Continuing with the plaster

It's a good thing I'm not a neat freak. I have been playing with my hydracal (plaster gypsum) today in my teeny tiny laundry room. I was able to sand a decent amount of my Tech Support wire globe logo with the Dremel. Then I brushed a new layer of plaster over it trying to make it nice and smooth. Well, it sure looked nice when it was wet but now brush strokes are severely showing.

I'm going to a different approach to the Fantastic 4 logo as well. I had let some of the plaster harden in the bottom of the bucket I used last time. I was able to pop it out with some muscle. The only thing is the bottom had typical manufacturing divots in it so it's not a plain circular surface. I just tried brushing a new layer on but it wouldn't sufficiently stick to the smooth surface -- probably because I didn't sand it first. Oh well. Live and learn.

Invisible Woman costume update

Here's a CG mock up of what the costume should like when it's finally complete (on the right). Right now I'm working on the casting of the chest logo in Flex Foam and latex. The Flex Foam worked better much to my surprise. I really expected the latex to win. It was my first time doing any kind of moldmaking and casting so the fact that they suck isn't a surprise.

The top image on the left is the Flex Foam III with a very thin latex coating which happens to be peeling off.

The lower image is just latex. I have no idea why huge chunks are missing. There aren't any chunks left inside the plaster mold so I have no idea where they are. Even after two days, there were still parts of that outer circle ridge that were not cured but it didn't seem like it was enough to make those giant craters.

Overall, the costume is not very flattering for my figure. It will most likely be up for sale once it's finished without boots because it's just easier for people to buy their own size.

Wonder Woman/Girl Tribute outfit

I'm almost done with this version of my Wonder Woman / Wonder Girl tribute outfit! Basically the only things missing are the boots and the tiara. The tiara I may attempt out of molding plastic but who knows if I'll get to it. The boots will be purchased from Scavenge Inc. most likely.

That's me trying to look dramatic! "Come on. Vogue!"

The pants I just whipped up today. They're simple plain navy leggings. They dip a little too much in the back side but the shirt is plenty long enough to cover. The bracelets I decided to throw together as well just because I found a little strip of gold left over. I put eyelets in them and have a ribbon tying them together but it would look better with a faux leather lace.

I'm really hating the top. It was so big and baggy originally. I swear measurements on the pattern instructions are not real measurements. So I took it in and it was still too baggy. Took it in again and now it's too snug and looks just awful in the bust. Oh well. Tough beans. I'm not working on this top any more. I may just make a new one some day or attempt a real Wonder Woman costume.

This wasn't intended to be a costume, by the way. I thought I'd like this blouse pattern and decided it would work well with the gold armor breast plate design and this is what I came up with. It's basically just meant to go with the bag I made.

I'll be adding our NJ Wonder Woman Day Celebration to Meetup.com in hopes of drawing out all the comic geeks and people who just think it's a cool idea. Look for it on October 28th!

Moldmaking

Here's the progress of my moldmaking in different stages on two different projects:


Wireglobe logo in wax for Tech Support Fan Club (WWTBASH: S1). With any hope, I'll get a great master casting and can make lots of good quality latex logos. I'll set up a Pay Pal button and page to purchase this for Tech Support members.




Fantastic 4 logo in wax.









Fantastic 4 plaster casting waiting for latex which I just ordered from Smooth-On (with ridiculously expensive UPS shipping when I live close enough to go pick it up if they had that option).

yes, there's progress

We got to hang out with Joanna and Jason yesterday and see baby Bea for the first time. Then Jason and I got to play with plaster and start the mold casting process for my Invisible Woman costume chest logo. He gave me a lot of tips like add plaster to the water not water to plaster; use hot water with a little salt, and you don't need an expensive moldmaking box (we just took ducting tape and a piece of floor tile and make a containment area). It's humid today but I'm sure the plaster will be cured by this afternoon. Then comes the part of removing my wax sculpture from the plaster. Next step -- LATEX! Woohoo!

J is very encouraging and since he knows so many people in the special effects business, it's amazing that he thinks I be good at this. So... hopefully... (yes, another career possibility) I can get cranking into the latex casting business and make the things that people who just want to sew or purchase base items will need. That way, if you buy your bodysuit from a dance company and need a chest logo or badge, that means, I'll be able to supply that piece and you can just glue it in place. Yay for plans for the future! Huzzah!

I have also given more consideration to auditioning for Season 3 of Who Wants to be a Superhero? if there is one. I watched a few more YouTube videos of the Texas Titans (that's a bunch of people who auditioned for Season 2 and have stayed friends and make fun cosplay movies) and it inspired me. I have realized that there's no need to be nervous about auditioning because it's so unlikely that I'd get chosen. BUT, I'd be there and I'd be connecting with other fans and maybe a Titans East could be formed. Ya never know.