Creating Princess Estelia's Skeletal Mace

Princess Estelia wielding her
Mighty Skeletal Mace at A Viking Thing

This mace caused me a huge amount of mental distress during its creation. The main reason why we (my best friend and I) chose Selena and Estelia above the other eight Princesses in Rayman Legends was because, not only did they look more interesting, they weren't half naked.We did not factor in, at the time, how complicated their weapons would be to make. 
I am still not sure whether this weapon is in fact classified as a mace or ax. My reasoning is that this weapon is designed for inflicting blunt force rather than slicing through something, so mace it is. And that argument is solely based from knowledge gained from the playing the Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and watching The Walking Dead, and possibly a few Crime and Investigation series' too.
Technically, I only had a week left to complete the Skeletal Mace which probably added to my frustration with this weapon, and I wasn't entirely happy with the end result too. I just didn't have enough time make the surface of the skull portion bone smooth or fix the shape of the pommel. So you might want to start on this before you get to your helmet and give yourself more time to get your mace just right.
One challenge we came across early on was that the mace came out too flat and thin; and the fact that it isn't, just lending more credence to my theory that this is a mace and not an ax. So I had do a dangerous amount of intense mace staring and brain straining to figure out this problem. I definitely hurt my brain with this one, but I actually managed to find a solution.
Word of warning, the mace does end up becoming slightly heavy, not unbearably so; but carrying it around will give you a bit of a workout.
By the way, this craft project will create a big mess too.

Materials Required

Thick Cardboard
Newspaper (lots and lots of newspaper)
Broom Stick
Masking Tape
Craft Knife and/or Scissors
Glue Gun and Glue
Flour Paste with a little dishwasher soap
Craft Paint: Yellow, Blue (or Green and White), Tan and Umber
Craft Varnish

Step 1

Layer cardboard cut outs and
glue them onto your stick

Apparently, gun glue doesn't adhere to wood as well as paper, so you will need to wrap both ends in masking tape first before trying to stick anything to it.

Add 2 layers of cut outs on
each side to create your
pommel

Cut eight bone-like connecting ovals from your cardboard.
Cut four of the circles in half.
Using your glue gun stick both halves the bottom of your broom stick.
Stick two of the remaining shapes over the these on both sides.
Cut the remaining two shapes into four slightly smaller circles.
Stick these on top of both sides to complete the pommel of your mace.

Step 2

Stick Skull cut outs on both
sides of your stick

Draw the outline of the Skull onto two pieces of cardboard and cut them out.
Cut off the tusks on both pieces and the stick them together.
Bend the each of the horns along the outer edge inward in half as much as you can without tearing them.
Stick both sides of skull on top of your stick. Remember to be wary of the direction in which your pommel is facing and adjust your Skull's position to align it with the pommel's direction.
Stick the tusks onto the stick between your Skull cut outs.
Crumple up a few newspaper pages and stuff them between the cut outs along the stick.

Stuff your mace with
newspaper and tape off
all openings

Step 3

Now the hard part starts.
Using your masking tape, join the cutouts together by taping the horns along the top together. Start the top most horn and tape it all the down to the cranium.
Then move down to the nose and tape it to the stick. Again be wary of the direction of your pommel and the direction of the skull while you're taping it down.
Tape each of the remaining horns together.
Crumple up newspaper pages and stuff into the mace through bottom openings, do this until the mace takes on the desired rounder shape.
Once you're happy with the mace's general shape, close off all gaps to the inside of your mace by taping them closed.
Tape your horns to give a more rounder shape as well.
The tape does tend to peel after a while due to stress, so tape the tape all tape ends down as well.

Step 4

Layer with paper mache and
carve out the skull detail.

Cover  the surface of the skull, tusks as well as the the bone end in a thin layer paper mache.
While wet, carve out the eyes, nostrils and cracks into both sides the mace. I usually remove the paper completely from eyes and nostrils and move the excess along to their edges.
Leave to dry.

Add skull definition and
depth with newspaper pulp

Step 5

You're going to need a heck of a lot of flour paste for this step. But, it is a safer option than making newspaper pulp with a blender.
Crumple up small newspaper pieces with a fair amount of flour paste.
Use this to create your skull's 'facial' definition on both sides of the mace.
Don't forget to add the skull's bandage or patch.
Leave to dry.
Cover the wooden stick in a layer of paper mache.
Leave to dry.

Step 6

Smooth out surface with a
layer of paper mache and
flour paste coat

Even out the surface of the skull with a layer or two of paper mache. This will hopefully smooth out the bumpy surface caused by the newspaper pulp.
Leave to dry.

Add a coat of tan craft
paint to the entire mace

Coat the skull even layer of flour paste. Honestly, I just do this to paste down any edges my eye cannot see and creates whiter surface to paint over; so the newspaper's print is less likely to show underneath the coat of paint. This usually happens when you're working with acrylic, not craft, paint. At least with the metallic ones I've come across.
Leave to dry.
Paint the entire mace with your tan craft paint.
Leave to dry.

Step 7

Technically, the cracks, eye sockets and nostril holes were actually supposed to be a darker brown.
Umber apparently has a red tint that ended up turning into this weird clay pink colour when I mixed it with the tan. The fact that I ended up actually liking how the colour turned out on the mace was the only thing stopped me redoing it.
Paint your cracks, sockets and nostrils.
For the shadow effect or wear, brush a semi dry paint brush along the edges of the horns, bandage,  'cheek bones', tusks, pommel and nose point with the same colour.
Leave to dry.
Using masking tape, tape up the lower part of your mace.
Mixed yellow craft paint with a little bit of blue (or white with green) to get an avocado green.
Paint over the masking tape.
Leave to dry.
Coat your entire mace with a layer or two with craft varnish.
Leave to dry.

Then make those annoying Dark Teensies swell and explode like balloons at your Event! 

Paint the cracks, eye sockets, nostrils, grip and shadowing.
Finish with a couple of coats of varnish.

Stay tuned for my next blog in the Princess Estelia in Action series where I will give a step-by-step tutorial on how to create her Angel Wing Viking Helmet and Emoji Medallions.

Cosplaying Princess Estelia from Rayman Legends

Princesses Estelia and Selena at A Vikings Thing
Photograph taken by: Just More Images

Unfortunately, my nephew is gamer like me; I say unfortunately, because he encroaches on my very special weekend gaming time. It's enough I have to miss out because I actually have to work to fund my gaming addiction, but arguing with an 8 year old before I can play on my own computer is a stress I don't need in my life. So I devised a strategy to keep him at his own home and occupied, every birthday and Christmas I buy him a PS3 game. 
Rayman Legends is one of these games and, while I was watching my niece and him play through it, the princesses themselves peaked my interest. 
It wasn't until Rage 2017 was over that my interest melted with my tendency to obsess over my next cosplay project.
So when Alter Egos announced their A Vikings Thing event for the 3rd March 2018 on their facebook page, we thought that the Princesses from Fiesta de los Muertos would a perfect fit; not counting their Day-of-the-Dead-like makeup. But hey, I don't think anyone reading this wants be mired creatively in mainstream rules, and especially don't want those rules imposing on their very unique hobby. And who knows, should a Day of the Dead event ever come up it would be a good one to recycle as well.
So, it will come as a surprise, or maybe it won't if you knew us, that even though we knew what we were going to cosplay over three months before the event would take place; we only started compiling the pieces of this costume a month before.
Which can seen as a good and bad thing; good, in that you can complete this costume within a month and bad, because as much as this costume may look simple enough to make, it really is not. So unless you want start pulling your hair out due the frustration and stress of attempting to combat and conquer the more complicated aspects of the costume, I would suggest starting a bit earlier with your project. Although, if my tutorials do what they're designed to do, you go through significantly less stress than I did.
Another upside to this cosplay is that breathes wonderfully and not once did I almost die of the heat during the day. The only thing that is likely to cause discomfort in that department is the overly long wig.
I also decided during my two month long 'planning' (or procrastinating, if you want to be technical) of this costume is that it would probably be the best time to invest in a proper sewing machine, which I'll include in my budget breakdown. I sewed my arm guards, wrist guards, leg guards and apron myself. Had to revive some long dead, barely there, Home Economics learning to do it too. And don't panic, I found a really cheap one that actually sews properly and is relatively portable, if you have a friend that needs something stitched up too.
One tip I would recommend, because I struggled with this at the events I previously cosplayed at, is to make your apron like a pouch, availing you with the space to store your makeup, tickets, money and cellphone.
Now, let us get down to the nitty-gritty.

The Budget Breakdown

Princess Estelia: Rayman Legends

The Angel Wings Helmet and Emoji Medallions

2x Feather Hand Fans - R 45 each:
Bought at the china mall at Hillfox in Florida.
Pirate Cap - R 45:
Bought at the china mall at Hillfox in Florida
Dala Metallic Craft Paint Gold - R 95
Bought at Art and More at Northgate Mall.
Craft Varnish - R 129.90
Bought at Mica at East Gate.
2x Packet of Gun Glue - R 19.90
Bought at Mica at East Gate.

The Outfit

Fabric - R 150.70:
This included 4 m worth red material, 3 m of red inner lining, 1/2 m of green material and 1 m of Orange material. Sold at a Fabric Link in Florida along Goldman Road.
Tailor - R 200 for the Boobtube dress:
She actually quite good, that dress held up without a struggle. and if you're as challenged as I am in the chest area, you will understand why I was a bit wary about wearing one without straps. She's located at small china mall/flea market at Hillfox in Florida. Word of warning: she and her co-workers are a chatty bunch so you will get an earful for your effort, and you will be required to pay a deposit beforehand.
Dala Craft Paint Pink - R 25:
Fabric paint would probably do better here, but I didn't want to buy something I might use as a once off. Bought at Art and More, a hobby shop at Northgate mall.
4x Packets of Hook and Loop Adhesives - R 19.90 each:
These wont hold on their own, unfortunately. Learned that the hard way. So you may want to sew them on or reinforce them with gun glue if its strong enough.
Bought at Mica at East Gate

Skeletal Mace

I saved on this one since I already had the materials I needed. I buy regularly from Takelaot, so whenever my buys don't meet the minimum for free delivery I had something crafty to tip it over. Making this mace cost me nothing this time. But you should probably make an allowance for Dala Craft Paint Tan, Blue, Yellow and Umber; or instead of yellow and blue, green and white if you don't already have those colours.
These paint can be bought at Arts and More in Northgate or Takealot. They're a lot cheaper on Takelaot but it might cost you more in the end with the delivery fee if you don't meet the minimum buy.

Other

Jeronimo, My First Sewing Machine - R 235
Yes, its a kiddies one, but it's definitely not a toy, so it will get the job done. And it's super cute. Bought from Takealot.
Pumps - R 0
I was actually gifted these sunset coloured ones by my sister for Christmas, but you will need to make a budget allowance for this for your outfit if you don't have orange/red ones already.
Wig - R 136
Bought during a sale from HSIU Cosplay on Aliexpress. You might want to order this at least three to four months in advance, they ship it from China within a week but South African Customs will delay this order for months due to their back log.

The costume cost me a total of R 1231 across a span of three months, R 31 more than my R 1200 cosplay budget.

Have a look out for my next blogs in the Princess Estelia Cosplay Series where I will give you step by step tutorials on how to create Princess Estelia's Angel Wing Viking Helmet and her Skeletal Mace.