DIY: Mounted Antler Wall Hook by Cassie of Oh Leander

I first met Cassie when I had just started Blog Milk and eventually found out about her amazing shop. I though: "This lovely lady has some serious talent" and it will show today as she shares this mind-blowing tutorial. One of the best I've ever seen online. Please welcome the fantastic Cassie of Moon Face:

Hi everyone! My name is Cassandra Marie, and I am the owner of the online shop, Oh Leander, and I also author a personal blog called Moon Face. I was so excited to have Ana reach out to me about guest posting on Blog Milk during her absence, as I am such a huge fan of this beautiful space she's created here! Since I specialize in crocheted and handmade products for habit and home, I came up with a DIY project that incorporates my love for clean design and simple function. Enjoy!

What You'll Need:
01. aluminum foil
02. brush-on gloss glaze
03. cardboard
04. ceramic paint (optional)
05. cookie sheet
06. marker
07. oven
08. paint brush
09. rolling pin
10. ruler
11. scissors
12.sculpting tools
13. white oven bake clay
14. wax paper

Directions:

1. Take cardboard and draw your mount template on it, then cut it out. (I made mine about 4.75 inches high x 4.25 inches wide at longest points.)

2. Wash hands and spread out a sheet of wax paper on a flat surface.

3. Knead a chunk of clay until soft, then roll into a ball about 2.5 inches wide. Use rolling pin to flatten to about 1/5 of an inch thick, and place template on top. (Make sure there is excess clay surrounding template.)

4. Cut out clay with a sharp-ended sculpting tool, using the template as your guide. Remove excess clay, and template, and punch a hole in the center, near the top of the clay mount for where the nail will hang the piece from. Then set mount aside.

5. Take two 1 inch x 5 inch strips of foil and squish each into a spear shape. (These will act as the "skeleton" of each antler so they stand more sturdily in the oven while being baked.)

6. Take a thin piece of flattened clay and wrap around foil spears, leaving some foil exposed on one end of each, and roll out on a flat surface until smooth. Point the tips and gently bend into hook shapes.

7. Create two smaller foil spears about 2.5 inches long, and cover entirely with clay. Point tips, and roll out until smooth. Attach near base of your first antler horns and bend into hook shapes. (Make sure antlers are mirror images of each other.)

8. Create two really short rolled out clay spears (foil skeleton not necessary) and attach to original antler horns.

9. Flatten bare foil at the end of each antler and bend so it creates close to a 50 degree angle with the clay it protrudes from, then press each to mount. Cover foil with flattened pieces of clay, then create an egg shaped embellishment around the center of mount.

10. With fingers, roll out several little balls of clay and press to base of antlers, where antlers meet mount, and, using a round-ended sculpting tool, pull clay upwards onto antlers.

11. Smooth out any remaining bumps or imperfections, then transfer piece from wax paper to cookie sheet and follow clay's baking instructions.

12. When piece is finished baking, remove from oven and let sit on cookie sheet until cooled.

13. At this point, you can decide whether to add color to the antlers, or leave classic white (I chose to make my antlers gold). If you are using ceramic paint, do so now, then let sit 24 hours before applying gloss glaze.

14. Using paint brush, apply one coat of gloss glaze to exposed surface (glazing the back not necessary). Let sit for 24 hours before hanging.

And voilà! You're done!

Tips:

-If antlers become too flimsy while in production, use nearby objects with smooth sides (such as a mug or glass) to prop them up. If that doesn't work, try slightly lightening their weight by snipping down the tips with scissors.

-For extra stability during cooking, add foil balls under antlers for added support.

Note:

This piece is not meant for heavy items. Scarves, jewelry, keys, and other lightweight items hang best.