I have practiced the frivolous hobby of making and wearing costumes since 1975, initially as a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (where I was known as Genevra of Estolat), and Artistic Director of the Renaissance Dancers of Seattle, then at science fiction conventions and other historical diversions. Since my first convention masquerade (as Princess Leia at Norwescon I in 1978), I have appeared across North America as everything from Olive Oyl to Venus (the planet).

Costuming, for me, is supposed to be a relaxing avocation, so I will not create costumes for money. Nonetheless, costuming has given me many odd pleasures and occasional rewards, including winning major awards at CostumeCons and Worldcons. This has earned me the dubious distinction of having to compete in the Master Division at costume competitions, though I refuse to take the title "Master Costumer" seriously. I am perhaps best-known for my occasionally off-beat masquerade presentations, and have served as presentation advisor and coach for other costumers' award-winning entries.

Some of my work appears in the Hugo Award-nominated book, The Costume Maker's Art, published by Lark Books in 1992. I am a member of the International Costumers Guild, immediate past president of the Beyond Reality Costumers' Guild, and was co-chair, head of publications, and webmaster for CostumeCon 14 (a convention for costumers, which was held in the Emerald City of Seattle, May 23-27, 1996). I'm the creator of The Costume Page, the original index of costuming resources online. And I was thrilled to be Costuming Guest of Honor at Marcon 39, May 28-30, 2004, in Columbus, Ohio.

I was born in Seattle, Washington, graduated from B. Reed Henderson Senior High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and received a B.A. in History from the University of Washington. I live in the Seattle area with my husband, fellow costumer Greg Sardo.

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