I mad this costume back in 2008. It took me about a year to complete it, mostly because of the staff! It was my first prop...ever, so I had a LOT to learn!

This costume was hotter than the sun. The base layer (the white jacket-thing with blue piping) was made with flannel. (...I was cheap, don't judge me!) The blue coat was made with fleece and short pile fur, and the big white outer coat was made with the same white flannel, lined with the same blue fleece, with some white muslin "interfacing" between the layers to prevent the blue lining from showing through on the outside. And then, of course, there's the long white fur trim. Amazingly enough, no, I did NOT pass out from overheating! ;)

The staff, as I mentioned, was the first prop I ever made. I am so proud of it, even today. The head is made up of 5 layers of foamboard - 3 layers glued together made up the main body, and then one layer on each side of the body for the carved details. I carved everything by hand and it took a very long time. I went through so many blades, but it was worth it! After gluing all the layers together, I paperclay'd the edges and sanded them to make them even. The head piece was also reinforced with some sheet metal, as the weight of the piece could have caused it to snap off from the PVC pipe. The gems were clear resin floral gems that I painted the backs of with glass paint. The large crystal is made up of cuttable plastic sheets. I made two halves that I glued together over clear fishing line that I had strung into the head piece.

This staff became my baby, and I'm so sad that I had to sell it off (I didn't think it would survive a cross-country move). I am happy though, that it has a new home, and is hopefully getting more good use. :) And with that, I had to officially retire this costume. Big thanks to Utai Mitsumo, who explained to me how she went about making her own gorgeous staff using this method!