What wings float YOUR Fairy?

[Mistress Cherry]

Ok, so I've never actually dressed up as a fairy, but the few I've seen have been dead cute. I know not a few costumers who work Faires, but none of them work a fantasy Faire, and so my exposure to fantasy garb creations has been limited.

That being said I had a marvelous idea about making a set of wings that I haven't actually managed to accomplish yet. I wanted to get some opinions on the possible validity of the idea, and also see what some more experienced folks like about wings and their methods of creation.

My idea:

First, you need newsprint paper (unused obviously). Take a few drops at a time of a dark brown ink or perhaps darkly brewed tea and drop it onto the paper. BEFORE it soaks in, blow on it at a slight angle. The angle of your breath will push the ink around in wobbly lines, that will branch off unexpectedly.

This is to simulate the veins in the wings.

My next thought involves liquid starch, like they use on clothing. I did a project once in class that involved a bucket of liquid starch and strips of newspaper. We'd wet the newspaper in the starch and drape it around an inflated balloon. The stuff stuck and once it was dried it made paper mache. *shrugs*

So my thought is that if you brushed liquid starch across your now veiny paper wings it would make them stiff and shiny as well, sealing the paper and making it slightly more durable. But it would still be light weight and easily attachable to a garment with a few well-placed stitches.

Thoughts? Comments? Am I completely nuts?

If this idea wouldn't work, how do you think it could be modified?

[Hoowil]

Most of the wings we see around here are wire framed and draped with fabric. Its basically a coat hanger bent into shape, with something along the lines of a pair of nylons stretched tight over it to keep it taught and shear. Then its hit with an air brush to give it some color, and maybe some glitter and spray glue. I know there are other styles, some of them getting pretty fancy and ingenious, but thats what seems most common.
I think the idea of using paper mache is neat. I'd try a couple differnet things, using different numbers of layers to help support it, ofreven trying the wire frame. My only real concern would be that if you use enough paper unsupported to still have it hold firm, it might get a little heavy, but its been a while since I've worked with paper mache, so there is a good possibility I over-estimate its weight.
I say give it a try, and let us know how it works, post lots of pictures. I'd love to find new ways to play with such things.

[Trillium]

Give it try and tell us what happens!  Some of the best ideas come from winging it!    ( sorry I couldn't resist the pun!)  Down here in TX, most wings are fabric or cellophane.  I love my cellophane wings, they are shiny and durable (although I do get pushed around if its windy).  But at some point I'll need new ones and am on the lookout for new ideas, since I no longer have contact with my wing-maker.

[gem]

(although I do get pushed around if its windy).

This would be my concern with paper wings (outside), as well--you don't want them to become a kite!  Maybe you could engineer some vents in places.

Otherwise it sounds very promising!  Give it a try and report back!

[bellalye]

This artist has beautiful sets of paper wings, and I know for a fact that they survived at least 1 whole TRF season (however,  they were never worn in the rain).  http://www.leopardsleap.com/gallery-wearable/wings.html

The faerie Ember at TRF
http://www.pbase.com/paul42/image/68353821

http://atistatplay.deviantart.com/art/Fire-in-green-44636597

I would still use multiple wire veins between the paper sheets, strong wire support is crucial for durable wings.

toodles!

[Kate XXXXXX]

These were HUGE (7' wingspan!), and NOT for kids...  But they were fun.  I need to do some more.



The recipe:http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Fairy-Wings/fairy_wings.htm

[Mistress Cherry]

Ah! I hadn't even thought of actually incorporating wiring in between layers. The initial idea was to have it only be one layer of paper, but now that I think on it, I'm not sure it would hold up through even just brushing the starch onto it. Now that it comes to mind though, part of the purpose of having the wings is to have easy ways to attach them. I was suggesting sewing the paper wings onto a garment, but what do we call pinholes through paper? Yep, it's called "perforation", and not exactly stable. Wiring, however, would give it a better anchor if nothing else, and you wouldn't be relying on just the paper and the starch to hold up its own weight.

Now, the cellophane idea intrigues me. Where would you get significant sized sheets of a cellophane durable enough to create wings? I mean, it isn't as though you're sitting at home with a roll of Saran Wrap is it?

The pictures make me suddenly less inclined to mess about with my idea. The effect I'm thinking of in more like moth wings. No one wants anything that plain for their Fairy! Still, if I can get the technique right then there's no reason why they can't be made in color...

[bellalye]

If you do want to try cellophane wings, here is a very nice tutorial

http://www.freewebs.com/faeriemuse/constructiontutorial.htm

I have used it to make these wings

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=157828&l=3537793d68&id=1437008357

I know many, many folks who wear cellophane wings, if you want shiny, I'd say go for it, however, if you would prefer moth wings, I think the paper would be the best bet, something like these...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasphotography/3414107520/in/set-72157615823126694/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saveena/282941064/

toodles!

[Trillium]

Mistress Cherry,
You can buy rolls of cellophane at craft stores, usually used for wrapping gift baskets.  I haven't had a chance to play with it much, my first few attempts fell apart, then my niece moved away so I don't have anyone to make them for anymore.

[Adriana Rose]

The Fairy Godmother at the Colorado faire has wings made of some really nice sheer fabric. The top of the wings are made out of wire and the rest just hangs free and does some very pretty fluttering in the breeze ( when there is one lol ) then they hook into the back of her bodice for support.

Think like a half of a C with sheer fabric hanging off the arch...

Sorry I dont have any pictures that my computer will let me share!

[Aunty Lou]

After having tried to make wings from comercial patterns, (Feh!) I tried this:

A spool of heavy-guage craft wire, bent into the shape of the wings you want (Mine are a down-swept dragonfly style, two lobes each side.)

Lay these down on sheer tulle or chiffon .  There are some pretty two-color, shimmery fabrics out there...

Use glitter paint to go over the wire, heavily.  Draw in veins and patterns.  Go nuts with color and glittery effects.

Let dry completely.

Trim out the wings from the solid fabric pieces.

Bend more, heavier wire (This is where the coat hangers are handy) into the supports for the wings, and where you will attach them to the body, or bodice.  Use more glitter paint, and attach the wings to the wire.  use more later to cover the places that didn't quite catch.  and there will be, we're talking hand-made, here...

Wear them. 

My fairies for "A Midsummer's Night Dream"  were grand and fabulous!

[Hoowil]

As is fairly common when I think of crafting ideas around here, I've got an idea to overly complicate things. If you're thinking of down turned, flat moth  like wings, you could have them hang from shoulder straps, so as to be removable (for sitting, driving, etc.) and have the actually be two seperate wings that overlap up top a little. That way, especially hung from your shoulders they might move, and move independantly, while you walk, making it look a liitle more alive. With a little practice, maybe they could 'stretch' a little. This is a random thought, and most likely not too realistic, but I thought I'd throw it out there....

[FaeHollow]

I make wings out of natural materials like leaves and flowers.... some pictures are here http://faehollow.wordpress.com
It's fairly easy as easy as arranging a vase of flowers. If you email me I will tell you how! I love the variety of wings I see at faire every year. I always want to do something different with mine because the butterfly ones are so overdone. I love the cellophane ones too! Your idea sounds like it could work fairly well. It doesn't hurt you to try it! It sounds fairly inexpensive so you wouldn't be losing much!

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

FaeHollow, I love your take on wings! My niece has a Moresca Fairy bodice and she wants wings.I think yours look just perfect for her.I'll post when they are done. Thanks for your ideas.

[FaeHollow]

oh yes please post pictures! I love good fairy wings