Doctor Who Sylvester McCoy Question Mark Umbrella

Do you love Doctor Who?

Apart from the TARDIS, of course, nothing is as iconic as Sylvester McCoy's Question Mark Umbrella!

(okay, apart from his question mark vest, and Matt Smith's bow ties...)

Here's a simple DIY to make this amazing prop on a limited budget!

Step 1: You Will Need:

First you will need a black umbrella with a hard plastic hook handle.

(I found this at a dollar store variety...where everything was $2. So this umbrella was 2 bucks.)

You will also need a package of black and red sugru.

And a torch of some kind for melting plastic...and the proper safety gear.

Step 2: Bend the Question Hook

Most umbrella's have a hard plastic handle...it's brittle and could break easily...
so proceed with caution!

We went out to the garage and set up the torch on the workbench.
Next we slowly ran the umbrella hook in the flame until the plastic became pliable.

Go slow...and possibly call in some reinforcements! (I had my hubby do this part)

Carefully, my husband, bent the plastic into the sharp question mark shape.

A little more heat to bring the arch over the center line...

After we were satisfied with the shape of the hook we rubbed some
ice cubes on it to cool the plastic quickly to keep it's shape.

Some of the plastic is bumpy...and imperfect, but not to worry.

Step 3: Adding the Color!

Now, I had some Sugru laying around.
Just little sample sizes...in black and red. (.17 oz)

It's moldable silicone clay, and it's perfect for fixing and mending things that still need to be somewhat flexible.

I used all the black Sugru I had and formed a ball
at the base of the hook of the umbrella...and let it dry/set overnight.

(maybe some kind of air dry clay would work)

Next, I used the package of RED Sugru and rationed it more than anything in the history of rationing!

And pushed it on thinner and thinner until the ball and the hook were covered...I would

have liked 2 packages...but it worked!

You could also use plasti-dip to make a great red coating.

The tip top of the umbrella could also be covered in red too.

Step 4: Get Ready for Rain!

I'm super pleased with this simple DIY version of the Question mark umbrella!

Perfect for the rainiest day in all of time and space!

Check out my blog Doodlecraft for tons of other GEEK-Inspired crafts!

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