Guest post by Millie Hernandez of @forest.roads

Maya Angelou said it best: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have”. Her words constantly inspire me as I venture into many different art mediums. As a first-time mother, I feel my confidence and motivation to create has grown. My daughter has taught me to see the world with wonder and curiosity. Most of the things we make are sustainable, created with household items already on hand and with things found in nature. This approach is almost sacred to me as I cherish the Native American Proverb “We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”. My goal has been and always will be, to provide a magical childhood to my children while preserving the earth they’ll raise their own families in one day.

One of my fondest memories from childhood was the holiday decorations. This is one of the many ways my wonderful mother would fill our home with magic. Among my favorites being Halloween, of course. My creative father would also make Halloween such a special holiday for us. He was a professional Haunted House designer, builder, and actor. Every year my brother and I would play a part in his spooky masterpieces. It is one of the highlights of my youth. In my efforts to make this holiday just as special, I’m beyond excited to share this tutorial with you. Enjoy!

Materials:

– Air-dry clay
– Mason jar
– Recycled paper
– Glue
– Paint (optional)
– Water (to keep clay moldable)
– Artificial tea light candle (optional)

optional tools used:
– Clay modeling tool
– Clay Roller

How to Make A Toadstool Haunted House Lantern

Step 1

Prepare all the materials before making or opening the air-dry clay. With the recycled paper, make a long and round strip that will go around the rim of the mason jar lid. Glue into place and cut any excess.

Step 2

With the recycled paper, make a ball with the top as smooth as possible (do this by folding inwards) Glue into place on the top of the mason jar lid. Roll the air-dry clay into a smooth circle

Step 3

Place the circle on top of the mason jar lid and make sure that the edges fold into the bottom. Roll the air-dry clay into a long, rectangular strip (this will form the mushroom cap) make the edges neat and sharp using the clay modeling tool.

Step 4

Attach the long rectangular strip of clay to the bottom quarter of the mushroom cap. Add any preferred details to the mushroom cap and set aside to dry.

Step 5

Roll out a thick, rectangular strip of clay – this will go around the mason jar. Cut the edges to be neat and sharp, then wrap around the jar.

Step 6

Using the ball stylus, make the holes where the light will come through if used as a lantern, make details, and create any designs you’d like.
Paint when completely dry.

*Note: the ghosts, cobwebs, owl, and spider were dried separately to later be attached using hot glue.

Tips for working with clay:

Tips to avoid cracking when working with clay

– Use minimal water and knead the clay. Don’t wrap the clay all the way around the jar, this allows the clay to shrink as it dries with less chance of cracking.