Tuesday, October 28, 2014

DIY Artemis Costume (A Halloween Pinterest Poser Challenge)


In a world full of inappropriate Halloween costumes for girls and women, I was particularly pleased when Lucy informed me she wanted to be Artemis, the Goddess associated with protecting chastity and purity.  I mean right?  

Last year I encouraged Lucy to pay homage to strong, interesting women from the past like my favorite Frida Kahlo or Amelia Earhart.  She wasn't feeling it and decided to be a pirate.  This year, I didn't encourage or suggest anything, Lucy came to me on her own and asked if she could be a goddess.  She has been obsessed with mythology since reading all the Percy Jackson books this past summer.  

I asked her why she liked Artemis and she said because "she is sort of really strong on her own and doesn't need men and she protects children and hunts animals and kills anyone that sees her naked."  Wow.  That led to a conversation about what feminism is and how women don't have to dislike men to be pro-woman and pro-equal rights and equal pay.  It.Was.Fascinating.  We talked about beauty and self-respect and modesty.  

It was one of those conversations if you planned it, it wouldn't have worked out, it would have been weird and uncomfortable.  This was one of those spontaneous you better put down the iPhone and pay attention because there's a real connection happening kinds of conversations.  

I was feeling very proud and possibly a bit cocky, like I was a pretty great mom until I saw her face when I told her I was going to "make her the best Artemis costume ever."  All the excitement and energy she had turned into frustration and disappointment.  "You? You are going to make it?," she asked.  "Can't we buy one? Please?"

"Ye of little faith, I will show you," I said matter-of-factly in a bad Scottish/Irish accent for no reason other than I love accents.  "You are going to be one fierce Artemis, I promise."  I promised matter-of-factly in a bad accent without a plan or any extra costume making/buying money.  

So, today's Pinterest Poser Challenge* is an inexpensive DIY Fierce Artemis Costume.  After scouring Pinterest and YouTube, I put a costume together and I'm actually super excited about how it turned out.  And I'm even more excited because Lucy loves it.  

*In an attempt at not being a Pinterest Poser,** every week I detail a new project/idea/recipe inspired by Pinterest.
**My definition of a Pinterest Poser is someone who is all pins and no substance.

Supplies needed for this costume:
Fake leaves- $1.79 from Michael's
Gold spray paint- $3 from Michael's
Thick-ish gold wire- $2 from Michael's
Very thin, fishing wire thin, gold wire- $1.50 from Michael's
Gold Ribbon- $1 from Michael's
White sheet
Bow
Safety Pins


Step one- The Crown
1. I used my trusty snowman scissors to cut the leaves off the branch. 

2. Lucy and I spray painted both sides of the leaves.




3. While the leaves are drying, measure the thick-ish wire around the chosen goddess' head and use wire cutters to make it the right size.  Wrap the thin wire around the open ends to hold it together.



4. Then thread the thin wire through two sides of the leaves and wrap them around the crown.  Secure the thin wire by wrapping the edges around the back of the crown.  Use as many leaves or as little as you like. 




Step Two-- The Sheet/Dress
1. Wrap around the body and safety pin it together.  Use the extra and twist into a rope and drape over the shoulder and pin to the back.  

2.  Honestly, do whatever you can and pin wherever you can to make it look like a dress.  I watched tutorials and ended up doing my own thing.  And each time I did it on Lucy, I did it differently.  Just make sure the pins are secure, everything is covered and the sheet isn't too long and your goddess won't trip while trick-or-treating.


Step Three- The Belt
1. Tie gold ribbon around the waist. Done.

Step Four- The Armband
1. wrap the extra thick-ish gold band around her arm several times.  Then use the wire cutters to bend the ends so they won't scrap or scratch or pinch your goddess.

Step Five- Admire Your Work
1. Stand your goddess in front of a mirror and tell her "I told you I'd make you a fierce Artemis."  Yeah, go ahead and gloat for a minute.  And then just be so happy that she's happy.

 We accessorized with plastic weaponry we happened to have around our house-- a bow, a dagger.  



What are your kids dressing up as this Halloween?  Did you make their costumes? 
Have you made anything inspired by Pinterest lately?  Let me know in the comments or over on my Facebook page


Come follow me on Pinterest (click here).

Here are some of the Pinterest projects I've done/made/attempted.

Taking Pictures of Your Kids- click here
Gluten Free Pretzels- click here
Cinnamon Sugar Doughballs- click here
Painted Lockers- click here
Melted Beads- DIY Suncatcher- click here
Tissue Paper Pom Pom Garland-- click here
A Delightfully Simple Birthday Party--click here
Make An Awesome Omelet--click here
Outdoor Lights Inspired by the show Parenthood- click here
Herb Garden with Chalkboard Pots- click here
Backyard Graffiti Art with kids- click here
Happiness Notecards- click here
Gluten Free Rainbow Cake- click here
Fruit Roll-Up Fortune Cookies- click here
Make Your Own Magnets- click here
DIY Painted Clay Necklace- click here
Dixie Cup Lights- click here
DIY Ornaments-click here
Gluten Free Clay- click here
Make Your Own Stamps- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here
Gluten Free Pop Tarts- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here
Summer Wish List Chalkboard-click here
Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Sandwiches-click here
Painted Mason Jar Vases-click here
Cinco de Mayo Paper Flowers- click here
Earth Day Cupcakes- Click here
Nail Art-click here
Homemade Photo Booth Fun- click here
Fake Bangs- click here
DIY Subway Art- click here
Furniture Painting and Bench/Chest Makeover- click here
Thanksgiving-y Project/Gratitude/Holiday Countdown- click here
The Smoothie-click here
The Free Printable Turned Artwork in a Boring Hallway- click here
The chalk board-click here
Seven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click here
The Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here


9 comments:

  1. This is an AWESOME costume. Cady is going as Alice in Wonderland, and yes, I had to make her costume too. She has outgrown the "kid's" sizes and no way in the world was I letting her wear one of those adult costumes.

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  2. Awesome - way to go! I love DIY costumes. So much better than store bought! This will be my last year making a costume for either of my kids - I stop after 6th grade (totally arbitrary decision on my part). After this year they will both have to mix and match out of what we have in the costume bin - they have plenty to choose from.

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  3. So awesome! I love that she loves it. I always put together the kids' costumes, thinking it will be cheaper. It rarely is, but I get a storage satisfaction from it.

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  4. I'm crazy about this! Sending the link to several friends...

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