How can I make this sword?
October 24, 2015 7:11 AM Subscribe
I'm going to be Pearl from Steven Universe for Halloween, and I have all my costume parts accounted for except for her sword. How can I recreate the sword cheaply and quickly?
I don't need it to be the most perfect artistically done Pearl sword in the world, just to be minimally recognizable as hers, with the sort of curling part around the top that ends in the point. I am willing to either buy a cheap (<$40.00, the cheaper the better) premade item or do some basic crafty stuff. (Think cutting, gluing, coloring.) I will not have time or energy this week for more involved craft projects; a friend suggested paper mâché for the sword blade, but no way in hell I have the time to make that happen. If I'm going the premade item route I'd prefer to buy locally, but I'd order online for something amazingly perfect with fast shipping. Etsy has some fancier prop pieces aimed at cosplayers, but I don't need anything that high end.
Is there a name for the general type/shape of sword the Pearl uses that would make a good search keyword?
I have access to A.C. Moore, Toys R Us, Target, tiny local cheap toy stores, and some of those pop up Halloween stores. I'm a reasonsbly competent crafter in the sense that I can follow patterns well and have basic art supplies at home, it's mostly the time holding me back.
I don't need it to be the most perfect artistically done Pearl sword in the world, just to be minimally recognizable as hers, with the sort of curling part around the top that ends in the point. I am willing to either buy a cheap (<$40.00, the cheaper the better) premade item or do some basic crafty stuff. (Think cutting, gluing, coloring.) I will not have time or energy this week for more involved craft projects; a friend suggested paper mâché for the sword blade, but no way in hell I have the time to make that happen. If I'm going the premade item route I'd prefer to buy locally, but I'd order online for something amazingly perfect with fast shipping. Etsy has some fancier prop pieces aimed at cosplayers, but I don't need anything that high end.
Is there a name for the general type/shape of sword the Pearl uses that would make a good search keyword?
I have access to A.C. Moore, Toys R Us, Target, tiny local cheap toy stores, and some of those pop up Halloween stores. I'm a reasonsbly competent crafter in the sense that I can follow patterns well and have basic art supplies at home, it's mostly the time holding me back.
If you search "cosplay pearl spear" you might have better luck.
One tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zmssNqSqv0
another spear, with some how-to info in a comment: http://sleepyotter.deviantart.com/art/Steven-Universe-Pearl-Spear-488194586
posted by belladonna at 7:25 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
One tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zmssNqSqv0
another spear, with some how-to info in a comment: http://sleepyotter.deviantart.com/art/Steven-Universe-Pearl-Spear-488194586
posted by belladonna at 7:25 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Ha, I totally meant the spear! So that's why I wasn't getting results. Now that that's clarified, keep the suggestions coming!
posted by ActionPopulated at 7:31 AM on October 24, 2015
posted by ActionPopulated at 7:31 AM on October 24, 2015
Use a broomstick.and for the flaring blade you could get some wide silver ribbon that is wired to allow the edges to be shaped and hold their shape. Wrap around the top and shape the approximate blade.
Would not withstand blade work.
Other option is cut cardboard ovals into a spiral.
In spiral so when pulled it makes the spiral blade shape, spray paint whole thing in blade colour. Like with spiral snake papercraft project but altering widths to give swoop to blade.
Styrofoam balls on end of broom can make decorative bottom. Found at discount craft stores.
posted by chapps at 9:19 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Would not withstand blade work.
Other option is cut cardboard ovals into a spiral.
In spiral so when pulled it makes the spiral blade shape, spray paint whole thing in blade colour. Like with spiral snake papercraft project but altering widths to give swoop to blade.
Styrofoam balls on end of broom can make decorative bottom. Found at discount craft stores.
posted by chapps at 9:19 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would use wire clothes hangers attached with duct tape, and then cover everything with tinfoil. But then I'm kind of partial to tinfoil.
posted by ropeladder at 10:28 AM on October 24, 2015
posted by ropeladder at 10:28 AM on October 24, 2015
You may be able to find a kind of duct tape, or other tape, that is silvery enough to make a cardboard blade. Otherwise silver paint. Broom handle (you can get replacement handles at a hardware store) or closet pole for the shaft.
posted by SemiSalt at 2:21 PM on October 24, 2015
posted by SemiSalt at 2:21 PM on October 24, 2015
In re: silvery tape, in the plumbing department of a hardware store there is aluminum tape, which is basically sticky-backed tin foil. I just made some wacky made-up superhero thing for my kid with it today, it's great, though I'd probably do light colored non-metallic spray paint on Pearl's spear if I had drying time. I'd also get a broom handle, and find a big piece of cereal-box cardboard to cut a spiral out of. Tape the spiral such that the inner part of it is always touching the broom handle as it goes around. You'll probably need extra cardboard, or some paper practice, to get the spiral right. For one night, and a casual costume, it would work.
(So tempted to do Peridot. Soooo tempted.)
posted by tchemgrrl at 5:45 PM on October 24, 2015
(So tempted to do Peridot. Soooo tempted.)
posted by tchemgrrl at 5:45 PM on October 24, 2015
I'd use a broomstick or wooden dowel (you can generally find them at a hardware store or craft store in varying sizes.) I'd then use a sheet of foam (fun foam, should be by the felt or something.) Cut the sheet into a continuous spiral that starts larger and get smaller. Carefully use hot glue to slowly glue the spiral down the shaft of your spear (dowel). You can build up the edges with hot glue too. You can spread hot glue using a wooden popsicle stick or other device. Then do the adornments with styrofoam balls or something similar.
Then, dangle the whole thing by wire in a well ventilated and boxed off area and spray paint the whole thing.
That's what I would do to jig something together quickly and cheaply.
posted by Crystalinne at 1:25 AM on October 25, 2015
Then, dangle the whole thing by wire in a well ventilated and boxed off area and spray paint the whole thing.
That's what I would do to jig something together quickly and cheaply.
posted by Crystalinne at 1:25 AM on October 25, 2015
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(The sword would be easier b/c it's a basic cutlass, which I'm sure you could find a toy version of.)
posted by jammy at 7:22 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]