We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Isabella Hendrixson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Isabella, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Most of what I’ve learned to do I’ve either taught myself how or asked for a friend’s help but that’s not very often might I add. I’m a very independent person and I love puzzles so I try and figure things out on my own whether that be through YouTube tutorials, WikiHow pages, or just looking at Facebook groups on the topic and trying to piece together the parts to make it look how I want it to. My dad was always doing the same, he would always get into a new hobby almost every month and need to learn every last thing there was to about that specific hobby, and for the most part, he taught himself how just like I do. Now if I were to go back in time and redo my learning process I definitely would have researched materials and processes a little bit more than just taking people’s words for what they say. I also would look for cheaper materials, especially wigs and such to start out with knowing that I was absolutely going to demolish and destroy these expensive materials and not be able to salvage or save any parts of them. However, these did help me gain my skills because I got to test out different methods and slowly learn what works and doesn’t work for me. For example, when I first started I hot-glued a wig for a Hunter from The Owl House cosplay, and looking back at that wig you can definitely tell that it was hot-glued together it does not look good. But, I now know how to style and crimp a wig to get the volume that I wanted for that wig and I could easily remake it to look so much better than it does. I also think it’s essential to have the patience to look at everything and debate before jumping in on something, really take your time to research and take inspiration from others who have done what you are wanting to do and see how they do it. Also never be afraid to ask for help, we’re always learning something and teaching others as well. I faced obstacles that stood in my way which were mainly my ego and pride restraining me from asking for help or advice and telling myself I can figure this out myself. Spoiler alert, some things I just couldn’t figure out myself and did have to either ask for help or completely redo it later while also still asking for help.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Well, my name is Hen’sCosplay or Hen and I chose that name essentially because it was close to my real name meaning it’s the first three letters of my last name and it just keeps me close to my dad who was always my biggest supporter in anything and everything that I did. Now he did pass before I got into cosplay but I feel personally he would still support me on this journey as well. However, I do also help all of my friends with their cosplay stuff and am always prepared for an emergency so I’ve evolved my name into leaning towards Mother Hen as well meaning I’m always there to protect and help others anywhere I go. Now, I’ve only been doing cosplay and creative endeavors like this for about a year now so I’m still always learning and new to all of this. I started out because an old friend of mine had been doing it for years and so she pushed me to go to a convention because a voice actor that I liked was going and so it really pushed me to get into it and after that it lit a fire in me and now it’s one of my favorite ways of expressing myself. That’s kind of how I still am, I’m not afraid to be myself and I’m not perfect and I’ve definitely made so many mistakes but I’m learning and growing and will continue to grow that’s just who I am. Also, I’m not afraid to talk to people, I love making new friends so don’t be afraid to reach out as well I love talking shop and geeking out about similar fandoms we are in.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or a creative is the fact that I get to create something with my own hands and then when I go to a convention I get to dress up and be the character that I’m dressed as. Now this is important to me because I usually only do characters that I’m either obsessed with or have had such an infatuation with them for so long that once I get to dress up as them it’s like a dream come true or fulfilling my inner child’s happiness.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I don’t have a goal or a mission driving my creative journey not specifically at least. I think the main thing that drives me is wanting to get to the point where I feel I’ve made my dad proud. I also want to pull people together and make a community to where everyone from everywhere can talk and bounce ideas and tips off of each other to help others out. But a big part of what’s driving me is again to make my dad proud even though he’s not with us anymore.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henscosplay/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565555776290
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@henscosplay
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@henscosplay?_t=8pmD1rqV6ND&_r=1

  Discord Server: https://discord.gg/kz4PTzSHb7

  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tornadoalleycosplayers