Extravagant colors and bold displays of emotions are two characteristics that describe Chinese New Year Masks. These masks function to display the feelings of joy and delight which directly connect to the ceremonies and the entire month of the festival. Such masks can consist of a variety of materials, such as stones, leather, fabric, metal, paper and other items. Creators paint them with various patterns or images such as depictions of deities, animal ancestors and good and evil spirits. Creating masks is a useful activity for kids learning about the Chinese New Year, or for people who wish to embrace the holidays of other cultures.
Measure the diameter of the bottom of the aluminum pie tin. Trace a circle of the same diameter onto your card stock with a pencil. Cut out the circle.
Draw a curvy forked tongue with your pencil on to your card stock and cut it out. Draw arched eyebrows and cut them out as well. Set them aside. Your tongue and eyebrows don't have to look perfect, they should just resemble these features.
Glue your circular card stock to the bottom exterior of your aluminum pie plate with craft glue. Paint the card stock green with acrylic paint.
Paint a small paper cup with your green acrylic paint. Line the rim of the cup with craft glue and press it into the center of your paper plate. Paint your curved, forked tongue bright red with acrylic paint and glue it just beneath the paper cup.
Paint your eyebrows bright red and add a dab of glue to the back of each one. Press them to the right and left sides of the top of the plate, just above where you want the eye holes to go. Allow the paint and glue to dry overnight.
Draw a 1.5 to 2-inch circle beneath each eyebrow for eyeholes. Cut out these circles with a pair of scissors or utility knife.
Cut eight 2-foot long pieces of red streamers. Attach each piece to the bottom half of the mask, so that you create a fringe of red streamers along the lower circumference of the mask.
Punch a hole in the middle of the right and left sides of the mask and cut two 10-inch pieces of ribbon. Knot each piece securely through each hole. The ribbon will help to secure the mask onto the wearer.
Rim each eyehole with a thin line of glue. Apply gold sequins around each eyehole to give the dragon eyes a glittery appearance.
Glue two flat, dark beads on to the top of the paper cup. Space them an inch apart. This will create the look of a snout.
