How-to Mardi Gras Mask

You can take on Mardi Gras this year with a mask that not only looks fabulous, but is custom-made to fit your very own face. The best part is that all you need to make this couture face is a little flour and water.

You don't have to be a mysterious stranger to conjure the mystique of a feathery mask. I'll show you how to make one using a few simple materials, lots of feathers, and the will to dazzle at the masquerade.

Whether painting on cardboard or dried paper mache, you'll want to use an acrylic paint (compare prices). This is because it will resist water, which is important for the durability of your mask. Acrylic paint won't cost you much and you should have enough left over for future projects.
Here are some painting ideas:

• Try a purple, green and yellow combination to represent the traditional Mardi Gras colors.
• Work in some metallic paints for an old-fashioned look.
• Paint a jester-style diamond pattern as shown.
• Paint around the eyes and mouth to emphasize. You can paint lips or eyelashes.
• Go with an animal theme, painting on whiskers and fur.
• Use a free printable shape stencil to help paint on colorful shapes.

Every mask needs at least a little bit of glam. Add a row of sequins at the bottom of your feathery crown, at the corners of the eyes, or along the sides of your mask.

When it comes to glitter, you can try a spray-on adhesive glitter for the entire mask, or add bits of glitter flakes with the help of some white glue.

Here are some glitter ideas:

• Make swirls of glue on the cheeks of your mask and coat with glitter.
• Trace around the eyes with multicolored glitter.
• Create sweeping eyelashes with lines of glitter.
• Add a glue-glitter mix to a paintbrush and paint glittery shapes.
• Put glitter only on top of on paint color, such as yellow.

I was fortunate enough to talk with a professional mask maker at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Her shop, The Feather Place, played host to a variety of expertly crafted masks. See what she's done with her masks to get inspiration for you own.

To get more mask ideas, check out some of these inexpensive Mardi Gras masks for inspiration.

Once your mask is complete, you can can pick up a few of these cheap masks and talk your friends into dressing up, too.