You A-kon dress is beautiful! The fit is spectacular; great work 
I love the second one as well (I have a serious soft spot for anything Egyptian) and was wondering if you used a pattern for the beaded collar. I have a costume design that calls for something very similar and am having problems figuring out how to go about making it, any suggestions?
Thank you, Captain!
For the collar, I created my own design based on my studies of ancient Egyptian relics and modern reproductions. I used eye pins, bitty bells, large rocaille beads, tiny pony beads, faceted beads and spaghetti beads.
WARNING! HUGE IMAGE!
This is a scan of the collar, one of the bracelets, an eye pin ready to be used, and a couple of eye pins to which I have added beads.
It took me some time playing with the beads before deciding on the pattern, then it went together very quickly. Once you decide on the sequence of beads:
1. Thread beads on eye pin in desired sequence. Leave about 3/4 inch of bare pin on the straight end.
2. Use needle nosed pliers to make a loop out of the straight end.
3. Repeat until your hand goes numb, or you have as many eye pins as you want.
4. Have a cup of tea, or something stronger, as needed.
5. Thread one end of each eye pin onto a cord, using extra beads as spacers between pins. Add an occasional bitty bell if desired. I try to make the pins go all the way around my neck so the weight is distributed evenly; otherwise, it will keep sliding forward and hang awkwardly.
6. Thread the free end of each eye pin onto another cord, using extra beads as spacers. Use one more bead between each pin than you used on the first row; this will give the collar the curve needed to go around the neck. Add bitty bells, if desired. Add another row of eye pins, if desired.
7. Use whatever closure you prefer at the back of the neck. You might want to make a tassel of beads to hang from the back as a counterweight, as the ancient Egyptians did, so the collar sits properly.
8. Thread more eye pins on elastic cord to make matching bracelets and anklets.
9. Soak up the adoration received when your friends see you in your gorgeous jewelry!
Hope this helps!
I finally found a few pictures that I don't mind other people seeing...
My steampunk/neoVictorian dress from Project A-Kon this year
My ball dress from Azkatraz last year
Showing off my cool boots
Generally I don't photograph well. 
--Leslie
Love the boots and with those photos no one would have guessed you don't photograph well.
Thank you Ms. Ringling!
I wear the boots with my steampunk outfits, though they don't show under all the skirts.
These are the only pictures of me from the past five years that don't look awkward. It takes several photo shoots for me to come up with something not cringeworthy.
By the way, I made the steampunk dress, waist cincher and hat decorations in the first picture and the Egyptian dress and jewelry in the second (except the earrings; I bought those.)
I got so many compliments on the steampunk dress at A-Kon that I'm going to make a second one. 
--Leslie
Wow, fantastic work on your outfits!
Thank you so much! I can't wait to get started on the next one...it will be much better!
--Leslie
