Make cute-yet-creepy Halloween terrariums using recycled jars and Halloween decorations from the dollar store. This would be cute for your Halloween decor, a Halloween party (you could surround the terrariums with appetizers instead of moss), or as a fun kid activity. Find instructions over at Today’s Creative Blog: [Mason Jar Spooky Terrariums]

Project Estimate:

• Recycled jars, on hand
• Halloween decorations, $1 each
• Spanish moss, $1

Total cost: $2 and up

The post Make Halloween Terrarium Decor appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

When it comes to Halloween decor, my preferred aesthetic is spooky-but-not-too-spooky. These dripping blood candle holders fit right in with that look! Making them is extremely easy because gravity does most of the work. They’re a great finishing detail for a Halloween mantel, centerpiece, or anywhere else you need a little touch of creepy!

Project estimate:

• Glass candle holders or jars, on hand or $1 and up
• Red glass paint, on hand or about $2 and up*
• Wax paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Red LED candles, $1

Total: $1 and up

* I used DecoArt’s Americana Gloss Enamels in transparent red for a fairly realistic blood look.

To make my candle holders I used these votive holders from Dollar Tree that look like mini fish bowls. But you can do this project will all kinds of different glass candle holders, even small jars out of your recycling bin!

Lay out some newspaper and top with a piece of wax paper – this is gonna get messy!

Flip your containers upside-down on the wax paper and then pour some glass paint over them.  I used a paintbrush to push the paint around and make it drip where I wanted. Then just let them sit still to drip and dry.

When the paint is completely dry, carefully peel away the wax paper. If needed, use a craft knife to remove any excess paint from around the top of the candle holder, giving it a more finished look.

Read the instructions on your glass paint – some paints (especially multi-surface paints) will cure as they air dry, while other paints (especially glass-specific paints) will have directions for curing in the oven.

Then pop in a candle and enjoy! I found some red battery-powered votive candles, also from Dollar Tree, that I thought would be a great compliment to the dripping blood look.

The post Tutorial: Blood Drip Candle Holders 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.

Crepe paper has a look that makes it absolutely perfect for Halloween decorating. Check out this idea from Linda at A Sweet Afternoon, who used crepe paper to make this cute candy corn bunting banner! The project is easy enough that it’s kid-friendly, and at the same time sophisticated enough to hang for a fancy Halloween party or incorporate into your seasonal home decor. [how to make a candy corn bunting banner]

Project estimate:

• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1 and up
• Cardstock, on hand
• Glue, on hand
• Tape, on hand
• String, on hand or $1 and up

Total: Free and up!

The post Make a Candy Corn Bunting Banner appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

A couple of weeks ago I was at the store and came across an endcap of clearance crafts supplies, including some DecoArt Americana Chalky Finish paint for 92 cents a bottle.  SCORE!  The colors I found are called delicate (yellow), inheritance (orange), and everlasting (white), and I knew immediately I wanted to use them to create a muted, subtle version of candy corn colors.

But should I candy-corn-ify?  I’ve always been a fan of the tall prayer candles in jars, so I made a quick trip to the dollar store to grab a few.  They were the perfect subjects for this project!

Project estimate:

• Prayer candles, $1 and up
• Washi or masking tape, on hand or $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $1 and up

Start by removing any stickers or labels from your candle jars.  Then wipe the jars down with rubbing alcohol to remove any reside, including oi from your fingers, that may be present.  This will help your paint adhere better!

Use washi tape (or masking tape) to tape off two lines around the candle.  The tape lines will be unpainted on the finished candle, so I used the skinniest roll of washi tape I could find in my collection.  If you are making a grouping of candles, you can tape them all off at the same places, or vary the placement of the tape lines like I did for a different effect.

Once your lines are taped off, add paint!  You can apply the paint with a brush (being very careful of the tape edges) or with a stencil sponge.  I applied several thin-ish coats to get a nice, even finish.

Tip:  I actually prefer to use a makeup wedge sponge to apply paint because it is a denser sponge and leaves less of a spongy pattern in the surface of the paint.  And you can get a whole package of them for a buck!

After you are done painting, carefully peel away the tape and your candles are ready to add to your Halloween decor!

The post Tutorial: Candy Corn Inspired Candles appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

As a Halloween decorator, my tastes tend to run a little toward the macabre, but with a bit of sophistication.  So when I saw this fun Medusa head wall art from Jennifer Perkins, I swooned a bit!  Hers is made using some dimensional wall art that she found at a thrift shop, but you could also use a painting.  This project is just one element of an AMAZING Halloween gallery wall that she put together – be sure to check out her post for a photo of the entire jaw-dropping wall!  [how to make Medusa head wall art]

Project estimate:

• Thrift store art, $1 and up
• Plastic snakes, about $2 and up (depending how many you need)
• Glue, on hand
• Paint (optional), on hand or $1 and up

Total:  about $3 and up

The post Make Medusa Head Wall Art appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If your Halloween decorating tastes run in the spooky-yet-sophisticated category, then this is a project you must see!  Over at Live Craft Love, Laura made this showstopping wreath out of unexpectedly simple materials – recycled cardboard and crepe paper streamers!  The texture of the crepe paper gives it a bit of extra spookiness – for a different look you could also try this technique with wide ribbon.  Or use torn fabric strips.  There are lots of possibilities with this project!  [how to make a crepe paper Halloween wreath]

Project estimate:

• Cardboard, on hand
• Crepe paper streamers, $1
• Glue, on hand

Total: $1 and up!

The post Make a Crepe Paper Halloween Wreath appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you spend much time in thrift stores or going to yard sales, you have probably seen a bajillion wicker paper plate holders.  Next time you see them, grab ’em and make some of these cute Jack-o-lanterns by Sarah at Sadie Seasongoods.  And if you find a whole stack pf plate holders, you can cut out all kinds of different faces to make a fun display!  [how to make a paper plate holder Jack-o-lantern]

Project estimate:

• Wicker paper plate holders, $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Felt, on hand or $1 and up
• Glue, on hand
• Fake leaves, $1 and up

Total:  $2 and up

The post Make a Paper Plate Holder Jack-o-Lantern appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Give spooky a sophisticated twist with this skeleton hand wreath!  Vanessa from Tried & True gave the plastic hands a visual upgrade with the help of some metallic sliver spray paint.  It’s amazing what a big difference you can make with a little paint!  We also love that the center of her wreath is a chalkboard, allowing you to customize and change the sentiment on a whim.  [how to make a skeleton hand Halloween wreath]

Project estimate:

• Plastic skeleton hands, $9
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Chalkboard circle (or wood circle + chalkboard paint), $1 and up
• Glue, on hand
• Chalk marker, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $10 and up

The post Make a Skeleton Hand Halloween Wreath appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Have you started thinking about Halloween decor yet?  Only 7 weeks left until the end of October, and if you are a DIYer you know that it’ll sneak up on you way too fast if you don’t get a head start on your projects!  At See Vanessa Craft, Kiki from Kiki and Company shared how she made this spooky eyeball wreath using a free printable that she designed.  Head over there for the complete instructions, and to download the free eyeball printable to use for this project or elsewhere in your Halloween decorating!  [how to make an eyeball Halloween wreath]

Project estimate:

• Wreath form, on hand or $1 and up
• Paper, on hand
• Eyeball printables, free
• Hot glue, on hand

Total: Free and up!

The post Make an Eyeball Halloween Wreath appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.