Cardboard Hermit Crab Costume by Amber
Materials: cardboard, paper chord, white glue, paint
The Cardboard Collective
Cardboard Lobster Costume
Cardboard Lobster Costume by Amber and Pete
materials: cardboard, paper, paper cord, white glue, paint
Cardboard Octopus Costume
Cardboard Octopus Costume by Amber
materials: cardboard, watercolors, paper cord, cartons, Kraft paper, white glue, wire, LEDs
Dancing Cardboard Skeleton Costume
Dancing Cardboard Skeleton by Amber
materials: cardboard, tempera, watercolors, paper cord, nuts and bolts, white glue
Cardboard Queen Bee Costume
Cardboard Queen Bee Costume by Amber
materials: cardboard, white glue, paper, apple cartons, paper twine
Cardboard Pumpkin Head
Cardboard Pumpkin Head Costume by Amber
materials: cardboard, craft paper, tempera paint
Decorative Repair
...some experiments in repairing books in a way that adds something.
Wouldn't it be nice to add a little poem to a torn page, or a note saying something like...
It's O.K.
Don't worry.
I used Japanese rice paste, (called Nori) and some pretty paper scraps. It was a hard choice sometimes between colors that follow the mood of a book and others that contrast it.
I also tried to fix a glass apothecary jar I use for things like buttons. It broke in a way that created a large hole, but no cracks, so washi tape was enough....
And lastly, my basket for thread. The edges of the basket were cracked and the whole thing was falling apart. The colors of the paper always brighten my mood, and I can still see my thread peeking through patches of the basketry.
Cardboard Costume Challenge 2013!
YYYYEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!! Today is the Kick-off for The 2nd Annual Cardboard Costume Challenge!
The Mission? to inspire the making of awesome handmade cardboard costumes.
My secret agenda? Help parents reconnect with their kids (and themselves) through making.... and my even more secret agenda, rid the earth of flimsy, flame-retardant Halloween costumes destined for the landfill.
I decided that this year I wanted to adopt a non-commercial, non-competitive approach (less contest, more spirit tunnel) AND I wanted to make the event more kid-centered (it's such a valuable design opportunity for kids.) I also wanted to encourage adults, who maybe don't own a sewing machine, or don't think of themselves as "creative" to branch out and try dabbling in cardboard.
Cardboard Cowboys by Leelada via Flickr
My own creative mother found the costumes entered last year so amazing she said she was too intimidated to attempt a cardboard costume! This year there won't be any categories, sponsors, or prizes.....just an event for sharing cardboard enthusiasm and the love of making!
So what do you think? Sound interesting? You can follow posts and tutorials throughout the month of October centered around topics like cardboard hats, masks, accessories, and other costume extras plus info about tools, tips for working with cardboard, and moving from idea to finished costume.
Upload pictures of your costume in progress (as well as completed) HERE in the Flickr community and access past tutorials HERE.
P.S.
There are a few prize related contests and opportunities out there that you should know about if you would like to enter a competition (with some pretty substantial loot.) We'll definitely be rooting for you!
Inhabitat Green Halloween Costume Contest (adults)
Inhabitot Green Halloween Costume Contest (kids)
See you soon!
Cardboard for Stools & Tabletops
It was a pleasant discovery to find out that old album covers can be opened up to create a large, 4 paneled piece of cardboard for the Totem Box table and stool tops.
You may or may not have noticed from my previous pictures that Stevie Wonder is gracing the surface of our Totem Box table. If my daughter does in deed learn to read from constant exposure to "Master Blaster" lyrics, I'll be the first to let you know.
The album cover cardboard is pretty durable. It can recover from a spill as long as it isn't left standing too long, but if you're after something that you can truly pass a rag over, I suggest re-purposing shiny, plasticized paper shopping bags.
The plastic is not recyclable, but I'm pretty sure that these bags are processed without a problem at most paper recyclers. We are able to put them out here in Japan, and I pick them up from other people's recycling piles for the odd project here and there.
While cardboard still rules, it's nice to have options...
