DIY Network

Easter Island Tiki Masks These authentic-looking tiki masks are easy to make from basic papier-mâché. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-101L

There's no need to spend a fortune on decorations for your tropical-themed party when you can create tiki masks like these using nothing more than papier-mâché and a little imagination!

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Materials:

Easter Island Tiki Masks

papier-mâché mix
water
pencil
plastic bowl
acrylic paints in various colors
paintbrushes
spray varnish
sawtooth picture hanger
waxed paper

1. Mix the papier-mâché with water according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure A). This will feel like a light and fluffy clay. As you are working with the mixture, if the papier-mâché begins to dry out, add a bit of water to your hands to rehydrate it.

2. Working on waxed paper, use 3/4 of the mixed papier-mâché for the base of the tiki mask (figure B). Using your hands, pat the mixture together until you have formed a shape that is approximately 14"x6"x1" thick. You can use you fingers or the end of a pencil to create indentations in the base and add details.

Figure A

Figure B

3. Use the remaining mixture to form the facial features (figure C). You can roll balls for the eyes, tubes for the mouth and a triangle for the nose and create freeform shapes to make additional decorative features.

4. Once the base and features are completed, use your fingers to smooth out the mask. Allow the mask to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. It usually takes about three to four days.

5. Once dry, paint the entire mask one color (figure D).

6. Allow the paint to dry. Add additional paint colors to detail and highlight the facial features (figure E).

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

7. Allow the paint to dry. Working in a well-ventilated area or outside, apply spray varnish and allow to dry.

8. Attach the sawtooth hanger to the back of the mask for hanging.