Materials:
METAL:
Easy & common uses of metal in costuming include wire boning for corsets, hoop skirts, bustle bases etc. Other fairly easy things to use wire are soldering frames like for wings (see fairy wing example). Bending straps of metal & soldering them into a crown shape can be done with a bit of elbow grease (see crown example).
Rivets, eyelets, grommets, snaps, & studs are also easily set with a hammer or fancier setting machine. When doing historical costumes it’s hard to do it without eyelets & using metal eyelets makes things a lot easier than hand sewn eyelets.
Engraving on metal is also something that can really add to a costume.
Some more advanced metal techniques include casting for things like: buttons, pins, rank insignia, medals, etc. (see button & pin examples). Usually things like this can be found objects that are altered, but sometimes you just can’t find that exact thing you need for a costume & casting what you can’t find can be a beautiful solution.
Turned metal is another advanced technique that can really make the details of a costume. A lathe is the best tool for this, but a drill press or even a clamped power drill can work well. Turned metal rods can be made into: bun sticks, wands, scepters, staffs, canes, etc. (see bun stick example).
Engraving & etching metal props can also add a level of detail that can make a costume really pop.
Good sources for metal working supplies:
micro-mark {www.micromark.com}
mouser elect. {www.mouser.com}
radio shack {www.radioshack.com}
k&s eng’r’g. {www.ksmetals.com}
science center {www.sciplus.com}
jo anne craft {www.joann.com}
michaels craft {www.michaels.com}
mcmaster-carr {www.mcmaster.com}
home depot {www.homedepot.com}
Lowes{www.lowes.com}
ace hardware {www.acehardware.com}
PLASTICS:
PVC pipes are a cheap, lightweight solution for a lot of structural stuff. Heat guns can be used to bend PVC to emulate bone structure (see feathery wing example).
Other plastics can be molded with heat (but not all), and some plastics are made to be heat molded (see heat molded plastic example) but aren’t as easy to find as PVC, Plexiglas, & fiberglass.
Plastics can also be manipulated with cutting sanding & gluing much like wood (see zap-gun example).
Polymer clays, such as fimo & bakelite, can also make durable & lightweight costume pieces (see horn example).
Some people swear by friendly plastics, but they tend to be short lived items (cracking etc. in about a year.)
Fiberglass composite objects can be formed over a plaster or styrofoam mold coated with paraffin wax (see helmet)
Good sources for plastic working supplies:
science center {www.sciplus.com}
jo anne craft {www.joann.com}
michaels craft {www.michaels.com}
home depot {www.homedepot.com}
Lowes{www.lowes.com}
Murray’s Automotive{www.partsamerica.com}
WOOD:
Authentic Elizabethan corsets used wood busks (and their really easy to make with a strong piece of wood, a hand saw & some sandpaper).
Turned wood accessories can be made much like turned metal (see turned metal section for some ideas), only easier. It’s also more likely you can find per turned wood at home stores that can be repurposed (i.e. a turned table leg can easily become a scepter).
Wood can be used much like plastics also; the trade off is wood is heavier but easier to work.
Good sources for Wood working supplies:
owl hardwood {www.owlhardwood.com}
Rockler woodworking {www.rockler.com}
science center {www.sciplus.com}
jo anne craft {www.joann.com}
michaels craft {www.michaels.com}
home depot {www.homedepot.com}
Lowes{www.lowes.com}
LEATHER:
Belt pouches, holsters, belts, & armor are just some costuming things you can do with leather (see belt pouch & holster examples).
If you want to work with leather but are on a budget thrift & resale stores can be a great resource for leather scavenging from old jackets etc. (also true for many costuming needs)
Good sources for leather working supplies:
leather factory {www.tandyleatherfactory.com}
thrift stores
EMBROIDERY, BEADS, GEMSTONES,& ACCESSORIES: Add details to your costumes with anything your imagination can come up with.
Good sources for supplies:
science center {www.sciplus.com}
jo anne craft {www.joann.com}
michaels craft {www.michaels.com}
fire mountain gems {www.firemountaingems.com}
embroidery library {www.embroiderylibrary.com}