Kids can get creative making masks

Help children create their own unique Halloween masks using foam bases and just a few feathers, spangles and beads.

This week’s Craft Corner project is perfect for a rainy afternoon, and, with a bit of adult supervision, the kids’ creative juices will really get flowing.

Plain craft-foam masks are available at most craft stores. We found our black-cat masks in a package of three for $2.99, and the regular masks in a package of four (two orange and two black) for the same price, both at JoAnn Fabrics in Marysville.

In the same display were packages of pre-cut foam shapes in Halloween designs that could be used to decorate the masks, but we decided to use feathers and rhinestones to embellish our creations.

You can purchase packages of feathers in one or assorted colors and various sizes, ranging in price from 99 cents to $1.99. More exotic plumage will cost you a bit more, depending on style.

Rhinestones and other spangles come in packages of a few or super-size assortments and cost anywhere from 59 cents to $4.99.

For our first attempt, we chose one of the regular orange masks and placed clear rhinestones in a random pattern all over the mask.

This is a good first project for young beginners, and will help to acquaint children with the gluing process without the pressure of a structured design.

Our second attempt was to use a regular black base and add red rhinestones in an even row around the edge of the mask, with two heart-shaped stones in the center.

Making a mask such as this one is an easy introduction to creating a structured design.

For the third mask – our personal favorite – we used one of the black-cat bases and added rhinestones in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to the ears, forehead and nose areas and around the eyes.

And for our fourth mask, we again chose a black-cat base and rhinestones, but this time we added some feathers to the ear areas and kept to a blue color theme.

We used three feathers – one long and fluffy and two smaller and smoother – on this mask, and selected clear and blue rhinestones for the sparkle.

When using feathers, be sure to add the feathers first so that you can cover the ends with rhinestones or other spangles for a more finished appearance.

Notes: Young children will probably need some help with placing and gluing the embellishments, but most of today’s better craft glues dry to an invisible finish so it’s OK if the gluing gets a bit sloppy.

We recommend Aileen’s brand glue, which features a wide selection of tacky glues for different projects and materials, or a brand of equal quality. Expect to pay $2, give or take a few cents, for a 4-ounce tube.

Regardless of the mask design you decide to try, be sure to lay out the rhinestones and other decorations in your chosen pattern before gluing.

But when it comes to making Halloween masks, why should kids have all the fun?

Don’t miss next week’s Craft Corner, when we’ll devote the column to creating masks for older folks.

E-mail Jonetta Coffin at jrocoffin@aol.com

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