Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Jurczak.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started as a cosplayer in the KC area as a high schooler who was new to that community and immediately felt seen and included in the space. I felt greatly encouraged to continue to go to local events and meet more people who also loved to create and make their own cosplays. I love to learn new skills and improve on existing ones. I’ve been sewing since I was 12 but cosplay reignited my passion to sew unique garments. Over time as I meet new people in the cosplay community, I became more involved in the space. I’m a member of the Just-Us League, a local cosplay charity organization. We go to various events and children’s hospitals dressed as superheroes to bring a smile and happy moments to everyone. It’s become one of the most fulling things I’ve done with cosplay. Cosplay has also given me the ability to grow the space in the KC community through participating in local events, whether through giving panels, doing cosplay demos, or guesting. Even in my day to day life, cosplay has brought me to my career working at a sewing center, teaching sewing and embroidery machine techniques.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have experienced some struggles with my cosplay creation. I’ve always been passionate about my cosplay but I have had periods of burnout, struggling with my work life balance. I had a period of time where I hadn’t made any new cosplays at all. As a creator, I felt very disappointed in myself that I hadn’t done more at the time. Continuing to remain involved in the cosplay community really helped to heal that burnout and it fueled my passion to create. I now feel much better cosplaying and want to work towards participating in cosplay contests.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love to make my own cosplays and fashion designs. I primarily specialize in sewing and foamwork but also work with resin casting, and 3D printing. I really enjoy incorporating multiple types of media into my work. Creating costumes that feature advanced sewing like corsetry with EVA foam armor. Those are the cosplays I love the most.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned it’s important to be kind to yourself with your art. Comparison really is the enemy of creation. And it’s also important to find the people that will support you and what you do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jessica.violet.cos
- Facebook: Jessica Violet
- Other: @jessica.violet.cos
