UNSTUFFED Garsa Fwip Silicone Lekku

$125.00

This headpiece sculpt is my best representation of Madam Garsa Fwip's distinctive lekku style. I have been unable to make an exact match to the headpieces used during filming because silicone has very different properties in comparison to foam latex. The design includes sharper curves at the top of the headpiece, and a raised ridge that runs down the back of each lekku.

Offering unfinished/unstuffed headpieces is a new experiment for me - I hope it will work out as a way for customers to get a lower priced headpiece and give them a chance to participate more in the creation of their Twi'lek costumes. Shipping unstuffed headpieces will reduce the cost of the lekku by $45 (my usual charge for the time and supplies dedicated to stuffing each headpiece), and it will reduce the shipping costs as well since unstuffed lekku can be folded and shipped in a much smaller box. It should also reduce the wait time for each headpiece because I can ship them as soon as I finish casting them, rather than waiting for my next round of stuffing the next stack of headpieces.

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!) 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.

DISCLAIMER:

Silicone is a finicky product and lekku do not come off the mold in perfect condition every time. I spend a lot of hours finishing headpieces - inspecting them for flaws, pulling loose paint brush bristles out of the silicone and adding a dab of fresh silicone or Sil-Poxy to fill any holes they may leave, painting more silicone over any thin spots in the lekku, stuffing the headpieces, and pouring expanding foam in the top curve. By choosing to purchase a lower priced "finish it yourself" headpiece that is fresh off the mold, you must accept that these jobs are now your responsibility and not an inherent cause for claiming that the lekku are poor quality. They're just part of the process! If you discover any flaws in the silicone, it will be up to you to repair them. I will offer guidance if you need advice. I find the finishing work to be an enjoyable part of lekku making, but it is quite time consuming.

Paint Brush Bristles:

Silicone is very thick and sticky, and it has a tendency to pull the bristles out of paint brushes as the lekku are cast. I try to remove the bristles as I work, but they're difficult to spot and I always miss some of them. Before stuffing your headpiece, gently pull on each side of the headpiece. Stretch it out and look for any ripples in the silicone surface that reveal where a bristle is embedded and then gently remove them with a pair of tweezers.

Stuffing:

I like to use Poly-Fil, but other brands can be used. It takes less than a pound of stuffing to fill a headpiece so you won't need a large bag.

Top Curve:

Normally I add expanding foam to the top curve of the lekku to hold in the stuffing and support the curved shape of the lekku. An alternative to the foam is to get a small bag of the Dry Polyester Packing Fiber Fill or more firm types of pillow stuffing. These materials can be compacted tightly to help support the lekku where they curve out from the head.

Thin Spots in the Silicone:

As the lekku are stuffed, the silicone stretches and any thin patches that were invisible before suddenly show up. If you find a thin spot in the silicone, stop the stuffing process and repair the spot before you go any further. Thin spots have a risk of tearing, so you don't want to put unnecessary stress on them!

Silicone Repair Kit:

I will include a small amount of silicone that can be used to repair paint brush bristle holes or thin spots in the silicone, and instructions on how to use it.

Trimmed Edge:

The raw edge of silicone at the head opening is very prone to tearing when it comes off the mold, so I will trim the raw edge before shipping the headpiece. If you feel that it needs to be cut back further, you can trim the headpiece to suit your preferences.

Ear Cones:

I will include a pair of matching ear cones with each headpiece. I know Garsa Fwip does not have visible ear cones, but including a pair will allow costumers the flexibility of using their Garsa headpiece for other Twi'lek characters if they wish to do so.

Custom Designs:

Add-On decorations may be included in the order, but they will be limited by the unique shape of the lekku. If you order a design that I cannot paint on the Garsa style lekku, I will let you know and we can work out other options.

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

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!

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!