Props are essential for any costume. For Lauren's Rey cosplay, I set out to make Rey's staff. I ended up making a scaled-down and less detailed interpretation, but it is clear what it is supposed to be.
Remember the show Art Attack? That show taught me that pretty much any craft project that one can imagine can be constructed using toilet paper rolls, paper, glue, and masking tape. One material I have added to the list is gardening wire (as seen with the Maleficent horns). This project started with a broomstick, the materials mentioned above, fabric scraps from the costume, and vinyl belt. The belt was trimmed down to make the strap, and scrap material was wrapped around the middle of the staff. The constructed parts were finished with black acrylic paint, and high-gloss craft varnish.
Lauren saw the work-in-progess (middle picture) when she came over for her first costume fitting. She asked, "Where do you get these ideas from?" Honestly? Art Attack. From the Maleficent horns, to the magic wand for my Gryffindor neice, the same principles apply: start with a base, build it up with other material, wrap it all in masking tape, and paint, paint, paint.
Also, when it comes to crafts and sewing, I view mistakes and failures as learning experiences. It makes me (relatively) fearless, and confident enough in my abilities to take risks, like Rey, when she piloted the Millennium Falcon. I'm trying to apply that attitude and confidence to other aspects of life.
