Must Need Cosplay Materials for accessories/weapons

Making a good cosplay goes beyond just the clothing, most characters have unique and fantastical accessories, weapons, etc. that really make them stand out. Some of the more extreme items such as giant swords and light up guns might need more care, money, and effort--but here are a few good must haves for basic items that can be used in many, many ways.

• Cardboard: There's almost nothing easier to find and cheaper than good cardboard (Excluding the next supply below). Cardboard may seem flimsy or cheap, but with such a variety that can be found from many day-to-day items, it is definitely a good basis for many items. Cardboard is an awesome supporting structure--I've used it to make hats and instruments.

Trying to play a character with a giant pointy hat or hood? Take some thincardboard and make the cone shape, tape generously, perhaps smooth out withpapermache if necessary, and cover with fabric!

Cardboard can be transformed to have many textures and looks, and it's lightweight!perfect for toting around big conventions.

• Paper Mache (ie newspaper and glue-mixture): There are many ways to paper mache, and many ways to apply it to cosplay uses. If you use cardboard to make a frame for something, paper mache can seal it and smooth it out. It's also super easy and fun! I found it oddly nostalgic to slop glue mixed with water all over the place. Paper mache can be used to cover framework, and transform random objects into character-related pieces.

There are probably million recipes for paper-mache glue online, try them all if youwant. I decided to stay simple though and I just mixed a random amount of elmer's gluewithwater until it seemed to have the right viscosity..totally guessing though, it's prettymuch fool-proof.

• Paperclay: Clay in general can be very useful in sculpting small or detailed things, but I've found that Paperclay is especially useful for even big objects, and it's sandable! I've also been able to get it on sale at Hobby Lobby for super cheap! The packages seem small if your going for big coverage, but a little does go a long way.

I made this guys horn thing:http://www.zeldadungeon.net/Zelda11/Bosses/SkullKid_Large.png thanks mostlyto paper mache and paperclay. For the white-ish ball, I bought a styrofoam ball, coveredit in some papermache (probably ultimately unecessary..but whatever), and thenpaperclay which I then sanded to almost perfection! Because the ball was styrofoam, Iwas able to stick the ends of 4 funnels (enlarged thanks to cardboard and papermache)into it and glue them to hell and back with hot glue.

Because Paperclay dries well and can be sanded, it is great for making textured andsmooth things.

• Hot Glue: A good supply of hot glue helps a lot, for literally everything. I'm not sure I even have to say that much about it except for go for it! Be careful though, if it should be sewed, sew it. Don't rely on hot glue for clothing items or things that might need to be washed after wearing. It's quick and easy, but not always the best option. It's great for cardboard though!
• Paint: Paint can really make the item pop, and be the most accurate as possible. I stick with a good supply of acrylic paint--thanks to an ancient supply from my childhood that I add to as necessary, I am able to mix and match many colors for many props. I've even used it on fabric! (Careful though it is difficult/nigh impossible to get out of fabric) You can get metallic acyrlic, and glosses that make it shiny. Acyrlic paint is versatile and is just one option. Feel free though to experiment with many types of paints if acrylic is not working for your project though.

The best part about making props is the application of creativity! Even though it the gun might not be technologically possible, it can be replicated accurately if you work hard enough. These are just basic ideas to help get you started with testing out ideas. And while they are basic, they are fundamental for starting out most props, even if just to make a quick model before making the real thing from a nice or more expensive product.

Good Luck!