How to Create a Chic Spooky Skeleton Mantel Display

A chic spooky skeleton mantel is easy to create.  All you need are plastic skeletons, spray paint, some sparkly rhinestones, and beads to get started.

Before painting the skeleton, use a heat gun to soften and bend the fingers to appear to hold the cocktail glasses.  Be careful not to overheat the fingers.  It only takes a few seconds to make them pliable.  Hold them in place as they cool.

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Paint the Skeleton

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To prep the skeleton, use painter’s tape to cover the black eye sockets and the black nose.  Using Metallic Silver Krylon Paint and Primer, spray paint the skeleton.  You’ll want to do this outside. 

Spray the paint in several light coats instead of one heavy coat to keep the paint from forming drips.  Spray a light coat, allow it to dry, and then spray another light coat until the skeleton is completely covered.

After the skeleton is covered and the paint is dry, remove the painter’s tape from the face.

Antique the Skeleton

 

Bedazzle the Spooky Scary Skeleton with Rhinestones 

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After you have antiqued the skeleton, it’s time to bedazzle the skull.

If you don’t already have flat-backed rhinestones in your craft stash, you can find a variety of sizes, glue, a dotting tool, a picker pencil, and tweezers set ◄ here. 

You can add glittery beads or pearls in the eye sockets, too. After you have all of the beads, rhinestones, and pearls in place, add some glue around them and apply silver glitter.  It just adds a little more sparkle. 

I wanted to make one of the skeletons male and one female.  Adding a bow tie with a striped ribbon gives the male impression.

My intention to buy a tiara for the female at the dollar store fell short.  Then, I remembered a tiny hat attached to a headband that I bought several years ago.  After cutting the threads that held it onto the headband, I tried it on the skull.  It’s perfect!

For The Skeleton Cocktails, You Will Need

For this project, you will need a glass jar, disposable champagne glasses, food coloring, Mod Podge gloss finish, paper towels, a disposable plate or lid, a popsicle stick, a disposable chopstick, or something you can use to stir the Mod Podge. 

The Mod Podge with a matte finish dries semi-transparent and may look cloudy.  You want the gloss, which gives a transparent stained-glass look.

Directions

Pour some of the Mod Podge about an inch deep into the jar for two glasses.   (I use a glass yogurt jar.)   Add as much as you like, then, gently stir with the popsicle stick, add more coloring, and stir thoroughly until you achieve the depth of color you want.  Wanting this to be red, not pink, I used 50 drops of red food coloring and then added a couple of drops of blue food coloring.  (Be careful not to stir too vigorously creating air bubbles!)

You can also use gel food coloring, which will take less to achieve the depth of color.

 

This mixture will look opaque but will dry transparent.  After you have everything mixed well, slowly pour the mixture into the champagne glass.  Roll the plastic glass in your hands until the mixture completely covers and coats the inside of the glass and stem.

Pour the excess back into the glass jar. Wipe any drips off the outside mouth of the glass, turn the jar upside down, and allow the excess to drain for about a half-hour.

Place the glasses upside-down on a few folded paper towels and firmly press down on the jar while you turn it, cleaning off the excess around the rim.  Turn the glass right side up, wipe off any remaining glue on the outside of the glass rim, and allow the Mod Podge to dry overnight.  Don’t skip this step!

Caution

Also, if it looks a little cloudy in the stem but the top part looks clear, don’t check the stem with your fingertip.  Let it dry!  It will dry clear!  Trust me.

Apply the Red Glitter

Pour glitter onto a small sheet of aluminum foil.  Apply a bead of Tacky glue around the edge of the glass.    Then, carefully set the glue-covered edge into the glitter, covering the entire top rim.   Shake off the excess and allow the glue to dry.

With the addition of glitter around the rim, it is perfectly chic!

Place Foundation Pieces on the Mantel

Center a book, skull, and crow statue.  ◄ You can find a similar one here.

 

I’ve used two pieces of Halloween creepy cloth to stretch across the mantel.  Place it under other pieces on the mantel to keep it in place.  I have 2 command hooks on the mantel to hold banners.  They come in handy when draping the creepy cloth, too.  You don’t want the cloth to pull straight across. The hooks are useful to pull up and create scallops across the bottom.

Notice that I added a small faux dollar store book under the crow, skull, and book statue to give just a little more height.  I also added 2 black books for a skeleton to sit on each.  A few pumpkins that are painted silver and 2 black crows are placed across the mantel to fill in around the main pieces.

You can find directions for the Halloween pennant ◄ here.  The silver bead garland is merely made from wooden beads painted silver and threaded onto 1/4 inch ribbon.  The smaller pony beads are painted with shiny black paint and threaded onto a black 1/4-inch satin ribbon.

Transforming your mantel into a hauntingly beautiful display is easy with a few simple steps.

Here are some additional tips to help you create the perfect chic spooky skeleton mantel:

• • Choose a color scheme that complements your existing decor. Black, silver, and gold are great options for a chic and sophisticated look.
  • Use spray paint to give the plastic skeletons a more realistic and aged appearance. Consider using a matte finish for a more authentic look.
  • Add some sparkle and glam by applying rhinestones and beads to the skeleton’s eyes and other key areas. 
  • Arrange the skeletons on your mantel in an eye-catching and visually appealing way. Consider using candles, pumpkins, or other Halloween decor to enhance the overall look.
  • Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different textures, colors, and finishes to achieve your desired aesthetic. Have fun and let your imagination run wild!

Be Social!

This post has been shared over at Grammy’s Grid Unlimited Link Party and at Senior Salon Pitstop.

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