Create your own tiki head from plaster.
Whether you're planning a rockin' luau or simply love tropical decor, a tiki head or two is essential. These colorful masks feature exaggerated features, often showing large teeth and giant eyes. Though they're usually carved from wood, you can make lightweight plaster versions at home. Not only are homemade masks cheaper than the real deal, they're also infinitely customizable, allowing you to match them to your taste and style. Just paint them any way you like. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Pour about 2 cups of plaster powder into a plastic bowl. Add warm water ¼ cup at a time, stirring all the while with a disposable stirring spoon. The plaster should become smooth and slightly thick, like melted ice cream or whole milk.
2. Spray the tiki mask mold with cooking spray. The spray helps keep the plaster from fusing to the mold, allowing you to release it later.
3. Fill the mold with plaster, and allow it to cure and harden for at least 48 hours. The plaster must be hard all the way through. Otherwise, your piece may fall apart or get moldy after you paint it.
4. Turn the mold over, and gently press on it with your thumbs to release the plaster form. The tiki face should smile or frown up at you in sharp detail.
5. Paint the face as you like with acrylic paints. Let the paint dry overnight, and add another layer of paint if necessary. Plaster can soak up a lot of color.
6. Flip the mask over, and screw a picture hanging bracket into it with a hand drill. Small screws should be strong enough to hold the mask in place on your wall.
Tags: mold with, tiki head