Plaster Gauze Masks
I’m so excited to share this activity with you. Plaster gauze masks have to be one of our most popular activities.
At first, it seems a little scary getting your face completely covered by the gauze but as hesitant as I was I did it, and it was no big deal at all.
The final result, an incredible mask of your very own face, makes it totally worth it. Finished masks can be painted with acrylic paints or even decorated with pictures and magazine cutout and sealed with Mod Podge.
For this activity, we actually allowed two hours rather than our typical one hour breakout time. This way, everyone had a chance to have a mask made.
We were able to get about 25 of them finished within the two hour block of time. Decorating had to be done the next day so that the gauze could dry completely.
We are fortunate that our dear friend, Laurie, leads this session for us. She’s the art teacher at the middle school where we teach. However, even if you don’t have a Laurie, she and her daughter, Chloe, made a wonderfully detailed how-to video which you can find by scrolling down below the pictures. The video has everything from needed supplies to step-by-step instructions.
You will need:
- Plaster Gauze (we’ve ordered from Sax, Nasco, and Dick Blick and just picked the best price)
- Newspaper
- Warm Water
- Scissors
- Jelly
Make your mask:
- Cut plaster gauze with dry hands
- Wash hands
- Rub thin coat of petroleum jelly all over face
- Put warm water in a shallow dish
- Fold palm-sized gauze in half
- Dip in water then overlap pieces around the outline of the face
- Keep dipping gauze in warm water (NO LONGER FOLD)
- Work from outside to inside
- Constantly smooth it!
- Use smaller strips for the nose
- Cover all but the nostrils!
- Smooth gently to pick up features
- Cover with a second layer (Remember to work from the outside to the inside)!
- Let dry for 5 to 15 minutes
- After this, the person in the mask should make funny faces until it pops off
- Set mask on a cup to finish drying over night
Take lots of pictures and show us – julie (at) lovingchristministries.com.
Be sure to include time after this activity for the women to go wash their faces and get ready for the next activity. Some may want to put their makeup back on, and these eye makeup looks for older ladies would be great to share. Others may be content to simply remove the Vasoline from their faces. 🙂
Have fun with this activity! It’s always one of our most popular.
More Activity Ideas for Christian Women’s Retreats
Not long ago, I sent a request out to my readers asking them to share their favorite ministry activities. I think you’ll enjoy reading the post, 20 Purposeful Activity Ideas Shared by Women’s Ministry Leaders.
Love in Him,
Julie
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