I Turned Air-Dry Clay Into a Halloween Ghost Pen Holder!

This Halloween, I wanted to make something spooky but also useful! Besides my pumpkin candy holder, I also made this ghost pen holder with air-dry clay.

It's not just a Halloween decoration—it can also hold pens, pencils, and other small desk supplies. A fun way to add some spooky charm to your desk! I had a lot of fun shaping this ghost by hand and adding all the details to give it its own personality.

Follow along to see how I made it, step by step!

1. Air-Dry Clay — for sculpting the ghost's body, face, and other details.
2. Air-Dry Foam Clay — for supporting the inner structure.
3. Sculpting Tools — for shaping the clay and adding textures and small details.
4. Toilet Paper Roll — for temporarily supporting the ghost's shape while sculpting.
5. Water Brush Pen — for joining clay pieces, repairing small cracks, and smoothing surfaces.
6. Acrylic Paints — for painting the ghost and adding color details.
7. Thin Wire — for supporting the ghost's broom handle.
8. Twine — for making the ghost's broom head.
9. Plastic Food Storage Bag — for wrapping the air-dry foam clay to prevent it from sticking to the air-dry clay.
10. Adhesive Tape — for securing the plastic bag tightly around the air-dry foam clay.

1. Take a toilet paper roll and wrap air-dry foam clay around it, leaving the top opening uncovered.
2. Wrap the foam clay and paper roll with a plastic food storage bag.
3. Use adhesive tape to secure the plastic bag tightly around the foam clay, keeping everything in place for the next step.

1. Roll out a small piece of air-dry clay and wrap it around the bottom of the inner support. Use a sculpting tool to remove any excess clay, then smooth the surface to get the shape shown in the picture.
2. Roll out a larger piece of air-dry clay and drape it over the rest of the support to form the ghost's body. Shape the clay into rough, flowing folds to create the basic shape of the ghost's cloak.
3. Use a sculpting tool to cut away the clay along the opening of the toilet paper roll. Keep smoothing the edges of the opening until they are nice and smooth.
4. Use a round-tipped sculpting tool to refine the folds and smooth the clay surface, giving the ghost's cloak a natural, flowing look.

1. Take a small piece of air-dry clay and sculpt it into the basic shape of a skull.
2. Use a round-tipped sculpting tool to create the eye sockets, then mark the position of the nose.
3. Press an indentation into the ghost's body to make space for the face, then attach the finished skull face to this area.

1. Bend a piece of thin wire slightly to give it a natural curve. Wrap air-dry clay around most of the wire, leaving a short section exposed at one end for attaching the broom head.
2. Use a sculpting tool to carve lines and textures into the clay to create the broom handle's details.
3. To make the broom head, wrap twine around a piece of cardboard several times, then carefully slide it off the cardboard.
4. Wrap another piece of twine tightly around the middle and tie a knot to secure it. Use scissors to cut open the loops at one end, then trim the strands to shape the broom head.
5. Attach the finished broom head to the exposed wire at the end of the handle.

1. Place the finished broom against the ghost's body.
2. Take a piece of air-dry clay and shape it around the upper part of the broom handle to create one of the ghost's hands.
3. Use another piece of clay to create the second hand around the lower part of the broom handle.
4. Use a sculpting tool to smooth and refine both hands, blending them naturally into the ghost's flowing cloak.

Once the clay is completely dry, carefully remove the inner support. Then use acrylic paints to paint the ghost's flowing cloak, skull face, bottom, and broom handle, adding colors and details to bring the whole piece to life.

And here it is—my finished Halloween ghost pen holder! 👻

With its flowing cloak, spooky skull face, and handmade broom, this ghost is ready to bring a little Halloween spirit to my desk. And it's not just for decoration—it can hold pens, pencils, and other small items too!

I really enjoyed making this one, especially all the little details that brought the ghost to life.

Hope it inspires you to try making your own!