How to Make Your Own Coat of Arms & Castles Decorations

Each surname is linked with a Coat of Arms that represent honorable characteristics of your family name.

Renaissance festivals and the like are still held today because people are enchanted by the Middle Ages. The world of jousting, elaborate attire, and nobility holds a lot to be desired. This time of supremacy rule incited extreme family pride, as represented by the family coat of arms. For any medieval themed party or room, you can easily create low-cost props for decorations.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Shadow box
• Coat of Arms cutout
• Picture paper
• Double-sided tape
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Square sponge
• Measuring tape
• Painters tape
• Cardboard
• Utility knife
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Dowel
• Gemstones
• Hot glue
• Aluminum foil
• Glue stick

Coat of Arms

1. Search for your family coat of arms online by last name. Print it in high quality resolution on picture paper or save it for an office studio to print for you; it depends on the size of your shadow box.

2. Cut the coat of arm from the printout. Use double-sided tape on the back of the cut-out to pose it in the shadow box.

3. Use rub on decals to add your family name to the decoration. Display as a focal piece on the wall.

Swords

1. Add the weaponry around the coat of arms decoration with a cardboard sword. Draw a large sword template on a piece of cardboard. Use a utility knife to cut it out. Adhere a wooden dowel to the inside of the sword with duct tape.

2. Trace this sword shape again onto cardboard and cut it out. Use hot glue to seal the two sheets of cardboard together. Bind the handles with duct tape; try black duct tape.

3. Rub a glue stick all over the blade of the cardboard sword. Neatly fold tin foil around the blade to create a shiny metallic look. Trim the excess tin foil with scissors; fold the foil underneath itself to minimize seams.

4. Add embellishments like gemstones with hot glue to the handle. Another appropriate look for the renaissance would be a tasseled end; keep decadence in mind when decorating.

Castle Scene

1. Choose an appropriate site for a castle mural near the coat of arms. Sketch a layout of the castle and decide basic size.

2. Clean and prepare the area. Measure off your castle parameters and mark off with painter's tape.

3. Dip a square sponge in grey toned paint or whatever color you want your castle. Apply to the wall in a brick pattern. To create a gritty texture add broken pieces of sea shell or sand to a small portion of paint; use it as the top layer. Use a paint brush to draw conical and irregular shaped tower tops. Leave it to dry.

References

• Storm the Castle: How to Make a Cardboard Sword
• Fleurdelis Designs: The Meanings Behind the Symbols