Transform Yourself Into a YA Character for Halloween!
Wishing my American readers a safe and fun Halloween! My thoughts are with anyone affected by Hurricane Sandy. Photos of the damage and rescue efforts are just heartbreaking. Though we were right in the path of the storm, we kept power and are safe and dry.
If you are celebrating and need a last minute costume, I’m here to help! I always made my own Halloween costumes when I was growing up. That way, you don’t show up at a party as Sexy Witch Number Three.
Here’s how to make four quick, easy and cheap YA book character costumes. Most of the stuff you need is probably sitting around your house right now!
Costume One: Sydney Sage from the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead (Razorbill)
What you’ll need — cost: free to $20
1. Victorian-inspired clothing — think high heeled lace-up boots paired with a black skirt, plus a corset or a lacy blouse or cami. Don’t sweat the outfit, because we’ll dazzle them with gadgetry!
2. Metallic spray paint and superglue
3. Now for the fun part. Raid your junk drawer, craft drawer, jewelry box, toolbox, and garage. (Or just hit the hardware store.) Here’s what you’re looking for: gears, washers, brooches and pins — any old costume jewelry you can take apart, fake gems, metallic buttons — any interesting little bits of shiny stuff. Think like a magpie!
Superglue all your finds into a fabulous necklace and spray the whole thing with gold or silver spray paint. You’ll get something like this:
There are some great tutorials at BeadingGem.com, which is where I got the photo above.
Warning: it is entirely possible that people won’t “get” who you’re dressed as. Just see it as a chance to talk up your favorite book.
Have fun, don’t take candy from strangers and don’t forget to email me a picture!
I always want to dress up as a literary figure, but I hate that I'll have to spend all night explaining who I am because none of my real-life friends read the same books as me. And they think all YA is like Twilight, so it wouldn't be easy to convince them to give DoSaB a try, even though it's, like, one of the best books ever. 😛 Great ideas, though! (My mom actually makes steampunk jewelry for fun. :D)
How fun is all this? I haven't dressed up in so very long. I used to love to. I think it's partly because I am never creative enough to think of fun ideas like this and partly because I am lazy. 🙂
I hope you have a great Halloween!
I used to but my kids now complain. Huh.
Great ideas! I'm just going as a witch-no one in particular but I'm excited to see what other people come up with.
Witch or cat are my go-to costumes. Can't go wrong with those!
Awesome post!! Love it. I am dressed as a fairy today. I liked my 80's zombie costume better, but for taking the kiddo out I don't want to be too scary!
Great post! I love the Sydney idea! I usually go as a YA book character for Halloween. 🙂
Sweet ideas 🙂
Fun post! I actually wore that blue wig on Saturday. Haha! Me & a couple of my friends were rocker chicks 🙂
Awesome post! I think going as Karou would be a GREAT idea. I really should just pick up a blue wig. Just for fun. 🙂
Such an fun and awesome post Jen!! Love your ideas so much! Happy Reading and hope Sandy doesn't ruin any fun in NYC! :))
Awesome! This would be so fun! But sadly, I don't think people would recognize Anna or Karou or Sydney… But really, those ideas are way better- I lost count of how many witches I saw! 😛
I am so going as Anna or Karou next year… or maybe both!
I love this SO FREAKING MUCH. Also, I'm going as Sydney, but I'm only doing number 4.
Total coincidence but I have been looking at Hamsa tattoos and loved looking through all photos on your link! What great ideas and gorgeous pictures. Thank you!
these are awesome tips!