Hi!
I guess if you’re here I need to write some kind of biography.
I’m Kell. Back at Dragon Con 2003 my friends nicknamed me “Kelldar” which I liked well enough to start using as my online name, so that’s where that came from. I have been making costumes since 1998. I’ve gone through a lot of phases over the years, starting out in anime and video game costuming, then into Star Wars, superheroes, Disney, Doctor Who,and now I”m back around to Star Wars again! I am a long time Rebel Legion (Corellian Base) and 501st (MidSouth Garrison) member, and I met my husband through the 501st/at Dragoncon back in 2005!
(that’s me)Growing up I was the weird kid who loved ponies, the Beatles, Star Wars, drawing, the Little Mermaid, She-Ra, and playing dress up. In my teen years, I became the weird nerd who buried herself in art class, comic books, video games, and sci-fi novels. I also spent a few years haunting record shows to add to my (pretty impressive for the pre-internet) Beatles collection. My parents are also nerds who made their own Halloween costumes, played Dungeons and Dragons, and took me to the local sci-fi convention as a kid in the 80s/early 90s.
(that’s me too)I went to college to learn how to draw but it didn’t do much good. Then one year in college, I decided I wanted to make my own Halloween costume and then I decided to go to a convention and I’d make one or two costumes and that would be the end of it. That was not the end of it.
(this is fine)Now I live in Memphis, TN with my crazy cat named Luna, my crazy husband named Chase, and way too many damn costumes. I’m a huge Disney nerd (Disney adult if you must), And I still love Star Wars, and also Tolkien, Doctor Who, Monty Python, Twin Peaks, MST3K, history, architecture, Coca-Cola, reading, car trips, ghost stories, organizing things, true crime podcasts, cheese and naps. I am a Virgo sun, Virgo moon and a Leo rising, if you even care.
(geeking out over the Roy O.)I’ve had this site/blog in one form or another since 1998 so there’s a lot of posts here. I’ve got a ton of art from eons ago (or at least, all I could scrape up), my self-published comics (SunDowner), and all my costumes, of course. Here’s a brief synopsis of my site’s history! (If you’re into that kind of thing.)
(some art stuff that’s not 15 years old)Indy was my dog through most of my years I’ve had this site, and she passed away December 29, 2014. I don’t feel like it’s right to post a bio without saying something about her. She lived to be nearly 20 years old and was was the best dog ever.
“Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong.” – W.R. Purche
(me and indy)Anyway, that’s the long and short of it. If you’ve got any questions I’ve tried to answer some common questions over here at my FAQ, so check it out. Otherwise you can ping me at one of the various social media accounts below.
Other Places you can find me online:
Instagram
Tiktok
Bluesky
ACParadise profile
I do still have a facebook page, but I am not active on that platform. Please do not message me there, I won’t see it for several days if not weeks. Please DM me on instagram for quickest response!
I’m not big on costume contests anymore, but folks always ask, so here are the awards I’ve been given over the years.
Best Crafsmenship, MTAC 2001 – Ruby Moon
2nd Place Intermediate, Animazement 2002 – Lulu
Most Beautiful and Best Episode II Female Costume, Dragoncon 2002 – Padme’s Lake Dress
1st Place Elves Division, Dragoncon 2003 – Arwen’s Chase Dress
2nd Place Overall, A-Kon 2003 – Belldandy
Best Master Craftsmenship, MTAC 2004 – Belldandy’s Manga Dress
1st Place Pern Costume Contest, Dragoncon 2004 – Lessa
Best Sci-Fi Recreation, MidSouthCon 2005 – Amidala Parade Dress
1st Place Padme Look-a-Like Contest, CosplayLab.com – Amidala Parade Dress
Wizard Magazine Halloween Contest 2007 – Kingdom Come Wonder Woman
Judge’s Award, Adventurecon 2008 – Kingdom Come Wonder Woman
Wizard Magazine Halloween Contest 2009 – Black Canary
Most Creative, BBC America Costume Contest 2011 – Marie Antoinette Tardis Dress
Best Professional, Memphis Comic and Fantasy Con 2016 – Donna Noble, Unicorn & the Wasp
Advanced Category, 1st Place, Huntsville Comic Expo 2020 (Virtual) – Padme Lake Gown mark 5
Best in Show, Huntsville Comic Expo 2023 –Padme Liberty Dies and Bail Organa
