Making a Masquerade Mask
Masquerade mask decoration is versatile and open to the unique design of its creator. It's one of the times when using sequins, jewels and glitter is acceptable. The lavishness of a decorative masquerade mask makes it fun to wear to a costume party or a senior prom. Masquerade masks are inexpensive and easy to make. Plastic masquerade masks are available at arts and crafts stores.
Things You'll Need
- White card stock
- Masquerade-mask templates (http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/masquerademask.html)
- Craft foam sheets in several colors (red and purple are used here)
- Gold-metallic acrylic paint
- New round pencil with eraser
- White glue or hot glue
- Dowel or disposable chopsticks
- Black pipe cleaner
- Glitter glue
- Decorative materials: sequins, rhinestones, polka-dot ribbons, craft jewels, glitter, beads with large holes
Instructions
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Paint flowing eyelashes on the outside edge of each eye. Choose the butterfly-masquerade-mask template and the mask pattern that resembles horn-rimmed glasses. Print the patterns onto two 8-1/ 2-inch x 11-inch sheets of white cardstock. Carefully cut each template from the paper. Lay the larger mask pattern onto a sheet of purple craft foam. Trace the pattern and cut out the shape, including the eye holes, with scissors.
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Use small jewels to embellish the outside edge of the mask. Lay the smaller mask pattern onto a sheet of red craft foam. Trace the pattern and cut out the shape with scissors, including the eye holes. Trace one eye hole onto a scrap piece of cardstock. Experiment, drawing a flowing eyelash from the outside edge of the eye. Cut out two of the new shapes. Trace the eyelash shape onto purple foam scraps and cut them out, using scissors. Glue the smaller mask on top of the larger mask and attach the eyelash shapes at the corner of each eye hole.
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Ribbon streamers add a lavish touch to the mask. Add embellishments. Along the outermost edge of the inside mask create a pattern of medium and small craft jewels. On a piece of scrap paper, practice dipping the round pencil eraser into the paint and pressing it on the paper to make a gold dot. Outline the eye holes with dots of gold paint. Arrange large and medium craft jewels, symmetrically, on each side of the larger mask. Make two holes with a hole punch on the outside edge of the larger mask, just below the smaller mask.
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Trace the eyelash shape onto purple foam scraps and cut them out, using scissors. Thread bright polka-dot narrow ribbon through each hole. Tie a knot in the back to secure the ribbon and allow the streamers to hang down several inches. String beads onto the ends of the ribbon. Repeat the hole punches and ribbon on the opposite side. Bend a pipe cleaner, and curl each end, to make antennae. Glue the antennae at the top, in the center of the mask. Use large round craft jewels vertically down the middle of the butterfly to form the body. Using hot glue, attach a 12-inch dowel rod at the bottom center of the mask on the underside. Hold the dowel to display or wear the mask.
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Tips & Warnings
The creation of masquerade masks is open to the imagination of the creator. Any color combination is acceptable, though there are some traditional Mardi Gras colors and color elements that are known to work well together. Throughout the process of making a mask, allow lots of drying time for the different steps.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
