Step 2: Wrap in Chicken Wire and Cotton

Chicken wire creates the bulk of the cocoon over the entire body except the face. Bend the chicken wire gently into a rounded shape around the body (it took 2 pieces for this), over the shoulders (two smaller pieces) and then another around the head shape area (resting the top on that short piece of wood). You'll need wire clippers to cut the sheets of chicken wire.

First I bent the chicken wire around the body, overlapping the two ends where they met, and tucked the cut ends of wire into existing/uncut 'holes' in the chicken wire. I bent the wire of cut ends to wrap them around those intact 'holes' to tie them in place. Wear gloves! Chicken wire can be rather nasty on the exposed edges. I'd also suggest wearing a long sleeved shirt so you don't scratch up your arms.

Next, I attached the shoulder pieces, and bent the cut wire so it attached to the body sheets.

I made a paper mache head which I attached to the wire frame. If you are using a full mask for this prop, I suggest you slip it over the top of that piece of wood (the neck) BEFORE you put the chicken wire over the top. And then stuff the mask with newspapers or plastic bags or whatever you have on hand. I then attached the head piece of chicken wire to the shoulders.

I also made a paper mache hand which I attached to the side of his body with wire (framing wire you use to hand pictures).

I then wrapped sheets of cotton over the wire (covering the wrist while leaving the hand exposed, and covering the head leaving the face exposed). You can buy the sheets of cotton in large bags at any craft store (it's used to stuff pillows) or you can get an old comforter and use the stuffing from that. You could even cover it in spiderweb cotton I suppose, but it would be more time consuming. You want the cotton fairly thick or else the outline of the holes in the fence will show later in this process.