Hi everyone! I’m finally making a post about this. Plus WHY ..

Hi everyone! I’m finally making a post about this. Plus WHY I had to make it, because it’s time to be transparent about my work, the industry, and how hard it is to survive in it. Some of you already know bc you’ve been following on IG, or we’ve been chatting online, or you’re personal friends who’ve been literally watching me go through this shit for the past few months, or we talked in person at LACC this past weekend. My little sweetheart kitten, Luca, was diagnosed with lymphoma of the small intestine last week after months of tests and procedures trying to figure out why he’s been so sick. He is the happiest, most loving, easygoing, gentle thing, who adores people, dogs, cats, rodents, lizards…everyone and everything. He has never bitten or scratched anyone, he happily performs tricks, he loves his belly rubbed, he loves giving and receiving kisses, and he is a social butterfly/Stage 5 Clinger. He’s gotten me through some of the most devastating events of my life, and is a huge part of helping me with my diagnosed PTSD, depression, and anxiety. He is *everything* to me. I’m devastated, but doing what it takes to keep him happy and strong for as long as possible. Please check out my GoFundMe for him in my Highlights or Stories on IG if you’d like to help or would like to know more. 💕 PS. i know you guys are generally wonderful, but just a gentle reminder that a vast majority of pro-cosplayers, ESPECIALLY cosplayers who are artists and make their stuff from scratch, do NOT make a good living; usually less than the average person in this country. If we’re posting things like GoFundMes, it’s because we actually could really use the help. Especially if we don’t do explicit content, because far less people want to support our work if they can’t see nudity. That’s ok; it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Art is a labor of love even when done professionally - artists don’t do well financially for many reasons. I will be *very* candid about this and admit without shaming myself anymore that I am one of these. I’ve tied my self-worth to my job for a long time and it’s been very embarrassing to have to explain the dirty details - most people I think don’t realize that raw materials alone can cost 1k and more, and many of these costumes take HUNDREDS of hours to make. Plus money going into paying for a photographer, money paying for set materials, gas and hours driving back and forth to get supplies, crazy shipping costs sometimes to order things in time, hours of shooting, full days or weeks of editing (I edit ALL my stuff bc I was a graphic designer professionally), plus advertising, paying to host sites and pay fees to sell, etc. You can imagine that the income made usually isn’t very good. 80+ hours a week with unstable and usually poor income really hurts, and it’s so stressful. My friends and family have watched me doing this, running myself ragged, for a few years and they’re at the point of suggesting it’s time to consider other means. And it’s why I may be quitting in the next year or so, because I can’t fulfill my dreams of ever being able to have more animals or eventually have my own house if I don’t go back to a full-time regular job. And I can’t work 40-80 hours a week doing costume design and cosplay if I have a normal job again. I’ve been working myself sick, I have diagnosed chronic insomnia caused by stress, my (also diagnosed) anxiety, depression, and ADHD is out of control because of this, and I’m not living life the way I ought to be. I’m also having to move out of a SUPER shitty house situation where my belongings aren’t respected, some of my costume work’s been damaged, the hygiene of the house is awful, so I am literally MOVING in the midst of all this. After moving in APRIL because I wasn’t able to find a roommate where I had been living, and I thought this would be better (which it’s not). I’m breaking my lease because it’s that bad. Yeah, I know. It’s a lot. At least I’m being proactive because nothing will change in my life unless I stand up and DO IT. So thanks for reading my little spiel, if you go through it. If you’d like to contribute, I’d super appreciate it, since it means some weight off my back. But please don’t feel obligated - this GoFundMe is really just for people who want to help AND have the means to. I know I’m not the only one being strapped financially, and last thing I want to do is greater anyone else’s burden.