by Jane Vee

Created on: October 12, 2010

If you want a half mask for Halloween, you can easily and inexpensively make the mask yourself.  Half masks are great craft projects for children as well.  Half masks can be made by an adult or a child.  Here is how to make a great gold half mask for any occasion.  

Materials:

Paper plate (Do not use pre-made masks that are to slick to attach decorations on)

Pencil
Glue
Gold glitter
Gold paint / gold foil
Beads, feathers, or other decorations
String or Popsicle stick (anything to hold your mask on)

Directions:
Before you start cutting, you should use a pencil to draw the shape of your mask and eye holes.  Once you cut the plate, you are stuck with what you did or you have to start over.  If the plate is not big enough for your face, you may want to use extra heavy poster board.  It will be lighter than the paper plate and a little more durable.

Outline your mask and then, cut it out.  After you cut your mask you will want to paint it gold.  Instead of using paint, you could use gold foil instead.  If you use gold foil, gold glitter is not necessary.  The foil glitters on its own.

Gold glitter glue looks best over gold paint.  Paint is not a necessity if you are using gold glitter glue.  The glue should actually be gold.  If the glue is not colored, you will have to paint your mask gold.  Then, add the glue and the glitter.  This can be a little messy so you might want to use the gold foil.

After your mask is gold, you will have to either wait for the paint to try or the glue under the foil to dry.  Once your mask has dried, then you can decorate it.  Depending on what you are wearing with your mask, you can choose the appropriate decorations.  If you are going to be a princess or diva, you may want to decorate with beads pretending they are the royal jewels.  You can even use feathers to add extra mystery to your costume and mask.  If you are making a Mardi Gras gold mask, cutting a necklace and using it as extra decoration is a great idea.  

Once you have all your decorations on your mask, you should let it completely dry.  Punch holes in your mask to tie your string to.  Once, you have your string securely on the mask try it on and make sure it fits before Halloween.  If you prefer, you can use a pencil or a Popsicle stick to attach to the mask in order to hold the mask over your face.  Wrap gold foil around the holder.  Make sure you have attached it securely before picking it up.  Give it a try before going out and make any necessary adjustments.  

Your inexpensive half mask for Halloween can even be used for Mardi Gras.  You can also use this as a craft idea.  Happy Halloween.

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