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Mel2DaIssaHandmade Stilt Spirit

Published: 2012-06-13 17:13:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 123578; Favourites: 5691; Downloads: 2623
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Description TUTORIAL FOR SALE HERE:  www.etsy.com/listing/206658064… ?

I made this costume about 2 years ago. I didn't follow any pattern. I just winged it. My husband has one too that looks slightly different. This is a four legged stilt suit. We weren't really sure what to call them so for lack of a better name we call them "Stilt Spirits."

Our main inspiration was from watching The Dark Crystal as a child. I have always wanted to make a tall four legged costume (like the Land Striders) to terrify people and this worked perfectly. We actually met the Frouds that created the Land Striders have met us and love our costumes. We are also really inspired by Miyazaki. So the combination of the two are what made us create these.

You can see us on YouTube walking around in these:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB2HTA…

We have also appeared at Fairie Con 2011 to perform with Priscilla Hernandez. She is incredible. You can see her here:

priscillahernandez.com/

We have noticed a lot of people online making our costumes now and we are so honored and flattered. Thank you everyone!

Mine has extra large medical crutches on the arms which make it really great for your back. Very comfy! Circus peg stilts for the legs (custom made by thespinsterz.com). Garen used dry wall stilts for his legs. They are mainly made of upholstery foam (it comes in a big roll for chair cushions) and fabric. Surprisingly easy to make. Mine costed me about $500, my husband's ran him about $350 due to the different types of stilts.

We tried different faces and masks, but nothing seemed to creep out people more than the blank and expressionless human face. On Halloween we stand in yards to pretend like we are decorations then follow families down the street. FREAKS THEM OUT!!! We also walk in our town on random days in the year just to surprise people. : )

Thanks for taking a peek!
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Comments: 1060

thelegoking99 [2021-08-01 02:00:03 +0000 UTC]

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paul-rosenkavalier [2020-08-01 21:17:13 +0000 UTC]

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RabiaHirviente [2018-12-01 14:37:51 +0000 UTC]

Really wonderful. If you didn't say it I would have thought it's from Hollywood-costume-market.

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SlusheeDePlushiee [2018-11-01 12:35:08 +0000 UTC]

That has to be the best costume I've ever seen

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SleepyAnimated [2018-10-31 13:18:24 +0000 UTC]

Just imagine this walking down the street at night.

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GuesssWho9 [2018-10-27 20:13:02 +0000 UTC]

Very nice!

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ChrystalSouder [2018-10-23 19:27:36 +0000 UTC]

This is so cool!!

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Orksbane [2018-10-16 14:23:01 +0000 UTC]

Internet Scarier 😂

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Callisto3Moon [2018-10-09 13:17:23 +0000 UTC]

Lol. I remember watching the video to this before. Wish I could have that cosplay. 😂

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Nerveabhorrence [2018-10-09 12:06:29 +0000 UTC]

I dont want to see this at night

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toxicwolf750 [2018-09-15 21:22:09 +0000 UTC]

2Spoopy4Me

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TheTrueDJELECTRO [2018-08-22 02:48:28 +0000 UTC]

I want this

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demondj930 [2018-05-04 20:49:29 +0000 UTC]

Love it

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mama-rob [2017-10-08 18:38:05 +0000 UTC]

I just purchased your instructions and I am building this for my daughter's Halloween costume, but was wondering if I could substitute upholstery foam with mattress foam.

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HakkuOwO [2017-07-23 12:39:47 +0000 UTC]

this is just awesome but really creepy , i love it !

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MaddiesCreations [2017-07-18 19:13:59 +0000 UTC]

OK did you make sure that the parents and children where not around before you did this because I would have Crapped my pants THAT is how REAL it looks GOSH also can I borrow those stilts? um I need to grow a few feet.

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TheLoneDucky [2017-06-19 00:29:05 +0000 UTC]

I saw the youtube videos of you two making and walking around in these costume years ago! To find you on dA has made my day I've always have loved your creations and from time to time, have thought back to such inspirational costumes. Oh, I'm so happy

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ReaperGSans [2017-06-02 17:04:52 +0000 UTC]

This looks awesome but also scary

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Nomichu251958 [2017-04-05 16:55:47 +0000 UTC]

Holy shit thats scary

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OlgaBee [2016-10-30 09:56:51 +0000 UTC]

Hello, I was so fascinated by this costume that I used it in an image of mine.Please, accept my apologies that I didn't ask first.I have included your link in my photo description.Please, I hope you don't mind.It's a really beautiful costume. I used it here .Thank you so much ! flic.kr/p/MK9Y6r

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Dino-Donuts [2016-09-12 04:15:09 +0000 UTC]

Woah that scared me I be liked Woah

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CatsHaveNoRules [2016-09-10 14:09:03 +0000 UTC]

Whoah

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price3000 [2016-07-13 17:14:31 +0000 UTC]

Unfortunately this "Stilt Spirit" is not an original concept by Melissa and Garen. It is a nearly exact copy of a spiritual dancer of the Yacouba people in Ivory Coast, W. Africa. That said, it is indeed a compelling and frightening thing.

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Mel2DaIssa In reply to price3000 [2016-07-19 18:14:13 +0000 UTC]

Hi, there!  I looked up the Yacouba people you mentioned and they are really amazing!  However, that wasn't our inspiration and none of them are on all fours like us.  Their costumes are super amazing though.  Saying our concept came from the Yacouba people would be dishonest.  The design that we created was largely inspired by the Landstriders from the film the Dark Crystal by Jim Henson and the Frouds, who we did get blessings from in person and openly tell everyone they were our inspiration along with Miyazaki's works.  : )  

If you really want to dig into where stilts originated from you should read about ancient Greece.  Stilts were actually used as tools in the 6th century to get through marshes and soggy ground and even for a higher view for sheep herding.  Looks like there is awesome stilt history and traditions all over the world and I hope it continues.  : )  Everyone deserves to be inspired, be creative and have fun!

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WH5 [2016-06-22 03:15:38 +0000 UTC]

Eu realmente gosto dessa máscara branca.

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hrdwarhax [2016-05-03 13:48:06 +0000 UTC]

Were you in this costume for Indy Comic con this past weekend?

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Mel2DaIssa In reply to hrdwarhax [2016-07-19 18:10:10 +0000 UTC]

No, but I wish I was, ha ha!   

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LeeSheahan [2016-04-29 05:12:24 +0000 UTC]

I painted a piece strongly based off of this. I would love if you saw it

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Mel2DaIssa In reply to LeeSheahan [2016-07-19 18:14:50 +0000 UTC]

I would love to see it!  Can you send me a link?

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LeeSheahan In reply to Mel2DaIssa [2016-07-29 03:19:55 +0000 UTC]

I painted it before I could actually find your profile so I still need to credit you! Enjoy! www.instagram.com/p/BEMcozBt0H…

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ggirtc [2016-04-12 02:33:13 +0000 UTC]

Nice!

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ThatKiku [2016-04-11 09:32:23 +0000 UTC]

I watched the video. Would be so awesome to walk around in something like this xD

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Ieval-Anjael [2015-12-06 12:49:19 +0000 UTC]

This is the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long, long time. *claps enthusiastically*

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KorionisDelta [2015-09-20 23:36:19 +0000 UTC]

I seen someone wearing the exact same thing last year on Halloween. 

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Ekati37 [2015-09-06 13:37:51 +0000 UTC]

This is incredible!

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morbuscope [2015-08-31 18:00:54 +0000 UTC]

It seems Mad Max has ripped off your design.

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JazninkArtMODalter [2015-08-02 04:58:35 +0000 UTC]

Oh My God!!! that looks soooo awesome!!!

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WagmoreBarkless [2015-04-13 02:44:51 +0000 UTC]

You should do a photo shoot in a forest or public park - the natural shadows/intermittent light would enhance the ethereal nature of the costumes!
Excellent job!

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TheNotSoSearcher [2015-04-12 19:34:57 +0000 UTC]

THAT is FREAKING AMAZING! (Sorry for the caps.)

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Aahneus [2015-04-12 07:02:40 +0000 UTC]

I saw your video on youtube a year ago, and I've wanted this ever since.

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Thornmoon [2015-04-12 01:35:49 +0000 UTC]

FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!!

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SassyLunatone [2015-04-11 01:58:47 +0000 UTC]

If I seen this I would truly be creeped out

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Demented951 [2015-04-10 03:29:33 +0000 UTC]

That's badass

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zaboo17 [2015-04-10 00:29:26 +0000 UTC]

I can definitely see your inspiration!! Awesome work!

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wolfsbane6 [2015-04-09 16:45:21 +0000 UTC]

Very cool!

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WARSHELL83 [2015-04-09 09:32:34 +0000 UTC]

cool costume

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PikaGurl98 [2015-04-09 02:26:01 +0000 UTC]

This will creep me out if it just came out of nowhere XD

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Floyet [2015-04-08 15:39:49 +0000 UTC]

super génial le déguisement ! Trop flippant ^^

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fanficotaku [2015-04-08 13:37:42 +0000 UTC]

So rad dude 👏👍

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Psychorror [2015-04-08 04:57:00 +0000 UTC]

How amazing would it be if just a whole bunch of people made these and then have an entire herd roaming the streets. One early autmun morning, and you see these strange silhouettes through the fog.

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