Live Magazine February Issue February 2014 | Page 85

Have you had any funny moments
at a Con you can share with our
readers?

I attended the Pennsylvania Ren
Faire this year dressed as Esmeralda from Disney’s Hunchback of
Notre Dame. One of the Faire’s actresses chased me down screaming
“Esmeralda!” and gave me a ring.
She named me Queen of the Gypsies for the day and showed me the
secret Gypsy power fist pound that
was very reminiscent of the Wonder
Twins.
How do you see cosplay today it’s certainly grown in popularity,
we’d love to hear your thoughts
on the industry at the moment?
It’s definitely changed from when
I started roughly 7 years ago. It’s
become mainstream and everyone
seems to be doing it. It’s not just for
comic fans or crafty people anymore
and it’s not weird. It’s the cool thing
to do.

Do you see cosplay evolving into
a career for some artists such as
yourself or photographers? What
I mean is can it or is it already able
to be a full time role?
I’m going to be brutally honest; it’s
rare for someone to do this full time
and still be able to afford to live. Everyone needs a day job. Everyone has
bills to pay. I know there are some
women who do this full time but they
also have a boyfriend or husband at
home to support them. It’s not realistic to think you can get into cosplay
assuming you will make the equivalent of a 40 hour per week paycheck
and have health insurance. Very few
people are able to turn themselves
into a brand and cosplay “full time”
independently. For me personally, I
don’t see cosplay as a full time career. I just don’t think that’s realistic. It’s a hobby that leads to amazing opportunities. I get to travel, be
a guest at shows and sometimes it
puts money in my pocket. But it’s not
my full time job.

Tell us why you are involved in
cosplay - what do you get out of
your craft?
The core is my love for comics book
and Disney characters. I didn’t get
into cosplay because I was a fan of
crafting per say. Aside from making
jewelry