Antlers Tutorial

This year for Halloween I was a Fairy Faun. These are the antlers I made.

Tutorial after the break!

What you will need:

• A Saw
• Sand Paper
• Scissors (Not Shown) 
• Hot Glue Sticks and Glue Gun (Not Shown)
• Faux Fur and Leather/ Pleather Scraps (Lots, More is better)
• A widdling knife or an exacto Knife
• Mask
• Drydex
• Wood Filler
• Varathane / Paint
• Sturdy Head Band
• Thick Elastic Band (not shown) - about one inch in thickness
• Cheese Cloth
• AND....

• Sticks!!!

STEP 1

Retrieve your sticks from a tree, Find two that look similar. Use the saw to cut them to the desired length. Using your widdling knife, remove the bark, Very Carefully. Use the knife to shape the sticks to have a tapered end. SAND until smooth. Wear your mask when you sand.



STEP 2

Finishing process. Fill any holes or notches with wood filler and build up any areas that need thickening in layers. Once dry, apply a layer drydex. It's dry when it's no longer pink. Sand (wear your mask) until smooth. Apply a layer of varnish or varathane.

Repeat application of drydex and varathane until desired smoothness is achieved (sanding between each layer). At this point you may wish to paint the antlers a specified colour. I decided to leave mine wine and brown.



STEP 4

Make the ears. Cut out an ear shape out of paper and use this as a template. Cut two pieces of leather and two of fur. The leather will be the inside of the ear and the fur is the back. Use hot glue to glue the front and back together. Repeat for the opposite ear. Put card board between the layers if your don't want floppy ears.
Glue an extra strip of fur along the top to add fluffiness if desired.


STEP 5

I suggest using a foam head to give yourself a better idea of how to position the ears and antlers. Use an excessive amount of hot glue to secure the antlers and ears in the correct position.





STEP 6

Attach a chin strap to hold it in place. Measure the strap on yourself from ear to ear under your chin. Try on
the head band and mark where it hits behind your ears ( measure the strap again to make sure it fits properly.) Secure the strap in place with hot glue. Glue more fur EVERYWHERE because the fluffier the better.


Have fun!
Show me pictures of yours if you make them !

-T.