Wally the Wampa Backpack

Along the lines of the Star Wars backpacks like the Chewy, Yoda and R2 ones, I decided I wanted a Wampa backpack. Since I'm the wampa handler and that is probably the one thing I'm most known for these days and since no one has one available to buy I decided to make one myself...kinda.

At Star Wars Celebration 5 they released a wampa plush that the arm could come off. I'm not too crafty so I decided to take that exclusive plush and turn it into a backpack. I hunted him down online and soon he was here.

I took a kids backpack to get the straps plus the fabric I would need to make a pocket. I cut the straps at the seams. Then cut out the inside lining to make the pocket. I sewed the straps into the shoulder area of the plush. Then again above the legs. Next I realize I couldn't cut into the fur like I thought to turn the insides into a bag. So I took the lining folded it over, sewed it over, attached snaps and then sewed it between the straps. Its not a large pouch but I can put in a few things, like my cell phone or my wallet or my camera. Just the basics.

I wore the wampack both days at Megacon and people were stopping me and taking pictures and asked where I bought it. He was a hit. I did have one person surprised that I did this to an exclusive but then again they loved it. I had several people wanting me to make one for them as well.

I will eventually cut into the fur and into the insides to make it really into a backpack to hold more and add a zipper to it. But for right now Wally is just a cute little backpack for me to carry around at conventions and events.

On a side note on where the name Wally came from. At SWCV, we went to the Ice Bar one night. There was one lady there that had this plush and she called him Wally. It kinda stuck. So I dub thee Wally the Wampack.

My Favorite Makeup To Wear

Yes even I use makeup. Well for costuming. But my favorite is not a lipstick or eyeshadow or bronzer. It is a scarification makeup called Rigid Collodion. I use this liquid for costumes and sometimes just to freak people out. Especially if I wear my white zombie contacts with it.

At first I used it when I was at Motor City Comic Con when I dressed as Hoth Luke Skywalker while handling for Jeremy as the wampa. Used it recently at Megacon making it look like I was clawed by something which later everyone said by the wampa. With one of the scars going over my eye I wore one white zombie contact. After seeing photos and hearing comments, apparently I should be able to just get away with wearing civies and that makeup. From what else I heard at Megacon, if people didn't know me then they had a difficult time figuring out if it was real or not.

I learned of the Rigid from a friend that costumes as Anakin Skywalker from ROTS. For that he needs to have a scar over his eye. I asked him about it, knowing I was going to be Luke Skywalker. Pretty much have been using it since then.

A small how to guide on how to do this. First: pick a good spot wear you want to use the Rigid. For this I used my arm. Most of the time its the right side of my face.

Second: take a dark red lip liner to draw on the lines. I just used a single line but feel free to go crazy.

Third: start putting on the Rigid. I usually put on about 3 coats. Let is start tightening up then add a few more coats to it.

Fourth: if you want to make it look puffy, add some blush to it. And this is how you look like you've been attacked.

Wampa Videos

I finally decided to go through all the SWCV pics and I discovered video I forgot I shot while handling for wampadude. So with the new camera I got, it came with some video editor stuff. I know nothing about it but decided to fiddle with it a bit and decided to upload the videos and I now have a channel on youtube. Check out Rusty the Wampa. One day I should really explain the name thing.

Project Jeep 2012

On wednesday the 11th I got a new vehicle. A 2012 4 door white Jeep Wrangler. Soft top of course. I loved my previous Jeep which was a 2009 2 door black Wrangler but I need more room to carry my armor bins to events and conventions. So I started looking into them and finally got one this past week. I'm going to add a "few" things to it. As one person said TK it up. Yep. I am. I'm going to post pics up on my Photobucket. I started already. A few things are on order. My plans are to have all the vinyl installed on the vehicle by Star Wars Celebration 6. I will be doing all the artwork myself. I started today by reinstalling my the metal tail light covers my dad got me for my birthday last year for the old Jeep and they fit perfectly on this Jeep.

http://photobucket.com/myjeep2012

Woohoo new parts for a costume in.

About a month ago I ordered the hard pieces for my modified slave leia costume. I'm making a cross between that and a Stormtrooper. The colors will be primarily white and black while also wearing parts of my armor. I will try to keep up on making posts as to how its going with this costume as well as the others I am making.