Technorati Tags: cartoon characters, Celastic, costumes, form fast, Mascots

Celastic!  

Celastic, you say!  What is Celastic?

For me, Celastic (a trademarked name) and it’s variations (Form Fast for one) have been godsends to my business.  When I was a mere lad in my first few months in the costuming business, I learned some of the old paper mache techniquess to build cartoon character heads for our shop.  You know…a much less sophisticated version of the type of cartoon characters you see might  see at a Disneyland or Kings Dominion.

In layman’s terms, Celastic is a sort of plasticized lightweight canvas or heavyweight fabric, which when softened in Acetone or MEK can be shaped into any  number of objects (using a mold).    It comes in various thicknesses and sizes. 

Cut into strips and/or sections, it is laid over a form or mold and assumes the exact shape and dimensions of the form.  After it dries and is cut off, it has become a clone of the form, except minimally larger.

In the masqueade, theatrical, performing arts arenas, it’s used for puppets, scenery, props, armor,  as well as mascot and cartoon costumes; but it may even have practical applications as in taxidermy and setting of broken bones.  

What I especially like about Celastic is that is impervious to the elements (waterproof), is lightweight enough to be able to be supported on the head/shoulders, and when dented, can easily be snapped back into place.  Paper mache, although lightweight, could easily become misshapen during a rainstorm; and dents required repairs.

TODAY, I start walking you through the video process of building a cartoon character head.  Just click on Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! (in pink) above if you don’t see the videos on this page.

NOTE:  For more information about Celastic, please contact us at russkampmann@gmail.com or costumes3@gmail.com

Technorati Tags: cartoon characters, Celastic, costumes, form fast

Technorati Tags: cartoon characters, Celastic, costumes, form fast, Mascots

Technorati Tags: cartoon characters, Celastic, costumes, form fast, Mascots

Technorati Tags: cartoon characters, Celastic, costumes, form fast, Mascots

Technorati Tags: cartoon characters, Celastic, costumes, form fast, Mascots

Technorati Tags: cartoon characters, Celastic, costumes, form fast, Mascots

Costumes!   Halloween and Masquerade

Costumes!      Santa’s and Seasonal, Valentines Day, Easter Bunnies 

Our company started in 1860. That’s not a typo….1860!  That was before Abe Lincoln was President of the United States. That’s a lot of years of experience!

We have serviced the theatrical industry, national chains, the general public, and now, YOU!

Whether it be a problem of what to wear for your party, or where to find a sexy costume, or a plus size costume; we hope to to help you resolve your costuming questions.

We will be available for YOUR costume questions and other seasons and special needs as well….!

BTW, the costume above [and others] is available at Annie’s Costume (see Annie’s ad in the upper right hand column)

Just Ask!

costumes3@gmail.com   or   russkampmann@gmail.com

(not live links, will require a cut and paste)

For your local National Costumer Association store, click here!

Technorati Tags: costumes, Easter Bunnies, Plus Size Costumes, Sexy Costumes, theatrical productions, valentines day costumes

Last evening, as I was watching the PBS special “Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” on the genealogy of several famous personalities, I began pondering my own lineage going back several generations.  As it was noted on the special, that I am (we are) a direct descendant of hundreds of thousands; nay, millions of ancestors.

NBC will host a series along the same lines commencing this week called “Who Do You Think You Are?“.

How does this relate to Halloween?

Halloween is only 239 days away and it’s time to start thinking about what you are going to wear to your annual Halloween party this season.  Where will your ideas come from this year?  Or will you be content to wear the same old Sexy Witch  or  Gorilla costume as you did last year?

As I costumer, and to somewhat prepare for the next Halloween season,  I always looked at new (in the year) TV shows, movies, politics  and other lifestyle trends to see what might be popular later in the year. This year the above mentioned shows might be the stimulus for new Hall

oween costume ideas.

We ar

e but composites of hundreds of t

housands; nay, millions of ancestors.  As we go back many generations, each one had a tale to tell.  Wow!  That certainly opens up the possibilities for Halloween costumes for this October.

Hmmm….where did I come from…..who were my ancestors?  Can I dress like one of my ancestors this Halloween.  Am I from European ancestry, or African or Asian?  Or a blend? 

A native of Germany, my great  grandfather was a bootlegger during Prohibition selling an illegal potent potable (bathtub gin, I would assume)  to local hotels.  He was also in the military in the post Civil War era.  For Halloween, I could dress in a gangster suit, or an Army uniform of the period?  Maybe lederhosen to reflect his country of origin ?   And he is just one person in my upline (that sounds like a multi level marketing term, doesn’t it?).  The possibilities are nearly endless. 

A little research (which will be informative, if not rewarding) is the starting point on this.  So talk to a parent or an older relative and see where it goes from there.

Technorati Tags: "Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, "Who Do You Think You Are?, genealogy, halloween, Jr.", NBC, PBS

Technorati Tags: aunt lydias, aunt lydias red rug yarn, Celastic, form fast, yarn