Review: Worbla Workshop

I posted recently about a workshop taking place in Dublin last weekend. It was presented by cosplayer and entrepeneur Anathiel and took place in the comfort of her own home – now what I neglected to mention in my event posting was that I would be attending and secondly…
I am a walking ‘arts-n-craftstrophe, meaning anything even remotely like constructing, building or even gluing is going to end in disaster.
The other thing I should probably mention is that I’m very much a noob when it comes to ‘worbla’, I’ve hosted workshops and panels about it at ArcadeCon, I’ve seen other conventions afford time to cosplay creation and planning but I’ve never actually attended one – when it comes to putting a cosplay or prop together I’d much rather pay the professionals aka the people who are so much better at this than me.
I did confess my anxiety and apprehension about attending the workshop to Anathiel but she convinced me to keep my reservation and so my trek up to Dublin and my own first ever real attempt at making something for a cosplay would begin on a very overcast and early Saturday morning.
My trip up to Dublin was nothing special (I slept for most of it, the journey is second nature for me at this stage) but even in my semi-comatose drool soaked state of being I had butterflies in my stomach, tiny perfectly sculpted paper-mache butterflies beating their delicately painted wings in my guts – I was going to someone’s house, to sit down for an extended duration of time and I was going to make a complete mess of my planned project.
The planned project was probably the simplest thing I could have picked – some time in the future I plan on cosplaying Betty from Rat Queens (Missing Out! review on that coming soon!) so I wanted to make some of her jewellery pieces, cloak clasp and maybe if I hadn’t glued my fingers to Ana’s table then her twin short blades.
This wasn’t my first workshop I’ve attended everything from creative writing to poetry, self-improvement to pottery but they’ve all been within the walls of a classroom or studio, I had nerves about going to someone’s house for the first time, anyone would. Before I even rang the doorbell Ana swung the door of her home wide open to me and I was bustled in with my nerves and anxiety told to wait by the door. The workshop was situated in a small well lit room/armoury, my eyes were instantly drawn to the numerous prop pieces and costumes laid out with care around the room – I could hear my nervousness scratching at the door outside to get in. I took my seat, across from the first participant who’d arrived shortly before I had – there were drinks and snacks laid out behind me, alongside a small mountain of worbla sheets and equipment.
Our work stations had been expertly and carefully placed out for us, a sheet of worbla, craft foam, a heat gun, paper, pencils, scissors and craft knives, all of which I suddenly felt entirely incapable of using. Ana was mid story when I’d arrived and quickly wrapped it up careful to ensure I’d be included in everything else going forward, the other participants were a little behind schedule but assured they’d be arriving shortly. The workshop kicked off with a formal introduction into the materials we’d be using, the pros and (very limited) cons to using worbla as a tool for cosplay. It was all so very efficient and professional, we had hand outs to follow Ana’s presentation and with a plethora of weapons and costume pieces to act as references Ana was in her element.
At this point I’d noticed there was a shift in the atmosphere at the workshop, Ana’s welcoming demeanour had by no means dissipated but she bore a real sense of professionalism, she was serious about this, the room should be serious about this and so we were, all of us hooked on every word.
At the end of talk, we were each asked about our projecsts, big or small, weapon or accessory, Ana oogled our proposed ideas with a real since of eagerness, her eyes carefully taking in the details, it’s scale, it’s functionality and it’s difficulty. Nothing seemed to phase or bore her, sailor scout tiaras, cyberman helms, butcher’s cleaver or the simple clasp of a cloak – it was clear she was passionate about all of it. From the preliminary sketch to the ideal method for construction, the correct way to hold a heating gun and the very rare interruption to point out a simpler or better way to work with the plastic, she was on hand to guide every single step of the way.
The encouragement and praise from other participants for everyone else taking part was just the right boost to spur ourselves on and while I wasn’t the only novice I was sitting in a room with some pretty talented and creative people, that’s always daunting and always humbling.

I had wondered where exactly five hours would go for a workshop, arriving at 11am, I had to double take  the clock as we were informed it was a few minutes after four. I’d barely crammed my third jaffa cake into my face, my blade had taken shape and I had passed Ana’s inspection of my very first worbla piece.
While she wrapped things up, our host was quick to point out that though we should be proud of our work, she could see little things in them that could be improved? Was it a ploy to sell us more workshops? The master putting the pupil down? No it wasn’t Ana knew exactly why she said, we could see all of these things too and she knew that we’d caught the bug. Her encouragement and guidance, passion and enthusiasm had all rubbed off on us and as we shuffled out the door, each of us with our projects, plans and bags of supplies in tow, I couldn’t wait to get home because I just wanted to start work straight away.
My fears of arts and crafts have been abandoned and while I wouldn’t say they are gone entirely, I feel more confident in my ability to turn my hand to them now. I’d learned a lot but more importantly I’d gained confidence that with time and effort I’d have a worbla armoury of my own, one that Ana might be proud of!
For more information on upcoming workshops by Ana check out her official page here! You can also purchase worbla and other products from her online store here!