About Me
The person behind the panda mask
Hey, I’m Jason
Before I ever walked a convention floor, I was a U.S. Marine Corps Computer System Specialist. After that, I spent more than 20 years working in IT. I’ve always been the kind of person who digs into how things work — whether that’s a network stack, a vintage NES cartridge, or a foam armor build I spotted across a crowded convention hall.
These days I live in Idaho, and my off-hours look something like this: a glass of good whiskey, a retro game running on original hardware, maybe a hike or a soak at a hot spring on the weekend, and definitely too many hours reading cosplay tutorials on the internet. Oh, and I’ve been known to sweep a field with a metal detector for reasons that are hard to fully explain but feel completely justified in the moment.
How I Got Here
I’ve been attending fan conventions for years. Comic cons, gaming expos, anime events — the whole circuit. And somewhere along the way, I stopped just walking past the cosplayers and started genuinely paying attention to what they were doing.
The level of craft I was seeing stopped me in my tracks. People building articulated armor from foam and heat guns. Hand-stitching game-accurate fabric patterns. Constructing props that looked like they were pulled directly from a movie set. I grew up playing games on the NES and SNES, reading comics, watching anime — and here were people bringing those characters to life in ways that were frankly astonishing.
I wanted to understand how all of it worked. So I did what I always do when something catches my interest: I started researching. I read every guide I could find, watched hundreds of tutorials, followed the community, and absorbed as much as I could about the craft. And eventually, I realized there was a real gap — a lot of great cosplay knowledge was scattered across YouTube channels, Discord servers, forum posts, and personal blogs, without one clear, organized hub that pulled it all together.
That’s why I built Star Struck Panda.
What I Do Here
I want to be upfront with you: I’m not a professional seamstress. I don’t have a workshop full of Worbla and 3D printers in my basement (though I won’t pretend the idea hasn’t crossed my mind). What I am is a deeply curious researcher with a genuine love for this hobby and the community around it.
My job on this site is to read everything, test the advice, synthesize what actually works, and present it in a way that’s clear and useful — whether you’re someone who has never touched a sewing machine or someone who is already building competition-level armor and wants to level up.
I approach this the same way I approached IT: systematically, with an eye for what’s reliable, and always with the goal of making something genuinely useful for the person on the other end.
Why Cosplay, Specifically?
Because it sits at the intersection of everything I’ve ever loved. Gaming. Anime. Comics. Craftsmanship. Community. You can spend an afternoon building a foam sword or a month sewing a historically-inspired fantasy gown — and at the end of it, you have something you made with your hands that represents a character who meant something to you. I find that genuinely compelling.
I also love the community. Cosplayers are some of the most welcoming, generous, and creative people I’ve encountered anywhere. Conventions are better because of them. The internet is better because of them. And I’m happy to be one small part of helping new people find their way into this world.
Outside the Cosplay Rabbit Hole
When I’m not digging into costume build tutorials, you’ll find me somewhere in Idaho — probably hiking a trail, sitting by a hot spring with a thermos of good coffee, or trying to beat a game I first played in 1991. I take whiskey seriously, I take retro gaming seriously, and I take a well-organized packing list for a convention very seriously.
I also maintain a page of things I personally use and recommend — not cosplay supplies specifically, but apps, tools, and services I’ve found genuinely useful in everyday life. If you’re curious what makes the cut, check it out below.
Disclaimer: Star Struck Panda is a research and resource site. I synthesize information from the cosplay community to help you find what works. I am not a professional costume designer, seamstress, prop maker, or safety expert. Always follow proper safety precautions when working with tools, materials, heat guns, adhesives, and specialty products — and consult professional guidance when needed.
A Note on My Other Work
Outside of the cosplay rabbit hole, I write in a couple of completely different worlds. I’ve authored 33 metal detecting books and 51 ghost town books — research-heavy guides covering exploration, history, laws, and locations across the United States. Same systematic approach I bring to everything, just with more dirt involved.
If you’re curious: My Metal Detecting Books → | My Ghost Town Books →
Full author profile: amazon.com/author/smittysahn
Affiliate Disclosure
Star Struck Panda participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Associates. This means that some links on this site may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running and the guides free. I only recommend products I’ve researched thoroughly and believe are worth your attention — my goal is to earn your trust, not a quick click.