Thread: Hand-Made Female Grim Reaper and Sickle

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Last year I was an angel.



This year... more the Angel of Death.

I've been reading the debate of ladies not having any "scary" costumes and basically they are all scantily-clad, lace and sparkle... which really isn't all that bad. If the world was full of Victoria's Secret runway models, I bet there would be more smiles.

But, alas, it is Halloween. Let's get back to the basics. What do I have to work with? I'm small, cute and have a pretty face. I can't do "sexy," that's reserved for girls with exorbitant cleavage. So... scary? Well, I'll try. In fantasy-land, (where I generally reside) what can make a small girl intimidate others? Magic, fear or a really, large BLADE.

The specter of Death is a very misunderstood creature. I'm not all that bad of a character. Just doing my job. We all die, and honestly, it's rather comforting to know we won't have to walk alone when the lights first go out.

I'll be waiting.
Despite your beauty, forget your wit, burn your wealth.
I'll be waiting.



This year, I will be attending the evening with an Evil Red Riding Hood, and my sister, the Peacock, who will very much resemble a gorgeous Vegas Showgirl. I am quite excited to see both finished. Evil Red has a beautiful floor-length, crushed satin cloak, and the Peacock... well, my Momma is working on that costume. Going to be outstanding.

I have to admit, at first I really wanted to "glam" the Reaper. Perhaps an anime version with purple and gems and ribbons adorning the sickle. But, not this year. I'd personally like to put on my serious face and freak some people out. But I almost have a bit of both working. What's more frightening than death itself approaching... and seducing you at the same time?

I like this game.

So. Here's my inspiration:


The Cloak:





The long sleeved, dangling arms are awesome.


Make up:







The dark eyes are a must. Need to be scary and sexy and I want big, feather eyelashes. Why? Because I can. Not sure just yet about the lipstick. If I do the wrap, which I really like, then I don't have to worry about it.

The Wings: (Already paid for! )







Again... Why? Because I can. I am a quite serious Harry Potter fan, I don't care if you laugh, roll your eyes or snicker. I love Harry Potter. In the Deathly Hallows, Death has beautiful, black wings, and in many depictions of the Reaper, black wings are present. And, just in case, I do have a wand I purchased from Orlando Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Sirius Black's wand actually) and I will have it concealed in my robes JUST in case someone tries to curse me. I will be ready with Sectum Sempra. Nasty little jinx.

Now the cool part.

The Sickle:

From pencil sketch to 1/8" thick aluminum. Someone might get hurt.





















PLASMA CUTTERS ARE COOL.

The larger blade still needs to be sharpened and polished. The back blade is sharpened and quite deadly I assure you. Still needs to be polished and I need to devise a "witty saying" with which I will translate to Latin and transfer to the top edge of the blade. Hopefully successfully. My original design had this swirlie thing, but I think it would be more appropriate with text that no one understands. More mystery.

Once the text is done, I need to cut it from painters tape (painstakingly) and transfer to the polished blade. I might just have a vinyl shop cut the letters, depending on how intricate it becomes. Then tape off the lower edge (as in the sketch) and spray paint the rest dark metallic silver. Two-tone blade.

The circles in the design will be cut out. I need to notch the staff, slide the blades in, and possibly spot weld them in place with small brackets, then wrap and cover it with black jewelry wire. Hopefully it all works out.

I spent the better part of a day wandering in the woods to find just the right size and look. After using a standard dish scrubber sponge and hardwood floor cleaner, it was clean and smooth, then I got some spray varnish. I should have just bought a can of it and brushed it on... but the look I wanted was in a mega can, and too much money for something I will likely never use again.






The wood is really cool up close. You can see parts where bugs burrowed and left trails. I'll get my good camera on it.

I got a bunch of fabric for my cloak. Last year we froze our butts off when we hit all the parties... so this time, I'm double-lining my cloak.



The outside is this cool, ripped effect, inside is a silk, fuzzy blanket material. I spray glued them together until they are sewn in place. It does stink a bit though. Hopefully it goes away. But I don't suppose Death smells pretty.

I have a bunch of black crushed velvet and have a lot of work to do! I'll try and get my nice camera for some more of the process, but I promise, we will have tons of finished photos!

Very, very nice job! I wanna see more!!

It looks amazing so far!

This probably isn't accurate as online translation can always mess up. But here goes. "Exaro nex traho vos seorsum." Which (depends where you translate it.) comes out as "Till death pulls you apart."

Yeah, That is what very little sleep makes you come up with. It's not great but also not bad. Also sounds a bit creepy, If you really think about the words.

Oh sweet! I want that blade!!

I've been the Grim Reaper the last two years (it was fun) but I'm too short to really pull it off, so I've been keeping an eye out for a cheap pair of construction drywall stilts.

I really like the makeup, I usually go for a covered face, but for a party it's perfect. My only advice is if you haven't finished your robe yet, go for layers, floaty, shredded, multi-shaded layers...

For example, "Tim" (from Monty Python and The Holy Grail) had great layers on his robe:

Originally Posted by wing

Oh sweet! I want that blade!!

I've been the Grim Reaper the last two years (it was fun) but I'm too short to really pull it off, so I've been keeping an eye out for a cheap pair of construction drywall stilts.

Check amazon, I just ordered a pair of 24"-40" Drywall stilts for $100 with free shipping. there's smaller sizes too for a little cheaper also. saw the reply pop up on my phone for some reason and had to let you know about it.

Forgot in my last post, since I needed a nap. But everything's looking great! Especially the sickle, It's very scary looking. ((and pointy ))

Thanks for the quick reply, too bad $100 is out of my price range these days I'm hoping to find a drywaller who needs some quick cash (I work in the paint industry, so it's only a matter of time). I'm curious if your going to have any issues carrying around that cool but lethal looking scythe in public?

speaking of naps... it's WAY past my bedtime! (I love this place already!)