For Halloween, I'm probably going as Gandalf from The Hobbit and I still don't have the staff. So I figured out an easy way to make a realistic Gandalf staff. Follow these simple steps on how to make a realistic wizard staff!

Step 1: The Branches at the Top

So for the twisted branches sticking around at the top I used tin foil. Tightly roll up a tinfoil sheet then tape it into place on your stick or dowel. Continue this process until you get the right look to it. I suggest having a picture of gandalf's staff at hand so you could go off it. Wrap and tape some bulky tinfoil around the top of the stick right below the branches.

Step 2: Mask It and Paper Mache It!

So now I masked off everything completely but not the wood stick. Then I put paper mache on the bulky tin foil on the stick. Let it dry.

Step 3: Paint It!

I stained the long stick with WALNUT WOOD STAIN. Once I hit paper mache and the branches I used brown paint and painted it all. I kind of dry brushed it down into the wood stain.

Step 4: Make the Gemstone!

Now I used a little block of scrap wood and put clay around it in the shape of the gemstone in gandalf's staff. Once it was in the right shape I baked it 250 degrees (F) for 30 to 40 minutes. Once it was hard I painted it silver and then dry brushed it a little white.