Tips & Tricks | beaslepunk

Award-Winning Artists: Don & Janet Beasley

BeaslePunk Tips When Creating Cosplay/Prop Weaponry

Choosing the size piece you want to suit your style plays a big factor in many ways...

Small: examples pictured below - Pirate Potion, Silent But Deadly, and Bloody Fae

Pros: takes less time to create, great pieces for beginners so you can alleviate feeling defeated mid-project, perfect for paint-n’-detail-n’-done pieces, and usually makes for a subtle “easy to carry” prop for cosplay, theater, or costume accessory, easy to carry as you can tuck it away in a belt, boot, secret pocket, or shirt, budget friendly, easy to store
Cons: detailing can become awkward, not always a lot of “empty spaces” for embellishments, at first glance the “wow-factor” may be diminished, nor recommended for use as a prop for film – tv – or theatre as it can be difficult to see if it is going to be a significant prop for your character

Medium: examples pictured below - Black Mamba, Black Beauty, and Crimson Mondobrawn

Pros: catches the eye when carried with a costume, good to use as a prop for film – tv – or theatre due to it being big enough to be seen yet easy to manage, usually has satisfactory space for embellishments, detailing is easier due to the bigger size, still budget friendly, easy to store

Cons: takes a bit longer to create, you’ll want a holster or small strap for carrying when you’re not holding the prop in your hands because it’s usually too big to fit in a belt, boot, secret pocket, or shirt, detailing will be a bit longer of a task

Pros: a real eye-catcher from short to medium distances, makes a great piece of “art” to display in any private or commercial establishment, makes a statement with your costume, impressive to use as a prop for film – tv – or theatre, usually has a lot of space for embellishments, because of the size of the piece the detailing appears even more enhancing
Cons: will need a large strap to carry the prop if you’re going to be using your hands at times during your production, can be heavy depending on the embellishments chosen, detailing will take much longer

Pros: your weapon will draw attention, it will be eye candy for sure, perfect for art/décor an any private or commercial establishment, excellent for heavy use in film – tv – or theatre, very impressive from any reasonable distance, plenty of space for embellishments, detailing will bring this size piece to “life,” great for a stand-alone piece in any setting
Cons: may become tiresome to carry for long periods of time, usually very heavy depending on embellishments, storage when not in use

Hand sanding off unwanted raised lettering and such
- Use a medium grade sand paper

Full sanding the piece (pieces)
- If using a sand blaster cabinet we suggest fine grade glass beads
- If sanding the entire piece by hand we suggest using a fine grade sand paper

Prime spray painting: always paint in a well ventilated area such as outdoors, make certain that over-spray will not affect anything in your nearby surroundings (cars, houses, outdoor furniture, pets, etc.)
- A self-etching spray primer is recommended

Color spray painting: always paint in a well ventilated area such as outdoors, make certain that over-spray will not affect anything in your nearby surroundings (cars, houses, outdoor furniture, pets, etc.)
- Spray paint: metallic paint is more difficult to work with compared to flat colors

Drying times (for both paint and glue) are crucial to achieve the best, presentable finish

Embellishments
- Re-purposed items make great embellishments along with other pre-stamped, mass-produced items.