Dia de los Muertos Painted Masks

Well, so much for doing a post a week. Good news is, I now have a full-time job and it's going pretty well! Bad news, well, time is hard to come by, as it usually is. But, I want to take a moment to share a project with you that was great fun for me and turned out so well, I can't wait to do more.

A couple blog posts ago, I mentioned painting a Day of the Dead style mask and having so much fun, I was going to do more. Well, I did, and they were so much fun that when offered, I jumped on a commission to make them part of a set of five. Here are the pictures of the finished set!

 (My Etsy shop)

This was an amazing set to work on, and I definitely want to create more. Next time, though, I plan on making my paper mache masks from scratch, creating unique face shapes and textures. I want lots more designs as well! I did experiment with a henna-style design, which was time consuming but very beautiful.

 (Available here.)

I really want to devote more and more of my crafting time to masks. I enjoy the accessories and the like, but masks are where I really find my creative juices flow best. I'm finishing another custom project as we speak, this one a simple collection of knit goods, and when that is done... oh so many more masks.

Painted Paper Mache Masks - Submit your ideas!

A few months ago, I had a blast painting a paper mache mask in the style of Day of the Dead sugar skulls. It was tricky work to get everything even and come out exactly as I envisioned it, but I love the result. It sold within days of being listed, and I knew I should definitely make more. I got caught up in other projects though, so I put off painting more.

Well, now is the time! I plan on painting at least two more in Day of the Dead style, in different colors and designs of course. I may paint a few others with something a little different, but I'm not sure what. What springs to mind first is leaves and flowers, because of course I love them and I can't seem to stop putting them on masks, whether in synthetic, preserved natural, or painted form!

So what I'm asking from YOU is to submit your ideas! Especially if you'd like to order one for yourself. Remember, there's only 76 more days til Halloween! The paper mache masks are pre-made, but I can alter the eye shape, edge shape, and ribbon color, and I prefer to line the back in a soft-to-the-touch felt. If you'd like, I can even add a lace trim to the edges, or add a cluster of hanging ribbons/rhinestones/beaded chain on one side. The possibilities are endless! I only have five pre-made masks but I have so many fun ideas for them that I may have to get more!

If you'd like to make a custom order, visit my Etsy store and send me a message! On the left side of the screen, under my Shop Owner picture, there are two buttons you can click to send me a message; doesn't matter which. Or, if you just have an idea you'd like to share, leave a comment here on the blog or on my Facebook page, or you can even send me a tweet.

When I get more painted, I will definitely be sharing them here. Look for more updates soon! :)