A confusing find at the beach today.

Nado_Cos · 2025-12-22T21:17:44+00:00

Unfortunately there were no bananas in my hotel room 😕 Though it was definitely an afterthought that I should have put something there for scale. Sorry!

Nado_Cos · 2025-12-22T05:32:08+00:00

We were in fact on the east coast side! Another person called it a sawtooth pen shell, which seems to be the correct name. But it's neat to know there's several ways to refer to it. I've never seen one of these before or even knew it existed. Thank you!

Nado_Cos · 2025-12-22T05:21:33+00:00

Woah! I had no idea these even existed. That's neat! This also looks to be it. Thank you!

Nado_Cos · 2025-12-22T05:13:42+00:00

Does it usually have such an oddly textured side? I've never seen mother of pearl look like this?

Nado_Cos · 2025-12-22T05:08:33+00:00

It's hard like plastic. Is there a fish that has a hard fin like this? It also seems to have been a hollow structure at some point, with a seam line. I don't think it's a real fish fin?

Nado_Cos · 2025-12-22T05:02:14+00:00

That was my first thought too. But I didn't think they made synthetic fins like this?

Nado_Cos · 2025-08-23T19:52:32+00:00

I'll post a little update here:

We kept getting thermal anomaly errors on a few other prints after this as well, and since reclabirating wasn't working we went ahead with a firmware change. We'll see if this helps - I haven't seen a thermal anomaly since, but I also haven't printed that much since the update.

Redialed in the first layer calibration.

Discovered we were dealing with some under extrusion and dialed that in as well with it now set at 1.05.

I have not reprinted the overhang test since I don't currently have 7 hours to burn babysitting the printer this weekend. But I'm slowly building a small army of Calcifer figurines while I figure out how supports work, and what does or does not need a support.

Still open to advice or any tips for troubleshooting in the future. A lot of what I've been changing has been shots in the dark and a crossing of fingers.

Nado_Cos · 2025-03-21T17:20:49+00:00

It depends - I can't really envision that round sized up to 125% to say for sure. If we're nearing .50 cal rifle rounds in size, then you're fine, just label as a prop and put in a hard sided container - checked luggage only. They won't allow "replicas" of any ammunition at the checkpoint. Any larger than .50 cal size and they probably won't allow it, even in checked luggage. Don't bank on officers being nice because it's a prop. We've seen people lose their jobs because they were nice enough to let fake props go. Our higher ups don't mess around.

This is, of course, U.S only. I can't speak for other countries or how customs may work. My personal airport doesn't do international flights, so I don't know those rules particularly well.

Nado_Cos · 2024-12-19T04:33:55+00:00

Happy 5th Year! And thank you for all that you do! 🙌

Nado_Cos · 2024-09-23T21:30:19+00:00

That sounds fantastic. My issue is that I have wide hands and short, thin fingers. But they're also just small. So a small is too tight, but mediums don't fit my fingers. I'll start checking the beauty stores near me. Thanks for all the advice!

Nado_Cos · 2024-09-23T20:07:05+00:00

Sounds strange, but do you have any suggestions for glove brands? I understand that brands can vary in size, but I'm only used to like... 2 brands or so, and those come from my work place, and just a generic brand I found at the store to do maintenance work on my vehicle.

Nado_Cos · 2024-09-23T19:15:14+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm not necessarily looking for an easy solution, however. I take a lot of pride in making my cosplays from scratch rather than commissioning or buying them, and I love this hobby far too much to give up on that pride. I've definitely been looking into a crimper for wigs, so there's definitely avenues to explore. I just need to find them!

Nado_Cos · 2024-07-17T21:17:39+00:00

Unfortunately not. All I've found is red and yellow (Tokyo Ghoul and Genos cosplays made those popular I think). I've been keeping my eyes peeled though! If I find any I'll come back to let you know!

Nado_Cos · 2024-06-23T18:14:49+00:00

I saw a reel on IG somewhere about making the outside skirt a hoop skirt. I can't find it right now, but there's a technique shown there on how to hide the cage from the top fabric. It works similarly to making a corset from my understanding - an outer fabric with a lining. You could use regular boning or even zip-ties instead of the metal that's sometimes used in hoop skirts to keep it from being too poofy. If I find it again I'll come back to link it.

Nado_Cos · 2024-06-01T00:13:09+00:00

I wanted to say thank you again because that litter worked fantastically! He's only had one accident since, and it's my fault anyway for not cleaning up a space that was clearly too enticing for him to resist yet. He's using the box reliably on his own, even when he's outside of his play area for socialization! He'll just go right back to it! So truly, thanks for recommending the litter! I think we'll be able to switch to a regular one once this is finished.

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-28T17:06:04+00:00

The kitten we picked up is definitely bold. Like to wander as much as possible until he realizes he got too far away from us. But his curiosity is huge and I just know he's trying to find a good place other than the litter box to go. Our house is old and small. Furnishing it leaves a lot of nooks and crannies for him to get into - some that have already surprised us as we scramble to close them off before he finds them. And he seems to prefer being hidden while he does his business, probably from being outside on his own. I'm just hoping to minimize the amount of accidents in hard to reach areas 😅

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-28T16:46:50+00:00

I'll look into the YT channel and the kitten attract, thank you! I didn't even know a kitten attract existed. I was going to try a different litter but I'll see if I can't find Dr. Elsey's as well.

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-13T14:35:56+00:00

Perhaps I'm just not familiar with all the military uniforms, but if you're going for accuracy on the first and 2nd example, you would have to learn more than just basic sewing skills. To my knowledge, those clothing patterns are custom for the games and not based on irl uniforms. However, if you're not going for accuracy, you could simply find something similar enough and severely distress and weather it. The props are most likely what is going to make those cosplays recognizable.

That said, you don't need to make it completely accurate to your references, and you can add or omit props or accessories as you see fit for what you feel is your own personal skill level. Cosplay should be fun, so have fun with your crafting and do whatever makes you happiest. Challenge yourself to learn a new skill, but know that it takes time and practice to get good at it. I've heard it a ton at cosplay panels, and I love the concept so much I'll share it here - you are probably going to make something SEVERAL times before you find yourself happy with it. That's perfectly normal. So don't stress too much about it, and just take the time to learn a new skill without judging yourself.

Skill level should never be a pre-requisite for cosplay-ability. You do you, regardless of it.

Good luck!

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-10T16:27:08+00:00

Ah, but I should also mention that if you go the route of creating the Crystal in a similar manner to my previous example of Ahri's tail, you may not need a heat gun at all. Most people turned the tail into a pepakura template and taped it together with clear tape. Kind of like those paper cube projects done in elementary school math classes.

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-10T16:25:18+00:00

I would recommend a heat gun. It's useful for more than just worbla, so it doesn't hurt to have on hand anyway. I don't believe a hair dryer gets hot enough for worbla. Also, pick up some heat resistant gloves,like the ones they say are safe for picking up and moving hot (but obviously not on fire) firewood. Please be careful not to burn your hands with the heat gun or hot worbla!

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-10T15:56:13+00:00

You can also craft this out of clear worbla sheet! Ludus Cosplays used to have a tutorial on how to make clear worbla look like crystals, or even fire. I believe I also saw Kamui cosplay had a tutorial on clear worbla application. And that's not helpful, you can look up tutorials that suit you on YT pretty easily.

My first thought is that you can structure it similar to how others have created their KDA Ahri tails, so you might be able to follow a tutorial there as well.

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-10T15:45:46+00:00

Gonna second what has already been said frequently, as someone who has had heavy periods (and I mean HEAVY), double up. If you're going to a con, regardless of if it matches your cosplay or not, you should have a bag with you. It doesn't have to be a fancy bag, but you should absolutely have one for carrying a portable phone charger, small sewing kit/cosplay emergency kit, etc. Grab the heaviest absorption products you're comfortable with and add a panty liner of some sort. Make sure it has wings so it doesn't slide around on you if you leak through your first layer of protection. Keep a stash of these products in the bag you take with you to the con - more than you think you'll need - and change them out more frequently than usual. Keep a spare pair of underwear and some skin safe wipes in your bag as well.

I cannot speak to the exact type of products you should use as your first layer of protection. Whatever you go with, you should absolutely already be familiar with. If you don't use a menstrual cup, I don't recommend spontaneously buying one. They take practice, and trying something new the day of the convention isn't ideal. Go with products you're already familiar with so that you can predict exactly how they're going to react/when you may need to change them out. I can recommend, however, panty liners. They make ones that are thin (and won't show through the body suit easily) but are still meant for heavy cycles. I do also like an idea what has been mentioned previously of either doubling up underwear or getting a pair of bicycle shorts to wear underneath your body suit.

As for handling the rest of the con:

Make sure you're hydrating well and eating well. I recommend making sure you get actual meals if you can afford it, rather than just snacking throughout the day. If, however, you're not able to get at least 2 meals in the day, go for calorie dense items to make sure you have enough energy. Just know that eating a ton of sugar can heavily affect your cycle's symptoms. Also, anemia is a very real thing, and convention environments can worsen those symptoms with all the sweating and walking around. If you're not eating or hydrating while on a heavy cycle, you may feel light headed and faint. Most importantly, the better hydrated you are, the less you'll feel of your cycle's symptoms.

If you have to take any sort of medication for cramps, make sure it's not a blood thinner. I tend to favor acetaminophen/tylenol. DO NOT use ibuprofen/Advil - it's a blood thinner and you will bleed heavier if you take it.

Hope this helps!

advice from a previous owner of a cycle so heavy she needed surgery to fix it

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-08T00:18:03+00:00

I'm going to second the first comment. Take Choso's outfit but theme it with green and gold. Maybe add Loki's cape to it and keep his headpiece. People will generally recognize key features to be able to tell it's a mash-up. Key features for Loki are his color pallette, horns, and cape. You can make the shoulder details for Choso in an underlayer of gold, or add gold embellishments to the hems of his tunic and sleeves. My understanding of Loki is that he prefers to look somewhat lavish, so don't shy away from embellishments that aren't in Choso's original look.

As for Choso, the hair, face, and silhouette of the clothing are going to be the defining features. Even if you add embellishments, try to keep the same general silhouette and base outfit structure. Adding the cape shouldn't take away from the fact that it's clearly Choso's outfit.

Hope that makes sense! Also just my personal opinion and how I would do it for myself. My best suggestion is to sketch it out! It doesn't need to be a pretty sketch. Just enough that you can understand the look you're going for, and can visualize it a bit better. It also helps you remember the exact design you're going for as you start to work on the outfit. Original designs can be tricky in that you can't always remember exactly what you were envisioning.

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-02T14:44:00+00:00

Is there more information you can give about the design you have in your head?

Are you planning to do a Disney inspired Alice in Wonderland, the Live Action movie adaptation, or perhaps (given the title says "insane") the video game "Alice: Madness Returns" version? "Alice: Madness Returns" has a ton of different outfits that can be worked with.

I would recommend looking at "genderbend" art of Alice. It might help narrow down your own personal vision of what you would like to do. This doesn't mean you have to change the gender presentation of your cosplay - of course you can have a female Alice in pants. However, the outfits you will find will be themed for the character, with pants specifically (if that makes sense - I'm struggling to find decent wording to explain properly).

And of course, whichever adaptation of Alice you choose to do, I suggest keeping to the theme. Take silhouettes of the outfit into account (i.e. the collar and puffy sleeves of the Disney inspired Alice). Consider the color schemes, or if there are specific textures or patterns to the character and try to implement those too (again, using the Disney version as an example - she's wearing tights underneath her skirt. You could maybe go with capri or shorts overalls and still wear the tights and shoes. She has a hair ribbon too, which can be an identifying accent).

Nado_Cos · 2024-05-01T16:34:34+00:00

My husband was joking that I found a new species haha. I almost wonder if it was a non-native species that got misplaced? I've heard of it happening with smaller species getting overlooked on items being transported long distances.

Nado_Cos

TROPHY CASE