In order to pull myself out of a 2.5 year long period of destitution and actually begin working in my new position at the dream job I just landed, I need to quickly raise the necessary funds to create one passably professional costume by the time I’m done with my training. Which is very, very soon…

Also: to promote the campaign, I’m organizing a large-scale Disney princess themed fanzine called Dream Dust: A Princess Fanzine with A TON of wonderful artist friends as a super fun backer reward!

My name is Amara, and I’m an enthusiastic and passionate costumer/seamstress originally from Seattle, WA, now living in the Bay Area. You may or may not also know me by my cosplay handle, AmaRobot, or (less likely) my visual artist handle, Bubble Bat. I moved to California a little over two years ago in order to be closer to extended family and friends, but sadly, my relocation has taken a big toll on me artistically. 

Not at all by choice, I have been on an extended artistic hiatus from my biggest passion(s) for about two and a half years; naturally, my forced hiatus’ timeline correlates exactly with my move to the state of California. The reason for my inability to engage in my favorite artistic pursuit? Financial instability like I’ve never experienced in Washington. I simply haven’t been able to financially sustain myself AND make costumes at the same time, the way I was able to up north. Call it bad luck, but I have had the most comically poor series of experiences with employers since moving here. My most recent tragedy: I had to resign from my job as an ice skating teacher’s aid, which I loved, in order to open my schedule to a closer job with more hours. 

Last month, I came into contact with a local character entertainment company at a catering event. I’ve “joked” for a long time about how one of my dream jobs is to be a birthday party princess, but I’ve never pursued it (largely due to lack of confidence). However, I’m WAY broke, so that night, I bit the bullet and emailed them a cover letter and a link to my website/costuming portfolio (www.amarobotics.com). About a week later, I had an audition. I spent the next 7 days panicking and preparing obsessively, and then I stood in font of two complete strangers, theatrically improvised as Elsa and performed Part of Your World completely acapella.

And they asked asked me to work with them!! My interviewers actually hugged me — twice — because I immediately teared up and was vocally incapable of containing my happiness. This is huge for me. I’ve been having one of the roughest years of my life, but I managed to pull off something I never thought I could and gain access to an opportunity that felt completely out of my reach. I really, really needed this, both emotionally and financially. The next day, I job shadowed (with Rapunzel), which really solidified how much I want to do this, and how confident I feel in my ability to excel at it. This might be the best thing that has ever happened to me.

On practical terms, though: this is a WELL-PAYING AND RELIABLE JOB. I did a lot of research into the industry for character entertainers, and it’s fantastic. There always seems to be a very steady, sometimes even overwhelming, flow of work available. In general, most “princess companies” pay around $50/hr plus tips (usually $20 - $40, but tips can go up to $300). The company I’ve signed with starts at significantly higher pay straight off the bat, plus the opportunity to increase up to $100/hr with sustained employment. And tips. They’re established, with offices operating for 15+ years in SoCal and NorCal. Also, the staff consists of kind and inspiring costumers, and there's a deeply supportive sense of community amongst the entertainers. I really like this company, and I want more than anything to build a legitimate career through them.

But there is a catch, sort of. I actually don’t consider it a catch at all in the long run, but it’s something that IS actually an obstacle for me given my current situation, and I have no choice but to ask for help. This company operates as a private contracting company, so I’m responsible for my own costumes and transportation. I’m listed in the database for bookings based on what costumes I personally have available to me. So: the more costumes I have, the more gigs I can accept.

I have NONE.

I explained this to them during my interview, and they suggested that I would be in training for a couple of weeks, so I certainly have time to make one costume to start with (consider that they’re hiring me based partly off of my personal costuming abilities). This means I absolutely have to make even just ONE costume, like, NOW. One of relatively professional quality, which can withstand a considerable amount of activity and being tugged on by children. So sadly, I can’t show up in a $30 taobao stand-in.

The problem is, I have absolutely no money at all right now to even begin to make anything. Like, literally nothing.

Without getting into detail, the last two months were draining — unanticipated and critical medical issues and a fair amount of time in the hospital. I’m doing much better now, but by consequence I’m struggling to make rent and feed myself. Although I have a solid part-time retail position close by and this incredible gig lined up, I haven’t even started yet.

Good things are around the corner, but I have this one last hurtle to jump. Making my own costumes for work is FAR from a problem; this is the welcome shove back into professional costuming that I've dreamed about. But I really need your help taking off so that I can take this unbelievable opportunity to FINALLY balance my life out financially, while FINALLY getting the chance to dive back into my passions as an artist. I wouldn't crowd-fund a cosplay unless it was a weird circumstantial personal emergency.

Even the smallest donation means the world to me as an artist and as an individual trying to survive. If you can’t donate, please share my campaign wherever you can. I am going to do everything in my ability to show every single person who helps me how much I appreciate it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

I was told by my higher-ups that the most important costumes for me to make ASAP are Elsa and Anna (surprising no one). Elsa is obviously the most requested, but Anna is a close second on the list and much more likely to be booked for “duet shows”, so I’m less likely to be thrown into events by myself right away. I plan to make Elsa later using my own funding, like a grown up, after my income has stabilized.

I’ve calculated the costs of Anna’s fjord-climbin’ getup from the ground up; further down, you can find a full cost breakdown of each and every tiny detail that is needed for me to craft this costume piece-by-piece, including exactly which websites each item would be coming from, and the things that I already have in my own dusty crafting inventory. I really want to be up-front about this, because I know a lot of people aren’t familiar with the cost of creating a full costume from scratch. I added a small cushion for miscalculations and any website fees (although I chose generosity because it supposedly has the lowest fees?).

As a backer reward and better incentive for donators, I’m collaborating with a massive number of my close artist friends to organize a large-scale Disney princess themed fanzine called Dream Dust (working title). The goal is to release it as a digital download in late September, and the zine will feature original depictions of as many as 18 princesses by Lorraine Grate, ashwara, Zambicandy, Elia Cat, Cute Hospital, Nike Ozaki, Ivy Hollivana, punimelt, laeluu, QQkaeru, cap_colors, Connie Sims, Sigil☆Eyed, Thisishannako, and Bubble Bat (heh). There will likely be more added to the roster as time progresses, so please look forward to this huge collaborative project!

A digital copy of Dream Dust will be released to all backers of $10 or more.

If the campaign exceeds $600, backers donating $20+ will receive a physical, full color copy of Dream Dust, dimensions to be determined very shortly. Any additional funding remaining past the cost of printing and shipping will be dispersed amongst the artists as thanks for their support.

CAPE ($73.42)

•  Alive Suede Cloth (SyFabric), 4 yd. - $4.99/yd ($19.96)
•  Taffeta for lining (SyFabric), 4 yd. - $3.99/yd ($15.96)
•  Pom-pom Trim (eBay), 2 yd. - $1.99/yd ($3.98)
•  Frog Clasp (JoAnn’s) - $15.00
•  Jacquard Textile Paint (Blick), 2 8oz containers - $9.26/jar ($18.52)
•  Fur Trim, 12 in. - Obtained!
•  Maroon Thread, 1 spool - Obtained!

BODICE ($34.33)

•  Black Plush Triple Velvet (SyFabric), 2 yd. - $7.99/yd ($15.98)
•  Fusible Mid-Weight Interfacing (JoAnn’s), 2yd. - $2.44/yd ($4.88)
•  Invisible Black 22” Zipper (JoAnn’s) - $3.99
•  Madeira Black Embroidery Bobbin Thread (Nancy’s Notions), 1 spool - $5.49
•  Madeira Rayon Purple Embroidery Thread (Nancy’s Notions), 1 spool - $3.99
•  Madeira Rayon Pink, Gold, and Green Embroidery Thread, 1 spool - Obtained!
•  Corset Boning, 1.5 yd - Obtained!
•  Gold trim, 1.5 feet - Obtained!
•  Black Polyester, 2yd. - Obtained!

BLOUSE ($12.44)

•  Men’s Light Blue Work Shirt (Goodwill), XL - $7.00 (apprx.)
•  Small Button Snaps (Nancy’s Notions) - $1.95
•  Light Blue Coats & Clark Dual Duty Sewing Thread (JoAnn’s), 1 spool - $3.49
•  Madeira Light Cyan Embroidery Thread, 1 spool - Obtained!

SKIRT ($57.84)

•  Polyester Suiting, Blue (Fabrics R Us), 6 yd. - $4.00/yd ($24.00)
•  Polyester Suiting, Cornflower (Fabrics R Us), 3 yd. - $4.00/yd ($24.00)
•  Invisible Blue 9” Zipper (JoAnn’s) - $2.99
•  Gutterman Thread, Blue, 500yd (JoAnn’s), 1 spool - $5.99
•  Madeira Rayon 220yd Embroidery Thread, Teal (Nancy’s Notions), 3 spools - $2.79/spool ($8.37)
•  Madeira Rayon 1100yd Embroidery Thread, Bright Peacock (Nancy’s Notions), 1 spool - $4.49/spool
•  Madeira Rayon 220yd Pink Embroidery Thread - Obtained!

BOOTS ($43.90)

•  Base Black Heeled Knee Boots w/ Inside Zipper, size 7 (eBay/Goodwill) - $20 (apprx.)
•  Angelus Gold Leather Paint, 4oz. (Angelus Direct) - $5.95
•  Angelus Magenta Leather Paint, 4oz. (Angelus Direct) - $5.95
•  Estimated Shipping/Tax for Angelus Direct - $12.00

WIG ($70.00)

•  Arda Leia Classic, Light Copper Red (Arda Wigs) - $45.00
•  Area Long Classic Weft, Pure White (Arda Wigs) - $15.00
•  Estimated Shipping/Tax for Arda Wigs - $10.00

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED MATERIALS ($30.96)

•  Digitized Embroidery Designs for Bodice + Skirt (etsy.com) - $16.99
•  Additional Embroidery Designs for Skirt (etsy.com) - $2.99
•  Madeira White Embroidery Bobbin Thread (Nancy’s Notions), 2 spools - $5.49/spool ($10.98)

OTHER ESTIMATED SHIPPING/TAX COSTS ($50.00)

•  SyFabrics Shipping - $15.00
•  Nancy’s Notions Shipping - $10.00
•  Ebay Shipping - $15.00
•  Estimated Cushion for Tax - $10.00

TOTAL ESTIMATED MINIMUM COST: $372.89

A cushion of $27.11 has been added to account for errors in my calculations and transportation costs (although most materials will be ordered online).

Thank you thank you thank you to everyone for your donations, RTs, shared links, and support! You’re all real-life fairy godparents and I promise that I won’t let you down!!

Special thank you to leedalangin (@leedalangin on Twitter) for creating the adorable header image for my campaign!!

As well as to all of the artist friends who agreed to participate in Dream Dust!