[Hilda]

A request was posted for a tutorial for the Harry Potter mandrake plant the other day, and I always wanted to make one. So I got in the mood to try my hand at one. Then I floated this idea to a few other members, and the member who asked for the tutorial, and we thought it would be fun to kind of 'get together' and all make our own version of the Mandrake simultaneously.

This is not a organized tutorial by any means. I thought we could share ideas and then could create our own mandrakes and come back and share progress and our finished plant. I have seen many different ways people have made very cool mandrakes. So if you are interested, pick the medium that you feel most comfortable with. No hard and fast rules here. Hopefully we have some laughs and wind up with a cool craft item at the end.

Alright, so I guess we can repeat some of the initial ideas started in the tutorial request.

http://www.halloweenforum.com/request-for-tuturials-go-here/146336-mandrake-tutorial.html#post1829073


Pumpkinpie stepped up first and was kind enough to share her uber cool baby doll and hot glue version! I love that one!! Have had it pinned for a long time. I'll get her to come back and repost her how to.




For the first taste of inspiration, here's the clip from the movie!

To review, this is a very loose activity. Just jump in and show us your mandrake if you have made one previously. We would love any and all inspiration! Or join in and make one and share your progress. There is no deadline. Just have some fun!

Ready. Set. Go!!!!!

 

[Hilda]

I asked one of my haunter friends if I could share a few photos of her mandrake she made using wire and paper mache.
Photos courtesy of Sandie Schneider Oddities.

Look how great this guy is too!
If you are handy with paper mache, this is another idea on how to make one.

 

[Paint It Black]

Those are so creepy. I think I need one. I am in, as soon as I can get my act together.

Great job Dawn and Sandy! I love how each of your projects turned out. Good inspiration for us. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Hilda]

I'm going to put some photos I found of the HP Mandrakes in this Pinterest Board if anyone is interested.
There are SO MANY cool versions.

https://www.pinterest.com/LightheartedH/harry-potter-mandrake-ideas/

 

[ooojen]

Count me in! I'd kind of like to try one in earthenware-- natural material and all-- but it might be a little too heavy. I'll find something.

 

[booswife02]

I'm totally in! Making mandrakes with my besties is just what I need
I have absolutely no idea so I'll have to do some homework. My daughter is doing division homework and I'm doing mandrake plants haha....
I'm so happy you put this together Hilda.

 

[Hilda]

Alright!! What a great start! Now I have to go find all my crafting stuff. hahahaha
I think I'll go pot shopping this weekend!! Yay!

Ohhhh must go locate that label too!

 

[pumpkinpie]

K so I came across this guy last night, no tutorial but he is just beyond adorable! !!!

 

[Hilda]

Oh Pumpkinpie that is adorable! I can't decide if I want to make one barely seen, half planted or out of pot!
I just found the source for that label too. Pinned it to the Mandrake Pinterest Board.

 

[pumpkinpie]

I love his little face...

 

[ooojen]

Just thought of what I wanted to try first I'll share it it turns out decently, and if it doesn't, I'll go with plan B.

 

[Hilda]

Just thought of what I wanted to try first I'll share it it turns out decently, and if it doesn't, I'll go with plan B.

Oh you tease!!!! haha
I'm thinking doll head and paper mache body. Hmmmmm Now where did I put that box of doll body parts. LOL

 

[Frankie's Girl]

http://www.epbot.com/2016/02/diy-harry-potter-inspired-mandrake-root.html

In case y'all hadn't seen this, this is the CakeWrecks gal's other blog - her crafty nerd blog Epbot - and the Valentine's Mandrake bouquet is totally adorable.

 

[Hilda]

http://www.epbot.com/2016/02/diy-harry-potter-inspired-mandrake-root.html

In case y'all hadn't seen this, this is the CakeWrecks gal's other blog - her crafty nerd blog Epbot - and the Valentine's Mandrake bouquet is totally adorable.

I could just hug you!! That is ADORABLE!!! Oh dang. Now I want one of those. LOL

 

[pumpkinpie]

Here's mine again along with the how to

Okay per Hildas' request here's a quick tutorial

To start with you'll need a few items
Glue Gun
Glue Sticks (large bag of minis)
Paper Towel Tubes (3-4)
Masking Tape
Flower Pot
Artificial Plant (I grabbed mine at DT)
Small Baby Doll
Cardboard
Tan Paint
Dark Brown Paint
Bowl of Water

PREPARING THE FLOWER POT, using the cardboard u will want to cut the cardboard so that it will sit into the flower pot snugly (at least 1-2 inches down (this will mimic your soil line). Once you have that done you will want to cut a smaller hole in the center of the cardboard, this hole should be large enough to push your baby through yet small enough to keep her in place and upright. (My doll was purchased from Walmart for $5 and she had a fabric mid section which worked great for this application. Nows time to get your Mandrake potted...simply insert the cardboard/baby into the flower pot and hot glue in place.

PREPARING YOUR BABY DOLL, now that she's stable it's time to start removing some of her human features. Start by taking the paper towel tubes and sliding them over her arms (u may want to remove her hands), at the same time twist and shape the tube to mimic vegetative growth. When u have everything the way u like it use tape and hot glue to hold in place both to the dolls arms as well as your cardboard round. This same technique will b used for the shoots on her head, just twist, tape and glue in place (take note not to twist too tightly as this will allow u a small area to hide your plant stems). Now last but not least, start wadding up some paper to build up the neck...think sweet potato....just add and tape. I know this looks nothing like a mandrake at this point but if your doing it right it also looks nothing like a baby

FINALLY!!! MAKING YOUR MANDRAKE!!!! Nows when the glue gun and the bowl of water come into play. What your mission is is to cover every square inch of this baby in hot glue. DON'T RUSH, you are gonna want to tackle it just a bit at a time....after applying the glue I let it cool for a second then i used a wet finger to smooth out manipulate the glue. You will apply this technique all over, over the vinyl, over the cardboard and even over that cloth tummy. I took extra care to use the glue to change the shape of the nose checks and eyes too. When your all done, it's time to paint. I used a base coat of a tan color (any will do but I think I used territorial beige) then after that I simply used the darkest brown craft paint I could find, water it down a bit...and do the whole wipe on wipe off routine.

Time to hot glue your plant stems in place and add soil or moss to your base and your done

 

[im the goddess]

Oh Pumpkinpie that is adorable! I can't decide if I want to make one barely seen, half planted or out of pot!
I just found the source for that label too. Pinned it to the Mandrake Pinterest Board.

Why not make both? Mrs. Sprout had a whole group of them. LOL

 

[Pumpkin5]

I think I'd like to try one if this is open to anyone. I don't really have a use for a Mandrake, but I sure think the little suckers are cute. I'm sure I could have one perched on a pot sitting in my window to add a little magic to my kitchen.

 

[ooojen]

Yay! Pumpkin5 has come to play, too
It will be fun to see the variety we come up with!

 

[Pumpkin5]

I think this little guy is too cute! And I like the skull top to it.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/553098397966254498/

 

[ooojen]

That's what I mean about variety! We already have a doll mandrake, mâché, a bouquet of mandrake roses, and little Cubone Pokemandrake, and we haven't even started yet!