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How to build a MYSTIC from THE DARK CRYSTAL

How to build a MYSTIC from THE DARK CRYSTAL
The Dark Crystal is a 1982 Jim Henson Movie. It featured a power struggle between the evil Skeksis and the gentle Mystics. The Mystics were natural wizards with four arms and rustic lifestyle.

For Halloween I made a Mystic on weekends over a few months. Here is The front and side of the costume with a screenshot and a productions sketch from the movie.
 
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Step 1Materials Required

(note: all parts except the rubber and wigs were bought at garage sales, used thrift stores, dollar stores, or found dumpster diving, the more you can find for free or used the cheaper this will be)


Rubber parts and wigs

1 Nostro mask (and paint stripper) 80$
4 jumbo hands 40$
2 jumbo feet 25$
3 long grey wigs 50$
cotton gloves (sweat protection) 2$

Armour parts

red velvety material for armour 5$
thick brown leather for tail 5$
lightweightbrown ultrasuede for lining armour edges 10$
brown leather for swirls 10$
chest protector 5$
4 hockey shin pads 10$
2 hockey pants 10$

boots
fur boots for uppers 10$
rawhide for shoe covers 5$
spool of leather stripping for stitching 15$
bunch of brown shoelaces 3$

Body structure

camping backpack frame (black with good straps and belts) 5$
4 children's floor hockey sticks for arms 6$
4 foam pool noodles for arms 8$
4 sets hockey elbow pads 5$
various hockey pads for shoulder sculpting 10$
baby bathtub 2$
4 large U-shaped bolts and nuts 6$
20' aluminum doorstop tracking for neck 6$
8 keychain rings (large) 4$
tin (old cookie box) $0
old water cooler bottle $0
some styrofoam packing material solid $0
old plastic syrop bottle for head 0$
lightweight brown material to cover bodyparts for uniform colour 2$
6" bolt and nut 2$
stuffed toy lizard 5$
welders mask 15$
tenting screen 2$
1" thick bumpy yellow foam camping mat 2$

Clothing

beige burlappy material for his shirt 12$
beige heavy shirt for you to wear 5$
brown rustic pants 5$
brown rustic belt 5$
old pillow with fringe 2$
old blanket with fringe 2$
macrame plant hanger 2$
beige thread 1$
brown thread 1$

Ornaments

baubles 4$
toy disks 2$
crystals 2$
moon 2$
jingle bells 2$
star 2$
beading fringe (old shirt) 5$

Craft Supplies

copper spraypaint 5$
brown poster paint $2
hot glue (a lot) 12$
nuts and bolts several dozen various sizes 15$
duct tape 8$

Tools

jigsaw
drill
tinsnips
scissors
exacto knife
sewing supplies
leather hole punch
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30 comments
Apr 25, 2012. 11:26 AMMarcus Worsley says:
that film terrified me
Oct 30, 2011. 10:04 AMZuanon says:
Fantastic! congratulations!
Oct 13, 2011. 2:47 PMKronoNaut says:
One of the most complete instructables I've ever read. Thanks!
Mar 10, 2010. 5:48 PMkiffakitty says:
i was searching around on instructables and when i saw this i had to click on it! that is the most amazing thing i have ever seen! too bad its not a costume! great creativity- i loved that you made such realistic necklaces and other decorations just from cheap toys- what a good idea!
Sep 26, 2011. 6:29 PMilpug says:
that is a costume...
Sep 18, 2011. 2:41 PMmpoffenberger says:
This is one of my favorite movies. You did an excellent job replicating the mystic. :)
Jun 25, 2011. 6:23 PMgraffitiartangel says:
Excellent job.
Mar 29, 2011. 9:47 AMRenFaireLady says:
Wow, this is truly outstanding work! Love this film!
Mar 15, 2011. 1:11 PMTreeMunky says:
Seriously, what a fantastic build. My hat off to you :)
Oct 30, 2010. 9:26 AMXypher Orion says:
Awesome! One of my favorite movies. Its too bad they're overusing CG nowdays...
I won't be tackling this instructable, but I had to say excellent job on this one!
Feb 28, 2010. 7:16 AMBiggsy says:
very cool
Feb 27, 2010. 12:48 PMmilesduggan says:
 BRAVO! This is amazing! Your are very creative!
Feb 26, 2010. 11:04 AMthe streek says:
your mystic costume is awesome!  I as well made a costume based off the Dark Crystal. 
http://www.instructables.com/id/Dark-Crystal-Skeksis-Costume/
Dec 3, 2009. 9:47 AMmarjorieallea says:
 That is an awesome costume!
Oct 24, 2009. 6:37 PMsmkoberg says:
Holy crap!
I wanted to do this for this year but never got around to it/didn't know where to start!!! This is fantastic.
Great job!
Oct 24, 2009. 5:38 PMkomecake says:
  Awsome!!! :)
Sep 24, 2009. 11:42 AMaaronanalog says:
OMFG ! This is so cool ! The Dark Crystal was the FIRST movie I EVER watched on the big screen. I used to have nightmares of the Skeksis when I was little. I am also going to college for Mechanical Engineering and I think it has a lot to do with this movie. I was wondering if you made a pivot on the metal strips that support the head and connect them to a small helmet or head band of some sort, you could then move the head with your head. Either way, I am so glad to see this movie still thrives in the hearts of so many people like myself. ♥
Apr 10, 2009. 1:13 PMhammer9876 says:
This is bloody awesome! I remember first seeing the movie. I would get preoccupied looking at the costumes and forget that there was a movie! Great Mystic!
Dec 6, 2008. 1:08 AMhornysasquatch says:
...Looks like someone watched the special features on the DVD as well.
Nov 18, 2008. 7:44 PMBitszu says:
Thats Sweet, Now I just have to wait for someone to make a Garthim costume and put up an Ible!
Nov 5, 2008. 6:27 PMlaernmoer says:
hoooooooooooly crap! that was my reason for becoming a Mechanical Engineer! those costumes were so awesome! Props, man!
Nov 4, 2008. 8:14 PMlimpach says:
Holy! 0.o Nice Costume Man. Seriously looks like the actual costume
Nov 4, 2008. 5:07 AMvkoser says:
Fantastic job!!! I am a huge fan of that movie and your costume is an excellent representation. How was your back after walking around like that all night?
Nov 4, 2008. 11:41 AMaphrael says:
Yea the movie is great! :D At first I didn't even notice this was a costume, I just figured it was a sculpture or something! Although that would be a pretty big sculpture to have around the house... Loads of inventiveness on this costume though, mad props to you, solipsism!
Nov 4, 2008. 2:22 PMmmh says:
Very impressive costume! I would need a crane to lift me up after getting down to that level. My knees don't work so well these days . . . Maybe heavy duty knee pads would work or sit on a "scoot-n-doo" and scoot around like that!
Nov 4, 2008. 1:04 PMStanley The Snake Handler says:
i LOVE THAT FILM YOUR COSTUME IT FANTASTIC
Nov 4, 2008. 6:36 AMjnixon says:
That is incredible. Great job!
Nov 4, 2008. 5:28 AMKentsOkay says:
Very cool! looks almost exactly like the movie.

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Author:solipsism
Graphic Designer/Physicist in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. I specialize in Photoshop fantasy creations. I always need some work if you need something designed. My website has contact information