The Tale of the Skydiving Beaver Costume

When the current Miss Idaho for America Strong reached out to me with a wild idea for her national-level costume, I knew we were about to create something unforgettable. The challenge? Design a look that was as glamorous as it was goofy—something that would sparkle on stage and make the judges smile. After tossing around a few options (and a lot of giggles), we landed on the perfect blend of Idaho history and pageant pizzazz: a parachuting beaver.

Yes, you read that right! If you haven’t heard the legendary story of Idaho’s skydiving beavers, pause here and check out this link—trust me, you’ll want the backstory.

Glam Meets Goofy: The Costume Design Process

Once we settled on the skydiving beaver concept, it was time to get to work. My mission: make a beaver glamorous. Challenge accepted.

The heart of the costume was the tail—a showstopper in itself. I crafted it from faux leather, quilt-stitched for texture, and then spent a marathon 11 hours bedazzling it alongside my daughters (pro tip: long movies make the rhinestoning marathon a little more fun). Every gem was a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable moments are made with family and a little bit of sparkle.

But the details didn’t stop there. Beaver teeth are famously yellow, but let’s be real—no pageant girl wants that in her smile! So I painted and sealed the teeth to keep them bright, white, and stage-ready for Nara.

Engineering the Parachute: Trials, Errors, and a Little Idaho Magic

The next challenge was the parachute. I wanted to create something light, eye-catching, and true to Idaho. My first vision was to use the Idaho flag, floating it above Nara’s head with a battery-powered fan hidden in the backpack. After testing multiple fans (and more than a few laughs), I realized the fans just weren’t strong enough to do the job.

Plan B? A wire rack to hold up the flag. My husband took one look and said it looked more like a palanquin than a parachute. Not quite the vibe!

Plan C was to make a parachute Nara could drape over her arm, but I quickly learned that unless it’s made of real parachute material, it just doesn’t have that iconic look.

Finally—maybe Plan D, maybe Plan Rockstar—I ordered a real parachute from Amazon. A few stitches, some creative engineering, and a lot of excitement later, the costume was ready for the stage.

Showtime and Sweet Success

The hours (and hours) of work paid off the moment Nara stepped onto the national stage, beaver tail sparkling, parachute billowing, and a grin on her face. The judges loved it—so much that she won “Most Original Costume” in the Miss division! That moment was pure joy for both of us. It was a reminder that creativity, teamwork, and a willingness to laugh at yourself can take you further than you ever imagined.

Now, with a national award under my belt, I feel more confident than ever that my passion for costuming is more than just a hobby—it’s a calling. And who knows? Maybe the next wild idea is just a rhinestone away.

Want to bring your own creative vision to life? Let’s connect! I love helping others step into their most authentic, joy-filled selves—costume, glitter, and all.