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Writer's pictureDallasite

Hocus Pocus

With Halloween coming up, you might wanna start recycling bottles if you'd like to turn them into decorations!

These take some time, but I think it was worth it! Sure, you could buy them from Halloween stores, but that'll probably cost you $20 a piece. This D.I.Y. version is much cheaper, and you get to make them exactly how you'd like.


To make, you'll need:

  • Empty bottles (try to get a variety of shapes and sizes, & KEEP THE LIDS)

  • Books (I got these at The Dollar Tree)

  • Paint (black, metallic gold, & metallic silver)

  • Paint brushes and sponges

  • Hot-glue gun, with extra glue sticks

  • Tissue paper

  • Mod Podge

  • Halloween themed toys (see pictures, can find in dollar stores)

  • Halloween themed stickers (optional)


To start, make sure all used bottles/containers are clean and dry. I used everything from an old mustard bottle, to a 5-Hour Energy, to wine bottles. Try to find a variety of shapes and sizes. Use a Sharpie to write out your labels, and be creative! Some I used were Tears of Ex Lovers | Love Potion | Unicorn Blood | Hairs from Those Who've Wronged Me | Truth Serum.


Use a hot-glue gun to trace over your letters, and keep in mind you're going to see the texture, so make letters thick and as 3D as possible. Also, try to leave some space between letters so it's not too jumbled. I found a pack of plastic bugs & skeletons at The Dollar Tree that I hot-glued onto some of the bottles as well.



The same process is done for the books. Pick a cool title like "Book of Spells", "Human Anatomy", or "Witchcraft". Since you have a bigger, flatter surface, feel free to write big or use several 3D items to really spruce it up. Don't forget about the spine and even back of the book, depending on how you'll display it. While most everything will be covered and painted, you might want to paint any 3D objects black prior to glueing them down in case the tissue paper rips and it shows through.


Once you have your titles, labels, and objects glued down, you're going to cover it all with a generous layer of Mod Podge. This is basically a glue, but can be used as a top coat. Before it dries, cover your book/bottle with a layer of crinkled tissue paper. While you want some wrinkles and imperfections, you don't want it to interfere with your letters. To really make them pop, use the end of your paintbrush to outline the letters overtop the tissue paper. On the bottles, you may not want to cover the bottom to ensure they can sit upright. On the books, make sure to cover the edges of the cover as well.


After you throughly cover with tissue paper, go over again with another layer of Mod Podge. Let dry completely before painting black. This will probably take a few coats, and a sponge might be best to get in all the wrinkles and around the lettering. As you can see, on my "Unicorn Blood" bottle, I only painted black around the letters, but left the rest clear. This is because I made my own glittery liquid to fill the bottle with. Otherwise, make sure they're completely blacked out. Let dry. It's up to you if you want matte paint or shiny, but you will be covering most of it with the metallic colors.


Once dry, put a light amount of metallic paint on a sponge and go over entire surface. You can add as much color as you'd like, but it's easier to start light and get heavier. Go for a fuller coat on the lettering and 3D objects. Let dry, and do a second coat if you wish, although I would recommend making it to your liking on the first coat.


Comment if you have any questions, or if you tried it on your own!


<$25 with supplies I had (Mod Podge was most expensive item)

~$40 if you bought everything new

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