INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you're designing a mask that you want to last a little longer - for example, if you're using it for Comi-Con or cosplaying - use craft foam. It's very pliable but will also hold its shape well once it's set. If you're using craft foam, you'll need to make it pliable by holding it over heat. This could be an open flame on your stove or the heat from a hair dryer. You should only need to hold the mask over the heat for a few seconds. Once you feel the foam become pliable in your hand, it's ready for the next step. One benefit of craft foam is that you can use it to create a mask that's really durable but also fits your face well. Once the foam is warm and pliable, press the mask to your face to shape it to your exact features. You can also use a Styrofoam head like the kind available at craft stores for designing wigs to shape your mask. Press the mask onto the Styrofoam head and hold it there with crafters' tape. If you're using craft foam, you'll want to spray the mask with a sealant like Mod Podge, which will help the mask keep its shape and durability. Let the sealant dry completely before you begin to decorate the mask. You can use pretty much any decorating supplies to decorate a craft foam mask. You can spray paint it, add other fabrics or things like sequins, or paint it with craft pain. If you're using craft foam, you'll want to reseal the mask with Mod Podge again to protect the paint and make the mask more durable.

SUMMARY: Use craft foam for durability. Heat the mask. Shape the mask. Spray the mask with a sealant. Decorate the mask. Reseal the mask.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The most important thing you'll need for this craft is a sock. Socks that are missing mates are ideal candidates for making bean bags. The weave of all potential socks should be close-knit enough at all points to prevent stuffing from passing through. Additionally, you'll need: Sock(s) Spoon or scooper Stuffing (like beans, rice, popcorn kernels, etc.) Use your spoon or scooper to evenly distribute stuffing between socks. Be careful not to overfill socks. Larger socks might be able to fit a lot of stuffing, but if the stuffing is heavy, it may cause the sock to rip and make a huge mess. Aim for a texture that is floppy without the bag being so large that your stuffing is spread thin. Bean bags roughly the size of a normal adult fist will be ideal for most young children. Avoid over stuffing your sock(s) with beans. Overstuffed bean bags will be harder, and could hurt someone. . Take the sock by its open end, so the beans are in the toe of the sock. Hold it above the stuffing with one hand so that your pointer finger, middle finger, and thumb meet to encircle the sock. Then: Hold position with the hand encircling the sock. With your free hand, take the open part of the sock and wrap it around your pointer and middle finger. The mouth of the sock should now be positioned so it is oriented in the same direction as the toe of the sock. Take the mouth of the sock behind and through the loop it has formed. Pull the mouth of the sock through the loop firmly to tighten the knot. You can leave the mouth of the sock as a handle, or you can trim it off with scissors. Your homemade beanbags might not stand up to wear and tear as much as store bought ones. In some cases, the material of your sock might stretch over time and stuffing come free. If you pick up a no sew sock bean bag and the knot feels tight and there are no holes in the fabric, your bean bag yet has life in it!

SUMMARY: Collect your supplies. Stuff your sock(s). Tie a simple, sturdy knot Check bean bags occasionally.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The base drone is the foundation upon which all didj sounds are built. You will keep droning, even as you add other sounds to the mix. Relax your lips and blow through them causing them to vibrate. Some would liken this to "giving a raspberry" or imitating a horse blowing air out of its mouth. This will be similar to, but not exactly, like a brass musician preparing to play. Your lips will need to be a bit looser than a trumpet players. It may be helpful to practice in front of a mirror. When you feel like you can hold your drone for 20 seconds or so, go ahead and put your mouth against the opening of your didgeridoo. Your lips should lay firmly, but not inflexible, against the mouthpiece. They'll need to move without letting any air out. You don't have to directly align your lips with the mouthpiece. Some people prefer to play from the side of their mouth. You can add beeswax to your mouthpiece to make it softer and to create a better seal. Warm up the wax until it is malleable, add it to the rim, and adjust to create an opening hole. Keep in mind that the larger the hole, the more air that is required to play. Most people learning using a 3cm diameter center hole. You can continue to adjust the wax as you play. Once you begin your drone, you can alter the sound by consciously altering the tension in your lips. The sound will also give you feedback. For example, if your lips are too tight then the didj will emit a higher, trumpeting sound. Drop your jaw and move away from a smile to hear a more soothing tone in a lower register. Tap your tongue on your teeth. Quickly push your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Roll your tongue as if you are trying to say an extended "r" in Spanish. Wave your tongue from side to side in your mouth. Allow your cheeks to puff out a bit with extra air. Alternate cheeks for additional sound changes. Be careful to continue your base drone as you make these adjustments. Make all of these movements quickly and methodically. If you linger too long on any one movement, you could possibly kill off your drone by stopping the air flow. Puffing out your cheeks will result in a more even sound whereas tightening them with sharpen it. The diaphragm is a muscle that helps to push air in and out of your lungs. The diaphragm is powerful and can create short bursts of air that will, in turn, create a pulsing sound in your didj. To do this try making a "hahaha" or laughing noise without using your actual voice. You can do this softly or forcefully. Keep a steady drone and then get creative with your tones and sounds. Form your mouth as if you were about to say a letter, such as "A," then keep the drone going and see how that changes the harmonics. Try repeating various vowels combos, like "AOE." This will require that you carefully monitor your breathing. It is also quite common to make animal sounds on the didj. Try a bark for dingo. Or, maybe a more complex "Kuku" noise for the Kukubarra.

SUMMARY:
Develop and practice your base drone apart from your didj. Place your lips on the didj. Tighten or loosen your lips. Engage your tongue and cheeks. Involve your diaphragm. Experiment with unique vocalizations.