Last week was the children’s hour, but this week, the grown-ups get their chance.
To make Halloween masks for adults, the instructions and supply list are about the same, but there are one or two caveats.
First, while the foam bases that the kids used were wonderful, the adult bases aren’t nearly as crafter-friendly.
You’ll be dealing with patent leatherlike and satin surfaces, as well as curved – as opposed to flat – bases, making it harder to secure the feathers, rhinestones and other bangles and beads you choose for your masks.
This also means – heaven help the glue-gun challenged among us – that we’ll have to fire up the hot glue applicator, because the quick-dry tacky glue just won’t grab and hold fast enough.
That said, the good news is that you can choose from a wider selection of adornments – those that are a bit more exotic (and expensive) than the kids’ choices – to make your masks extra special.
We made four samples for this week’s column, beginning with a simple angelic white mask.
To make it, you’ll need a plain white mask (cost, $1), a pair of angel wings (look for them in the doll section at the craft store, cost $2.99 a pair), and some clear rhinestones.
Spread a liberal amount of hot glue on each end (where the elastic strap is attached) of the mask and attach the angel wings; apply a few dots of hot glue near the outside of each eye-hole, near the edge of the angel wing, and add several large, clear, rhinestones.
That was easy…
To make the second mask, our Autumn Man mask, you’ll need a full-face mask, a bunch of silk autumn leaves and a few colored rhinestones.
Begin by gluing the leaves around the forehead, working down until the look you want is achieved; then add a few random leaves here and there on the cheek and lip or wherever you choose.
Glue a rhinestone on the stem end of each leaf and anywhere else you feel would be appropriate for a good look.
Our third attempt was a slender cat’s eye mask using some specialty feathers.
We began by applying the rhinestones around the eyes and at the corner of the cat’s eye.
Next, we applied the black feather crown, which comes in one piece for $1.99, gluing it to the back of the mask at the forehead.
Green feather clusters – two at the center of the mask and one at each cat’s-eye corner – were then glued to the mask with the glue on the back of the mask.
We finished by adding three rhinestones at the center of the mask over the place where the two center feathers were attached.
And finally, our butterfly face mask …
You’ll need a half-face mask, two faux butterflies, some silk leaves and a few rhinestones.
Begin by removing the plastic backing and stems from the leaves (to make gluing them to the mask easier), and attaching them to the mask for a base for the butterflies.
Place the butterflies on the cheek and forehead – or anywhere that appeals to you – on the bed of leaves, then add a few rhinestones to add some pizazz.
Of course, you can get a lot fancier with your mask creations – using strands of beads, fabric trims and anything that springs to mind – but we’ve tried to keep our samples simple so as not to intimidate anyone.
Let your imagination run wild when creating masks, and have some fun.
What you’ll need
Plain masks in various styles
Specialty feathers, faux butterflies and silk-flower leaves
Rhinestones, beads and sequins
Hot-glue gun
What you’ll need
Plain masks in various styles
Specialty feathers, faux butterflies and silk-flower leaves
Rhinestones, beads and sequins
Hot-glue gun
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
