Glow Cloud Prop Umbrella Welcome to Night Vale (WTNV)

I thought I’d share how I made my Glow Cloud for when the Welcome to Night Vale: All Hail! Live show came to Australia.

With:

Working lights (to make it ‘glow’).
Raining dead animals (I chose rats)
And low humming sounds all included
I used a sound file on my phone: Wind Organ Blaring by Klankbeeld

Supplies

Umbrella
Some sort of strong sturdy fabric (I used an old window blind)
Hot Glue Gun (and a lot of hot glue!)
LED Battery Operated Fairy Lights (Mine is 10 meters and 100 bulbs)
- (My headcanon has always been that the Glow Cloud is purple, but you can use any colour you like)
Stuffing
PVA Glue
Marker (Niko Pen)
Ruler (1 meter)
Masking Tape
Foam Brush (Optional)
Old Container (to pour glue into) (Optional)
Velcro (Optional)
Sewing machine (or you can hand sew, it's not much). (Optional)

Step 1: Making the Base

I placed two tables of similar height beside each other and cut a small hole into the centre of my fabric (big enough for the umbrella handle to go through).
Then I placed the umbrella inside the hole and between the tables.
I marked each corner with a marker and removed the umbrella.
Taking a meter ruler I connected each mark together to create the outline of the base of the umbrella.
Next, I simply cut out the shape that this created.

Step 2: Making the Pocket for the Battery Pack

To hide the battery pack I made a pocket within the base

Using the same blind material sew velcro onto three sides of the pocket (The two sides and the edge)

And sew the fourth directly onto the base that you created in the previous step.

Step 3: Attaching the Base

To attach the base go over all the edges with hot glue.

Attach one side, and then the opposite side, and so on, so that it's sure to fit properly.

Step 4: Setting Up the Lights

Stick your LED lights down with masking tape first to ensure they fit how you want them to.

This step may take a couple of tries to position them properly.

Start at the edge of the umbrella with the battery pack inside the pocket so that it ends up in the correct place and work your way around the umbrella towards the centre, trying to keep them evenly spaced.

Step 5: Attaching the Lights

To attach the string of lights it's best to do it in sections, removing a piece of masking tape and placing hot glue underneath where you want the lights to sit, place the lights on top, and then make a zigzag pattern with the glue over the string of light to make sure that they are secure.

I let everything dry over night to make sure that it was completely dry before continuing.

Step 6: Applying Stuffing to the Base

Next, grab your glue of choice

- I’ve seen hot glue used, and Elmer’s glue, however, I just used what I had on hand which was PVA glue. I wouldn't recommend using hot glue for this step though

Star with the base/underside of your umbrella otherwise you'll be crushing the stuffing and getting it dirty if you do it the other way around.

Pour some of the glue onto an old container lid (a small amount at a time) and paint it onto the umbrella with a foam brush, covering a patch at a time and then attaching the stuffing before starting on another patch.

Making sure that you could still access the pocket. (I left covering the pocket until last)

I let that dry overnight before continuing the same process to the top of the umbrella.

Step 7: Applying Stuffing to the Top

Repeat the step from before to the top of the umbrella.

Pour some of the glue onto an old container lid (a small amount at a time) and paint it onto the umbrella with a foam brush, covering a patch at a time and then attaching the stuffing before starting on another patch.

Making sure to cover the light bulbs enough that they can't be seen, but you will still get the full effect of the lights.