Witch’s Staff Build is a Rad Glowing Costume Prop
Imagine heading to a music festival, not just with the essentials like water, sunscreen, and a hat, but also wielding an eye-catching glowing witch’s staff. That’s exactly what MZandtheRaspberryPi created for a friend, resulting in a build that’s both fun and visually stunning.
The concept was simple: craft a staff or cane with a glowing orb on top. To achieve this, the orb was 3D-printed as a very thin structure so the light from the LEDs inside could shine through. After some experimentation with design and 3D printer settings, they landed on the perfect combination. A Raspberry Pi Pico W powered the LEDs, specifically through-hole Neopixel LEDs sourced from Adafruit, allowing the orb to glow brightly.
Initially, power was supplied through a long cable connected to a USB power bank in the wielder’s pocket. However, this proved cumbersome, especially for dancing. To solve this, an Adafruit Feather microcontroller and a 2,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery were incorporated into the orb itself. This upgrade allowed for better mobility and eliminated the need for external cables.
The final result was an impressive costume prop that looked fantastic, combining 3D printing with simple electronics. It’s a perfect example of how a bit of creativity and tech can transform a basic festival accessory into something unique and magical, just in time for Halloween!
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