“Potter” DIY: Potion Bottles

We’re gearing up for all sorts of spooky posts here at MuggleNet as we enter the very spooky month of October. Why not kick start the celebrations and decorating with a little Potter DIY? Today, we’re going to help you with creating your very own potion bottles! Here’s a list of what you’ll need, but feel free add more or less — use your imagination!

What you’ll need:

Bottles (can be store-bought or recycled; recycled preferred)

Paints and brushes

Hot glue gun or puffy paint

Cotton balls or sponge

Optional: Twine, sticker labels, etc.

Directions:

Step 1: Decide how you want your labels to look. You can leave labels on, rip them to make them appear worn, or peel them off entirely. If you don’t like how the original labels are shaped, or there are no labels, you can purchase stick-on ones. If you want an antique bottle look, use hot glue or puffy paint to create a 3D label on the glass.

Step 2: Paint over the label. If you used hot glue or paint in the previous step, make sure it has completely cooled or dried before painting. Use neutral colors to give an earthy, vintage feel. You might have to give them a few coats of paint to look right. If you bought your own labels, staining with tea or coffee always looks (and smells) good! Let the labels dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Paint the bottle itself. This step is interchangeable with step 2, or can be skipped entirely, depending on how you want your potion to look. Use a brush or cotton ball to apply paint ― use different application tools for different effects. Let everything dry before continuing.

Step 4: Decorate labels with your favorite potion names and maybe a few hand-painted images or extra details. Get creative!

Step 5: Add the finishing touches. Use cotton balls to make foam or even little bezoars to put into a jar. Wrap twine around the necks. Add glitter, puffy paint, liquids in the bottles, or whatever you feel like! Let nothing hold you back.

And voilà! You’ve done it! You’ve created your very own potion bottles. Use them as decorations at your Potter-themed party this Halloween, or maybe you just want to keep them up year-round ― we won’t judge you. However, we would like to see what you’ve created, so show us your creations in the comments below!