There has to be a better way...

Hey all!

I'm working on a mask for a party this weekend. What it basically is, is a couple rabbit ears attached to a gas mask. Now, I have (I think) everything I need to actually complete the mask, I just don't know how to go about it.
I have the gas mask itself
I have EVA foam (really thin sheets...got them from Micheals)
I have PVA glue
I have latex mask paint for the gas mask and ears.
I have the rivets.

My problem is that whenever I make the ears, they tend to fold in on themselves, due to most of the weight being higher on the ear. The angle the ears will be on the mask also don't help anything, as they will be at a more rearward angle.

I'm trying to mimic these masks here:


I was thinking about a wire clothes hanger, but I can never get them to not be wavy when trying to straighten them. I also tried using pipe cleaners with the fabric(y) stuff removed, but they're not strong enough.

I'm not really sure what they used for reinforcement on the ones in the picture...It looks like wire, but what kind I have no clue.

Thanks!

What about just a simple wire hanger clipped to the right size and glued to the back?

you can cut the hangers to length, then take some pliers and bend into a curve in 2 inch increments

AmazonChitlin said:

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I was thinking about a wire clothes hanger, but I can never get them to not be wavy when trying to straighten them.

Use two pairs of pliers, they're get the kinks out.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

So I used wire. I'm letting the glue (Liquid Nails Perfect Glue) that I used to glue the wire down dry. Hopefully it works and I will be able to post some pictures in a couple hours!

As for straightening the wire, I didn't really need to, as it turns out. I clipped the straight parts of the hanger off and just used them. They're the right length for what I need. The little curve that they do have in them isn't an issue, and actually kind of works for the curve I'm going to be giving them anyway!