DIY Steampunk Filigree Halloween Mask

Here is my last DIY Halloween mask for this season…and it may just be my favorite. I love the gleam of metal once light touches it and this mask gleams brightly! The wonderful thing about a detailed accessory such as this is that your costume can be more subdued (paired with a simple dress, gloves, and jewelry) and still be breathtaking & memorable.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Metal Filigree Mask (I purchased mine from Party City for $14.99)
Gold Ribbon
1-2 inches of gold or brass chain
Jump rings (assorted sizes)
Gold foil beads (or any beads that suit your taste)
Headpins
Clock Face
1 brad (preferably matching the color of your clock face)
2 clock springs (preferably from a wristwatch–they are the easiest to manipulate & cut)
Clock gears (I used 5; you can use more if desired)
34 gauge jewelry wire (or any fine wire)
Scissors
Wire cutters
Flat nosed pliers
Needle nosed pliers

Steps:

Begin by adding your chain to your mask. To attach the chain, use your flat nosed pliers & jump rings.
If desired, add a gear to the chain too using your flat nosed pliers and a jump ring. Then attach the gear to the mask.
Next attach the rest of your gears to the bottom of your mask. Use preexisting holes (this is what’s so great about working with filigree!). Be sure to close your jump rings well as many gears are paper thin and can easily fall out of even the slightest of gaps.
For added elegance & sparkle, add gold foil beads to your gears (or other areas of your mask). For each bead, you need a headpin. Place the bead on the headpin. Be sure to slide the bead all the way down to the end. Make sure there is no space left over or you’ll have an excess of the headpin showing. Using your flat nosed pliers, bend the headpin wire 45 degrees (so that the headpin wire is horizontal).Using your finger as a measure, cut off the excess headpin wire (the amount that sticks out past your finger) with your wire cutters. Discard the excess wire. Using your needle nosed pliers, create a loop on top of your bead. To do this, hold your bead in one hand. With the other, grip the very end of your headpin wire with your pliers and twist upward and around to the top of your bead. (Think of a making a motorcycle revving motion.)Once your loop is made, open it with your flat nosed pliers (like you would a jump ring). Place your bead into your gear (or mask). Close your loop again, using your flat nosed pliers. Repeat the above process for each bead.
Now it’s time to create our “clock spring eyelashes.” This is what makes this a really different, ultra feminine DIY. First figure out the placement of your clock springs over the eyes of your mask. Once you’ve figured out placement, cut down your springs. To cut your clock springs, use your wire cutters, and also gently move the spring back and forth. This allows for an easier, cleaner break. Once you’ve cut your springs you may need to file them down a bit. Sandpaper or a metal file is preferable.
Now you can begin attaching your clock springs over the eyes of your mask. Cut a medium length piece of your 34 gauge wire. Using this wire, wire wrap the spring in place by weaving through the preexisting holes in the filigree mask. Be sure that your clock spring does not twist as you are wire wrapping it in place. Remember to pull the wire taut. Twist the wire together & around each other to “tie” it off. Cut off any excess wire. Be sure to push all raw edges of the wire away from your eyes & face.
(Optional) Add a clock face to the top of your mask using a brad. First, load the clock face onto the brad. Then push it the brad through a hole in the mask. Flip the mask over to the back, and pull apart the brad’s prongs to secure the clock face in place. Be sure that when you pull apart the brad’s prongs that you firmly hold the clock face in place on the front side of the mask. Otherwise, you may have a slight gap in between all of your layers which will cause your clock face to slide out of place.
Now all that is left is to attach the ribbon that will hold your mask onto your face. (You can also use elastic. An elastic band came with this mask but it was really cheap looking & flimsy so I decided to replace it). Measure the amount of ribbon you’ll need–take into account knotting both sides of the mask, knotting the ends (if your ribbon is prone to fraying), and the amount you’ll need to tie the ribbon in a bow. Once you’ve measured the amount you need, cut the ribbon with your scissors. Then cut the ribbon in half (one for each side of your mask). Take the first piece of ribbon and tie it to your mask. I used a simple knot. Knot the end as well. Repeat for the other side. Cut off any excess ribbon. You now have a completed mask! Pair with an elegant dress, pair of long gloves, and some fabulous jewelry for a posh Steampunk Halloween costume! Thanks to Rhys for the amazing pictures! As always, Merry Making! I hope you’ve enjoyed my Halloween DIYs this month! Check out some of my past steampunk costume & Halloween Decor DIYs for further inspiration!

For websites where I find costume inspiration, visit: A Mighty Girl and also Take Back Halloween (which I blogged about last Halloween). Both sites have excellent ideas & costumes for girls & women that empower & celebrate what it means to be an imaginative, creative woman–which for me, is what Halloween is all about!