Make Your Own Masquerade Ball Mask

It's fairly easy to make your own masquerade ball mask. It requires very little skill or talent and is considerably cheaper than purchasing a store bought one. The following guide will teach you to make your own masquerade ball mask with very little money and only a few supplies.

Supplies Needed:

1 mask template or pre-made plastic masquerade mask from craft store. Links to masquerade ball mask templates are at the bottom of this article.

Construction paper if you are printing from a template.

1 bag of multicolored feathers purchased at a craft store.

Hot glue gun

Hot glue sticks

Jewels, gems, sequins, yarn, ribbon or other embellishments

Ribbon or elastic cording

Instructions:

If you are using a masquerade mask template, print that and cut it out. Make sure it is cut to fit the face of the person wearing it. You may have to alter the size depending on the template.

Once you have a blank mask ready to go dump out the bag of feathers. Separate them by color and size. This will help you lay out your design. Having a photo of a masquerade ball mask or an actual mask to copy is enormously helpful.

Starting at the bottom of the mask begin laying the feathers on the mask. I suggest you start with a solid color for the first layer but that is a matter of opinion. Do not glue the feathers down just yet. Begin by laying the longest feathers down first. These will start the direction of your pattern so that it angles upwards and gives your mask a cat eyed look.

Your mask should be completely covered by this first layer of feathers. By laying your feathers down on the mask without glue you can see what your mask will look like and determine whether or not you like the colors and size of feathers.

After you have laid out your first layer of feathers remove them starting with the last feather you placed and lay them out again on the table next to your mask. This will eliminate accidentally placing the wrong feather in the wrong position.

Now begin gluing the first layer of feathers onto the mask. Be careful not to use too much glue or else your feathers will become a mess but use enough that feathers are good and stuck to the mask.

Once the first layer of feathers is glued down begin laying out the second layer of feathers on the mask in the same manner that you did the first one. This time use an alternating color or colors of feathers. Be sure the second layer of feathers is smaller than the first.

When you have your mask covered in feathers use sequins, beads, jewels, yard or ribbon to outline the eyes. I prefer to use resin sticker gems. They come in groups and are adhesive on the back. Even then I prefer to add hot glue for additional hold.

To finish off your mask punch a hole in each side of the mask. Be sure to hide the holes behind the feathers. Tie ribbon or elastic cording through the holes to tie behind the head.That's all there is to it. Easy peasy and cheap to boot! No one will ever know you made your own masquerade ball mask.

Free Printable Masquerade Mask Templates
http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/masquerademask.html
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2641673/Masquerade-Mask-Template