Tag: Arts and Crafts

Tokay Gecko Mask

Paper mache, plastic sphere, acrylic paint. Animal-Inspired Creations: Masks, Costumes, and Props In these projects, I focus on creating animal-themed masks, costumes, and props that capture the essence of each of the creatures. I used materials like papier-mâché, acrylic paint, and faux fur to bring each animal to life, paying close attention to detail and…
Cheetah Mask

Masking tape, wire, permanent marker. Animal-Inspired Creations: Masks, Costumes, and Props In these projects, I focus on creating animal-themed masks, costumes, and props that capture the essence of each of the creatures. I used materials like papier-mâché, acrylic paint, and faux fur to bring each animal to life, paying close attention to detail and craftsmanship.…
Koala Mask

Paper mache, faux fur, mesh for eyes, acrylic paint. Animal-Inspired Creations: Masks, Costumes, and Props In these projects, I focus on creating animal-themed masks, costumes, and props that capture the essence of each of the creatures. I used materials like papier-mâché, acrylic paint, and faux fur to bring each animal to life, paying close attention…
Custom Plinko Board

In Games, Woodworking

This one took a long time 🙂 Plinko board itself was fairly easy. Slick, whiteboard backer with some spare roofing nails I had laying around. “Reclaimed” wood from slats of an old bed frame. Pucks were cut out on a jigsaw, then sanded round. Fishing line and an extra shower curtain ring for the pulling…
Pangolin Costume

In Costumes

A costume for my 5 year old 🙂 Design So, most years I try to make costumes for my kids for halloween, and for Halloween 2020, my youngest wanted to be a pangolin. I can’t remember exactly how we ended up on that creature, but thought it would be a fun project. I gathered a…
Emerald Tree Boa Costume

In Costumes

Design Like usual, I gathered a bunch of reference photos of emerald tree boas on Pinterest and on the interwebs. The design is pretty interesting–they’re primarily green with white markings that look a little like lightning bolts, and you often see them perched on branches. Fascinating to see in photos, but I personally wouldn’t want…
Paper Mache (Papier Mâché)

In Technique

It’s been a versatile art technique for generations of artists, makers, and creators: paper mache (papier mâché). I’ll delve into the art of the technique, exploring the basic techniques involved, and some examples of what you can do with it. Basic Paper Mache Technique Now that we’ve established the fundamentals, here are a few examples…
Peregrine Falcon

In Costumes

Peregrine Falcon halloween prop! There’s a mechanism inside the bird that moves the head left/right, up/down by pulling on some lines that come out through the bottom. Sort of like an inverted marionette. The mechanism was loosely based on methods I worked out from the plinko board, which is basically a system made up of…
Peacock Mantis Shrimp Costume

In Costumes

What’s a Peacock Mantis Shrimp (or, “Mantis Shrimp”)? For Halloween, my son told me he wanted to be a Peacock Mantis Shrimp. I had never heard of it before. He proceeded to describe it: “No way”, I said… “that’s impossible.” After some looking up on the interwebs…turns out this thing really exists! This is really…