Halloween DIY Specimen Jars
To create your own specimens, you need a good assortment of clear glass containers. Use canning jars, potion bottles, apothecary jars, wine bottles, or rinse out the spaghetti sauce jar from last night’s dinner. The concept is simple – refill the jars with colored water, add a slimy and creepy specimen, and embellish with labels, paint, and twine.
Wilton makes a Halloween drink-coloring dye set with green, orange, red, and black already mixed for you, available at your local craft store. Hard-boiled eggs, cauliflower chunks, mini skeletons, and light-colored creatures work well in dark colored dyes for the added appeal of not being able to distinguish clear details apart from each specimen.
I found a very inspiring display of potion bottle specimen jars arranged on an antiquated bookshelf with a full tutorial included. Create your own Witches’ Kitchen this Halloween for a unique party theme that will have your guests brewing and bubbling over (with anticipation, I mean. I certainly hope you don’t plan to stuff them into the cauldron…).
Use vintage-style potion bottle labels for added authenticity, such as this beautiful set from the talent behind Love Manor: Bottle Labels.
As an added note, don’t forget your specimen jar necklaces…not just for Halloween! Specimen Jar Necklaces
Halloween yard decorations and props are difficult to find in retail stores this year. Luckily for me, I’ve been stockpiling a whole home full of spooky decor for many years or I would be joining every one else in tripping over the excessive amount of Christmas trees and wrapping paper that has already flooded stores for the past 2 weeks in SEPTEMBER. October starts tomorrow!
The Many Themes of Halloween
