Carnival masks can be quite elaborate.
The most well-known and recognizable masquerade masks originated in Venice, Italy. There, elaborate porcelain masks bejeweled and bedecked with feathers are the norm for the annual celebration of Carnival, which is related to Mardi Gras. But you need not work with porcelain to make such elegant masks. Instead, you can get by with modern materials such as plastic and epoxy and still get stunning results without ever needing a kiln.
Instructions
1. Open up the sculpting epoxy kit and separate out equal amounts of the two putties inside. You can often find sculpting epoxy in the model car and plane section of the craft store. It acts much like clay when you mix its two parts together and forms a solid, lightweight resin that will adhere to just about anything you put it on.
2. Knead the two different putties together until they become one uniform color.
3. Break off portions of the putty and roll them between your hands into long tubes. Keep your hands wet as you do this. Press these tubes onto the plastic half mask and use sculpting tools to guide the tubes into ornate-looking designs such as flowers, birds or abstract shapes. You can create thinner lines by squishing the snakes of clay into the mask along the edges, forming a thin ridge in the middle. This also means that the epoxy will more firmly bond with the plastic mask.
4. Use stamps, buttons or other forms to create shapes and patterns in the epoxy. First, dip the stamps in water. Then press them into the clay. Allow the epoxy to harden overnight.
5. Paint the mask using acrylic paint. Use bright colors and include gold or silver paint. Rub colorful metallic powders over the surface of the mask to create iridescence.
6. Spray the mask with clear gloss sealant, which you can usually find in the paints section of your craft store.
7. Mix up a small, quarter-sized blob of epoxy and apply it to one of the top corners on the back of the mask. Take an arrangement of feathers, preferably pheasant, peacock or ostrich, and stick them into the putty. Smooth the putty around the edges, smearing it into the mask for a better bond. Allow it to cure overnight.
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