How to Create a Hip Jackalope Display
This quirky little sculpture project began with a plain old cement rabbit from a local garden store—and ended in one of my favorite creations yet: a hip jackalope display that brings personality and humor to any indoor space.
Materials I Used
- Concrete rabbit ornament – from local nursery
- Apoxie Sculpt – for antlers
- Chenille sticks
- Thin wire
- 2 small screws (about 5/8″)
- Gesso
- White acrylic paint and paint brushes
- Various tools for sculpting (kraft sticks, ball-end embossing pens, fingers)
- Fine sand paper and/or Dremel and rotary sanding bits
- Plastic novelty sunglasses – Etsy (pet accessories)
- Tree stump cement stool
- Birch Branches
How to Build a Jackalope Garden Display (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Base Clean & Prime
Clean your cement rabbit thoroughly. I used a stiff brush to remove dirt, then gave it a rinse and let it dry in the sun. A layer of white gesso helped the paint stick better.
Step 2: Build the Antlers
Bend a chenille stick into big branching Y’s. This will allow you to play with the size and curves to determine what looks best before committing to the clay model.Trace around it to create a guide for one of the antlers. Then flip the chenille stick and trace for the opposing antler (see sketch below).
Watch the tutorial about making antlers with Apoxie Sculpt. I followed the tutorial except for draping the antlers over the bowl. Instead, place the traced pattern on the table with a piece of wax paper on top. Then sculpt the rolled clay on top of the wax paper/pattern to match the twists and turns. Roll two small balls of clay and stick one to the base of each antler. Push a small piece of wire through the ball to the base of the antler to reinforce the connection.
While the clay is still soft, press the screw head into the ball at the base of the antler. Repeat with the other antler. These will be stakes that hold the antlers in place. Let Apoxie Sculpt dry as directed.
Sand antlers with fine sandpaper and/or a Dremmel with sanding bits. Refine the shape and surface with thin layers of Apoxie Sculpt. Let dry and give a final sanding.
Using a drill bit slightly smaller than your screw, drill two holes in the top of the rabbit's head for the antlers.
Put a small bit of Apoxie Sculpt inside the holes and push the antlers into place. Micro-adjust position of antlers until you are satisfied.
Take a small amount of Apoxie Sculpt and press it onto the base of the antlers where they connect to the head. Sculpt and press to create a smooth, natural transition from the head to antler. (TIP: study images of real animals with antlers to create a realistic antler base)
Let dry as directed in the tutorial.
Step 3: Paint & Detail
Once the Apoxie Sculpt has completely dried, paint the rabbit and tree stump in your desired color scheme – two to three coats or until satisfied with the coverage. I went with white to mimic classic plaster statues.
Step 4: Accessorize
Lightly sand the birch branches. Add water to a small amount of acrylic paint to create a wash. Brush the wash onto the branches and quickly wipe with a paper towel. This will white wash the branches rather than paint them. Repeat if you want the wash to be less transparent.
Create the scene by placing the jackalope on the stump and arranging the birch branches behind. Adorn the jackalope with a pair of novelty sunglasses. Stand back and let the mellow vibe surround you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to combine playfulness, art, and a little bit of desert folklore into one project, the jackalope display is it. Whether you’re gifting it, auctioning it, or just sprucing up an empty niche, this DIY jackalope will absolutely steal the show.