How to Make a Haunted Tree Spirit with a Pringles Can

Watch the BUILD VIDEO for this and more Pringles Can Craft Ideas HERE!

This Pringles can craft tutorial will show you how to use a chip can and corrugated cardboard to create a spooky, paper mache tree. You could even use the same techniques to make a whimsical tree spirit!

If you’re able, find a taller “party-sized” chip can. I like the proportions of these ones better for trees. If you can’t find one, no worries, just extend the height of a standard chip can with some cardboard.

This project makes use of glue-soaked cloth to create the rippled bark texture. Look for some scraps of a thin, woven (not stretchy) cloth. For this technique to work best, the fabric should be a natural fibre (like cotton).
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You can also check out my other Pringles container craft ideas. I made some fake cakes and a cute little bird automata! ​

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STEP 1: Prepare the chip can

• Crunch some curves into your chip can to give the tree a more dynamic shape.

• Cut the top of the chip can ant an angle to mimic a jagged broken tree trunk.

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STEP 2: Add weight to your chip can

• Add weight to the bottom of your chip can to make your sculpture more stable.

• You can use gravel, sand, clean kitty litter, or any other heavy material.

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STEP 3: Create the structure

• Cut some strips of corrugated cardboard to use as ribs to close up the top of the can.

• Cut some branch shapes out of cardboard and hot glue them to the sides of the can.

• Add texture by scrunching more cardboard strips and gluing them onto the branches and trunk.

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STEP 4: Apply paper mache to the tree

• Apply a layer of paper mache over the entire sculpture. My recommended paper mache method is summarized here.

• Allow the paper mache to dry thoroughly. You can sculpt the eyes and teeth while the paper mache is drying.

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STEP 5: Sculpt the teeth and eyes

• Using air dry clay, sculpt the eyes and teeth. I made the teeth look like splintered wood by adding textured lines with a knife.

• Roll some small balls of clay to make eyeballs. Press them gently against the work surface to flatten the backs.

• Allow the teeth and eyes to dry thoroughly.

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STEP 6: Prepare the fabric steps

• Prepare a stash of fabric by tearing it into strips. Remove any loose threads.

• Paint the fabric strips with white glue as you use them.

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STEP 7: Create lips

• To create a lip, fold down the raw edge a few times to flesh out the lip.

• Arrange the folded edge over the top teeth. Smooth the raw edge into the sculpture.

• Repeat for the bottom lip.

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STEP 8: Create eyelids and nose

• For the eyelids, fold a small square into a triangle and arrange the folded edge over the top of one eye.

• Repeat for the bottom eyelid. Duplicate on the second eye.

• Form a small wad of gluey fabric into nose shape and stick it to the face.

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STEP 9: Create fabric tree bark

• Continue to cover the tree with strips of gluey fabric. Fold and wrinkle the fabric to create rippled texture.

• Allow the fabric to dry thoroughly.

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STEP 10: Base coat

• Base coat the entire sculpture in black. I made a DIY gesso by mixing watered-down white glue, black acrylic paint, and cornstarch.

• Apply 2-3 coats for full coverage.

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STEP 11: Paint

• Use a dry brush paint technique to paint the sculpture.

• Learn more about the dry brush paint technique here.

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STEP 12: Add finishing touches

• Paint the eyes and add any finishing touches you’d like!

• Mushrooms, moss, and little forest creatures would all make for cure embellishments.

And now you have a haunted tree spirit crafted out of a Pringles can! You can check out the tutorial video below or find lots of other budget-friendly art projects on my YouTube Channel.
If you give this project a try, it would make my day if you’d share it with me. I’m @JaneSawyerMakes on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Threads,  and Twitter (X). Please share and pin this article!