Rainbow's Orgins

------ If you're afraid of clowns, you should probably avoid my blog. ------

I was hired for my first job when I was 15 (unless we're counting babysitting for $10 and pizza, in that case, I was hired for my first job when I was 11). One of my mom's co-worker's was a part-time clown who's partner had moved away and was overwhelmed by the workload. I began training as her assistant for weekly kids' nights events for restaurants. I twisted balloon animals for the most part, occasionally helping out with the face painting. It was just a day or two a week, but it was good money, at least by the standards of a teenager with no real financial responsibilities and no previous income, and it was fun.

Nine years later, I'm still a face painter, balloon twister and clown, Lil' Miss Rainbow.

Rainbow's first completed look - a lot of this outfit was borrowed from the clown who trained me, Sunshine.

Rainbow's current look. I'm working on a new outfit. I'm really hoping to include a tailcoat and top hat this time. 

Projects: Dragon*Con Costumes

Dragon*Con is in a month! Between working at the pub, babysitting, and face painting, I've got to fit in some time for get my costumes together. I have two of them planned, but I've got a lot of sewing to do. 

First will be a TOS Starfleet uniform. I thought about doing a less-obvious color choice than red, but I wouldn't be a Science or Engieneering officer, I'd in all likeliness be a Communications Officer, so I'm sticking with red. I don't think it will be too difficult to make. I'll make it a skirt/shirt combo rather than a dress, because it's hard to find a dress that looks good on my figure. Also, I hate zippers. Other than adding the gold trim and comm-badge, I've already got the boots and will just have to grab some black hose. I'll wear it Friday or Saturday, depending on when the Trek-events I'm interested in are happening.

For Sunday, I'm going to wear my Ravenclaw outfit, which is obviously not appropriate for the Halls of Hogwarts. Luckily, Dragon*Con is all about making innocent costumes totes-innaprops. For this, I have to make a corset, which is a challenge. I've done one before, using this tutorial, which uses just strips of plastic, rather than "real boning". Just because it's not "real" doesn't mean it doesn't work like a "real" corset, it does. However, I feel like that one was my practice corset and I'm ready to graduate. (I may revive this little red-riding hood outfit, with a better hood and maybe different corset again this year). Also, I'll need to make the skirt, which should be simple. I may make a new  tie with the same fabric I'm using for the corset, too. I have a house robe, but I'm not sure if I'll wear it or not. September in Atlanta isn't exactly house robe weather. 

I haven't decided what other costumes, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!