Paper Mâché Witch – DIY Halloween Craft

It’s Halloween season again, and this time we’re conjuring up something truly magical: our very own paper mâché witch! She’s mischievous, whimsical, and full of character, the perfect addition to any spooky setup.

With just a bit of paper mâché and a few scraps of fabric, we’ll sculpt her from scratch, shaping every detail from her pointy nose to her crooked hat. You’ll learn how to mold expressive features, form tiny hands and clogs, and dress her in a mix of recycled fabrics that bring her story to life.

Watch the full Youtube tutorial here: https://youtu.be/zzNMhWxXOcg

1. Paper mâché clay (store-bought or homemade)
2. Aluminum foil (for the armature)
3. Sculpting tools (or just your fingers!)
4. Black beads (for eyes)
5. Wire (optional, for structure or skirt support)
6. Masking tape
7. Acrylic paints (skin tone, red, purple, black, etc.)
8. Paintbrushes and markers
9. Scraps of fabric (old clothes work perfectly)
10. Thick cardboard (for the hat brim)
11. Thin cardboard (like a cereal box, for the hat cone)
12. Hot glue gun & glue sticks
13. Needle and thread
14. Pine needles or straw (for the broom)
15. A small stick (broom handle)

You can buy ready-made clay or make your own.

1. Base recipe inspiration: Jonni Good from Ultimate Paper Mache (highly recommended!).

1. My recipe: 1/2 cup paper strips + 2 cups of water + 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour (added gradually) + 1/2 cup of PVA glue (added gradually)

Watch the tutorial on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_0fYz_0bETk

Tips:

1. Replace flour with cornstarch to avoid clumps and get a smoother texture.
2. Add pre-mixed joint compound to make the clay softer and easier to sculpt.
3. Once your batch is ready, refrigerate it for at least an hour before using.

1. Use aluminum foil to build the body. It’s lightweight, easy to shape, and gives volume.
2. Make:
3. A ball for the head
4. A coil for the body
5. Smaller coils for arms and legs
6. Shape the ends into feet, then attach everything together using tape or wire.

You should now have a simple human-shaped armature ready to cover.

1. Cover the head with a thin layer of paper mâché clay.
2. Gradually build up features:
3. Nose, lips, and eyebrows – made from small coils or balls of clay, blended in with your fingers or a sculpting tool.
4. Eyes – press small cavities with a pencil end and insert black beads.
5. Mouth – carve a shallow opening, then build lips around it.
6. For witchy character:
7. Sculpt a long, pointy nose and sharp chin.
8. Add wrinkles or raised brows for expression.
9. Add ears from tiny coils of clay, making them stick out slightly.

Tip: Use a little water on your fingers to smooth surfaces.

1. Shape hands from small foil bundles, cover them with clay, and add details.
2. No need to sculpt each finger — just a thumb and the overall hand shape.
3. Draw finger lines for detail.
4. Shape the feet like clogs — classic witch shoes!

Before adding clothes, build a base layer of clay:

1. Apply a thin layer to form shirt and pants shapes. This ensures that even if your fabric doesn’t cover everything, the body still looks realistic.
2. Let it dry completely before painting.

Once dry, paint:

1. Skin: a natural tone or pale shade for a witchy vibe.
2. Avoid painting over the eyebrows or eyes.

At this point, she’ll start to look almost alive!

1. Choose fabric scraps that match your witch’s personality.
2. Make a long-sleeved shirt, dress, and overdress.
3. Create an apron using old clothing seams as waistbands.
4. Cut a shawl (a rectangle with a slit) and drape it over her shoulders.
5. Stitch the clothes directly onto the figure so they stay secure.

1. Cut a circle of thick cardboard for the brim.
2. Form a cone from cereal box cardboard for the point.
3. Attach with masking tape and cover with fabric.
4. Add purple netting or yarn for hair, and glue or stitch the hat firmly in place.

1. Find a small stick for the handle.
2. Gather pine needles or straw and tie them around one end with wire.
3. Glue or stitch the broom to her hand to keep it in place.

1. Use markers for shadows and facial lines.
2. Add blush on the cheeks and red for lips.
3. Paint her clogs and underpants purple for a fun pop of color.

And there she is, your very own little witch, ready to join your Halloween display!