Easy DIY Halloween Decor: Framed Glitter Ghost

When it comes to decor, trends are very big.

From major elements like wall color and furniture designs, all the way down to dish patterns and candle styles.

The latest and greatest seem to take center stage.

And holiday decor is no exception.

While pumpkins have always been perennial favorites and fall decor staples, this year, my feed seems to be flooded with ghosts.


Ghost paintings, ghosts under glass, ghost cookie jars, snacks, costumes and ghost themed crafts.

Of course, that's the one that gets my attention. 

Now, I tend to favor fall decor over Halloween decorations.

Between you and me, I don't even like Halloween.

And I avoid anything spooky or scary.

But those ghost crafts, if they've got a cute face, I'm in.

My Upcycle Ghost Lantern Craft

Well, that's what happened every time I saw one of those pearl ghosts in a frame go by on Pinterest.

A sweet smile and sparkles?

I mean seriously, who could resist?

So over the weekend I decided to make one of my own.

Framed Halloween Beaded Ghost DIY

The idea popped into my head when I found this at the dollar store, next to the frames I used for my fall transfer art. It was perfectly suited for a ghostly DIY with its slightly sinister vibe.

So I grabbed it.


At home, I had a bunch of pearls and craft buttons in my stash, but when I started to play with them, I didn't love how they looked.

Instead, I opened a package of glittered vase filler beads I'd had tucked away for this rainy day.

However, if you choose to make a pearl ghost or button one, the process is the same. 


The beads were smaller than the pearls, a bit iridescent, so they caught the light in a more interesting way and their sharper edges seemed as if they'd give me control over my shape.

Next, I focused on creating a background. That was constructed from a scrap piece of black felt cut to the size of the frame.


Once that was settled, I drew a small ghost shape on piece of paper, as a pattern, and cut it out.

I placed it on the felt and traced it with a white paint pen.

It was a good idea, I got a very clean pattern, but I had to be careful to cover all of the white marker with my beads.


There wasn't really any room to deviate from my pattern. If I did, I would need to use a black Sharpie marker to cover it. That's not ideal.

Next time, I might use chalk instead. That could just be rubbed away if necessary.

To add the beads, I traced around the perimeter of the pattern with Alene's Tacky Glue. Then I used a small brush to spread more glue on the inside of the ghost.


The felt was covered with glue, but just a thin coat was enough. 

I added the beads one at a time to the edges, in a tight line, all the way around.


I wasn't as careful with the middle beads.

I literally dumped them into the center of the pattern and used my fingers to spread and smooth them out.


When the beads were completely dry, I tipped my ghost over to see if any one of them would fall off. If they did, I reglued them, making sure each one was secured.

At the same time I added two more beads onto my ghost for eyes and painted them black.

And finally, when the paint was dry, I coated the entire ghost in Gloss Mod Podge to seal it and make sure those beads really shined when the light hit them.

After all, no one wants a dull ghost.

Especially when they're supposed to be lighting up a seasonal fireplace mantel.


Or adding a twinkle to a fall centerpiece.

Paired with those ever popular pumpkins.


Making them both just a tiny bit trendier.

And spookier this year.

😉

I have several more ghost crafts for Halloween right here:


Do you decorate for Halloween?

Happy Crafting Friends!