How to Make Sugar Skull Inspired Ornaments

Who doesn't want a dozen or more sparkely skulls smiling out at them from their Christmas tree?  Or make that plainly wrapped present a little "mas caliente" with a sugar skull tag.  Now you can fulfill everyone's holiday wish!  With a little air dry clay, cookie cutters and glitter you can make everyday El Dia de los Muertos!

Step 1: What You Will Need

To get started, you will need:  A rolling pin, two sheets of wax paper, some air dry clay (like Model Magic), and a set of sugar skull cookie cutters (like Fred Sweet Spirits Cookie Stamps).  You can find the cookie cutters/stamps on Amazon HERE.

Step 2: Roll Out and Cut Your Clay

Sandwich your clay between the two sheets of wax paper then use your rolling pin to flatten it out.  When the clay is about 1/4 inch thick, you can use your cookie cutter to cut out the skulls.  

(The plastic cookie cutters do not have a very sharp edge, so you might have to use an exacto knife to cut them free.)

Step 3: Press Your Skulls

Once you have all your skulls cut out, you can press the designs into the clay.  You can use the cookie press or anything else you have lying around to make your own design.  When you are done, use a straw to cut out a hole in your skull's forehead.  This hole is so you can insert a ribbon for hanging.

You can leave the skulls overnight to dry, then decorate or decorate now and leave them to dry when you are finished.

Step 4: Time to Decorate!

This is the fun part!  

I prefer to use glitter glue when I decorate but you can also use acrylics, oils, fabric paints or whatever strikes your fancy.  When you are done, brush some white glitter glue onto the white part of the skull to give it a little extra shine.

Step 5: Finished!

Allow 24 hours for the clay to dry fully and overnight for the glitter glue.  If your cookie cutters left a ragged edge on your skulls, you can use your exacto knife to trim the edges of your skull to make it nice and smooth.  Just make sure everything is dry first.  

Tie on a ribbon and you're done!

You can use any combination of colors and materials to make your own unique sugar skulls!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!