DIY Mortar Skulls

Use putty to fill in any deep holes in the skull decoration, if necessary.

Attach one end of the dowel rod to the skull and the other end to the bottom piece of foam core using hot glue. This will hold the skull in the center of the mold. If necessary, trim the dowel to size using a small hand saw before applying the glue.

Stand up the sides of the frame and seal the edges with hot glue. Apply painter’s tape to secure the edges.

Mix the silicone solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pour the silicone mixture into the prepared frame, fully covering the skull. Allow the mixture to cure according to the directions.

Once the silicone has cured, remove the painter’s tape and cut away the foam core box.

Carefully slice the mold in half, then open to remove the skull and dowel.

Mix the mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As you add the water, be careful of any dust floating up. A helpful tip is to make a well in the center of the dry mix with the stirring tool before adding the water. This will make it easier to mix and prevent pockets of dry mortar from forming.

Scoop the mortar mix into both halves of the mold, filling all crevices. Once both sides are filled, tap the molds to help the mortar settle and remove any air bubbles.

After both sides of the mold are filled, carefully bring them together and use painters’ tape to secure the sides. You may need a helper for this step. Allow the mortar to cure according to the package instructions.

Remove the painter’s tape and open the mold to pull out the completed casting. Let the skull cure for another 48 hours unmolded to ensure it’s completely dry.

Decorate the skull as desired. You can use craft paint, paint pens, glitter, charms — anything you can think of. Let your creativity be your guide.