In addition to serving as the makeup and hair designer for UW-Parkside's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, I was also charged with creating Nick Bottom's iconic donkey head.  Our production had a steampunk concept, and I felt that it should be extended into the donkey head as well.  I was inspired by the puppets from the stage production of War Horse and wanted to make the headpiece appear to be made from copper pipes.  

Originally I attempted to make the headpiece using actual copper refrigerator piping and solder, but it proved unsuccessful.  The actual piece was made from rubber aquarium tubing with wire fed through it to help it hold its shape.  The pieces were held together with hot glue and gaff tape, then base coated black and painted using various metallic spray paints.