The "horns" on this mask look almost like a kelp forest, or tentacles, or, if you want to keep it on land, twining vines or unfurling ferns, and then paired with that cute dog face and those big, trusting eyes? Seadog is a favourite of mine.
As with nearly all my masks, this is all cut from one sheet and then forged into this; their final form, a three dimensional wonder. The particular way the pairs of horns on this one cross is particularly complicated to arrange, and while I do no want to sound vain, I know I would not have been able to make this mask even five years ago. I am still getting better, and I am so very proud of that.
As with all my big masks, the weight is balanced through the horns; your mask will rest on your head lightly, like a cap, with your nose only acting as an anchor point. With the four horns on this mask, he almost stays in place on his own, but you really still will want a ribbon for wear.
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? They won't mind. They can hang flat against a wall, or sit on a shelf. Even the folks who buy them to wear them have them on display most of the year, and I promise that they love it.
