Care and Feeding of Your Mask:

These masks are strong and made to last under performance conditions. We have masks that were made in 1992 that look great after years of traveling and use in mask performance workshops. That said your mask is a work of art and should be treated as such to prevent damage.

1. Protect the painting.
Your mask is hand painted and can be scratched if not treated with respect. Wrap your mask in a soft cloth or a plastic bag during storage or transport. Wrap each mask individually, masks can be damaged by rubbing or sticking to each other. Do not wash the painting. If needed, lightly dust with a dry cloth.

2. Protect the shape.
Neoprene masks and leather masks are flexible, not bendable. If bent or squashed, neoprene masks and vacuuformed masks may crack; leather masks may lose their shape. Do not carry or hang your mask by the elastic. This will distort the shape and wear out the elastic.

Storage: Whatever shape you store a neoprene or leather mask in for a long period of time will be the shape it becomes. Support the shape by storing it on a wig head or with a rolled up t-shirt behind the mask. Vacuuformed masks will hold their own shape but you should avoid crushing them.

3. Avoid excessive temperatures and moisture.
All masks are protected with several coats of non toxic varnish. The varnish will protect the mask from some moisture but not from excessive amounts of moisture.
- Vacuuformed masks are formed with heat. Excessive heat, such as in the trunk of a car on a hot day, may distort the plastic. Excessive moisture may cause the paper to delaminate.
- Neoprene masks may become brittle in freezing temperatures.
- Leather masks are formed with water. Getting your mask soaking wet with rain or very heavy sweat may cause your mask to loose its shape. If this happens, reshape your mask on a towel or wig head and allow to dry.

How to Display Your Mask:

Neoprene: Neoprene masks are easy to display on a wall. Place two push pins temple-width apart. Hang from the loops on the sides of the mask. See photo right.

Vacuuformed: There are three styles of vacuuformed masks:

Masquerade masks (photo right) - Masquerade style, papered vacuuform masks have a loop on the inside of the mask. Tie a ribbon or string through the loop and hang on the wall from a peg or pushpin.

School masks - Plain, unpapered vacuuformed masks do not have a loop. A loop may be requested as a special request.

Performance masks - Place two push pins temple-width apart. Hang from the loops on the sides of the mask. See photo above right.

 

Leather: Leather masks are best displayed on a shelf or on a wig head. They can be hung on the wall with long pegs through the eyeholes.