Make a Mermaid and Seashell Cake Topper with Cricut
If you’re planning a mermaid-themed birthday party, baby shower, or under-the-sea celebration, a handmade cake topper is one of the easiest ways to take your cake from simple to stunning. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a Mermaid and Seashell Cake Topper using your Cricut machine and a few basic supplies.
This Cricut project is beginner-friendly and perfect for anyone who loves crafting with cardstock. Whether you’re decorating for your own celebration or building products to sell in your shop, this cake topper is sure to make a splash!
Supplies You’ll Need
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Before we get started, here’s a list of what you’ll need to create this project:
- Cricut Machine
- StandardGrip Cutting Mat
- Glitter or Foil Cardstock
- Liquid Adhesive
- Foam Adhesive Dots or Foam Tape
- Cake Stick
- Cricut Design Space (or your own SVG)
- Hot Glue Gun
- Glue Sticks
Step 1: Choose Your Design
Start by opening Cricut Design Space. You can either upload your own mermaid and seashell SVG file or search for coordinating images in the Cricut image library. I searched for mermaid tail and a seashell and created this design from scratch. You can choose a number from the Text feature in Design Space. I also added several offsets once I had everything the way I wanted to give the topper more dimension.
Make sure to size your topper to match your cake. For a 6–8 inch cake, a width of 5 to 6 inches works well.
Step 2: Prep Your Cutting Mat and Materials
Once your design is ready, place your cardstock onto a StandardGrip mat. Use a brayer to press the material down well to avoid shifting during the cut.
In Design Space, select the correct material type. Then load your mat and let your Cricut work its magic!
Step 3: Weed and Remove the Pieces
After the cut is complete, carefully remove the mat from the Cricut and slowly peel away the excess paper around your design. Use a weeding tool or spatula to help lift delicate pieces, especially around the mermaid tail and any intricate shell lines.
Take your time here—especially with glitter cardstock, since it can be a bit stiff and may tear if pulled too quickly.
Step 4: Assemble the Topper
Now comes the fun part—assembling your cake topper!
Lay out your pieces and arrange them in layers. Use foam adhesive dots to create dimension between the layers. Foam dots are perfect for adding a 3D effect and making each layer stand out.
If you’d like, now’s a great time to add embellishments like mini pearls, rhinestones, or stick-on gems to give your topper that extra sparkle. You can even use a metallic pen to add details or shimmer to the mermaid tail or the shell.
Step 5: Add the Stick
Once your design is fully assembled and dry, flip it over and attach your cake stick. I recommend using hot glue for a strong, quick hold. Position the stick about halfway up the back of the topper to provide good balance when placed on the cake.
Let the glue cool and check that the stick is secure before handling the topper.
Step 6: Decorate Your Cake
Gently insert the finished cake topper into your cake shortly before the event. For the best look, make sure your cake surface is flat and firm. This ensures the topper stands upright and stays centered.
Pair it with matching cupcake toppers, favor tags, or even mermaid-themed banners for a cohesive party setup.
And don’t forget to take pictures—it’s always fun to show off your handmade party decor on Instagram, Pinterest, or your blog!
Tips for Success
- Use high-quality cardstock: It holds up nicely on cakes.
- Make multiples: If you’re making toppers for a party business or shop, batch-cutting several toppers at once saves time.
- Save your project: Don’t forget to save your project in Design Space so you can reuse it later or tweak it for new events.
Don’t Want to DIY?
If crafting’s not your thing today or you’re short on time, don’t worry—you can grab the finished Mermaid and Seashell Cake Topper in my Goimagine shop, K Peck’s Party Cafe! I’ve done all the cutting and gluing so you can just pop it in your cake and wow your guests.
Final Thoughts
Making your own mermaid and seashell cake topper is such a satisfying Cricut project. Not only does it add a personal touch to your celebration, but it’s also a budget-friendly way to elevate your party decor. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite colors, details, and embellishments to match any theme.
Whether you’re creating this topper for your own party or selling them in your handmade shop, this project is guaranteed to delight kids and adults alike. So grab your cardstock, fire up your Cricut, and let your creativity shine under the sea!
Let me know in the comments if you tried this project!
Happy crafting!
Kathy
