Mardi Gras, also known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, is an annual festival of fun and feasting. It traditionally marks the last day for such revelry before Lent—40 days of austerity and sacrifice—begins.
Mardi Gras is famous for parades, dancing, food and beverage, and above all, costumes. The masks at Mardi Gras celebrations range from beautiful to bizarre and everything in-between.
Make Your Own Mardi Gras Mask
Want to join the party? Here are a few tips for creating your own Mardi Gras mask:
Mask Types
Here are just a few possibilities for your Mardi Gras mask. Don’t feel confined to these choices, though. This project is as much about revealing your creative personality as it is disguising your face!
Jester crown
Sun
Moon and stars
Clock
Insect
Devil/Monster
Bird
Animal (lion, fox, dog, or cat—whatever floats your fancy!)
Materials to Build a Mask
You don't need very much at all to create a stunning Mardi Gras mask. The most important tool is your imagination, but here are a few others you may find helpful:
A pre-made eye-mask. This will let you concentrate on the fun part—modifying and decorating your mask!
Card stock. This heavy, sturdy paper can be used to create beaks, horns, rays, or other fun pieces.
Hot Glue. Essential to your mask. This will hold your sun’s rays, devil’s horns, clock’s hands, or bird’s beak. (We told you there are a lot of options
Modge Podge. Perfect for holding glitter and beads and things to your mask. If you’ve never worked with Modge Podge before, fear not! It’s easy!
Decide if your mask is going to be handheld or ties behind your head. For a handheld, attach a wooden dowel with the glue gun. Don’t forget to add a little spice to your handle—perhaps painted gold with streaming ribbons and jingling bells?
For a tie mask, you can punch holes in either side of your mask (DO THIS BEFORE YOU DECORATE) and thread thick, bright ribbon through to tie around your head.
Decorating Your Mask
Once you have your mask shape chosen, you’ll want to dress it up a bit. Gaudy, garish and tacky translate to fabulous, beautiful and perfectly in-style! Here are just a few things you could add to your mask:
Paint. (Purple, gold, silver, and green are the most popular colors, but go wild!)
Glitter
Ribbons
Sequins
Feathers
Fur
Beads
Bells
Pipe-cleaner (They make great antennae!)
Have a rockin’ good Mardi Gras, y’all!
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