Masquerade Mask

 A local charity throws a huge dinner/auction each year to raise money to benefit young mothers in our community. They chose a Masquerade Party as their theme this year and asked several local artists - including myself - to create a mask that could be auctioned off at a preview party prior to the main event for guests to purchase and then use for the main event.

I created an Ice Queen named Iridesses.

My hubby came up with the name...most likely in reference to all the iridescent glitter I used in the making of her.

And, thanks to him, she has the perfect throne to sit upon!

I was given a plain white mask to work with. The first thing I did was reinforce the areas where I would be wiring on the metal crown and handle. I cut some heavy plastic and heated it in an oven to make it pliable enough to form to the shape of the inside of the mask. Then I glued it into place and drilled holes for the wire.

I wanted a little texture so I laid some cheesecloth over the forehead area and around one eye and then applied a very thin layer of plaster; immediately removing the cheese cloth. Once it was dry I sanded and painted it with a copper finish. I used pearlescent paint on the remainder of the face and a metallic mix of plum and gold for the lips. Lastly, I sprinkled super fine iridescent glitter sparsely over the entire mask and generously over the lips.

 I found a metal fan at a thrift store for $1.50 and used it as a crown. Originally it looked exactly like the fan pictured in the background of the photo below. I lightened up the look of it by using a jeweler's saw to cut some of the metal away. And since every queen deserves  jewels, I raided my addiction pile and found the perfect ones for an Ice Queen's crown. I drilled holes into the crown, inserted the jewels and used glue for extra strength. I topped it off with a light sprinkle of glitter over the entire crown and a heavy sprinkling along the top.
(This photo was taken before I applied the glitter)

I used a thrifted candle snuffer ($.99) for the handle.

I wired it and the crown to the mask. Then added a few more embellishments. The handle has sari ribbon draping from it and peacock feathers extending upward.

I brought home a $2.99 candle holder from a thrift store, handed it over to hubby and asked him to work his magic on it. He turned it into a throne by making a metal loop bracket for the handle to slide into and by cutting a piece of wood to act as a base to prevent the mask from sliding around. I painted them out to match the candle holder and added some plumage to look like a collar behind the mask.

 

I decorated the throne with more feathers.

And a little story about Iridesses.

I've never made a mask before but it was fun to do. I'm pretty happy with the way she turned out...kinda hate to pass her off! I just hope she brings in a few dollars for the charity.

As if the post isn't long enough already...

a few more close-ups of Iridesses.

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Aged Copper Wall Treatment

If you're familiar with my jewelry creations, you already know that I love aged copper! It's warm, casual, and depending on the patina, it has an array of colors ranging from light green to deep burgundy flowing through it adding even more texture and interest.

Several years ago (before my life of jewelry) I had a faux finishing business and one of my clients requested a wall of copper so I created this technique. It actually became a popular choice with my clients and I thought it was so cool that I decided to create some walls of copper in my own home.

I also created a focal area on the bedroom ceiling to tie in with the tub area.

I used the Modern Masters line of metallic paints,

a chip brush and a rag to create this effect.

The metallic colors needed are Pale Gold, Copper, Sage, Plum and Smoke. These paints are expensive but they can be purchased in a smaller size which would be plenty for each color except for the Pale Gold and the Copper. It's been awhile since I've looked but as of two years ago Rodda Paint carried this line of paint.

I'm sorry that I don't have step-by-step photos of this process but I did this a couple of years ago when we remodeled our home and at that time I didn't even imagine that I might need them to share on a blog! Faux finishes are quite difficult to explain so I hope that my explanation is more helpful than confusing.

Before I applied the main coat of metallic paint I base coated the walls with a neutral beige color. This is an important step because the Pale Gold is semi-opaque so a neutral paint that is close in color helps give an even look. I mixed extender (also a Modern Masters product) into the Pale Gold and applied two coats with a Modern Masters Metallic Paint Roller (sorry, I don't have a picture of it but it has a really long and ragged nap which makes it easier to apply the paint with an even look).

Next, working in a small area at a time, I used the chip brush to apply Copper in a random swirling fashion. I quickly, patted and lightly rubbed the Copper with a damp rag spreading and blending it out. Metallic paint dries very quickly so I had to work fast. I did this until the entire wall was covered in an overall random fashion. It's best to start light and build each layer as needed - I applied two very light coats of the Copper.

Next, I applied the Sage - in the same manner as the Copper but with far less overall coverage. It is more of an accent color randomly spaced here and there. I repeated this same process using the Plum. Again, I started lightly and applied more as needed.

For the final step, I mixed some glaze with the Smoke. I used a professional grade glaze but glaze purchased from Home Depot would work just fine for this project. I applied the Smoke/glaze mixture in the same manner as the Copper except that I wiped most of it off. This step helps tone down the metallic shine of the paint and gives it that beautiful aged look but be very conservative with this step or the wall will appear dirty and dingy.

The white ceiling medallion and molding where too harsh against the copper so I painted the medallion with some gold spray paint and antiqued it by applying a black glaze and wiping most of it off and I painted the molding with metallic Pale Gold allowing some of the white to show through.

This copper technique can be used to transform other projects as well. I updated a client's old oak kitchen table by painting the legs black and painting the top to look like copper. I sealed the table top with three coats of polyurethane to preserve the finish.

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