Keyword being "Over"

I started clocking my progress after finishing the paper draft. So far I'm 18 hours in (spread over a week) but not much to show for it! Some "simple" revisions to the paper model ended up costing me hours and hours, and I think I've over-designing the piece, making it too complicated. Trying to hide the rivets (as many as possible) is a big design challenge. Not to mention I'm overly-ambitious with this project given the limited amount of experience I have in working with this material. I'm hoping to get the metal face mask done by the end of this week and get the forehead antenna piece (which needs to be redesigned) started by the weekend. Ordered some LEDs today, hoping I'll get to use it if I ever finish the metal work. I do think I can get the helm done, however the current fear is that I may make mistakes that can destroy the piece beyond repair. Rivets are hard to undo, I've already tried it twice because of earlier mistakes!
There will be an anime convention on Halloween, I'm trying to get this done by then (again, me being overly-optimistic), or else I'll try to go to the next one on New Year's Day.