Part of the fun of making Halloween or Cosplay costumes is putting in those extra little details that bring your character to life. Part of the fun for me is to make sure that every piece is part of the whole character, and as much as I love those classic pumpkin buckets, I can’t pass up a chance to make a one of a kind prop!
The first thing I did was set out to find a large enough can that could double as a trick or treat bucket. I opted for some large coffee cans-they were the perfect size for what I wanted and provided enough caffeine to help me tackle more costume projects (everybody wins!). First things first, carefully remove the label, empty the cans and give them a good wash. A quick Google image search gave me just what I needed, and I was able to use the back of the coffee can label to free hand my design.
Image found at DeviantArt.com
Once I finished sketching my design, I used craft paint to fill it in and add all the details and extra touches. I tried my best to make them both as identical as I could to the real thing. Luckily the lines are all supposed to be a bit wonky, so it gives you a lot of forgiveness if you are not an artist (like myself). A tip to make this step easier-take it in sections and work on one color at a time! It took me so much longer than I thought it would because the colors are so layered on top of each other in those little details. Also, in the small sections between the lettering, using a black sharpie marker is SO much easier than a paint brush. Trust me. This is no time to be a hero.
Once the paint is dry, generously coat the label with a layer of Mod Podge. This helps seal the paint and gives it a nice shine. While the Mod Podge was drying, I took my cans outside to spray with some black PlastiDip. In the game the cans are all black and yellow, and I figure if I’m going all in with making props then I might as well make them as authentic looking as possible!
Look how nice those black cans look! Ok, once your cans and labels are all dry, it’s time to secure them to one another. Start with a line of hot glue on the can and securing one side of the label to it. Wrap the label around the can, adding Mod Podge, to help glue the label down. Once you reach the end, finish it with another line of hot glue to make sure your label is secured.
And viola! That’s it! The extra details are really what bring these costumes to life, and are completely worth the extra effort. Don’t be afraid to take your costume to the next level with a little extra oomph!
I hope you come back tomorrow as we finish our Bendy and the Ink Machine costume tutorials with our Sammy Lawrence axe tutorial!
Murphy Party of 4 