Medusa Headpiece

   This week I began work on the head piece for the Medusa costume. Some of the supplies I am using include: a few rubber snakes, a spool of bendable wire, a cheap costume wig with dreadlocks and a piece of chicken wire fencing (large enough to fit over my head). I am thinking I will also need some paint for the snakes and some felt to attach to the inside. Maybe even a headband, but I'll wait and see.

   The first step is to make a foundation. I shaped the chicken wire over my head like a cap. Flatten and bend until it fits securely. Remove from head and cut off the excess using wire cutters. You may also want to wear protective gloves while working with the chicken wire. Bend the cut wire ends back and twist them onto themselves. You do not want any sharp points poking you in the head.

    Next, you put the foundation inside the wig. The wig stretches so make sure you have pulled it completely around the wire cap. All the way down to cover the edges.
     Take the snakes and cut their tails off. How much depends on how far you want them protruding from the headpiece. I cut mine at various lengths but it is entirely up to you.
   

   Cut a piece of wire about three times longer than the snake, and beginning at the head, start twisting it around the body very tightly. I do this to add reinforcement and also it allows a little flexibility to shape the snake in different directions.


 

    Leave enough wire at the end to thread through the wig. Twist it around the wire in the foundation and then back out. Do this a couple of times to make sure it is anchored then wrap the remaining wire back up the snake about an inch for extra stability.

       Continue adding snakes in the same manner in whatever positions you desire. I used only five but you could use as many or as few as you want. Once all the snakes were attached I painted them (including the wire) black. Using water-based acrylic paint and a sponge brush. After allowing them to dry I began styling the hair, bunching it up in the back to recreate a messy up-do. I used heavy black thread to anchor the hair in place. I also smoothed a little baby powder into the wig to matte it and tone down the synthetic sheen.

    To finish the headpiece I glued black felt inside, covering all the chicken wire. This way it is much more comfortable on the head. White "Tacky Glue" works well. It is thicker than regular white glue so it doesn't soak through and holds much better than hot glue.
    And there you have it, my take on Medusa.....Now, what can we do next?..........