Creating a Mardi Gras mask is a fun and creative activity that the whole family can enjoy. If you are planning on hosting or attending a Mardi Gras party or parade, you can easily create these masks on your own without having to spend so much money buying a ready-made one.
Materials Needed:
Card stock paper
Pencil
Scissors
Exacto knife or utility blade or cutter
Colorful feathers from arts and crafts store
Glitters
Glue
Ribbons
Rubber bands
Step by Step Guide:
a) On a piece of card stock paper draw an outline of your Mardi Gras mask. Make sure to wrap it around your face to have an idea of the approximate size of the mask so that it will fit over your eyes and some part of your face. Don’t forget to mark the areas for the eyes with a pencil.
b) Cut the shape of the Mardi Gras mask using a pair of scissors. Cut-out holes for the eyes. To easily accomplish this, do a fold in the middle of the mark you made for the eyes then using your scissors cut around it. If you want, you can also use an exacto knife to cut the holes out.
c) Puncture a couple of holes (one on each side) aligned to your ears, where you can put the rubber bands and ribbons for you to ties around your face or to put on your ears to wear the Mardi Gras mask.
d) Now get ready to add your decorations. Lay down the Mardi Gras mask on the table. Put a piece of newspaper so as not to smudge, scratch, or ruin your table. Apply glue evenly on the top portion of your mask. Apply just enough glue, wipe out any excess. Sprinkle glitters all over the face of the mask. You can choose multi-colored glitters for a more fun and psychedelic effect. Let dry for 5-10 minutes.
e) After drying, lift the mask and see if the glitters would fall. Gently shake and allow the excess glitters to fall on the newspaper that you covered your table with. Check if there are spaces and gaps with missing glitters then add glue and sprinkle more glitters. You want to have an even distribution of glitters. To save on glitter, you can collect the glitters that dropped on your newspaper and sprinkle them on the areas you need glitters on. Let it dry again. Continue the process until the desired coverage has been achieved.
f) Cut small strips of ribbons and glue them on the Mardi Gras mask outline, include the outline of eyes as well. Buy the thinnest fabric ribbon you can get from craft store. They apply better on rounded curves. Let dry.
g) Add colorful feathers on the upper portion of your Mardi Gras mask all the way down next to the areas for the side holes. You can choose small or large feathers. You can use white or colorful ones. You can also use peasant feathers or peacock feathers. Any feather that you like you can use. You can mix and match different-colored feathers for a rainbow effect.
h) Tie a rubber band on each hole for your ears. Then cover with ribbons to match for a more finished look.
You are now ready to use and enjoy your Mardi Gras mask!
