This was made on a whim, after I heard the theme from the event coordinator. I started with sheer chiffon and took liberties with a Butterick Pattern. I often just cut things out on Butcher paper and alter as I go. I wanted it to look as though I was walking through water, so I extended the length of the pattern. I found that having a rise and fall haphazard ruffle gave me the look I wanted. This is the dress pre-embellishment. The ruffle starts at mid calf, then extends with a 4 foot train in various lengths that followed me like the Tide as I walked.
Next I found two sets of assorted Seashells, as well as a few assorted larger Starfish at a craft store. I used different spray paints and glitters, as well as ombre-airbrushed specific shells according to where they would catch the most light.
I used FlexFoam to carve Hooves from a pattern of a pair I had from previous costumes (please comment if you want a step-by-step how to, as it is extensive and particular) then painted them with light blue and teal spray paint. I used Epoxy to glue them to transparent 8 inch Pleaser heels. (*practice walking around the house in these!!!) 
I then began placing my shells where they would work best. Once I had a basic design, I used High Temp Industrial hot glue/gun to set the foundation. From there I filled in with a combination of half-pearls in assorted sizes and many shades of crystals in various sizes. I scattered them all together as I worked to keep a random 'sand-like' quality. Depending on the weight of the item, and the position (i.e. how much flexibility I needed in that area), I altered between E6000 flexible clear glue and drilling fine holes to hand sew with fishing line. Clear straps were added in a halter style to offset the weight of the costume.
Here you see where I just began pinning how I wanted the hem of the dress to go. I wanted to create the illusion that I was walking in a pool of water, with a floating net of shells. I began with greenage found at the craft store, then painted it a deeper green sprinkled with a blend of green micro-fine glitters, then re-applied in shades for highlighting.
The Headdress Base was made for me from a specialty Foam. I added a foundation that allowed me to alter whether I wore it above my head (like a crown) or over my head. I used several colors/shades of paint and shimmer to airbrush key features. I then used hot glue to adhere beautiful metallic purple and blue glass beading to the base of the cheeks and tail, as well as huge Swarovski nose markers.
Below are pics I took from my workshop in the garage. This is something I always do as a test run in case I need to fix or revise anything I don't find either comfortable or aesthetically pleasing.
