The Beginning
This is my first blog ever, so bare with me. I’ll start us off by giving you a peek into my back ground; who I and am, when, and why, I started this crazy journey and what keeps me motivated to continue.
Let's turn the clocks back - way back - to the first time I saw Star Wars IV. Remember that scene where you see the Stormtroopers for the first time storming the blockade runner? Like many others, I’m sure, that was the first time I decided "one day I will be a Stormtrooper". Fast forward a good number of years and now I am an adult, with all the fun responsibilities that come with it.
One day I heard about this group called The 501st Legion and what they do for charity. I found myself extensively researching the organization and came to the decision I wanted to be a Stormtrooper and participate in the charity functions they are so well known for. I wanted to visit the many sick kids that are stuck in hospitals and try to bring a little joy and happiness to them while they are there. I started my journey in 2010 when I found someone selling a used set of Stormtrooper armor and I decided to jump in with both feet.
Here is a picture of the armor the first day I took it out of the big brown box..
I was so excited to get this kit and start making smiles, but.... One thing you may not understand is when you buy a used anything in costuming, when originally built it wasn't built to fit you. I had a lot of work ahead of me and I had never done anything remotely like this before. To be honest I was a little worried I was in trouble and way over my head.
The Stormtrooper armor stayed in the box it arrived at my doorstep in for some time, and I decided maybe it would be easier to do a different costume that would quickly get me to my goal of helping charities and visiting sick kids. I found The Rebel Legion and decided a Jedi would be the way to go. I found a company that you could buy everything from the boots and robes right up to the lightsaber hilt. The total was a little pricey, but I was sold on the idea of one stop shopping.... ohhh the lesson learned here :(
After ordering the costume, the farce began. I was told that certain pieces of the ensemble were on backorder and they will send the pieces as they became available. There were no dates provided as to when this would happen. Of course they had my money at this point, so there was not much I could do.
At this point I am invested financially in two unfinished costumes and I am still not able to do what I set out to do - making kids smile.
I decided third time's a charm, but this time I am doing it my way. I did a lot more reading and research on the Rebel Legion forums and decided the X-wing pilot would make a very cool costume. I found a lot of the parts needed right on the forums to put this costume together. I have to say this is the way to go. The people on the forums are very helpful and will point you in the right direction to find what you need at the right prices. My X-wing pilot was the first fully finished costume I owned and I was approved as a member of the Rebel Legion. The charity appearances can now begin. My first appearance was for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Christmas party at the Metrodome.
It goes without saying that I had a great time with my first troop and it was amazing seeing all the kids smile. However, I still wanted to be a Stormtrooper. I will save that build for another blog. It took almost a year for all of my Jedi pieces to show up, but it did look incredible when it was all together and became my second approved costume for The Rebel Legion.
As you can imagine I was hooked on costuming and appearing at troops. This is where things began to get carried away with all of the costumes I would be putting together in the future.
I am looking forward to blogging more and giving you all an insight into some of my costumes and the props I have made over the years, as well as current and future projects. Stay tuned for more fun!.
