The dollar store has so many awesome Halloween decorations that are wonderful for crafting with — including foam pumpkins and skulls. Transform these dollar store finds into upscale party decor with just a few steps. I love these ideas — a foam skull vase and pumpkin candy displays. Find instructions at Persia Lou: [DIY Skull Vase and Halloween Party Decor]

Skull Vase Project Estimate:

• Foam skull, $1
• Black paint, $1
• Glass jar, on hand
• Flowers (real or fake), on hand or $1 and up

Total cost: $2 and up

The post Make Foam Halloween Decor (From Dollar Store Stuff) appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

There are so many things you can do with those little foam pumpkins from the dollar store, but this topiary has to be one of the cuter ideas I’ve ever seen. Nobody would guess it was made from dollar store stuff! Get the tutorial over at Kim Six Fix: [Dollar Store Pumpkin Topiary]

Project Materials:

• 3 foam pumpkins, $3
• Chalkboard paint, $2 and up
• Orange feather boas, $1
• Container (or urn), $1 and up
• Bamboo skewers, $1

Total: $8

Tip: Look at the thrift store for an urn-like container (you can paint one if it has the right shape), or just use a terra cotta pot.

The post Make a Dollar Store Pumpkin Topiary appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I love a clever Halloween pumpkin. Not that I have anything against traditional Jack-o-lanterns, of course – I just happen to have a soft spot for unique and non-traditional ideas. And these ice cream cone pumpkins by Sam at Aww, Sam are just too stinkin’ adorable! They’d be a perfect use for the multi-packs of mini foam pumpkins that you can find at the dollar store. [how to make ice cream cone pumpkins]

Project estimate:

• Small pumpkins, $1 and up
• Ice cream cone (real or fake), on hand or $1 and up
• Paint, on hand
• Adhesive vinyl, on hand or about $3 and up

Total: $1 and up!

The post Make Ice Cream Cone Pumpkins appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Yesterday at Dollar Tree I grabbed several of the little foam pumpkins.  I’m not sure what I am doing with them yet, but I bought them as soon as I saw them because the good holiday stuff usually sells out pretty fast, and I didn’t want to miss out on them!  So now I’ve been keeping an eye out for pumpkin inspiration, and that’s how I came across this gorgeous wood slice pumpkin by Kim at The Kim Six Fix.  Isn’t it fab?  She found wood slice vase filler that worked perfectly for this project, so you don’t even have to worry about sawing twigs yourself!  [how to make a wood slice pumpkin]

Project estimate:

• Foam pumpkin, $1
• Wood slice vase filler, about $2 and up
• Twine, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  about $3 and up

The post Make a Wood Slice Pumpkin appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I love projects that take new things and make them look old.  It’s a great way to create the illusion that you’ve spent years building a collection of antiques!  If you have vintage-y decor, this pumpkin project from Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage will fit in perfectly.  I love how she mounted them on inexpensive “silver” platters, giving them the look of plaques.  It also means that you could hang these up on the wall, something that  you can’t easily do with most foam pumpkin makeovers!  [how to make vintage-inspired pumpkin decor]

Project estimate:

• Foam pumpkin, $1
• Small platter, $1
• Paint, on hand
• Hot glue, on hand
• Ribbon, on hand or $1
• Embellishments, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $2 and up

Looking for more pumpkin crafts?

The post Make Vintage-Inspired Pumpkin Decor appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I posted a picture on Instagram of a dollar store pumpkin I had painted black.  It turns out Carissa had also bought a dollar store foam pumpkin and painted it black.  One thing led to another and the next thing we knew, a challenge was laid out:  who could make a cooler black pumpkin?

Then I knew I had to come up with something amazing.  But what?  I decided to go back to my crafty roots and do one of the things I first loved as a kid:  Macrame!  I love how a few basic knots are enough to turn plain objects into works of art.  I thought that wrapping the pumpkin in macrame might be reminiscent of spider webs, so I grabbed a ball of white yarn and started tying.

Project estimate:

• Foam pumpkin, $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Yarn, on hand or $1 and up*
• Pony beads, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

*A note on yarn selection:  The yarn you choose will have a big effect on how your finished project looks.  I chose to use cotton yarn because it isn’t as fuzzy as most other yarns.  This gives the project a clean, modern look.  It is also easier to untie than some other yarns in the event of a mistake!

Start with a basic foam pumpkin.  I used a carvable pumpkin from Dollar Tree.

Paint the pumpkin with craft paint.  I used black paint for mine, but you can change it up and do this in any colors you want!  The paint I used is formulated for outdoor use, so if I decide to put it out on my porch I don’t have to worry about the paint fading or peeling in the elements.  This, or course, it totally optional; any craft paint will do!

Use a piece of string to measure the distance from the pumpkin stem to the bottom of the pumpkin; measure and cut a piece of string that is about 5 times that length.  Cut a bunch more pieces the same length; the number you will need depends on the size of your pumpkin.  I used 22 strings to get around my pumpkin.  Make sure you work in even numbers, and cut one of the strings a few inches longer than the rest.

Working around the longer string, loop each of the rest of the strings around it to form a series of knots.  Loop the strings at the center point and pull the ends through the loop to make a knot as shown.  Place a pony bead between each knot to create spacers.  You will use the same number of beads as you have strings (so I used 22).

Once all of the strings are knotted around the longer string, tie the ends of the longer string together to form a loop.  Make sure this loop is large enough to fit around the stem of your pumpkin.  Use a couple small dabs of glue to hold the ring in place in top of the pumpkin.

Now comes the knotting!  You will notice that your strings are in pairs; take a string from one pair and a string from an adjacent pair and tie a square knot.  Continue around the pumpkin until you have tied a square knot using each set of strings.  The knots should look like the photo above.  (Learn how to tie a square knot here.)

Make another round of macrame in the same fashion; use one string from each pair knotted in the previous round so that the knots are in a staggered pattern.  Repeat until you have knotted all the way around the pumpkin to the bottom.

When you reach the bottom of the pumpkin, trim the excess ends of the strings and use a little bit of glue to hold them in place on the bottom of the pumpkin, as shown.

After the glue dries, it is ready to display!  I put mine on top of a milk glass candy dish full of candy corn to give it a bit of a whimsical twist.

Looking for more pumpkin crafts?

The post Tutorial: Macrame Wrapped Pumpkin appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

It’s Pumpkin Week here at DSC! We know you’ve been eyeing up those foam pumpkins at the dollar store, wondering what you could do to them. All week long we will be bringing you loads of ideas and inspiration! First up are these gorgeous specimen from Jennifer at Delightfully Noted, who used paint and an easy antiquing technique to turn their look from cheap to chic. Don’t they look amazing? I could see these fitting right in on the shelves at a high-end retailer like Anthro or West Elm! [how to make antique glazed pumpkins]

Project estimate:

• Foam pumpkin, $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Antiquing glaze, about $3 and up

Total: about $4 and up

Looking for more pumpkin crafts?

The post Make Antique Glazed Pumpkins appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

The weather started to change this weekend.  I actually get really excited when fall starts to show itself!  I noticed fall decor is starting to show up on the shelves at the dollar store on my weekly trip, and  I was excited to make something with the small, carvable foam pumpkins they have.  And since Halloween is on the way, and is such a candy-filled season, I thought, why not make a candy dish?

Project estimate:

• Carvable pumpkin, $1
• Glass candy dish, $1
• Craft knife or utility knife, on hand

Total: $2 and up

First start by cutting the pumpkin in half.  You will notice a seam around the outside of the pumpkin.  Just cut along the seam.  The center is hollow so no need to worry about how far in to cut.

Now just like scraping out a real pumpkin, scrape the extra foam out of the pumpkin.  Depending on how large your dish is you may or may not have to do much scraping.  I would occasionally place the dish inside to see how much more I needed.  I had to do a little scraping on the lid as well.

Once you have finished place your dish inside and the pumpkin top/lid back on the pumpkin.  If desired, you can add a little glue between the glass dish and the pumpkin to secure the parts together.  Now you’re ready to start your fall decorating!

Looking for more pumpkin crafts?

The post Tutorial: Pumpkin Candy Dish appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.