So, I've decided to test out the idea of using a technique called pyrography on leather masks. While time consuming to decide on the design, and successfully transfer it onto the mask..and yes, very time intensive (and hot!) to transfer, the results are stunning. Each one I do will end up being unique, as it is burning it into the leather, so there will always be subtle variations, as well as each having a different design or style in the first place. Pricing will vary on this technique, with time needed to complete and complexity of the design being factored into the quote.
I am looking to making it available no matter the mask style/size, but I may not have the time available to do a large mask at this time so please contact me at [email protected] should you be interested in this or any other mask we currently offer.
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I acquired a pattern, and made heavy modifications to suit the finished product I wanted. I've since been asked my a lot of people if I am willing to make them custom fit/colours as they were really amazed by my final product. Here's the green/black fleece pixie pullover I made: Serger sewing machine, best investment ever.
As normal, I was set up at Reginelli's Goodwood for this annual art show, hosted by Mid City Merchants. I've always enjoyed working with Reginelli's for the Mid City events as they area always rockstars! Ross and the crew are always very helpful and give me a great spot to display my work for the night. Booth setup for the night, with new, less intrusive lighting. Bracelets being made throughout the night, including a few custom completed while customers waited.
To go along with the Custom Heart mask paint job a while back, I've now completed a diamond patterned one in similar colours!
It will be going to the client soon, and I am anxiously awaiting his response! We have a yearly "crappy costume party" at work, since I work in a special effects shop (we have access to the good stuff normally..it needs to be a lazy costume!). It never quite ends up being lazy for a bunch of us, that simply won't make a bad costume. I decided to be an elf, as it would use the majority of stuff that I had already and minimal investment. This meant it technically met the criteria of the party..lol So, I picked up some wire, and decided to teach myself wireworking, with this being the result. I've got some wire ears around somewhere too, but can't find them currently to photograph.
I've acquired a lot of scrap leather from various projects, some in pretty colours instead of the typical undyed tan. I've decided to recycle these into custom bracelets, which will be available at all future events, until I run out of them! Sizing is varied, so there's something for everyone, and I've got both tie and snap closures. Each one of them that has stitching or stamping will be unique though, as I am trying to create an array of options. Pile of raw strips. All said and done, I've got approximately 100 bracelet blanks that utilize my current stash of leftover leather scraps. Please feel free to contact me if you're interested in pricing or purchasing one of the finished bracelets and I'll be sure to get photos of what's available in the size range you're looking for as well as pricing. It's a real honor in my opinion, when I am asked to make a costume for someone that is in the special effects field. I know they could have done it for themselves, but being asked to make it for them in time for halloween was really great.
After the materials were selected, I created two separate cloaks that allowed my client to portray the character "no face" from Spirited Away. He made the mask shown, which turned out beautifully out of wood, designing it and cutting it on a C&C machine. I managed to secure a spot in the 10th anniversary of Northgate Festival in Baton Rouge this year! Met lots of new people and enjoyed hearing about how cool it was there was a local mask maker in town. Hopefully my networking from the event branches out into cool future projects and partnerships with local krewes and events. Photo of my setup for Northgate Festival. Thanks to my boss at CFX for hooking me up with an awesome sign! (Be sure to check out their website, and if you're looking for custom projects like signs, be sure to email them and enquire!) Happy customers!
Maker's Faire was a blast! Photos of my work were found on the article written by the Advocate, as well as being featured on the Goodwood Library Facebook page as well! Thanks to all who attended, and I hope all those who purchased masks and chainmaille necklaces from me enjoy their new aquisitions! Full article on the Maker's Faire page, including photos of my work!
I am pleased to announce my participation in the Maker's Faire being held in Baton Rouge, at Goodwood Library this year. I'll have my masks out on display as well as answering questions about leatherworking processes! Full article about Red Stick Studio as a Featured Maker here
A few of the new designs I'll be debuting this fall, and will go into regular rotation for production. Remember, each of these you see started with one of my sketches in the giant sketchbook, and worked it's way towards a final design. Not quick, but makes me feel accomplished that I work it from the ground up to finished product.
Had the pleasure of participating in this, at Reginelli's with my leather masks and a few photographs!
I've been busy with other projects and work as of late, so I haven't actually had much of an opportunity to work out some new mask designs. I decided quite some time ago that I wanted to do Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, even though there are lots of others who've already touched on these, each with their own interpretation. I am wanting to make large, detailed versions, so they can be either hung on the wall as a display piece or worn as a costume piece.
The next foray will, I believe, be into Greek Gods and Goddesses, as well as some research into Celtic and Scottish deities. Here's a WIP shot of one of my sketch ideas for Anubis. Not the final just yet, but my latest mask idea: At Red Stick Studio, we don't just do leather masks, as you can tell by the left side of the page. I dabble in a lot of creative projects, including costuming, leatherwork, chainmaille, mask making, and general leatherworking. Let it be known that I will go through a project presented and see if it's something that can be done, or if I can recommend someone if it is beyond our scope. That's not to say projects aren't turned down due to lack of time, or resources though. My real job is working in a special effects/fabrication shop, so I've got lots of really talented friends that work in mediums that I either have not tried to, or have determined I don't do well in. One of my most recent projects for work was creating this werewolf costume for use at Transworld 2015, and industry haunt show: The first costume project I was assigned was a bit more daunting. Composite Effects makes licensed masks based on the White Walkers from Game of Thrones, and I was asked to review several rather grainy shots of the character on set, and come up with a set of metal armour that looks like the photographs to use for displaying the new mask and glove sets for CFX when necessary. While I can't share the photos I was provided with, here is how the final project with all the remaining components ended up: This was quite the challenge, but was also a lot of fun. I am really happy with the results. It has been used for display at Comic Con 2014, Transworld 2015, the upcoming Comic Con 2015, and it's even made it on Live with Kelly and Michael at HBO's request for a halloween special. I'd have to say it turned out quite well. Here is my personal costume that I typically use for attending local Renaissance Festivals. It's one of my early pieces, but I feel that it's held up well. I made every item for it by hand, the cloak, armour, under layer tabard, Leg Greaves, as well as the faux fur (extremely warm!) tippet, and faux fur leg sleeves to go under the greaves. It's basically representing my idea of a Northern Barbarian. The cloak is reversible, and is weighted at the bottom to give it a nice dramatic flare when walking. Hopefully you enjoyed some background on the studio and some previous projects!
Silicone Mask and Gloves: Composite Effects Smaller masks can be a distinctive addition to your renaissance faire or LARP character. It can be the missing piece of the puzzle that allows you to feel like the character you're portraying, be it a noble who wishes to be mysterious, to a fox or feline that is trying to stay alive in the midst of a forest full of trolls and goblins, there are many options that we make. There is the basic mask style, and that can be enhanced one of two ways, by tooling or a particular paint scheme if you choose to be more economical. Tooling is a fun option to have for leather, as it gives me the ability to make something physically three dimensional, and with the addition of paint it truly creates a stunning finished piece. The mask can also be painted and have shading to create the illusion of the three dimensional look. This is the less expensive route, and provides quite a good illusion to the fact. It will be a work of art no matter the choice when you get a mask from Red Stick Studio, fear not the choice you make. I strive to have each item look unique and beautiful, to the customer's specifications each and every time. I have had clients give me an idea they'd like portrayed, but have no idea how to make it a reality. This is a specialty of mine, bringing concepts to reality, and having a finished product that makes my customers happy. My first commission mask. My client gave me a single image of a beautiful drawing of a character wearing a "steel" mask (steampunk style), and asked if I could make something similar for him. This is actually multiple pieces of leather, riveted on a base mask style I created, together with real nickel rivets. I then painted with multiple shades of metallic paints to give depth, and sealed it. Several animal styles are currently available from us, including:
- Wolf "Lupus" (Photos not yet published, as he sells too quickly!) - Cat "La Petite Chat" - Bobcat, "Boxb" - Fox "Foxx" - Goblin "the Goblin" - Dragon "Ness the Dragon" - Cthulhu inspired "Marianas Trench Creeper" - Bull, "Toro the Bull" - A creature mask that has been referred to as "dobby" by the most recent client who purchased one. Looking forward, there will be more, including whisker options on applicable masks. Are there any animals you'd like to see in leather mask form? Post it in the comments.
book character styles, venetian, renaissance and more. The eventual goal is to have well over 200+ styles of masks in the long run, with an equally impressive list of tooling options and examples readily available via gallery. It's a weighty goal, but one I feel that is obtainable in the long run. If you've ever considered a custom leather mask, please do email us via the contact form to discuss. I've already had a wide array of enquiries, and none too odd or obscure.
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