Ghost with Witch Hat and Cauldron Tabletop Figure

Before You Begin

Cut and engrave the ghost character and all base pieces from your chosen material. Carefully remove the parts from the laser bed and clean away any loose residue or soot.

Decide whether you want to leave the project in natural wood or add paint, stain, or other decorative finishes. If you plan to color the project, it is usually easiest to finish the ghost character before final assembly so the engraved details and edges are easier to reach.

Slot and Tab Fit Notice

Test the slot-and-tab fit on your own machine and material before cutting the complete project. Laser machines, material thicknesses, kerf, settings, and cutting operations can vary.

The provided fit worked correctly during my testing, but you should always make a small test cut to confirm the fit. Adjust the slots or tabs if needed before cutting the full project.

Assembly

1. Sort the pieces into the ghost character, the upper slotted base piece, and the larger bottom base piece.
2. Test-fit the ghost character into the slot in the upper base piece. Make sure the tab slides in smoothly and that the character stands upright without excessive force.
3. Place the upper base piece on top of the larger bottom base piece and center it evenly.
4. Check the alignment from the front and sides to make sure the upper base sits straight and the border around it looks even.
5. Once everything fits properly, apply a thin layer of wood glue to the underside of the upper base piece.
6. Press the upper base piece onto the larger bottom base and wipe away any excess glue.
7. Apply a small amount of glue inside the slot of the upper base.
8. Insert the ghost character into the slot and adjust it until it stands straight.
9. Allow the glue to dry completely before moving, decorating, or displaying the finished project.

Helpful Tips

Use glue sparingly to avoid squeeze-out around the base and character tab.

If the tab feels too tight, lightly sand the edges instead of forcing it into place. If the fit is slightly loose, a small amount of wood glue can help secure the character.

Take extra care around the witch hat tip, the stirring stick, the cauldron edges, and the flowing tail of the ghost, as these narrower areas may be more delicate than the main body.

For a classic Halloween look, try white for the ghost, black or purple for the witch hat, and green, orange, or purple accents for the bubbling cauldron. You can also use paint markers or a fine-tip marker to highlight the engraved details for extra contrast.