Waffles?

[spookloops]

Mmmkay. I keep going back and forth on this question, and I have gotten mixed responses so far when I ask people, so maybe a definitive poll will help. (If it's a tie, I'm pulling my hair out).

Celes received what I would say is a Honourable Mention at Megacon. I want to fix a few things (scallops at the front need to sit better, and I'd like to

Comments

[spookloops]

Thanks for the input - it makes a lot of sense, and your experience with Rydia puts the question into perspective.

I've not had a costume that was very special before, so I'm just learning the etiquette now.

The last few days, I've been leaning towards taking Celes to Metro but not entering, since it's a bigger space and I feel safer wearing something on the larger side. I think going to Animazement and entering will be ok since it's far enough way that it shouldn't pose a problem (North Carolina). It's a smaller con, but their judging seems to be very fair and I've seen other comparable foofy dresses try out for it. I don't think I'd win anything there, but I like trying out each year there anyways because the judges are from outside the community but work in related fields professionally - costuming, theatre, seamstresses, etc - and they take the time to talk to the entrants about ways to improve or become more skilled. The experience is very valuable because of what you learn talking to those professionals. Mega last year was the first time I tried a Florida competition. I've been entering Animazement for years since I learn so much from it.

Thanks again for your input. It would be awesome to place with the dress, but I'm very ok with not placing. I'm really proud of this since I've not made anything like this before, but I don't think it's award-winning. The experience of entering is a lot of fun and very enlightening though, and I think that's more valuable than some award - that's just icing on the cake. I just hope people understand that and don't think I'm turning into some sort of attention-whore.

Sorry for such a long answer...

TL;DR - thanks for your reply, I find your experience quite relevant, I'm ok with not winning higher awards because I prefer the experience to the actual award, and I hope people don't think I'm turning into an attention-whore.

[haruhi_chan]

I think it would be an excellent choice to enter at Animmazement, that's the con I had in mind as a suggestion since I know you hit it up. I honestly feel that your costume is very worthy on an award, but I don't want to see you get involved in any potential drama. Because that stuff always tends to happen over these little things. I know you are not an attention whore, far from it - I can always smell one from miles away. It's just a 'convention ettiquette' kinda thing, ya know? It's a gorgeous piece and I definately feel you should enter it someplace else, if I could travel more I'd definately want to enter Rydia again, with a few adjustments and additions.

[spookloops]

Thank you for your advice and compliments! Maybe you should think about AZ, if not this year then next year! It's actually cheaper than the larger Florida cons, even with the travel and lodging (it's about 150-200 total, including room, airfare, and food if you're sharing a room with people. The atmosphere is also very different because there's not nearly as much drama as Florida seems to have - it's a very warm and welcoming environment even for people that aren't from there.

/public service announcement.

Seriously, that might be an option if you're looking for a change of pace or would like to bring some old things out for another run.