Making Of Le Mouse

Some people wonder where I get the costumes for the mice I make. I don't "get" them, I make them. I make everything by hand.
Here's a glimpse into the making of a mouse. Well, the costume part.


After a week of research, designing and making bad prototypes, I have a good set of patterns in the shape and size I want.

I cut the leather, sew and glue the parts. This jacket is just lightly dyed in black tea, like the British did for the real safari outfits. If a particular design calls for color, I dye the outfit with leather dyes.

Add pockets.

Add buttons. Note the cut slits that I'll slip the belts through when I put it on the mouse.



Now on to the hat...
Cut the leather. This leather is a little thicker so it'll hold its shape. In this case, I leave it the natural color.

I glue the sides together and smooth it on a shape I made out of sculpey.


I cut the edges clean, wrap three layers of ribbon around it, and glue one around the edge.

Punch out little circles of leather for the top button and glue it on.


Use an awl to punch the holes on the sides, right above the ribbon.

For the goggles, make a ring out of leather lacing and pour a drop of epoxy in it. Leave it to dry overnight.




Glue a metal jump ring on top, and jewelry connectors on the sides for the strap.

I dye the leather light brown for the little backpacks. The buckles are shaped out of copper wire.

I made a little drawing to slip in the bag. And added a tiny snail.

Archeologists should carry a little trowel. I start with a thick piece of wire, pound it with a hammer and cut it in the correct shape.

Grind the tip of a wooden stick for the handle.

Drill a hole in the middle of the handle.

Glue the pieces together!

Some parts, like the collar and scarf can only be made once the outfit is on the mouse. 

All the pieces of costume need to be finished before I can taxidermy the mouse, so that I can dress it quickly before it has a chance to dry.


Fancy frame mouldings are perfect for the pedestals. I cut them vertically at a 45 degrees and make a box. I top it with a wood square and cover it with 9oz thick leather.



Here's the finished mouse:

Voila!
I hope you enjoyed it.

Mai

Taxidermy Mouse Soldier

Et maintenant, la pièce de résistance. Marcus Mousius, in a genuine leather roman armor and metal helmet. 

There will be two armies. A king and a queen, facing off on a chess board. Epic!
Unless you just want a soldier.

I'm looking into pewter casting so they can have little gladiī. 
And pewter, oh, the possibilities... Stay tuned...


Dashing Leather Eye Patches


Why do so many pirates wear eye patches? Why do they so often get poked in the eye with a sharp stick or a cat ò' nine tails, or one of those curved cutlasses that they sported with such panache? It turns out they didn't! 
When a pirate ship intercepted another ship, the pirates used to swarm aboard and take over. The pirates would make their way below decks - or downstairs as we landlubbers would say, to where the crew of the boarded ship had retreated. The poor fellows would wait for their attackers, under the safety of darkness, to come below from the bright sunshine outside, hoping to ambush the pirates and hack them to pieces before their vision could adjust to the low light conditions.
Knowing this, any pirate worth his salt would cover one eye with a patch before the boarding, to then flip it up when he had to run below deck, so that he would not be rendered completely blind by the sudden descent from brilliant sunshine into gloom.
This way, one eye would already be accustomed to darkness.
Isn't that utterly brilliant? Thank you Chris for sharing!
So whether you lost an eye, need a temporary eye patch or decide to become a pirate, you can get a dashing eye patch here.