how to make autumn fairy cupcake toppers
. . .
As far as crafts go, this is about as easy as it gets. But you should know that the tiny ballerina cupcake toppers are just that – tiny. They are only a couple of inches tall from head to toe. So if you don’t like finicky, elf-sized projects, walk away.
You will need:
- vintage style ballerina cupcake toppers – you can find these on etsy, ebay, and through other merchants – they are about 2 inches tall – google vintage ballerina cupcake toppers
- autumn coloured craft paint (I used a rust colour) – acrylic, multi surface stuff works well – for painting the bodice and tutu
- autumn coloured glitter – to match colour of the craft paint you have chosen for the bodice and tutu
- gold craft paint – acrylic, multi surface stuff works well – for painting the tiara and pointe shoes/ballet slippers
- small, artificial flowers in autumn colours – with petals that can be snipped off
- mod podge or other glue – quick tack glue works well on the flower petals
- teeny-tiny paint brushes for painting
- small paint brush for applying glue
- small paint brush for brushing off extra glitter
- small, sharp scissors
We will be using these super difficult to understand terms in this tutorial:
Key to this project is finding the right artificial flowers for the job. I took my little ballerina with me to the craft store so I could find flowers that had petals that were an appropriate length and width for tutu decorating. I managed to find some very small flowers, and then chose my paints and glitter to match.
Begin by painting the bodice and tutu of your ballerina in your chosen autumn colour. I used a rusty colour. This may require more than one coat of paint. Please refer to the photo above if you are unable to locate the bodice and tutu. Don’t forget to paint the underside of the tutu – most dancers don’t parade around in crotchless costumes.
Paint the tiara and pointe shoes gold. Her shoes might be hard to define – just glob some paint on there. (Oh, and you could use another colour if you like.)
Snip the petals off the flowers and apply around the tutu. This takes some patience – you have to find just the right petal to fit each section of the tutu. Let the petals hang slightly over the outer edge of the tutu. You will have to hold each petal in place until the glue sets slightly – which makes this a great activity to do whilst watching romantic comedies on a Saturday night. You could place the petals close together or have them overlapping. It’s up to you!
Finally, apply glue to the bodice, and then sprinkle on the glitter. After the glue has dried, brush off any excess glitter with a small paint brush. You don’t want glitter falling into your cupcakes. (Bleck.)
That’s it! You can use your toppers on top of cupcakes or cakes, or act out scenes from your favourite ballet with them. (Actually, don’t do that – it’s way creepy.)
Note: when you buy ballerina cupcake toppers, you will notice that they come with loads of imperfections – the paint will be absent in places, gooped on in others. I’m not sure what happens in the manufacturing process; I believe kittens are involved. If there are annoying paint smears in places, you can gently scrape them off with something sharp – I used an unfolded paperclip. Bear in mind that this means other stuff can be scraped off your ballerinas as well – including anything YOU put on ‘em. Handle them with care.
Disclaimer
I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that these cupcake toppers aren’t edible. DON’T EAT THESE CUPCAKE TOPPERS, DOOFUS. Also, they aren’t suitable for small children. Because they will eat them.
You are getting your money’s worth out of these ballerinas – I love that last photo of the various stages of autumn fairy. The first one looks a bit jealous of the last one. Or perhaps I am only projecting… Gotta get me a sweet tutu.
Epic gorgeousness. Epic. Those cupcakes make me want to wear a tutu. :)) My daughter (she is in Uni) LOVES making cupcakes. We are clearly related ! I am sharing this with her RIGHT NOW.
Big love to you girly !
A.dor.able! (as my little girl would have said) You sure does know yours ballerinas, Movita!
xx
SQUEEEEEEEEE! These are so adorable I just want to eat them up! But I wouldn’t. Because you told me not to. Thanks for adding that.
Too sweet, I wish I had the patience for stuff like this. But no. So I will live vicariously through you and your glitter. Love this series, keep them coming!!!!
So, so adorable.
I could have sworn I wrote a comment.. addled, my brain is addled these days! Such pretty cupcakes.. my niece has a baby girl who would love these! She’s got some pretty cool dance moves to, not bad for a one year old.. not Swan Lake, though, LMFAO:D
What are they teaching you at that place.. I promise faithfully not to eat the ballerina.. so sweet.. only a really nasty person could eat the head off a ballerina.. c
Oh, my word. Those are precious. I can’t believe you have that kind of skill and patience. Whoa.
Have I ever told you about the time I watched an elderly woman chew a fake grape at the K&W Cafeteria? Maybe I should blog about it. Plastic… not so yummy.
gorgeous! such a great idea.. and they look so much more elaborate and beautiful after the diy!
Mmm, girl look at that body.
I’m inspired. x
Gorgeous! Can’t wait to see “Christmas” ballerina. 🙂
This is so pretty! My little nieces would love to see these topping their birthday cupcakes this year – now let’s see if I can make them as pretty as you did!
You’re so crafty!!!
F me, I almost forgot about the carve off. I need to get a pumpkin. Do they jack up the prices closer to Halloween? I’m so screwed. I’ll end up with the ugliest pumpkin on the planet. Cripes.
These are the bomb. I am not that patient. Could you just make me a few dozen and send them to me? I know your not busy or anything. Not like baking school is time consuming or anything. Kthxbye!
every time i see a “what to do with plastic vintage ballerina cupcake toppers” post, i get a) embarrassed that i didn’t think to decorate mine when i made your cake, and b) inspired to do something epic with my cake toppers, as i have probably 583 of those hanging out at the house now from Bake My Cake 2012. it’s like a tiny gang.
[…] on how to recreate them. It’s hard to choose a favorite for me, I love the look of the Autumn Fairy cupcake topper, but I really love her snort-your-coffee-through-your-nose funny retelling of swan lake with the […]
Comments on this post are now closed as it was published in October 2012.