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To Protect Himself From The Coronavirus, Artist Crafts A 59-Piece Leather Mask In The Shape Of A Facehugger
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To Protect Himself From The Coronavirus, Artist Crafts A 59-Piece Leather Mask In The Shape Of A Facehugger

Interview With Artist
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There was a time when facehuggers were something you needed to avoid at all costs. The 1979 science-fiction horror film Alien made that very clear when one such facehugger attached itself to Kane and injected its eggs into him.

So, you never would have thought that people will all of a sudden be keen on shoving a facehugger onto their faces to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

One of the latest entries to the “my mask is definitely much cooler than yours” competition is this intricately made leather facehugger mask as crafted by James of Pirate’s Leatherworks, with whom Bored Panda got in touch for an interview.

Why wear a boring cloth mask when you can have a realistic leather facehugger on your face instead?

Image credits: James, Pirate’s Leatherworks

Meet James, a UK-based artisan leather worker, owner of Pirate’s Leatherworks, and a proud member of the guild of master craftsmen who has been making headlines with his leather facehugger mask.

The mask is extremely detailed: everything from the leg joints to the skin curvature to the scales on the tail realistically mimic the actual anatomy of the facehuggers as seen in the movie. The only difference is that the leather is of a brown color tone, whereas the beasties seen in the horror film are of a pale skin tone. Also very slimy. Eww.

Since face covering is now compulsory in the UK, artisan leather worker James decided to have some fun with it

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Image credits: James, Pirate’s Leatherworks

“The mask was made from a pattern I found on Etsy. As a professional leather worker and carver, I wouldn’t normally use bought patterns and was dubious about spending a whole £14 on myself, but I saw it and thought that it’s for me and I could have a laugh walking around the local supermarket with it on,” joked James.

Now, the mask you see in these pictures was his first facehugger mask. It took him around three days to make and it ended up consisting of 59 separate parts, all of which were meticulously sewn and formed to create a very realistic facehugger.

The pattern was created by LeatherHubPatterns, also found on Etsy, and you can get it here if you wish to make your own.

This face mask consists of 59 separate parts and is made of roughly 2–3 square feet of leather

Image credits: James, Pirate’s Leatherworks

It took three days for James to create the first one, but later versions were done in just two

Image credits: James, Pirate’s Leatherworks

“In total, you’re looking at around 2–3 square feet of leather for each one. I’ve priced them to sell on my Etsy shop for £130 each (around $170), as I buy a pattern for each one I make (so that the designer gets something out of it too) and I’ve managed to get them down to two days per mask to make,” elaborated James.

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He continued: “A lot of people have said they’re too expensive, but if I was to actually charge the price they would cost paying myself a decent hourly rate, they would be double the price. So, I have to work for as cheap as possible in order to get any orders and to compete with those making them as a hobby rather than a living.”

James prices them at £130 on his Etsy shop, which is around US$170

Image credits: James, Pirate’s Leatherworks

Believe it or not, there are many who have ventured into making their own facehugger mask. Bored Panda has covered some of them, including one where a guy converted a CPAP mask to help him breathe during sleep and also this list of creative mask designs featuring several submissions of facehugger masks.

“So far, the public’s reaction has on the whole been rather good. A few people were taken aback and a couple were rather scared, but most don’t know the film Alien with it being made in ’79, but on the whole it’s been a good response, especially on the internet. I must admit, it has gone absolutely mental and I never thought it would be as big a hit as it has been,” explained James of his surprise with how much the internet enjoyed his creation.

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“A few people were taken aback and a couple were rather scared, but most don’t know the film with it being from ’79”

Image credits: James, Pirate’s Leatherworks

Even though this is James’ first endeavor at cranial accessories, he has a slew of very beautiful and intricately made wallets, bags, belts, journal and book covers, household items, and many other things made from leather, all of which you can find on his Etsy store. And if you’ve enjoyed his work, you can also follow James on Facebook and Instagram.

Turns out, facehugger masks are now a thing and others already made their own as well

Image credits: Jared Gray

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Image credits: Unknown

Image credits: Cristina Rodo

What did you think about this? Where would you go with a mask in the shape and form of a facehugger to scare unsuspecting people? Let us know in the comment section below!

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troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great aesthetic, but I'm pretty sure you can't breathe through leather, so this only works if there are significant gaps around the outsides...which there seem to be. Sorry but I'd like to prioritize safety over "hav[ing] a laugh walking around the local supermarket."

chelsea_corkum avatar
Chelsea Corkum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm going to assume that he has a regular little surgical mask , or a small filtered mask underneath it.

Load More Replies...
lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being an "Alien" fan, I think that this mask is great. It would certainly keep everyone at bay.

dutchvanzandt avatar
Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the creativity and craftmanship(c/o Leatherhubpatterns), but I don't think I could wear one and feel like I'm getting face f***** by an alien creature...

ed_25 avatar
Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Notice how there is not a milennial in sight. Movie from '79, indeed.

jpwright avatar
JP Wright
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when people don't give credit to the folks who created the pattern in the first place. This pattern was made and is sold by Leatherhubpatterns on Etsy.

jackiewacky avatar
Jackie Wacky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The artist said in the interview that he includes a pattern with each mask, so that the original designers get something back for each mask sold.

Load More Replies...
davinasmart-lautrey avatar
didi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And how do you wash it between uses? Leather doesn't wash/dry well or quickly

ed_25 avatar
Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the shelf-life of the corona virus on leather? 2-3 days on cotton fabric, can't be that much more on leather. Also this has the feeling of being a "sunday" mask. Not for every day use.

Load More Replies...
v_r_tayloryahoo_com avatar
v
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"To Protect Himself From The Coronavirus" I wonder how long people are going to continue believing this is why the masks are worn?

sarjanalastname avatar
Sarjana Lastname
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best! Best of the best was USA president candidates using black masks. I got some humorous seizure at morning. Fast seen images from politicians, news from obviously terrorist. Who else covers their face and keep political speech front of national flag. and seriously realizing that politicians has to be now them be frightened like so called terrorist are covering their faces in matter of security. how common politics appear from minority view, pandemic world wide.

isa_3 avatar
Isa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember the movie even though I am young, I honestly like the design though

artbyanne avatar
Anne Nielsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the artistry. I love the design. I love the coolness factor. T would wear this mask and try not to complain.

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a ridiculous and inaccurate title. Shame on you, BP. Wearing a mask does little to protect onesself. A person wears a mask to keep themselves from spreading it to OTHERS. Don't we all know this by now?!

eizalopezd avatar
ptm45
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ok, they have their own thing but...can you breathe well with it?

mollywillsher avatar
Slug Cat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

**note! Face masks are only compulsory in certain places, the rules vary between England, Scotland, Ireland and wales.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The masks are very funny, though I would think they'd be VERY uncomfortable, especially in a warm or hot environment.

troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great aesthetic, but I'm pretty sure you can't breathe through leather, so this only works if there are significant gaps around the outsides...which there seem to be. Sorry but I'd like to prioritize safety over "hav[ing] a laugh walking around the local supermarket."

chelsea_corkum avatar
Chelsea Corkum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm going to assume that he has a regular little surgical mask , or a small filtered mask underneath it.

Load More Replies...
lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being an "Alien" fan, I think that this mask is great. It would certainly keep everyone at bay.

dutchvanzandt avatar
Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the creativity and craftmanship(c/o Leatherhubpatterns), but I don't think I could wear one and feel like I'm getting face f***** by an alien creature...

ed_25 avatar
Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Notice how there is not a milennial in sight. Movie from '79, indeed.

jpwright avatar
JP Wright
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when people don't give credit to the folks who created the pattern in the first place. This pattern was made and is sold by Leatherhubpatterns on Etsy.

jackiewacky avatar
Jackie Wacky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The artist said in the interview that he includes a pattern with each mask, so that the original designers get something back for each mask sold.

Load More Replies...
davinasmart-lautrey avatar
didi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And how do you wash it between uses? Leather doesn't wash/dry well or quickly

ed_25 avatar
Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the shelf-life of the corona virus on leather? 2-3 days on cotton fabric, can't be that much more on leather. Also this has the feeling of being a "sunday" mask. Not for every day use.

Load More Replies...
v_r_tayloryahoo_com avatar
v
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"To Protect Himself From The Coronavirus" I wonder how long people are going to continue believing this is why the masks are worn?

sarjanalastname avatar
Sarjana Lastname
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best! Best of the best was USA president candidates using black masks. I got some humorous seizure at morning. Fast seen images from politicians, news from obviously terrorist. Who else covers their face and keep political speech front of national flag. and seriously realizing that politicians has to be now them be frightened like so called terrorist are covering their faces in matter of security. how common politics appear from minority view, pandemic world wide.

isa_3 avatar
Isa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember the movie even though I am young, I honestly like the design though

artbyanne avatar
Anne Nielsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the artistry. I love the design. I love the coolness factor. T would wear this mask and try not to complain.

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a ridiculous and inaccurate title. Shame on you, BP. Wearing a mask does little to protect onesself. A person wears a mask to keep themselves from spreading it to OTHERS. Don't we all know this by now?!

eizalopezd avatar
ptm45
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ok, they have their own thing but...can you breathe well with it?

mollywillsher avatar
Slug Cat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

**note! Face masks are only compulsory in certain places, the rules vary between England, Scotland, Ireland and wales.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The masks are very funny, though I would think they'd be VERY uncomfortable, especially in a warm or hot environment.

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