Lie Ren's StormFlower (Cardboard Replica)

Hello fellow RWBY fans!

Looking for some affordable props for your Lie Ren cosplay? Look no further! This project will provide you with my *self-made templates that you can use to cut out and build your own StormFlower replica.

*I designed the pieces based off the nicely detailed 3D model designed by the Ruiz Brothers here.

Step 1: Materials

Things I ended up needing:

-LOTS of Cardboard (I used about a 21' x 28' piece of cardboard to make just one gun)

-Elmer's wet glue

-Box cutter

-Scissors

-Black (I used cheap acrylic) & Green Paint (I used Testors brand green lacquer, which I got at my local Michael's for $5)

-Paintbrush

-Printer and paper (unless you can trace off the screen like I did)

-TIME (It did take me about three days to make both guns. Granted, since I had no printer, I had to trace off my tablet screen and transfer the designs to the cardboard. Without that extra step, this would probably take around a day to complete)

Step 2: Using the Templates

I tried to organize the pieces so that they could all fit on standard printer paper. Unfortunately, pieces 1a & b, 2a & b couldn't fit on one page each, so you'll have to tape them down on the cardboard like a puzzle.

*Be wary when cutting out pieces 7a and 7b as they are a challenge to cut without accidentally tearing. My only suggestion on this is to try using scissors.

*I also suggest labeling the cardboard pieces when you cut them out so you know which piece is which.

*Please note that the above and PDF have the pieces for just one gun; you'll need to print the PDF twice for both guns.

Step 3: Assembly

Once you've cut out your pieces, you'll want to assemble them in this order. I made to thoroughly cover the surfaces with glue.

At least for the cardboard I used, all the layers were quite bulky but I was able to compress it to reduce the bulkiness.

*I did go one step further as seen in the last photo that I did not document with photos: I used some left over cardboard to cover some of the outer edges, to hide the many layers of cardboard. This just makes for a more complete look. It wasn't too hard to figure out the shapes needed to do the job, however if you really need a template for those pieces I might be able to make that. I just figured not everyone will have the same cardboard and may be better off sizing the extra pieces themselves.

**Also, for the muzzle I just used a scrap strip of cardboard, rolled it up, and stuff it in the gap for it. There are technically two muzzles, but the other one was so small I didn't bother. You could probably use a straw or something for that one.

Step 4: Painting

Ren's StormFlower is almost completely green with some black accents. First, spray whole thing green, minus the magazine. I'd say about 3 coats did the trick--stay light, as I had made the mistake of going too fast and put too thick of a layer on, which caused ugly blotchiness.

Things to paint black afterwards:

-magazine

-front sight

-rear sight

-trigger

-grip

Step 5: Conclusion

Congratulations! You've built your very own StormFlower--Oh, wait. Did you remember to repeat steps 2-4 so you'd have both guns? Make sure you go do that...

-------

Now congratulations! You're now ready to go slay some King Taijitus of your own! Or, like me, make your "casual" (aka, low-budget) Lie Ren costume a little more interesting at Comic Con.

Please let me know how this tutorial went for you and if I could make it any more clear or less confusing if need be. Happy hunting!