to try it on yet but that is the first thing I'm doing when i get home from work today!

[Anaria]

I love your Ariel costume - so glad I managed to see it at D*C, you looked amazing :)

[green52]

Just looking through the cosplay thread. This looks like it came out great.

[Blaze]

'll be wearing it again this year with my realistic tail. :D Will be having a strong male friend carry me around. ;D

[Gem Stone]

When is the dragon con? I've never heard of it

[malinghi]

When is the dragon con? I've never heard of it

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=dragoncon

[laamberry]

Beautiful as always! Saw your new realistic tail by the way, I love it! I might drag my poor tail back as well, we should take pictures together!

[Mermaid Sirena]

It turned out amazingly well! But I don't know if I'll ever be able to dress as Ariel for a con now that I've seen how well done and smexy it can be ;) I can't wait to see what you do for your next costume :D

[Krasberrymuffin]

I love the sea shell bra. Im looking to make something like it for my mermaid tail!

[Arella]

Awesome costume!

[Mermaid Cascada]

Your costume is very pretty :) Btw: The fork is a nice touch.

[spottedcatfish]

Great job on this walkable tail! I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of your mertailor tail!

[Seamist]

Dragoncon rocks
I have been going for 8 years now and other cons seem kind of...meh.. now.
I have started plans on working on a tail for next DC 2012
If there is enouph of here we could do a photo shoot in the marriot pool..or there are some realy nice fountains around there we used for other shoots.

OMG!!!! Me too :) Squeal! I have a room at Marriott for 2013 and plan on trying to pull a few fellow mers into the pool for a swim party/photo shoot. Who wants to?

[Taniira]

I'll be there! I've been the last 2 years, but this is the first year I'll have a swimmable tail. I always missed the mermaids in the pools before and it made me sad. Now I get to BE one!

I saw talk on one of the D*C Facebook pages (though I don't recall if it was the event page or the group) about a potential mermaid meetup a while back.

I'm staying in the Hilton, but I have a friend staying in the Marriott (and she promised me a key for pool access) and another friend in a group I cosplay with always stays in the Sheraton, which has a really pretty pool area if you've never seen it.

[Seamist]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/dragonconmers/138677816294019/?notif_t=group_activity
A Facebook group for Dragon*Con merfolk!! come one come all :)

[Blaze]

Bringing back this thread a little! I wasn't able to go to DragonCon this year as I am headed to Jamaica for a week to perform in a burlesque festival on the 21st of this month. I heard there was a mermaid CONTEST at the con this year! Pinups by the pool I believe? Did anyone go?

[MerEmma]

I didn't go but that'd be really neat! I hope someone went and can share.

[Blaze]

I just realized I never shared pics of my Ariel pink dress from DragonCon 2012! :)

My friend Ash & I; I made both her dress and mine!
14546

Moi!
14547

The little ones LOVED us!
14548

We ran into our zombie counterparts!
145521454914550

We aren't very good at being serious
14553

This is my favorite picture of the whole year!
14554

Heehee! Still need to make her black and blue corset dress too!

[Miyu]

OMG those are amazing! Both dresses look like you just walked straight out of the movies! And those zombie pics are just awesome :D

I've gotta say, your fabric choices and construction are just superb!

[Blaze]

OMG those are amazing! Both dresses look like you just walked straight out of the movies! And those zombie pics are just awesome :D

I've gotta say, your fabric choices and construction are just superb!

Thank you! My friends is all silk but I made mine to be used at Princess Parties so no silk for me. :D

[Ariel-Starfish]

This is to awsome!!!! :jawdrop: