Rising Stars: Meet Samantha Carroll

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Carroll.

Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved making things growing up whether that was a cardboard castle or custom outfits for my dolls. I’d always be up to something, so when my brother introduced me to my first convention and I saw all these people dressed up, especially not during Halloween, I was awestruck. Till this point, I always thought I’d have to wait for my favorite holiday, to dress up.

As the years went on I’d see more and more impressive cosplays and thought well if they can do that so can I! I First started off with foam and cardboard, then I jumped into metal and electronics, but most recently to steel and fur. I love challenging myself to see what I can create, but even more so I love being able to inspire others to believe in themselves. that they can surprise themselves with what they are able to create and inspire the next generation of creators.

I’m still always eager to keep learning new techniques and advancing my skill sets with every creation I make. I’m not perfect the first time I try something new and usually make mistakes but carry those with me into positive fixes going forward for the next creation. I created my brand Folxy Cosplay, LLC to build a platform for those who are inspired and want to learn how to bring their passions to life. So even though I’m not super well known, I hope to one day be able to grow and inspire the next makers to not put a cap on their limitations of crafting.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My road hasn’t always been smooth when it comes to my craft. Especially in my youth being able to afford materials, space, or time. As most people get out on their own for the first time there are always so many hiccups that can get in the way. I lacked a lot of self-confidence and Drive for a long time. The fear of whether my work is good enough or will people make fun of me was great, Especially when I had those neigh sayers who would say you can’t do this, or that’s impossible, or you shouldn’t be wasting your time with this hobby. Fortunately the more I delved into the cosplay community and found how welcoming and accepting everyone was, it was my safe place to be able to make those mistakes and reach out and learn from others!

I am thankful to have my loving husband by my side to help encourage me to keep creating when in those times that self doubt rears its ugly head. I always want to prove those neigh sayers wrong and my self doubt wrong with each and every creation I make by pushing myself to do something even crazier than the one before. So my creations would get bigger and more impressive each time and I was on a winning streak in competitions. I put a lot of pressure on myself with each win to not “fail”, so when I finally got my first loss it hit hard. The fear of failure was so great, after i lost for the first time it made me really depressed and lost my drive to want to create. Even if people were astounded at my work, imposter syndrome was there to back up my fears. It took me to fix a wig I had for a convention I was to be a cosplay judge at, to feel that excitement of crafting again, to be able to remind myself why I started creating in the first place. That even if your creation doesn’t win or isn’t liked by some, it is still amazing and you should be proud of it!

I think everyone still fights those fears constantly, no matter your skill level or how popular they are. but I’ve been working a lot on myself to believe and be proud of my work even if I see room for improvement. Just remind me “I did the best I could at this time” and going forward I know what to improve on!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a cosplayer who is kinda working to be a jack-of-all-trades in a way. I specialize in foam smithing, sewing, and metalwork. Currently expanding into electronics more like with servos, Arduino, LEDs, actuators, ect. I have dabbled a bit in all of those components but as technology grows so does the available knowledge in those fields! I’m probably most known for the two big cosplays I made.

One is Penta kill kayle from league of legends- with 4 wings that move in and out, have 13 ft wingspan open, weighs about 50 lbs, and a sword that has LEDs in it that’s about 5 ft tall. It’s hard to miss him when she walks into a room. The next big costume that I released in early 2022, I don’t have a lot of photos of him due to the heat that time of year. He is an 8ft tall werewolf named Warwick also from league of legends – custom-made digitigrade stilts with welded steel, each leg weighs about 30lbs. Hyper-realistic head with a snarling mouth, moving jaw, and giant fangs dripping with blood (fake of course lol). Tubes of green fluid coming out of his body going into two giant rotating tanks on his back. You definitely wouldn’t want to find him in a dark alley.

Those creations definitely are the two big costumes I’m most proud of as when I set out to make them it was also my first time working with metal and electronics. They both really pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways, but it was so exciting to be able to implement more advanced techniques. Every time I look at those I’m always just a little shocked and have to say ” wow I really made that.” and that awesome feeling I want for more people.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I was always kind of a germaphobe, so when the pandemic hit it wasn’t a huge deal to start needing to wear a mask and try to sanitize more than I normally would.

It has made going to cons a bit more of a challenge when it comes to cosplays at times especially if your character has a face that makes them more recognizable, a mask covering it can make that difficult. Also if you have to wear a mask inside of another mask and or if you’re carrying around something heavy most the day, it’s so easy to get winded.

Though at the end of the day my safety and the safety of others is what’s most important and I don’t mind doing what is needed to fall within those guidelines to help stop the spread. Plus sometimes you can make custom masks that can fit the character even more which is always fun! not to mention there are so many virtual conventions and cosplay competitions, so if you want to keep competing or cosplay but don’t feel safe in crowds they are great alternatives!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://folxycosplay.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTFJWidLZuM/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0W13gEtRsbw6uPXgJC3VisFti32ysvfoHe96nF861s2qdrREXY5SU5raD5vV28iBRl&id=100540398024057
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Folxy_Cosplay?t=wg87QP-xRVqAPv0fnzuvtg&s=07
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCZ03OUL22JumBcMv6RAH_hg
• Other: https://allmylinks.com/folxy-cosplay

Image Credits
Naka Con., Comic Con Kansas, 3dhq, Chuck Mason – KC Portrait Photography