Potential Maskmaking business

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

Hey guys, since last year's Secret Santa where I designed an Orca/Seal mask for Mermaid Margarete I have made a couple other masks, including a two-sided skydiving mask for my ex boyfriend, and now another mask for this year's secret santa (though I will refrain from posting pictures of that one until I find out for sure that she's gotten it). I also have plans for several other masks, including a gargoyle mask and a coral mask.

The basic masks, paints, fake gems and other things aren't too hard to get or particularly expensive, and I was wondering if this is something that some of you might want for yourselves, and if I should have a go at making some sort of online ordering shop as a side business. What do you think?

I was thinking that people could request a theme or animal (or two animals blended together), relative gaudiness (whether to line the mask with gems, add frills and feathers, etc) and I could come up with a design that appeals to them, get their ok on it, and then create and ship the mask to them. Obviously this is something that would see a lot more business during the Mardi Gras and Halloween times of the year, but I thought that conventions and the like could also draw in some customers.

Here's the page link to Mermaid Margarete's post showing her Seal/Orca mask:
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?3592-2012-MerNetwork-Secret-Santa-General-Interest-amp-Discussion-Thread/page10&highlight=secret+santa

[halesloveswhales]

Looks great! Maybe practice painting on canvases first a little bit to get a cleaner look, but I think you could definitely make a little business. And Etsy is a great place to start!

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

Here's MermaidHyli's mask for Secret Santa 2013.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Neat!

I've been looking for a mask that also a swim cap...

[Miyu]

I like! I think they'd also sell well around festival/burning man season :)

Do you seal your paint? That's something to think about, since any masks worn at Burning Man will have to put up with a lot of fine, corrosive sand and sun - I'm looking at trying this sealer for some of my own work: Dura Clear (http://www.joann.com/dura-clear-varnish/prd35492.html#q=dura+clear&start=1)

[Mermaid Jaffa]

@Miyu - You have to make sure that varnish is ok with skin contact! The one I use for paper beads is, Triple Thick Glaze.
Here is an example of the glaze on my beads. I used one coat of glaze.

18280

[Miyu]

The manufacturer's website (http://www.decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?DuraClear_Poly_Varnishes) says it's non-toxic (though it shouldn't be used on food contact surfaces). On the polymer clay website I found it on (glass attic), someone said it was recommended to her by a polymer clay manufacturer, and also that she has used it on unbaked clay (then baked it), which I would assume would strengthen the bond and prevent cracking or peeling. She also said that it seems similar to liquid sculpey (though much more clear, LOL).