Take Five

I have decided to put all of CostumeU operations on hold. This is not an easy decision because I really enjoy the work I have been doing, however, I feel it is the right thing to do.
I will be completing my current orders. I have a few holsters, a steampunk outfit for Nettie , a cute little bunny, a codex staff, and a Little Sister costume that are still on my production schedule.
Once finished with these, I will be done. I do not know how long this break is for or if I will ever begin again.
I did have several prospective commissions that I had to decline. This was not easy and I apologize to you all. As I mentioned in my notice, I truly hope you find a gifted costumer to complete your orders.
Thank you to everyone who helped, encouraged and supported me in this endeavor.
Until next time,
-Shep

Update - Steampunk gun holster

Here are a few images of the tooling on the gun holster from my previous blog post.

Steampunk Leather Gun Holster

This is the current progress on my custom order for a steampunk gun holster. It's being designed for an 1858 Remington Army revolver.
Gun holster to be added with custom stamping/tooling of clockwork design.

My Babydoll

I finished my first Babydoll costume complete with holster. It will ship tomorrow and hopefully make my client super happy. Ironically, today I received a request to make another Babydoll holster/harness for another Etsy client. Business is good and I am enjoying all the creative people on Etsy who continue to support my efforts to create quality custom costumes.
On the way :
Original Steampunk costume - for nettieP
Mao - for thegoingmerry
Steampunk gun holster - for EtsyRed
and more...stay tuned.

Here are a few images of the completed Babydoll costume.

Recent Custom Leather Work

Back view of Uncharted holster

I recently completed two custom holster replicas. The first is for the character Nathan Drake from the video game series Uncharted. I made it for an Etsy client wanting to trade for credits on a new web series he is working on. The second is from the character Babydoll in the upcoming movie Suckerpunch. Each of the harnesses are designed for the Colt 1911 pistol.

The Uncharted holster is for sale for only $55 now on my Etsy shop CostumeU. It can be custom  made to fit any size and dyed in a variety of colors.

Front view of Uncharted holster

I also have a pattern for sale for those with a bit more crafting skill. For only $5 you could create your own from whatever materials you may have available.

The Babydoll shoulder holster from the upcoming movie Suckerpunch is also for sale for $55 at my Etsy store. I am really looking forward to this movie since I have done quite a bit of reading about it for the creation of the shoulder holster. This too can be created to fit any size and dyed in a variety of colors.

Back view of Babydoll holster

For only $5 you can also get the Babydoll holster pattern to make this beautiful harness yourself. This is especially useful to those making their own Cosplay of Babydoll.

Front view of Babydoll holster

Busy Little Bee

The last few weeks have been very busy to say the least. With our script finalized at work my responsibilities in costuming have really ramped up so work is full-speed. I am finalizing two Etsy sales for shipment this week. The first is a the Babydoll costume based on the movie Suckerpunch. The second is a custom holster patterned after the character Nathan Drake from the video game series Uncharted. I have also been contacted about two new pieces for clients on Etsy. First, a holster for a steampunk costume and second to create a costume based on a comic character. Both of these should be a blast to make.

As work ramps up and my seamstresses are cranking out costumes for the March 20th film date, I'm sure February-March will be quite busy at work. As I finish my current orders and begin new ones for my Etsy clients, I should have no problem using up my freetime.

Bamboo...FUN!

Today, I got my graphics tablet from Wacom. It's the Bamboo Fun model. It lists on their site @ $199. I got it for only $188 (including tax+shipping) from WalMart.com. It comes bundles with: Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 7.0 Win/6.0 Mac, Corel® Painter™ Essentials 4.0 & Nik® Color Efex Pro™ 3.0 WE3


I wanted to try out my hand at sketching so, I drew up something I'm working on for a client. Here is my first effort on my new tablet along with my previous pencil sketches I scanned/photographed.

First sketch on my new Bamboo tablet.

Pen sketch of the bolero jacket.

Original ink drawing of the design.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I took the day off because it was my birthday, but I just can't stay away from my costumes.
I am working on a wolf tail currently, *take note* dying acrylic isn't easy. But it's coming out very nicely.
I should have it finished up tonight before bed.

I have made most of the shoulder harness for the Babydoll costume but I hit a snag in sizing for the ammo clips. Yesterday, I found a friend who had a clip and I'm back in business. I will finish the ammo clip tonight and dye all the pieces and assemble them tomorrow. So far, this has been my favorite piece to make, however, I have some very great outfits I'm starting on next week. Can't wait. I am really enjoying CostumeU.
-Shep

First Commission

I was recently declined on Etsy for a sweet costume opportunity to create a Miss Martian outfit for Emerald City Comic Con. However, upon inquiring, I had just missed the boat on my bid as the client had already accepted another bid. After a brief discussion with the client, who was very encouraging, we left things open to working together in the future.
The future is here. In the past few days I was commissioned to create the cosplay character Mao from Disgaea III.
Here is an image:

Can't wait to get started on this one. Seems very fun.
-Shep

You Scratch my Back...

I am currently in production of a shoulder holster rig. I do love working with leather! So much so that I agreed to do this one for free.
Well, actually it's for a character of a Web Series that will begin production later this month. That's where the back scratching comes in. I am making this in return for credits in the series and references.
This piece is due middle of February and I can't wait to get started. A few final decisions on hardware and design and we're ready to begin.

 Here is a part of the mock up I made for the client as we work out the final design.

Back panel for shoulder rig.

-Shep @ CostumeU

Babydoll update

I am back from a vacation with my family. We had a great time together in Maui, but it's back to work!
I have been cranking away on the Babydoll costume for CoherentDelirium @ Etsy.
Here is the current progress:

From Babydoll

Making the shoulder rig has been my favorite part. I molded the gun holster and stitched it today. It is turning out very nicely.
I also received a request to do another Babydoll for a client in May. Good thing I kept the custom patterns for this one!
-Shep

Alchemy Update

Click on the links to see images of each item.

I have been working for a month now on Etsy. I love the Alchemy portal which allows me to search for unique pieces that people want created.

So far I have made a Steampunk mini raygun. I completed the Halo project. My next piece to complete at the end of this month is a Babydoll Cosplay outfit. I just finalized the design for a Steampunk outfit to begin working on this month. I will begin work on a Lady Gaga replica of her 2009 AMA outfit to be completed by late this year. I have started conversations with another Etsy client to commission an Elf Wizardess.

As for my professional work, I have a new project making many costumes over several genres that I cannot yet disclose. I am very excited to get to back to work after a bit of vacation. The next few months should be quite busy but rewarding.

Thank you to my past Etsy clients and a warm greeting to those yet to be.
-Shep

Steampunk fashion on LiveJournal

One of my recent sales was listed on a post at the LiveJournal community steampunk fashion. See the post here: Steamfashion post. Thank you for the props. Hope you enjoy the steampunk boot gun.

Sucker Punch

I am working on a project for a new customer based on the movie Sucker Punch. Sucker Punch releases in theaters in late March. At Comic-Con in San Diego 2010 screen material was released along with life-sized models of the main characters that were on display.
My customer requested a Cos-play replica of the character Babydoll. My favorite part of this design is the unique leather holster. I like to work with leather and this a great opportunity to make a special piece. I have learned a bit about this movie researching the character and look forward to seeing this movie when it is released. Like much of the buzz I have read, I hope it's as good as it looks.
-Shep

I can see your Halo

I just finished my Halo project for a customer on Etsy. It turned out great. You can see it here as my wife modeled it for me to send the images to the customer for their approval. I actually liked it so much I made a second one. Maybe I'll give it as a present or just sell it too.

Halo for Etsy customer. Made by CostumeU

Steampunk World's Fair - Gun sold

I recently learned about the Steampunk World's Fair. You should check out their website for more information: Steampunk World's Fair. I found an Alchemy request on Etsy to make a small gun for part of a  steampunk costume for the Fair. I was inspired to create one myself.

Here are some images of the gun that I made. I was pleased with the way it turned out, so I let the bidder know I made one and they bought it. I made a small box and a thank you note for their purchase. I hope the new owner enjoys it.


I also won a bid today to create an original costume for the fair for a customer. I cannot wait to get started bringing their wishes to life.
Until next time,
-Shep