Decorative Skull Haberdashery
September 26, 2017 5:07 AM Subscribe
I like making decorative skulls. Here’s a favorite from last year. I’m making more for this Halloween to gift and sell, and I’m looking for some fresh inspiration, tips on merchants for supplies, etc.
I get pre-made skulls in a variety of materials. I like metallic ceramic the best but have also been using bisque. Glass works too, as does wax (like a candle). Plastic and wood don’t work as well. Clear or white or metallic colors work the best.
I typically use alcohol ink to do the initial color (which is why I avoid plastic and wood), but I’ve also been using Pebeo paints for more effect. I’m totally fine with using acrylic paint or spray paint to get base coat of color; I just haven’t had any awesome ideas yet.
I’m having trouble this year finding both good skulls to use and also accessories. First, the skulls: the problem I’m running into is that a lot of the more interesting, larger skulls are kind of expensive for my purposes. I don’t want to have to spend so much money on raw materials that I have to jack the price point way up. I’ve tried Michael’s, Dollar Tree, Target, eBay, and Amazon—any other ideas?
I’m having trouble finding good decorations as well. I like things that are visually interesting and I also like using 3-D things as well as flat things. In the past, I’ve used beads, Swarovski crystals, fake flowers, feathers, gemstones, but I’d love some other ideas about what to use and where to buy them. The difficulty here is twofold: the skulls have contoured faces that can be fussy about what will adhere. Second, even the larger ones are still small, too small to use most doll headwear that I’ve found. I was hoping to find spiffy hats, crowns, etc, but they’ve all been too big. I feel like there must be other ideas for headwear and facial accessories that I'm overlooking.
One final note: I’m not interested in the typical sugar skull look.
Thank you for reading. Again, I’m looking for recommendations for the skulls and especially accessories.
I get pre-made skulls in a variety of materials. I like metallic ceramic the best but have also been using bisque. Glass works too, as does wax (like a candle). Plastic and wood don’t work as well. Clear or white or metallic colors work the best.
I typically use alcohol ink to do the initial color (which is why I avoid plastic and wood), but I’ve also been using Pebeo paints for more effect. I’m totally fine with using acrylic paint or spray paint to get base coat of color; I just haven’t had any awesome ideas yet.
I’m having trouble this year finding both good skulls to use and also accessories. First, the skulls: the problem I’m running into is that a lot of the more interesting, larger skulls are kind of expensive for my purposes. I don’t want to have to spend so much money on raw materials that I have to jack the price point way up. I’ve tried Michael’s, Dollar Tree, Target, eBay, and Amazon—any other ideas?
I’m having trouble finding good decorations as well. I like things that are visually interesting and I also like using 3-D things as well as flat things. In the past, I’ve used beads, Swarovski crystals, fake flowers, feathers, gemstones, but I’d love some other ideas about what to use and where to buy them. The difficulty here is twofold: the skulls have contoured faces that can be fussy about what will adhere. Second, even the larger ones are still small, too small to use most doll headwear that I’ve found. I was hoping to find spiffy hats, crowns, etc, but they’ve all been too big. I feel like there must be other ideas for headwear and facial accessories that I'm overlooking.
One final note: I’m not interested in the typical sugar skull look.
Thank you for reading. Again, I’m looking for recommendations for the skulls and especially accessories.
Dollar Tree had metallic skulls last Halloween season. I got one and it seems decent quality. I have not been in there this year bit it seems like a seasonal staple item They might carry every year.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:56 AM on September 26, 2017
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:56 AM on September 26, 2017
Maybe this is too obvious, but have you looked into Alibaba?
posted by Mchelly at 11:49 AM on September 26, 2017
posted by Mchelly at 11:49 AM on September 26, 2017
get some bright fake hair at a beauty shop (like Sally Beauty) and make some cool swirlly designs with it. While there, you can look at some of the stuff they sell to decorate fingernails too.
posted by WeekendJen at 10:10 AM on September 28, 2017
posted by WeekendJen at 10:10 AM on September 28, 2017
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This store in Hong Kong is surprisingly cheap for my hobby needs (resin), but I'm not sure how their fabric/flower prices compare to Joanns/Michaels.
I was in one of those seasonal Halloween stores the other day (Spirit Halloween) and they had a big hat section that included very small hats. They also had a bunch of "vampire" accessories that were intriguing.
Not sure what a good base price for a skull is but I saw this one on Oriental Traders.
Do you have any fabric remnant or closeout stores locally? Do you know any costume designers, cosplayers, or set dressers? They might have good local sources.
posted by Squeak Attack at 10:31 AM on September 26, 2017