You and I have -both- wanted my masks to be available in silver, for YEARS. But, at the scale of a mask, silver is just too expensive; even my smallest masks would be many hundreds of dollars, just in materials. And so, I shelved the idea back in 2004.
But folks kept asking, and so a few years ago, I priced out what it would cost to make a mask in copper and then silverplate it. Turns out that, because of the unique nature of my creations, that wasn't much better; the quotes I got back were in the 300 dollar range. So, I shelved the idea again.
But then! I was at an antique store an I saw a tiny little teatray, and on the back it was stamped "silverplate over copper" and I thought "yes. Yes I can do this thing."
And so, just this past year, I've started working with the discarded trappings of generations past. Where-ever possible I redraw my designs to work with and around the existing engraving, making whiskers out of some other craftsman's scrollwork, and button-cute noses from someone else's roses. This has been a new challenge for me, and I love both the process and the results.
In most cases, the metal -under- the copper plate is the same as what I would normally use for masks; they are just as strong and just as flexible as the rest of my work. Wherever this is not true, I will make a note.
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The wonder of a copper mask is in the strength and give of the material. Because it is so strong, the mask can be very thin- this makes it both very light, and makes it possible to fit as a second skin. These won't block your peripheral vision the way a leather. paper maiche, or plastic mask would. They can be very comfortably worn all day and night- no worries about sweat or rain causing them to soften and lose their shape. Rinse it with clean water at the end of the night before putting it away. They can stand up to anything you throw at them. As for packing? Throw it in your bag. If you're checking the bag, maybe stuff a balled up pair of socks where your forehead would go. Easy.
Not planning to wear your mask? He or she won't mind. They can hang flat against a wall, or sit on a shelf.
