Make: Ethereal Bat DIY

 

 

 

For Reuse Specialist Lori, Halloween is celebrated all year. Her tutorial for this fantastical bat shows how easy it is to incorporate everyday items into your art! You will be so delighted to see what beautiful foil sculptures can be made from common reuse items. 

 

Supplies:

• crumpled foil
• granola box cardboard
• 2-ply paper towels
• a few squirts of paint
• a few glittery rhinestone stickies
• scissors
• glue like Mod Podge
• foam brush/paint brush
• hot glue
• some templates that you will have to make yourself

 

Instructions:

 

1. Obtain enough used (clean) foil to form a potato-like body for the bat. Make sure it's compact.

 

 

 

 

2. Separate layers of 2-ply paper towels, spread glue/Mod Podge all over the foil, and cover foil with paper towel pieces until it's completely covered. Set aside to dry. 

 

 

 

 

3. Use a cereal box or similar cardstock to cut out 2 bat wings that are a suitable size for the body. Glue 1-ply paper towel pieces to wings. Fold the flat end down about 1/2". Set aside to dry.

 

 

 

 

4. Using cardstock again, cut 2 teardrop pieces for bat ears. Glue 1-ply paper towel to surface of ears. Set aside to dry. 

 

 

 

 

5. Once all of your bat pieces are dry, paint them whatever colors you think will look cool. This one is pale coral with golden wings. Notice how the flat end of the bat wings have been folded down 1/2". This is the flap that will be glued to the body. The ears have also been shaped a bit. 

 

 

 

 

6. Add beads for eyes, or glittery rhinestones, or felt bits, or... it's up to you! Same with the nose. 

 

 

 

 

7. Glue it all together! Use hot glue, and press the wings to the body for as long as it takes to create a strong bond. This part can be tricky, depending on what glue you go with. It needs to be strong and quick to dry. Put the bat on its back to fully dry. Once it's dry, attach the ears. This bond will be easier. 

 

 

 

Marvel at your new bat friend! Make so many!! Did you know Texas has more bat species than any other state in the U.S.! How lucky are we? 

 

Note: This tutorial has been a twist on Mister Finch's Spooky Bat DIY.