Step 1: The Creepy Clown

I went big with the clown!

I made a huge canvas by gluing white paper to cardboard. You'll need to completely cover the back of the white paper with glue to get the best bond possible.

After that, I started painting. I looked at old school pictures of Bozo the clown for inspiration and painted this badboy freehand.

Step 2: The Circus Light Board!

First, I ordered the light bulbs. I ordered them off of AliExpress and they are great little LED bulbs.

I made two of these light boards out of thin plywood. Those four sockets are parallel wired together and on a plug. I bought all of my electrical supplies at the home center over here in Japan.

Measuring everything out is key to perfect shapes. I used painters tape and cheapo dollar store craft paint to do these.

Step 3: The Circus Sign!

This is also thin plywood with a nice chunky frame.

This is all freehand, but it's easier than it looks.

I used a pencil and yard stick to measure and draw out boxes to fit each letter of CIRCUS in. I used a little paint brush to paint the letters and outlined the letters with a paint marker.

I used sand paper to distress it and clear Briwax to wax it up and make it shiny.