How to make Jafar's Staff from Aladdin | Polymer Clay and Cardboard DIY

Learn how to make Jafar's Serpent Staff out of cardboard, tin foil, and polymer clay.
The inspiration for this DIY prop is Jafar, the villian in Disney's Aladdin.
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Material List:
- Paper
- Tin Foil: amzn.to/3IV2QBo
- Masking Tape: amzn.to/3Pv8RaG
- Paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls: amzn.to/3B7TsZf
- Oven Bake Clay: amzn.to/3zoR7rL
- Joint Compound: amzn.to/3PBwUUW
- White glue: amzn.to/3v2cbBK
- Wrapping paper roll
- Chipboard (I used old cereal boxes): amzn.to/3omh7xE
- Posterboard - Flimsy: amzn.to/3OkRojP
- Scissors: amzn.to/3v6srlg
- Glue gun: amzn.to/3PwdPnp
- Glue sticks: amzn.to/3PFlX4w\
- Super glue: amzn.to/3z53GY2
- Spray Paint - Black: amzn.to/3PsXxeS
- Spray Paint - Gold: amzn.to/3v7ONmi
Equipment Used:
Macbook Air: amzn.to/3RQiqCs
* Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Thank you! *
#CardboardCosplay #CosplayTutorial

[@mycatsnameiskaren8253]

You did an excellent job! I've created props for my father's before and used much heavier products that just end up being too heavy for them to carry, so I like that you used passkey, tape and foil in the center and then clay. Definitely makes a lighter staff.

[@CardboardCosplay]

Thanks! I really appreciate that. Yeah, the staff is pretty lightweight. I hate when my arms get tired carrying things so I usually try to make my props light so they're easy to carry.💪 If I ever make this staff again, I think I'd use paper mache for the head instead of clay to make it even lighter.

[@Shadow-dr4qd]

IF YOU WON'T BOW BEFORE A SULTAN, THEN YOU WILL COWER BEFORE A SORCERER! HIS POWER DOES EXCEED MY OWN! BUT NOT FOR LONG! YES. YES! THE POWER! THE ABSOLUTE POWER! THE UNIVERSE IS MINE TO COMMAND! TO CONTROL!

[@CardboardCosplay]

Haha! So good. I just rewatched Aladdin and wrote down more props to make.

[@RichardSmith-rc1pi]

Can you papier mache the head instead of clay?? I'm short of time and think it would be quicker. Same process except change clay out for papier mache??

[@CardboardCosplay]

100%. That will definitely work. After I finished making this, I wished I had done it in paper mache. Good luck!

[@aljaichavez2340]

Amazing

[@CardboardCosplay]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it!

[@hominglee5741]

I like the way that you make jafar's staff. You just use simple materials to make jafar's staff, it is so cool 👍👍👍👍😲👍👍😍😍😍

[@CardboardCosplay]

Hi, sorry for the month long delayed response! Thank you so much 😀

[@hominglee5741]

I made jafar’s staff too,but it’s not quiet the shape that you made

[@hominglee5741]

Why you didn’t put the eyes on the staff?

[@CanadaDragon1]

Hey. It's me again. So, about a year ago, I made my own Sorcerer Cobra staff. I bought a snake staff and a king's scepter prop from a costume store. I also bought a plastic flexible school folder. First, I cut the large decorative top off of the king's scepter. Then, I cut open a hole at the bottom of the snake staff, and super-glued the cut-end of the scepter into the hole. Next, I drew an oval shape on the plastic school folder, and cut it out (this is the cobra's hood). Then, I spray painted the hood gold. When it was dry, I glued the hood to the back of the snake's head. I even painted the snake's eyes red to look more evil. Now, I have Jafar's sorcerer cobra staff.

[@CardboardCosplay]

So cool!

[@gigirivera1]

Well done! I just wish I had the time to do it.

[@CardboardCosplay]

Thank you so much!

[@binodtharu559]

What is the background music

[@davysamir2289]

I am currently trying to Do this myself and tried to use the type of clay that automatically dries through air instead of the polymer clay and had the difficulty that once it dried out some rifts appeared and I don’t really know if i should just add more clay on top of the rifts or if there is a different solution Next to that I also used Super Glue instead but for some reasons it doesn’t want to attach itself very well… ill possibly switch to Hot Glue as well

[@CardboardCosplay]

Hm. I'm not very experienced with air dry clay, but you could try patching the cracks with more clay. Make sure the clay is a thin layer (kind of like how you would spackle a hole in the wall). Hot glue usually works for me when super glue doesn't stick. I hope that helps!

[@davysamir2289]

@@CardboardCosplay thats also the idea that i had More clay alone wasnt the trick but rather smoothing it out with water after you add more clay Disadvantage is that it may soften your cardboards which is what currently happened to the neck of my staff. Since I added LED inside the Head (with red crystals as eyes to remake the hypnosis effect that Jafar did with his staff) and wanted to add the batteries in a position around the Neck I now have the difficulty that the Neck isnt very stable and is not suited for a Location in which a plastic is placed inside that needs to be opened up every once in a while to exchange batteries. For my luck I only need the staff for one costume party so I may as well just glue it up together and In case I want to reuse it and need to change the batteries Ill just cut off the handle/neck and make a new one. As long as the head is undamaged i should be able to recreate/improve the original design of mine

[@davysamir2289]

I just noticed I haven’t fully covered the head + neck with foil which is the reason why this became a problem

[@CardboardCosplay]

@@davysamir2289 Hm. To make the neck more stable, maybe add some clay around the neck instead of just the head. Or paper mache. Just don't do it all at once or the neck might be too "wet" and dry a little misshapen. I hope it works for you!

[@akiabryelaguanzon6897]

I like the staff

[@CardboardCosplay]

Thanks 🐍

[@snakestaffmagic4499]

Cool, have you done one with the snakes mouth open when jafars a sorcerer? Also wow that looks great

[@CardboardCosplay]

I haven't! I want to make one but wasn't sure anyone would want to see it since I already have this one up. Hm....

[@snakestaffmagic4499]

@@CardboardCosplay xD well don't feel forced, but been watching Jafar clips recently so would be cool to see ^^

[@aarondiaz6587]

You forgot the eyes but it’s awesome

[@CardboardCosplay]

Thanks! Yeah, you're right.... I originally made the eyes but took them off because I preferred the way it looked without them. They were made from a thin strip of cardboard around some painted plastic (the underside of the plastic was painted red to give it the glowing "ruby" eyes from the cartoon). Maybe I'll remake it one day 🤷‍♂️

[@izumilol8857]

did you glue everything before you baked it? im currently trying to recreate this for a project but im having a little trouble understanding a few things :,)

[@CardboardCosplay]

Yeah, buuuut if I was to make this project again I'd just use paper mache and skip clay. It's a little easier without clay, less sanding, and would blend in a little nicer. That's what I recommend doing to make it less challenging. Hope that helps!

[@izumilol8857]

@@CardboardCosplay thank you so much!! this helps a lot, i appreciate it. my theater teacher is gonna love this :)

[@CardboardCosplay]

@@izumilol8857My pleasure! Good luck and feel free to reach out of you have any other questions.

[@izumilol8857]

@@CardboardCosplay thank you! I will 100%

[@yvetteb1789]

Wow! This is amazing! It came out so good. I’m so impressed by how real it looks. I would love to have tried to make this. How long would you say it took you too make? Maybe I still have time before Halloween. =)

[@CardboardCosplay]

Thanks! It actually didn't take too long. I usually break up my projects and work on them when I have time, but it probably took around a half of a day or a full day to make. If you use paper mache instead of clay, you could probably make it without needing to go to the store!

[@yvetteb1789]

Cardboard Cosplay Thank you so much. I went ahead and decided to take a crack at it. I’ve made the head with foil but just need to add the neck and the clay. I have crayola quick dry clay but it doesn’t seem as easy to work with as the polymer. I did look it up though and saw they have some at my local Michaels craft store. I’m hoping to finish it up tonight. =) thank you so much for the help! I really really appreciate it!

[@CardboardCosplay]

​@@yvetteb1789 Neat! I'm so happy you made it. How did it turn out for today?

[@hominglee5741]

Why you didn’t put the eyes on the staff

[@CardboardCosplay]

Just an aesthetic choice. I thought it looked cooler without the eyes. If I ever make the evil staff with the mouth open, I'd make sure the eyes were there!

[@giancarlospolanco3651]

Snake staff lok nis😊

[@raphaeltheodore4663]

Hey Steven for the prop instead of a clay can i use paper mache with flour, white glue , newspaper and just sand it of to make a very very very smooth line and then paint it. May i

[@CardboardCosplay]

That should work. You'll probably need to use multiple layers of paper mache so the foil won't poke through when you sand it. Let me know how it turns out!

[@raphaeltheodore4663]

@@CardboardCosplay Yes , that turns out really really good amazing i just tried it out when you reply it now my staff is finish i just paper mache the entire staff the handle too and just paint it with gold and thanks for the tutorial thank you cardboard cosplay you are inspiring me

[@raphaeltheodore4663]

@@CardboardCosplay even i watch the Aladdin movie with my finish staff i just bring that to the cinema

[@CardboardCosplay]

That's awesome! I'm glad it worked with the paper mache. I bet it looks great. I sometimes dress up for movies too. It makes it more fun. I hope you like the movie!

[@raphaeltheodore4663]

@@CardboardCosplay thank you hey can i requested how to make magneto helmet i have some ideas what about the first class helmet you know it right the black and silver helmet of Sebastian Shaw you can make it out of plastic ball who will fit your head in and just make the side piece using cardboard or foam and just paper mache it with flour newspaper and white glue and the. Just paint it with black and silver acrylic paint for the list and don't forget to sand it off first hope you follow my ideas 😀😀😀😀

[@emperorvader9688]

It looks good but what about the eyes

[@CardboardCosplay]

Thank you When I was making this staff I decided not to put the eyes in because I thought it looked better without them. If you make the staff and want eyes, you could easily add them by using a thin strip of cardboard around some painted plastic (the plastic could be painted red to make it look like a "ruby" or whatever red stone is in the movie).

[@emperorvader9688]

Ur welcome

[@the_sequel3473]

Is there any measurements?

[@CardboardCosplay]

Ear to ear: 10.5 inches or 26.67 centimeters Back of head to front of the snout: 7.2 inches or 18.288 centimeters Length of the entire staff: 57.5 inches or 146.05 centimeters...however it can obviously be made taller or shorter depending on you height Also, if you decide to make this staff, you can also make the head from paper mache instead of clay. Hope that helps!

[@the_sequel3473]

Cardboard Cosplay it doesn’t help, thank you so much

[@raymondgieger7603]

Can it hypnotize people

[@CardboardCosplay]

Haha maybe

[@ccihmar3351]

Please make maleficent horn

[@CardboardCosplay]

That's a cool idea!

[@CanadaDragon1]

Here's a challenge for you. Can you make Jafar's Sorcerer cobra staff? You know, the one where the cobra's mouth is open exposing its fangs.

[@CardboardCosplay]

That's a great idea. I added it to my list of projects.

[@CanadaDragon1]

@@CardboardCosplay That's great. Can you also make a video on it?

[@bethanybaker4392]

Meh

[@isenmileshamson4603]

Not very appealing!!