Making Halloween Masks - A Project The Whole Family Can Enjoy!
This halloween mask making project is so fun the whole family
will want to get involved. The tools are simple, the techniques
easy and the only limitation is your imagination.
Buy inexpensive plain masks, either whole- or half-masks, from
any crafts store. If you buy the slick plastic masks, you will
need to cover them with fabric so that the decorations will
adhere. The technique is below. The mask forms that have a nylon
base can be glued to directly.
Tools:
Elmer's Glue and/or Low-Temperature Glue Gun (with colored
glues for special effects like blood)
Small paint brushes or popsicle sticks for each person
Supplies:
1 or 2 masks per person
An assortment of small items that can be glued onto the masks
such as: sequins, fake jewels, dried noodles of different
shapes, feathers, beads, plastic or dried flowers, fern leaves,
dried leaves, plastic glow-in-the-dark insects like cockroaches,
worms, snakes and other creepy crawly critters, glitter, ribbons
Fabric for the base such as brocade, camo fabric, etc.
Spread an old sheet or table cloth over your table - this gets
very messy. Pour a small amount of glue in disposable bowls and
give one to each mask maker. Each mask maker also gets a
popsicle stick or paint brush.
If you are using fabric as a base for the mask, spread the glue
thinly over the front of the mask and mold the fabric to the
form. Let dry. Carefully cut out the eyeholes and trim close to
the eye edge of the mask.
Start applying the decorations at the center of the forehead
area and work out so you do not mess up what you have finished.
Feathers and other decorations that are a bit heavy need to be
attached with the glue gun.
Scary effects can be made with the colored glues that can be
purchased with the glue gun.
Let dry completely before wearing.
If the mask doesn't come with an elastic band, attach after dry.
Or you can use ribbons that match the mask.
More resources for mask making can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/morefun/createmasks.mspx
http://familyeducation.com/printables/package/0,2358,22-9732,00.h
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