Hooked Stripes

This sale is for a silicone headpiece made to match the hooked stripes pattern from the SWTOR games. I tend to think of this as the Vette stripes because she was the first character I saw with this design.

Please note: I adore the sample images I included with this one, but I painted those lekku way back when I was first starting out and they're so inaccurate that it's somewhat embarrassing. The stripes are supposed to be centered on the outside of the lekku like the orange sample, not on the back, and they should have a lot more variation in thickness. I'm going to use these pictures for now, and hope I find time to make some more accurate samples before too long! But, they're so pretty... sigh... (Oh, and the gradation on the blue one was an additional add-on that my customer chose. Gorgeous, but it's not standard for the SWTOR design.)

LEKKU STYLE:

This headpiece can be cast in multiple styles. When it is painted on the longer style of lekku, the stripes will be spaced with more distance between each line. When it is painted on shorter styles of lekku, the stripes will be compacted closer together. 

PAINT STYLE:

These stripes can be hand painted for hard edges, or airbrushed for softer edges. I can make the designs more accurate to the game references when I hand paint the lines. When I airbrush, the pattern tends to become more random due to overspray but it looks more natural.

PRICE BREAKDOWN:

The stripe pattern is $45. (It takes several hours to plot out and paint the design symmetrically on curving lekku.) The base price for the lekku depends on the style that you select.

COLOR OPTIONS:

Standard Flesh Tone:

This is a basic shade based on my skin tone. (It was easy to use my own arm as a reference!) This color is shown in the lekku sample pictures. It is not customized. 

Custom Flesh Tone:

For this option I will attempt to match your skin tone. Please keep in mind that there are many color variations in a person's face, and it's very difficult to get a color match. When I get close to your headpiece in my work queue I will measure and pigment the silicone in my standard flesh tone, then I will take a small portion out of the tub and cure it. I will send you the cured sample in the mail. You can then let me know if the silicone needs to be made lighter, darker, more red or yellow in tone, etc. It helps to take a photo with the sample held against your cheek while standing in an area with natural light. If you know that your skin tone is going to be different from my standard flesh tone, it helps to give me a starting point to work from. Photos help!

Custom Color Lekku:

Please click on the "ADD A NOTE TO YOUR ORDER" link when you get to the shopping cart, and use that box to let me know which body paint brand and color you would like me to match. 

Shipping Time:
Every lekku headpiece is made to order, and will be cast, stuffed, and shipped as quickly as possible.  The final shipping time will depend on how many orders I have in my work queue, and how complicated the designs are. Please be patient and know that I'm always casting and shipping as fast as I can!

My Order Spreadsheet:

I have a Google spreadsheet where I keep a list of my current orders. It only shows each person's name and what style of headpiece they ordered, but it lets everyone know how many orders I have at any given time and they can watch their names move up to the top of the list as I ship out headpieces. I also post occasional notes and updates at the top of the spreadsheet. If you would like to see the spreadsheet, you can find it here: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12ugjiqRntBPM5Ue8DflZravJT7kmnhdqrkMJJbRcR44/edit?usp=sharing

Ear Cones: 
Each headpiece comes with one pair of ear cones. If you wish to order extra pairs of ear cones, you can find them in the Twi'lek Accessories section of my store. If you are going to use multiple head wraps for your Twi'lek costumes, it helps to have an extra pair of ear cones for each wrap! 

Durability:  
Unlike latex which can crack after a while, silicone lasts a long time. My oldest silicone headpiece is nine years old, and it is still in perfect shape. Silicone is prone to tearing under some conditions, however, so you must be careful not to create a weakened point where a rip might get started. When trimming away excess silicone around the head opening, make sure to cut a straight line with your scissors. If you leave a jagged edge, that point can begin to tear. Cut a smooth, even line and it shouldn't be a problem!

Stuffing:  
The lekku are filled with pillow stuffing. I reinforce the top curves with a soft expanding foam which preserves the shape of the curve and holds the pillow stuffing in place.

Static: 
Silicone is prone to building up a static charge. It's not a huge problem, just keep in mind that pillow stuffing fibers, loose bristles from paint brushes, and bits of hair will inevitably be found stuck to your headpiece. For the extra wiggle of silicone, though.... it's worth it. You can rub baby powder on the lekku to reduce the static and shine of the silicone.

Glue: 
Nothing sticks to silicone! If you want to attach a decoration permanently to the lekku, most glues won't work. Instead, you must use a dab of silicone or a silicone adhesive. I recommend Sil-Poxy, which is sold by Smooth-On. If the foam stuffing won't stay in the lekku you can use Sil-Poxy to glue it into place, and if the silicone ever develops a tear, you can use Sil-Poxy to apply a patch.

International Orders:

If you're an international customer, please review your country's import policy before purchasing. Customs fees and import taxes are the sole responsibility of the buyer. As a business owner I cannot declare on the customs paperwork that the lekku are a gift, or that they have a very low value.

Photographs:
The photos shown in this sale are examples. The lekku I ship will be cast from the same mold and will look identical save for any natural variations in the silicone and stuffing. 

I would be happy to help with any Twi'lek costuming questions, so please feel free to ask. Twi'lek costumes are a lot of work, especially since you have to do the body paint every time you wear them if you want to be an exotic color... but it's definitely worth the effort. It's really fun! People often stop you for a picture, and I have a good laugh every time somebody asks, "Can I touch your tentacles?" Good times!