In this post, I’ll be sharing an easy technique for making DIY deer antlers, perfect for Halloween costumes or headbands, using just a few simple materials.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
October is officially the most creative month on my calendar. In addition to the excitement of Halloween season and party planning, I have this “crazy problem “issue” where I just can’t stop making things. Although my DIY-everything-all-the-time antics are quite strong throughout the entire year, there’s something about October that just kicks it up a notch. Bring on the craft supply boxes and all-nighters.
This year I felt inspired by the mystical, fantasy, fairytale land creatures that have been living in my head lately.
Normally, I have my Halloween costume planned, prepped, and fully figured out weeks before Halloween. But this year, I plan to simply not have a plan. I’m letting myself get inspired, and snowballing that into whatever it turns out to be. Adding details here and there that will eventually pull together a complete costume.
So far, I’ve created a DIY deer (or faun) antler headpiece that I’m extremely excited about. Check out my pictorial below to see how it came together.
How to make DIY deer antlers
Materials:
– Wire (I recommend using 12 gauge floral wire because it’s very easy to maneuver and also extremely lightweight)
– Pliers & wire cutters
– Aluminum foil
– Scotch tape
– Masking tape
How to:
Step 1 – Determine how large you want your antlers to be and cut two pieces of wire in that desired length (I made one a bit longer than the other on purpose). These will act as your base wires. Then, start attaching smaller pieces of wire creating the extensions of each antler. Use your pliers to wrap the wires tightly so they don’t swivel around too much.
Step 2 – Bend and shape the wires to create your set of antlers. I recommend making them slightly different to add interest and keep them from looking perfectly symmetrical. Also, bend the wire about an inch or two at the bottom to create a small base. This will make it much easier to attach them to your headband later on.
Step 3 – Rip small sections of aluminum foil and start wrapping them around your wire base. Take your time with this as it’s actually pretty therapeutic. Who knew aluminum foil was such a great sculpting material? Keep the base part of the antlers slightly thicker than the rest and also taper off the points to keep them looking “natural.”
Step 4 – Once you finish sculpting the set of antlers, tweak them into the final shapes you want them to be. I used a bit of scotch tape in random places to hold the aluminum down for easy handling. Bend them slightly so they curve forward on profile. I used a mirror and randomly held them up to my head to kind of gauge how I liked them throughout the entire process.
Step 5 – Start covering your antlers in masking tape. Use small 3-4 inch pieces of tape and cover the antlers in sections instead of using one long piece of tape to wrap the entire thing all at once. This will take a little longer but it’s much easier to manage and keeps any awkward looking tape folds and crevices down to a minimum, creating a smoother surface for painting later on.
Step 6 – You’re done! After your antlers are fully wrapped in masking tape, you are free to paint, embellish, and glorify them as you please. Use the wire extensions to attach them to a sturdy headband and add glue for extra security.
Here’s my final piece. I used acrylic paint to add some color and sealed it with Mod Podge, then attached the DIY deer antlers to not one but two headbands for extra sturdiness. I also used a mix of hot glue and E6000 to add an array of faux flowers and foliage around the base for a more whimsical feel.
Using the same wire, foil, and masking tape method, I created the ears to add to the look… and because I just don’t know when to stop.
The most important thing to remember throughout this DIY is the final weight of your headpiece. Since it’s quite tall, you don’t want it to be too heavy to avoid it from constantly falling over. When decorating, keep your embellishments light, avoid heavy stones or materials, and try to use just the right amount of foil and masking tape to get your desired shape without adding too much extra weight.
Looking for more inspo!? Check out my Halloween Pinterest board for tons of costumes, home decor, and party inspo… updated daily! + You can always find all of my Amazon faves for Halloween makeup & costumes, and spooky-chic home decor in my storefront lists!
This post was all about DIY deer antlers. If you like this content, check out these posts below:
– Cupid Halloween Costume
– DIY Lace Bunny Costume Accessories
– FrightFemmes: A Halloween Makeup + Costume Series
– 5 Chic and Unique Halloween Costumes
Xx- Laura
