UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Decorating the Band

We knew, pretty much from the get-go, that if this band was going to happen, decorations were going to have to happen, too.  Not only does this "soften" the appearance of the helmet for Mommy & Daddy, it also appears less "medical" to other people we might run into as well.  I had to take Connor with me to pick up his prescriptions just prior to decorating his helmet, and I'm not sure I would have politely put up with the looks and stares we received, just in our 30-min at Target, for very long.  Apparently, tact is dead these days.

So, in case this post is ever passed along to someone else contemplating a band decoration, a few things I learned:

I preferred the look of larger decals than I would be able to get just using scrapbook stickers, so I went with vinyl ones from Bling Your Band.  The seller was very easy to work with, and we received our decals within 3 days of placing the order.



She suggested that people "seal" the decals so that they stay forever, by using DecoArt's Multi-Purpose Sealer...  BIG MISTAKE for us.  I covered the decals with 1 thin coat the night I placed them on his helmet, and by the end of the next day, the sealer was flaking off.  So, I repeated with a second thin coat, which is currently flaking off as well.  Not to mention the fact, that you're supposed to clean the inside of the band with rubbing alcohol, and when the alcohol hits the sealer, it starts to strip it and make it tacky to the touch.  (So, I have to clean it very carefully now.)  I just wish I had put the decals on and that's it, no sealer.  Oh well.  (I spent the good part of an hour peeling it all away today... like a bad sunburn.  What a waste of time.)

Before someone else brings it up...  We chose to put Connor's name on the front, because at his young age, there's really no concern for stranger danger.  He's always attached to one of us anyway, and if it helps someone to coo and smile at him, rather than pitifully stare, then good.

Overall, we're pretty pleased with how it turned out, and it's gone a long way to making this whole experience a little easier on all of us.

November 9, 2009