Air Dry Clay Ghost Earrings
Let’s DIY some air dry clay ghost earrings using the lightest clay I can find! This easy Halloween craft idea is a fun way to add a little spooky fun to your day.
RELATED READING: Make Adorable Clay Mushrooms (they have faces)!
What You'll Find On This Page
Air Dry Clay Ghosts
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’ve been focused on cleaning out the piles and boxes I tuck away in my craft room with the intention of “putting this away later.” And, well…
Today’s “later” found me going through a box in which I found Crayola’s white Model Magic clay and I had to make some ghosts. These mini clay ghost earrings are a fun way to use this product because they’re SO light.
If you love this but can’t get started now, use the sharing buttons to save this to a Halloween crafts pin board or share it on social. Either way will make it easy to find when you’re ready to begin.
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Clay Ghost Earrings Video Tutorial
If you’re a visual learner like I am, watch these cute earrings come together in this short air dry clay ghost earrings video tutorial. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to the channel – we have a lot of fun.
Materials You Will Need
The star of the show is definitely Crayola’s Model Magic. Some people consider this a craft supply for kids, but I’ve been using it for years because it’s the lightest weight material I can find.
- Model Magic
- Earring Findings (ear hooks and head pins, jump rings are optional)
- Black Acrylic Paint Paint (I used a Posca pen)
- small beads (optional, but my head pins were TINY)
You’ll also need some needle-nose pliers and a wire cutter. Instead of the wire cutter, you could use some scissors you really don’t care about. Below, I’ll also share what I used to shape the top of the ghost heads, but you can use anything.
Expect to take 20-30 minutes to make the ghosts, two days to dry, and 10 minutes to add earring findings and seal the jewelry.
Other Ways to Decorate Ghost Earrings
While the Model Magic isn’t a bright white, it definitely passes “as-is” for these ghosts. That said, here are a few ways you can fancify your ghosts:
- paint them bright white with an acrylic paint
- use ModPodge and decorative napkins
- paint them vibrant, pastel or even ombré colors
- decoupage on some tiny decorations like miniature pressed flowers, thin resin cabachons, etc.
RELATED READING: Polymer Clay Chocolate Chip Cookies DIY
How to Make Air Dry Clay Ghost Earrings for Halloween
The full instructions are below. If you would like a printable version for a craft night or get together, scroll down to the end of this post.
Split the clay in even amounts – each earring set will need the same amount of clay. Warm the clay you’re working with lightly (roll it in between your palms). If the clay gets too soft, you can set it aside so it firms up a bit.
Flatten out each ball of clay, making sure it’s about 1/8th inch thick. It doesn’t have to be perfect – we’re going to squish these up anyway.
Use a wooden bead on the end of a skewer, your pinky finger, or any other way to develop a rounded ghost head. Gently work the clay down around the head and remove anything used to form it.
Pleat or fold the bottom of the ghost into the shape you want. Remember to keep the center open slightly.
Add a small bead onto a headpin and press the headpin into the ghost until the bead presses against the inside of the headand the pin comes out the center of the piece. Set aside to dry and repeat (I left all of mine for 2 days).
Once all pieces are dry, sand the clay using a high grit sanding sponge or paper to get the ghosts smooth.
Cut the head pin to 1/2 inch above the ghost’s head using the wire cutters. Use the needle-nose pliers to round the remaining wire into a loop, making sure to tuck the end of the wire near the hole opening on the ghost so nothing catches.
Add a hook earring finding. Hold the “front” of the earring once it is on the finding and use the Posca paint pen to create two ovals for eyes.
Allow to dry, cover the findings, and spray with sealant. Your ghost earrings are ready for wear or gifting.
More Crafts Like This You Might Like
- Absolutely Adorable Clay Fruit Craft – Listen, when you give them faces they become friends. It’s a rule.
- Make the Cutest Gnomes with the Biggest Feet – I warned you… The feet are massive.
- DIY Clay Emoji Craft – We made them into backpack tags but they would be hilarious as earrings.
Please Save or Share This Easy Halloween Craft Idea
Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this to a DIY jewelry pin board or share it with a crafty group on Facebook.
Air Dry Clay Ghost Earrings
Materials
- Model Magic Air Dry Clay
- Earring Findings (head pin, hooks, jump rings optional)
- Black Acrylic Paint (I used a Posca paint pen)
- Small Beads, optional depending on the head pin size
Tools
- Wood Bead and Skewer, optional
- Wire Cutters
- Needle Nose Pliers
Instructions
- First, split the clay in even amounts. Every single split will need the same amounts x2 so the earrings will be the same size.
- Warm the clay you're working with lightly (roll it in between your palms). If the clay gets too soft, you can set it aside so it firms up a bit.
- Flatten out each ball of clay, making sure it's about 1/8th inch thick. It doesn't have to be perfect - we're going to squish these up anyway.
- Use a wooden bead on the end of a skewer, your pinky finger, or any other way to develop a rounded ghost head. Gently work the clay down around the head and remove anything used to form it.
- Pleat or fold the bottom of the ghost into the shape you want. Remember to keep the center open slightly.
- Add a small bead onto a headpin and press the headpin into the ghost until the bead presses against the inside of the head and the pin comes out the center of the piece. Set aside and repeat for all of the earrings.
- Let dry completely - I left mine for 2 days.
- Sand the clay using a high grit sanding sponge or paper to get the ghosts smooth.
- Cut the head pin to 1/2 inch above the ghost's head using the wire cutters. Use the needle-nose pliers to round the remaining wire into a loop, making sure to tuck the end of the wire near the hole opening on the ghost so nothing catches.
- Add a hook earring finding. Hold the "front" of the earring once it is on the finding and use the Posca paint pen to create two ovals for eyes.
- Allow to dry, cover the findings, and spray with sealant. Your ghost earrings are ready for wear or gifting.
Notes
We made smaller ones for the teens and larger ones for the adults, however, the largest ghost was only 1 inch high.
Meet the Creator
Hi there, I’m Sarah Nenni-Daher. I’m a crafty gal and always have at least 14 projects going at once. I am a crafter, designer, DIYer, and pattern maker. I share my creations here and in the Ruffles and Rain Boots® Shop.
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots®, you’ll find DIY gnomes, crafts, gifts, cupcakes, laser crafts, and so much more. I love sharing video tutorials over on YouTube and chatting with other crafters in my Facebook groups. We’d love to have you!