Potions & Spell Labels & Halloween Cards, Oh My!

I have been having so much fun behind the scenes here.  I have been non-stop busy as a bee and delighted to be able to finally be at the show and tell step of my little one woman mad house...

There are two parts to what I have to share.  The first one being...

 

 Hauntingly exciting pigment ink sticker labels that I designed for your very own spell ingredients...

 

In my Shop you will find a set of 10 pre-cut jar labels...

      

Because the labels are printed with pigment ink, if they get water droplets sprinkled on them they will not run or bleed.

I have been having so much fun with these...

      

For the most part, I used regular old jars that were in a box headed for recycling.  A little hot glue and other supplies and voila! Your own Shoppe of Spells ;)

      

   

Before I show you some of my jar tricks - I want to show you the new cards that can now be found in my shop as well.  Cards for the enchanted autumnal season that looms...

        

The back sides are quite fun.  Take a peek in my shopling for more details about each one...

Now, how about some magic?

      

Soooo, let's get started with some ideas for decorating your lids and filling the jars with their ingredients... (of course, these jars are intended to be made "just for fun")

The first thing I did was choose my jars, and then peel and stick my labels onto them...

      

I like to put on some of my labels without care, so they get a few crinkly creases.  You can then smooth the creases out with a burnishing tool or a popsicle stick.  It gives an authentic flair to the label...

      

The next thing to do is to find some paper of your choice to top your jars.  I happen to wash out all of my disposable coffee filters after I use them.  I like to keep them around for wrist corsage making and such.

In this case, they work beautifully with their coffee stains.  I do believe that brown paper lunch bags would work nicely as well.

      

The next thing I am going to do is to put some hot glue on my jar lid.  Please remember the metal lid and the jar's glass will get super HOT. 

I use a popsicle stick instead of my fingers...

 

   

The wonderful thing about hot glue and coffee filters is that, the glue ends up looking like beeswax paste through the filter.  Very old world authentic looking in my opinion...

 

        

You can singe the edges of your paper for a spooky effect (adults should only do this part, and with great caution).

      

You can tie twine or bits of rope around your jar, and if you have letter sealing wax and a metal stamp, you can add some to the front of your rope tie.  (see above in "Dragon's Breath" image) 

 

How about the super fun part about what sort of things to put in your jars???  In the poison jar above I used a tablespoon of soy sauce, water and some sprigs of rosemary. 

      

Something edible, in case someone decides to open it and drink. YIKES!

But what about ideas for mermaid hair and more?

      

You can use a multitude of fibers you might have lying around.  The best thing is to be inventive with things you can find out in the yard ;)

 Rope bits worked wonderfully for mermaid hair...

      

Fake butterflies and moss make me smile in the Butterfly Kisses Jar...

 

For your Wool of Bat jar, just take black feathers apart and smoosh them up with your fingers...

   

The jars start looking more like a witch's apothecary shelf with every ingredient...

   

You can use fancy apothecary jars if you wish.  Just know, any kind of jar can be made to look magical ;)

For Eye of Newt, I would have used tapioca balls if I had had them.  Instead I used some seeds that looked veiny.  Anything round, mixed with a little water and dirt, does the trick in my book...

      

Did you know that the best ingredient for your spells is...

Ear of Troll !?!

      

Speaking of trolls.  I went trolling around the composte heap today for this ingredient. 

A perfect troll's ear!

      

Okay okay, it isn't a "real" troll's ear ~ don't get your extra ruffled knickers in a twist ;)  But it is a genuine dried out moldy cantaloupe skin, with some dried leaf embedded in it.  I found that dried avocado skin halves and dried orange peel works too.  Just rub the orange peel in the dirt a little before it dries ;)

Oh and one of my faves!  A discovery made by accident last year!  How do you make dragon's breath???

      

Simply cut a few hearty weeds and stuff them in your jar.  Seal your jar tightly, and in minutes, you will have a steamed up jar!  

Also, I have included 2 "potion" labels with a blank number, for any curious ideas that pop into a person's head...

As for the "Magic Spell" jar. 

      

I think this is a fun jar to fill with sparkles, maybe a key and a spooky old tin type photo.  A few vintage beads will work too.  Oh, and of course, flower petals to bind your spell ;)

      

So, there you have it!  There is magic spell making (of the fun and not real variety) waiting for you.  Your very own Witch's Spell Apothecary Shoppe...

Lots of free tips for your jar making.  All you have to do is pick up your labels in my wee shop ;) and I will ship them out right away. 

   

My first spell below (of the photo shopped variety)... Bwahahaaaa!

   

I know it's feels early for spooksville, but really, it isn't that early.  We only get Halloween once a year, right?

Let the season of magical enchantment and haunting adventures pour in!

 

My banana bread is ready!  Must be off for now ;)  See you sooooooon!  This is going to be a super fun holiday season!  I can feel it already! ;)

♥,V

 

ps:  Ooops, almost forgot.  The Curious Playroom - Land of Enchantment, is also now in postcard form as well as canvas print...  In my shop.

 

pss:  Potions labels and spell ingredient jars are intended to be used merely for "make believe" purposes. 

psss:  Mad Tea Party love (and a little interview) over at the lovely, IloveLolliBlog...

Comments

[Elizabeth]

These are fabulous! I've been having so much fun making things and today we spent three hours trolling the country side for berries and stuff. I'm so glad I got to participate this year

[LiLi M.]

I love this! I was already thinking of making a miniature chest with potions, but why not try the real thing like you did? Thanks for inspiration!

[Kitty]

Such a great idea. Thanks for the detailed instructions. Your labels are great! Halloween will be here before we know it...

:)
Kitty

[Maggi]

How fun! I love the endless possibilities of these jars! The coffee filter and hot glue really have my creative wheels turning...hmmmm...

Have a great day!

[Alison Gibbs]

Oh what fun labels you have created for Halloween
Alison

[daisy]

Love your labels and the ideas to go with them!! Daisy~

[Theresa]

Very exciting and fun ideas! :)

[AForestFrolic]

Those are ridiculously adorable Ms. V! Love your creative self, tee hee...I think I might 'need' those labels and your variety of post cards are spoooooky too. I can't wait for Halloween either, it'll creep up on us and that party of yours....ooooooh I can't wait.

Jamie :)

[Sonia]

V...

Ur imagination amazes me...I always love your ideas.
:)

[Kylee]

Muuuaaaaahhhhh!!

I love them. So creative!! Now I can label all my potions and spells :-) This post has definately sparked my imagination for the day. I have been itching to put out my halloween-ey decorations but hubster says it's too early.....grrrr I say it's never too early...haha

Have a Spooky, Mystical, Enchanting Monday!!

Kylee

[Dawn]

What fun! Thanks for sharing your 'spell' making tips with us! Now I need to go find some jars!

[louise (art and ghosts)]

i dearly love these vanessa! my favourites are mermaid hair and wool of bat! what IS wool of bat????? i want it to be mine!

the pictures are just beautiful. i am now quite dutifully lost in your late midsummer nights dream. xxx

(ps, the trolls ear scares me!)

[Janet]

so much inspiration! as usual of course! love this idea, but not sure where i'd put them. am thinking i may have to clear out my china hutch (it's nothing fancy and no big deal anyway) and just do a halloween vignette there.

oh! and you've already inspired me in another way. i'm altering a book for halloween. started out to be a book of spells, but they were too hard to come up with to do a whole book. so maybe a few spells, some halloween poetry, etc. it's started, but i've a long way to go. what fun!

[Paris Parfait]

These are fantastic! You are so clever and imaginative, dearest V! xoxox

[Lisa]

Beautiful labels - Thank you for the inspiration (I wonder how many Halloween Parties are going to feature gorgeously labeled jars? I have a feeling mine will ;-) ). Headed over to your shop right now to check out your cards....

[Wendy Sice]

You are adorable! I love your ability to get totally into an idea. So inspiring! And BEAUTIFUL pictures. Wendy xxx

[aimee]

That's so cool! Pretty and yet Halloween wonderful. You're a genius.

[Krista Komis]

Incredible!! I've been going nuts over the Martha Stewart Halloween goodies, but yours are 100% better!! Your stuff should be in a movie, seriously. Your labels and jars are so awesome!

[Jane]

What wonderful ideas! We found an old spice rack with bottles and the local SA store and when I saw it I thought magic potions. I can hardly wait for Hallowe'en now.

[Deborah]

LoVe LoVe LoVe!!! All of it! Especially YoU! You are my favorite little Magical Royal Gypsy Elfin Queen in the entire universe. I love your one woman mad house. Please never grow up, just become MORE YOU. Remember, growing old is inevitable; growing up is an option. Alice and I have had our little heads together, scheming a frightful little party...nothing like a photo shoot for quality Mommy-Daughter time! Oh how I adore you (love and respect deeply)!!! Please continue to sprinkle your magic all over this sometimes too serious world. OH! My little brain just called you a phrase reserved for my own children...you are my Joy. **blows kisses and happy smiles** Deborah

[Rhonda Roo]

Bubble bubble toil and-no trouble! Good little witches everywhere will be organized enuf to stir up some fun, thanks to you, Ms. Witchy Poo Veevala-better than Martha Boowarts, you are!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the stickers and Spooktorial! You always know just what my mad lab is missing.....and you will be single handedly responsible for my mail person's busy time this Halloween-those cards ROCK!!
Dr Rootenstein is gonna get busy
XOXOXOXOX

[Bobbypin Bandit]

Hey, Sister from another Mister! These labels are fantastic! Good ideas! Where did you get your clever from?

[Mo'a]

Ooooooo!!! I love them...What do you mean make believe :? You mean this is not the normal stuff that people have around :?
Such fun and great ideas :) You have done it again...you amazing you :) xoxo

[Miss Nightingale]

How gorgeous! I love your work and shall be linking to your blog from mine - exactly the sorts of things my readers would like, I think!

[Sarah]

Hi Vanessa,
Love, love, love this! I read it at lunch time but had no time to comment! The mixture of bottle is beautiful, the way you use your coffee filters and the brilliant contents! So inspiring and fun to read.
Looking forward to more magic soon!
Sarah x

[Lori Anderson]

Love it all, of course~!

[Alix]

Some of us newcomers, who wish they had known about you and your enchantedness long before now, look forward to each new post and are grateful for your regular materialization!

I just bought your jar labels even though, as a graphic artist myself, I know I can make them. I guess I just wanted something from your imagination to be part of my Halloween decor this year. So, thank you. I look forward to receiving them.

Please add me to your Halloween Party list. I'll figure the whole thing out before October 17th, won't I?

Happy Haunting!

[Nats SoulDance]

Miss V, you are so very creative. It's grat to read your posts and be inspired by your minds wanderings. Generally we Brits don't embrace Halloween as much as our US cousins but this has got me in the mood and looks a hell a fun.
Besos x

[Shell]

This gives me such a sweet Halloween feeling. I love your Jars they look authentic. Here are some other with labels like Mermaid's Tears, Dragon's Heart, Faeries' breath..how you translate into a jar..i have to think on that.
Have a beautiful day, my friend.

[sadira]

Ohhh...simply enchanting V...I adore the labels! I have been thinking along the same lines, but have yet to move towards making them...a little kick in the knickers I say!

[Junie Moon]

The labels are absolutely wonderful and I quick popped over and ordered a set. Thank you for the labels as well as the tips for using them.

[karen cox]

Vanessa, This is so adorable. I love it, and I know all the Halloween loving folk will too. I love your ideas of what to put inside too. Lisa Kettell would love these. Looks like you are in a Halloweeny mood.

Karen

[Carl V.]

Love the postcards! So much so I had to give into temptation and order a set immediately! Yay!!! I cannot wait to see them in person.

[Jaime Compton]

Delightfully frightful, just love all of those labels! Had so much fun looking at the array of jars. I think my fav. is mermaid hair. What a fab idea!

www.hjcompton270.blogspot.com

[dee]

wonderful labels, looks like you really had fun!

[Misha/DawaiOser]

(OHWOWOHWOW) - which means "OH WOW!" This is my favorite entry of yours. I love these and the bits of oddity inside each jar. <3

[icantsew]

i have said this before but...
YOU TOTALLY ROCK!!!
%*_*%
p.s got my gift in the mail yesterday...thanks ever so much, will post about it soon

[Betzie]

These jars are just awesome and so so inspiring. Thanks so very much for sharing Vanessa, you are such a sweet, generous spirit.
I LOVE these and now I won't be able to throw out my old coffee filters ever again!!! xoxo

[Cait]

These are toooo fun! I love all the inventive ingredients! You are so good and 'making do' and making pretty.

[YSLGuy]

These labels (and what you did with them) are amazing. You are so creative, I love it.

I adored browsing your shop

[marjorie]

Oh!! Just what I've been after, Dearest little witchling!! tee hee!!

I've been searching for wool of bat and mermaid hair for ever so long.....a special little recipe, you see.....so hard to come by these days, those frogs and toad and things!! ;)

cackle cackle, indeed!!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

You really are filled with magic, you know that don't you? Those are delightful.
Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing a bit of your pixie dust with the rest of us!
Enjoy the day!
xo
Erin

[Crystal]

What fun! These are so perfect - I have a little wizard lab/witches apothecary setup in my foyer with a bunch of unlabeled bottles. I've always wanted to get some labels just like these for them. Picked up my labels from your shop. I adore them and I can't wait to get them on my bottles ^.^

[suzy]

Amazing. So glad to find you!

[SueAnn]

Love the labels and the post cards. I am setting up my "set" as we speak. Already started the photo shoot!! LOL!! Can't wait for the party to begin!
Hugging you'
SueAnn

[Stephanie]

Such great tips here...the hot glue and coffee filters...hmmmm, may have to play around with that one!

x..x

[Amada Lebel]

Love your labels they are getting my creative juices going- what can I find in my compost heap? Moldy, shriveled things I presume. Thanks for the inspiration.
Amada

[ylva]

hello there ms v :). i took long break from the computer, just to enjoy the summer to the fullest, but you know what? i missed your blog :). i have been sitting here for a long time now, just catching up and it's all just so very enchanting. so many pretty pictures and lovely thoughts. i'm constantly amazed by how you can make just about anything beautiful. it's a true gift ;). i think i'm a whimp though, because i love the butterfly kisses and mermaid hair while i find the rest too scary. but beautiful anyway of course ;).

so happy to "see" you again :)!

[Teresa in California]

Oh! This is so much fun, Vanessa! What wonderful spooky labels and fun finding the ingredients! Thank you for all of your awesome 'tricky treat' ideas!
Looks like you had a 'frightfully ghoulish' time doing all of this! And your new cards are to 'die' for!
Happy Spooking!
Teresa

[Moonfairy]

I love you magical labels, so very very spooky and whimsical :)