How to Make Paper Mardi Gras Masks

Mardi Gras is a true party. Whether you go to Louisiana for the festivities or celebrate at home, you can have a ball getting dressed up and having a party with friends. No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without party masks. You can make your own with supplies you likely already have at your home.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Flour
• Foil
• Newspaper
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Hot glue or craft glue
• Feathers
• Glitter
• Bowl
• Elastic string

Instructions

1. Place a piece of foil over your own face or the face of a model. Mold the foil to the face to create the shape. Mark where the eyes, nose and mouth should go. Cut these out and place the foil back on the face for touch-up reshaping. Carefully remove the foil and place it over an upside down bowl. In another bowl, mix 1 cup of flour and 2 cups of water. Stir thoroughly until the solution reaches a paste-like consistency.

2. Cut several strips of newspaper, these should be about 1-inch wide and several inches long. Dip a strip of newspaper in the water and flour mixture. Make sure you soak it thoroughly. Place the newspaper strip on the foil. Be careful not to reshape or alter the foil as you lay down the strip. Continue with more strips of newspaper crossing and overlapping the strips as you work.

3. Allow the mask to dry for 12 hours. Repeat the process and add a new layer. Allow to dry again. Repeat one more time to ensure the papier mache is strong. Once it is dry, peel back the foil so you are left with a solid papier mache mask. Place the mask on your face and mark a spot right above your ear lobe. Take it off and poke a hole on either side where you made the marks. This is where you will later put your elastic string to hold the mask on.

4. Paint the mask to create your festive design. Add glitter to the paint when it is wet so it will set without glue, if you like. Use hot glue or craft glue to attach feathers and decorative elements.

5. Take a piece of elastic string and place it around your head from the back of one ear to the back of the other ear. Cut it off at this point. Stick one end through one of the holes and tie a knot. Tie the other end of the string through the other knot. Put on your mask and let the good times roll.

Tips & Warnings

• Use and fun, bold colors to make your mask stand out.

• Be careful not to set anything on the mask after it is completed as it will crush it.