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DIY Patterned Clay Ghost Garland For Halloween

October 30, 2024

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Boo!

Did I scare you?

Well, I hope not.

Let's Make A Halloween Clay Ghost Banner Pin

I mean it is that time of year for all things spooky, but that's not my jam.

Halloween has never been my favorite.

I'm much more of a Christmas carol kind of girl than a Monster Mash fan.

However.

If an interesting craft opportunity comes along and it just happens to involve a little chill, I'm in.

Especially if I can put a cottage stye or cutesy spin on it.

For example, I've made:

Halloween Ghost Lantern DIY
Not to mention, my latest Halloween decoration, a thrift flip, Dollar Tree combo with skeletons and spiders.

Today's craft was also inspired by a thrifted item, a ghost cookie cutter I found in an adorable local shop.

Large Ghost Cookie Cutter

It was $3 and worth every penny. My husband saw it and said, You should get this and make cookies.

Sweet guy, but he should know by now that I'm a crafts over cookie girl. So while he saw treats, I saw a ghostly clay garland.

I'm a huge fan of creative holiday banners and I hadn't made one in a while. 

Plus, I'd had a package of air dry clay in my stash just waiting for the right DIY, so I grabbed it, called my daughter come over and play with me...and collected all of my supplies.

How To Make Clay Ghosts


Supplies For Clay Ghost Garland on table including clay parchment cookie cutter and rolling pin

Supplies:

Step by Step:


We began by placing a piece of parchment paper on the table, putting the clay on it and then cutting it into 1" strips.

Cutting Air Dry Clay with a plastic knife

Then we rolled the strips into round balls.

Ball of clay on parchment

Placed them on the parchment paper and rolled them out until they were about 1/4 of an inch thick.

Rolling Clay With A Rolling Pin For Ghost Garland

Then we pushed the ghost cookie cutter into the clay.

Pushing a ghost cookie cutter into clay with two hands

When we were sure we had a nice clean shape, we lifted the cutter away and smoothed out any rough edges with our fingers.

Smoothing the edges of clay cut outs

Adding Patterns To The Clay


Then it was time for a little bit of fun. Adding patterns and some old world cottage charm to our plain ghosts!

Keep in mind you can use this idea for clay Christmas ornaments or any festive occasion.

First up, we rolled a thrift store, milk glass votive holder over the top of a ghost to create a woven pattern.

Adding Texture To Clay Cutouts with milk glass bowl

Next, we placed a fabric doily on top of another.

Then we used the rolling pin to gently press the doily into the clay.

Rolling A Doily Onto Clay For Pattern

You can see it that it was almost embedded in it.

We carefully lifted it out to reveal a delicate lace patterned ghost. I have to say, this one was lovely.

Pressing A Doily Into Clay Ornaments

Finally, we pushed a Dollar Tree plastic serving tray onto one as well. 

You can use anything you think will leave an interesting mark in the clay or nothing at all.

We did a mix of both to make the garland a little more varied and interesting.

Adding Texture To Air Dry Clay Crafts

I will say this, nothing we used stuck to the clay, but if you are worried about that you can use a light spray of cooking oil to make sure your items will release easily.

Lastly, we used a straw to poke a hole in each ghost head so we'd be able to lace them up when dry.

Using A Straw To Poke Holes In Air Dry Clay Ornaments

Now, that drying process did take longer than I expected. It was about 2 full days...and I honestly, I suspect it takes even longer to fully cure.

In the meantime, I used an old spatula to transfer them onto a parchment covered piece of cardboard and set them aside.

Air Dry Clay ghosts drying on a piece of cardboard

As they dried, they turned color, from the gray we started with, to a crisp white. If they hadn't, I could've painted them, like I did with my gingerbread boy clay ornaments.

The final step was simple, I just strung them up with some black ribbon and hung them up on my plate rack.

To decorate my kitchen.

Patterned Clay Ghost Garland hanging on a plate rack with Halloween decor

Joining some of the other ghosts, already perched there.

Adding some holiday flair to my cottage.

Air Dry Clay Ghost Banner hanging in the kitchen

To welcome Halloween.

And there's nothing scary about that.

👻

Are you afraid of decorating with ghosts?

Happy Halloween, Friends!
Kim Signature


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  1. I LOVE this. I'm actually going to find my Thanksgiving cookie cutters and give it a go! Thanks for great idea.

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    1. Yay! I'm so happy you like this one, Sue! I'm with you, I think I'm going to be making these ornaments or garlands for every holiday. Now I need to find a few new cookie cutters, too!

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  2. So cute and very clever!!

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    1. Thank you, Dotte! This has been on my list for a really long time. I'm glad I finally found a cookie cutter to inspire me. Happy November!

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  3. What a cute idea Kim! I love it. I will be pinning.
    Carla

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    1. Thank you, Carla! Now I'm on a clay kick and I need a turkey!

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  4. Kim, I love your cute banner you made! It looks so nice with your other decorations. Enjoy the rest of the week and have a happy halloween.

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    1. Thanks so much, Julie! I never thought I'd be so enamored with ghosts. I guess when they're made of clay, they're not so scary. Haha!!

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  5. I wish I could find a cutter I will be trying to this by hand , just surviving Helena in the Mts. of NC. Hope all have a very nice holiday. Love this idea.

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    1. Oh my goodness, my heart goes out to you. We have family in the mountains and the photos they shared were just devastating. I do you hope you are getting what you need and are safe and warm. I'm glad if my little project brought you some joy. I will keep you in my thoughts. ❤️

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  6. How cute is this? I've done some air dry things with my girls, never thought of using seasonal cookie cutters though! Great idea!

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    1. Thanks Mari! I've made gingerbread boy ornaments with a cookie cutter and the clay so this was top of mind when I saw the ghost. It was a nice big cut out and with clay, that's the key!

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  7. Kim you are so creative. I love how you used other things for your patterns on the ghosts. I think my fave is the lace pattern. Have a good Halloween. Hugs. Kris

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    1. That’s my favorite, too, Kris! I think I’m going to have to make a bunch of Christmas ornaments like this now. Lacy, white clay ornaments for my tree…so pretty!!

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  8. And now I want to go buy alllll the cookie cutters and make allllll the clay things!! Haha! Amazing!

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    1. Hahaha!! Right there with you, Mandy! Too bad we didn't live closer, we could have a clay cut out party!!

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  9. How clever! I have a ghost cookie cutter - a little late for this year, but next year.....

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    1. Next year for sure, Ann! They're just so cute and you're so creative you could make some darling ghosts.

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  10. Kim,
    These are just darling!! Love them!! What a creative idea!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
    Hugs,
    Deb
    Debbie-Dabble Blog

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Debbie! They were fun to make and not scary at all! Heehee!!

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