Giant Skull mask WIP

Full head mask,
in progress,
hopefully with articulated jaw when completed, if time allows.

Re-useable skull form is newspaper and tape (masking tape and clear packing tape for rigidifying and smoothing). That form was built directly over a loose copy of my head, made with Duct Tape filled with newspaper.

Mask itself is (for now) paper mache strips (coffee filters and outdoors carpenter's glue, diluted just a bit with water). Note the wrinkles, caused by crumpling in one direction and applying directionnally. Those wrinkles provide strenght as well as looking good, if well applied. the effect can be softened by adding a layer or two of thin soft paper in the usual flat method.
When finished, the mask openings and jaw pivot points will be lined with wire and more paper, for strenght. Padding inside will be done with a soft foam, lined with a non-porous foam (Fun Foam, also called Foamie) to prevent sweat absorption by the mask, and provide comfort.
The eyes, nose and jaw openings will have fine see-through black mesh to hide the wearer.

The dream is to also build a pair of giant skeleton hands, but I'm not really counting on it for this Halloween, too many projects at once.

Peepers puppet on Nose

This is a test of the Peepers puppet on my nose.
I was wearing a piece of nylon sock over my eyes, so that they wouldn't show and distract away from the new facial configuration.

It's fun for a short, one-minute gag, but it slips away from the nose tip quite fast. It stays longer if put on upside down, but it looks less convincing, and hides the nostrils.

Sorry for the extra footage, my ever-wacko webcam seems to suddenly add invisible data from previous reccordings, which are only revealed when converted into Flash format! I Can't seen to be able to edit it out!!! Consider it "behind the scenes", because you can see me put on the "costume". By the way, it's only sweat I'm wiping from the outside of my nose.
Mom raised me well, after all.
LOL.



Peepers are an original product of Puppeteer Hobey Ford.
Get them online at: http://www.peeperspuppet.com/
No affiliations, I'm just a happy customer!

Medieval Creations

Tunic, Pants, bag and Hood patterned to size and made from scratch, hand dyed to alter color and age.
Tunic's upper body's pattern based on a contemporary hemp shirt (buttonned) I had at home (brand: Green Babylon).

Knife and sheath both made from scratch.
Leather Belt cut to size and assembled from parts.
Simple pouch (black and brown) made by L’Antre à Gobeline
Brown vest with rough hood made from old linen shirt.
Leather shoes, purse and smallest pouch patterned and made from scratch.

Removable dark brown hood based on pattern by Cynthia Virtue, posted online:
http://www.virtue.to/articles/hoodlum.html

This costume ©Créaturiste, September 2008


Details:
I made this costume to attend the medieval-themed wedding of two dear childhood friends.
The Minotaur wall plaque is an original creation and is the Groom's gift, while the Door Knocker (copied from the movie Labyrinth) is the Bride's.
Both gifts were very well received!

I'm sorry to report to those who knew I was making the doorknocker, that I failed to make it strong enough to be used as an actual doorknocker for the exterior door. Mainly due to lack of time to develop a better friction-free system to hold the ring. After all, it's made of paper mache, and no matter how incredibly strong it can be made to be, it won't withstand constant use unless precautions are taken.

The Wedding:
I showed up at the subway station, waiting for a friend to pick me up, fully costumed, with a large walking staff (not pictured above). I,m used to look different nowadays, but I did received some odd glances.

The wedding was happening in a remote country Inn which was all our own for the day and night.
I was the only one there in costume, until right before the ceremony. I'm used to being the odd one, and the old pals saw I hadn't changed much... Most people's reason for the delay was that their costumes were too warm. I'm glad I made mine in layers of relatively light fabrics. Although I wouldn't want to run for very long in this attire, it's quite comfortable for a beginning of Autumn season. I want to wear my tunic more often, perhaps I will remove the "skirt-like" bottom and turn it into an everyday attire. I do have some neat dark lue fabric, to eventually make something like that, but looking more clean.

I was the only one there with a costume designed to look worn and modest.
I can understand the appeal of the much more colorful and fantastic designs of the Nobles and Clergy of medieval times. But I've always been much more attracted by costumes "of the people", such as seen on the crowds and secondary characters in "period movies" like Robin Hood prince of Thieves, King Arthur, and LadyHawke.

Most costumes at the wedding were very well done, some were quite magnificent. The King and Queen's costumes were brilliantly designed and made by the Bride. I was impressed with the inventiveness of those who made their own costumes and/or props. Some were good with fabrics, some with leather. There were even two chain mail tunics, which were both fantastic.

The event was a success!
We all got the excellent surprise of having the famous medieval band Skarazula play at the feast and evening. Lots of us were fans already. No one knew it was to be them, except the wedding organizer. What a treat when we saw them come in! I highly recommend their lively music, featuring a wide array of traditional instruments. They brought high energy from all over the world. They made us clap and dance, showed us two dances in a really fun and efficient way, really a fun time to be had! I just wish we could have had them for much longer!
www.skarazula.com

If I ever get married, the medieval theme might be something to consider, it was a great time!
But first, must find soulmate...

Lady of the alive inner-child, with like-minded love of the arts, Where Art Thou?