Regardless of how many hats and pairs of sunglasses I own, I always find myself wearing the same two favorites. And as far as sunglasses go, at this point in my life I’m done with the $10 carwash variety, so when I park them after a long, sunny day out, I don’t want them resting lens-side down getting all scratched up. This hat head serves double duty as a practical place to rest your favorites, while serving as an objet d’art in the off time.
You will need: Plaster of Paris, wire whisk, cheap plastic drip tray for potted plants ( 8" size), styrofoam wig head, papier-mâché (wood glue, flour, water), exotic foreign newspaper, hot glue, clear “factory finish” spray shellac
Combine 1 part plaster of Paris to 1 part water, mixing with a wire whisk to remove clumps. Pour to the rim of the drip tray. Let dry.
2. Mâché. Cut the newspaper into small strips. In a mixing bowl, mix up 1 cup of warm water, ½ cup flour, and 2– 3 long squirts of wood glue until smooth. Dip newspaper strips and apply to the styrofoam head, using little pieces around the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Let dry.
3. Mount. Use hot glue to center the head on the upturned plaster base. Maché over the bottom edge of the neck and down over the plaster base. Tuck the mâché under the bottom edge of the base to create a nice finish (it’s good to stand the base on top of a wide roll of masking tape while working, and to let the mâché dry).
Photography by Matt Maranian
4. Adorn. But maybe it looks so good without, you might just want to keep it that way. At the very least, give it a spray with the shellac finish. Is this where I make some remark about two heads being better than one?
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