latex

liquid latex is the magic ingredient

If you are a DIY kind of Halloween person, I invite you to consider the advantages of making this year’s costume with the materials and methods of Organic Armor.

1. It’s cheap.

Latex costs about 20.00 per quart, and a quart will go a long way. Fabric and cord can be upcycled or purchased for a few dollars a yard. The raw materials of the Organic Armor Arts are low cost, unlike Worbla, Wonderflex, leather, fiberglass or many other supplies used for sculptural costumes. You don’t need expensive equipment either (no vacuum form machine, laser cutter or 3D printer).

2. It won’t kill you.

Breathing in the fumes of some armor making materials is bad for your health, as is getting it on your hands. When you get into gluing plastics or brushing on resins you have to use safety measures. Organic Armor Arts materials – water-based acrylics, natural fibers, and latex, are easy on the skin. In fact peeling latex off your fingers is kind of fun. The worst thing you’ll have to cope with is the ammonia that thins the latex. As long as you don’t breathe it in close up, it’s not a problem. The smell dissipates quickly.

unicorn and paul3. It’s versatile.

What do a gladiator chestplate, unicorn mask, and Cleopatra headdress have in common? We’ve made them all with the Organic Armor Arts process. From WOW armor to LOTR circlets, the materials and techniques can be adapted to many styles of wearable art. It can also be used for making or decorating other objects like journal covers, puppets or lamp shades. The limits of this new art form are just waiting to be explored.

 

4. It connects you to a community of creative people.

The folks who have already signed up for the course  are a diverse and supportive bunch. Many ages, backgrounds and purposes are united in exploring the materials and techniques. In the discussion boards and private Facebook group we are seeing great questions, work in progress pictures and enthusiastic encouragement of fellow students. It’s an inspiring art community to which you have 24/7 access forever.

bellydance costume

Sabrina of San Diego in custom bellydance set

5. You will look amazing, for a long time, and not get a headache.

This is the best reason of all. You will be able to manifest your costume vision in a dramatically beautiful way, yet the pieces are comfortable to wear. Want to dance all night in your headdress? You won’t take anyone’s eye out or wrench your back wearing this stuff. And it lasts for years. We have armor from 1999, worn to Burning Man many times, as well as countless other revels. It’s still in good shape. If it does get damaged or caked in dust you can fix it with the same stuff you made it out of.

So there you go, five excellent reasons to learn the Organic Armor Arts. Take the online introduction course (there is ongoing open enrollment) and make something badass for Halloween.

Bonus reason: There is no sewing involved!

IMG_0452

course demonstration project is a pair of upper armbands

You might be asking – how long will this take me? Once you have all your supplies (lists and international sources provided as part of the course), the online course demonstration project can be completed in 2-3 days.

If your goal is to make a costume for Halloween or another specific event, we recommend purchasing the course at least 6 weeks before that. This will give you time to acquire the supplies, learn the basic skills by doing the intro project, and then experimenting and designing on your own (there are lots of friendly people on the Facebook group, including us, to help you if you get stuck).

 

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