Skeleton Hand Cloche

$25 - $30 (based on 2020 prices)
Makes one display

Like many of the props built for 2020’s haunt, this skeleton hand cloche was meant to nestle among the towers of laboratory equipment and reinforce the mad scientist theme. Although I used an anatomical hand bought from a medical supply store, the budget-conscious haunter can use a cheaper skeletal hand purchased at a big-box Halloween store to achieve the same effect.

• One plastic cloche with detachable base (roughly twelve inches tall)
• One medical skeleton hand small enough to fit within the cloche
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat black*
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in metallic silver*
• One 8 oz. can of oil-based interior wood stain in Jacobean*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat brown*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat red*
• One 3/16” wooden dowel
• Three to four feet of steel wire

1. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, stain the hand. First, begin by giving it a light, even coat with a foam brush. Then, apply heavy amounts of stain and pat away the excess with paper towels. You want the color to build up in the cracks and fissures. Although you may use whatever color of stain you desire, I chose Jacobean because it gives the bone an aged appearance.

2. Cut the wooden dowel into two sections which are 1.75” in length. Depending on the height of the cloche, you may need to adjust this measurement. Following this, use a 7/32 bit to drill two holes into the base of the hand and glue the dowels in the openings.

3. Determine where you would like the hand to rest below the cloche and, using a 7/32 bit, make two holes in the base, inserting the dowels and gluing them in place. As the glue dries, prop the hand up with a sturdy object like a can.

4. Cover the hand in plastic and, on a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, build up layers of black and metallic silver spray paint to give the base and dowels the look of steel. It works best to apply a base coat of black followed by sliver, working in quick bursts to allow parts of the black to remain visible. You can also touch up portions with additional blasts of black if the silver becomes too heavy.

5. Once the spray paint dries, create a wash of brown paint and use it to add a level of grime to the prop, allowing the liquid to settle in the crevices.

6. Remove the plastic wrapping from the hand and, with a fine-tipped brush, darken the joints and the spaces between the wrist bones with black paint, smudging it slightly for a hazed look which adds to the aged appearance.

7. Beginning with the thumb, run steel wire between the joints to make it look like the hand is held together by the connections. Although this step is entirely optional, it gives the prop an additional level of detail and visual interest.  

8. Give the wire a rusted patina by building up layers of brown and red paint. Begin with a light coat of red paint and, once that dries, apply a layer of brown, being careful not to cover too much of the red paint.

9. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, paint the cloche with the wood stain. I discovered that applying a thin coat and patting it with paper towels produces a hazed appearance. Likewise, brushing the rim with a swift downward motion creates the illusion of grime buildup.

10. Reattach the cloche to its base. If you plan for a more permanent display, you can glue the item down. Likewise, you can add extra embellishments, such as a specimen tag or biohazard label, to cater the prop to your theme.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.