So, here’s the second part of how to create a fairy skeleton bell jar display. Initially, my plan was to use the fairy skeleton with butterfly wings I picked up at Dollar Tree. Here are the directions for making these.
Supplies Needed for Butterfly Wings
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- 2 Matching Die Cut Butterflies
- Tacky Glue
- Sharp Scissors
Fairy Skeleton with Butterfly Wings
First, lay the skeleton on the wings and decide which you like the best. I chose two matching butterflies and glued them with Tacky Glue back-to-back.
Then, with sharp scissors, cut the wings from the body. You’ll want to make a straight cut, so it fits along the spine of the skeleton.
Next, apply glue along the spine where the wings will be attached.
So, at this point, I placed the little fairy skeleton next to the tree on the pedestal. I positioned and repositioned. It just seems too busy! He looks good on his own, but for this little display, it’s too much. All I see are the wings.
Option #2 Fairy Skeleton with Black Lace Wings
Supplies Needed:
- Butterfly template
- Black Lace
- Basting Adhesive
- Aleene’s Stiffen-Quik.
- Sharp Scissors
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
I chose another one of the die-cut butterflies. The lace is too limp to hold the butterfly and cut around it. So, I remember the basting adhesive. This stuff really comes in handy.
Prepare the Lace
In order for the lace to stand up stiffly, we need to stiffen the lace somehow. To prepare the lace, I use Aleene’s Stiffen-Quik. Follow the directions on the bottle. Spray a coat of the Stiffen-Quik and let it dry for 30 minutes. Then, repeat until the desired stiffness is achieved. You don’t want limp wings. Another option might be spray starch…
Cut Out the Lace Butterfly
First, spray the lace with the basting adhesive. Then, lay the butterfly cut-out on top of the lace. Try to line up the bottom tails on the scallops at the bottom. Press the butterfly firmly onto the lace. Lastly, cut the lace around the butterfly with sharp scissors.
Then, fold the wings in half and cut down the center.
Glue the Wings to the Skeleton
Apply the Tacky Glue along the spine. Then, lay one of the wings into the glue. Hold the lace in place for a minute. The Tacky glue sets up pretty quickly.
Make the Pennant
First, you need to cut the triangles from decorative paper. Decide how large you want the triangles. For this tree, I made a template 1-inch x 3/4-inch. To do this, just measure and draw a rectangle 1 x 3/4-inch. Then, make a mark at the bottom of the rectangle in the center or 3/8-inch from either edge.
Lay a ruler from one of the top corners to the center mark and draw a line. Repeat for the other side. Then, cut the triangle. Trace around the template and cut out the triangles. Use the template to cut as many triangles as you need.
Then, use a bead reamer, an awl, or a thick needle to create holes in the top two corners. To keep them equidistant, create a hole in one corner, lay that triangle on top of another, and use the first as a template. Then, use the second one as a template for the other corner of the first triangle.
To see quickly how to properly open and close jump rings, ◄ click here.
Place two of the triangles, face to face, and attach one of the jump rings. Repeat for the remaining triangles. Attach a few jump rings at both ends to make it easier to slip the end over a branch.
Poison Bottles
I went through the Halloween paper pads and found a page with a poison label on it. It is too big for the bottle from Dollar Tree. First, I scanned the page and, using PicMonkey, I reduced the size. Then, printed onto regular copy paper and cut it out with an X-Acto knife. Just glue it to the jar with Tacky Glue.
Assembling the Fairy Skeleton Display
Lights and Battery Pack
You will want to place the battery pack for the mini lights in a position behind the spooky tree. Place it so that it will be easy to access the switch along the side. Initially, the plan was to set it under the tree. Unfortunately, the dome wouldn’t fit over the tree when I tried this.
So, I ended up placing the battery pack on its side behind the tree. It kind of blends in with the black pedestal and the tree and visually disappears.
Wrap the lights around the tree branches.
Potpourri and Dried Tree Fungus
As I went to the basement storage room for a bag of moss stored there, I spotted a bag of dried potpourri. It seems a better choice for this little skeleton fairy and the bell jar. The dried elements in it remind me more of fall than the moss does.
I tucked the dried tree fungus pieces around the tree roots. Use the glue gun to glue them in place. A little bit of glue on the skeleton’s bum holds him in place on the tree root. A drop of hot glue under each foot holds each in place.
Then, tuck some dried grass around the fungus. It doesn’t take much. Lastly, place the wine glass in the fairy skeleton’s hand, set the little poison jars in place, and flip on the lights.
If you missed Part 1, ◄ Click here!
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