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

[Claire]

Hello, this is a wonderful idea! I hope you don't mind but I have blogged about this post:

http://shyshoegazer.blogspot.com/2009/09/slime-and-snails-and-puppy-dog-tails.html

xx

[MyThoughtsMyVoice]

ONly you . . . only you Miss Vanessa can concoct such spells :-) I wonder what magic lies ahead :-) I hope nothing really really spooky :-)

[Jen]

Wow these are amazing. You are very inspiring, thank you!

[gillian from the sweet indigo life~~~~]

Oh wow
I love
*Ear of Troll* soup!

With a side of *Dragon's Breath*. Straight up for, me, I'm no sissy.

I LOVE these so much...you make Hallowe'en the funnest!! Indeedie doodlie!!! x
o
x
o
x
o
x
!
!
!
!

[Isa]

You are just the most wonderfully creative and magical person. This is fabulous.
xo Isa

[Lisa]

Your labels are ever SO grand and your ingredients are very clever indeed!!

I love saving coffee filters, they can be used for so many things AND sewn on too!

You're always thinking my friend!!!
Love,L
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[Cassandra]

love love love all the pretties in this post

[Martha]

Miss Vanessa, I just bought your fun labels, and I can't wait to use them. I'm collecting bottles, drying coffee filters, and looking at plants in a whole new way. Yippeee something for me!
~Martha

[Melissa]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these...you're amazing! So beautiful and whimsical!

[tweets2457@aol.com]

I love your potion bottles! It does seem the time for Halloween, doesn't it? We are in the mood to bring out some spookiness. We are looking forward to your Halloween party! Twyla

[tristanrobin]

I love those labels!!! What perfect ways to package Halloween gifts!

[Michelle Schafer]

Vanessa, these new labels are just freaking awesome! I absolutely love them and must have some! LOL Hope all is well and looking forward to your Halloween Magical Party! WHOOOHOOOO Have a wonderful weekend and keep creating your magic!
Cheers!

[Gabriela]

Miss Vanessa,

These labels and jars are fabulous!

~ Gabriela ~

[Molly @ A Bit O' Shine]

These are fantastic! Your ear of troll is very clever - it looks just what I'd imagine a troll's ear to look like. Blechhh.

The dragon's breath is enchanting and the coffee filter idea is genius. I love it when you can make fun things out of garbage.

I made some faery wings and faery eggs for my halloween ingredients if you've a moment to come and see: http://mollythepirate.blogspot.com/2009/08/summer-dreams-and-faery-wings.html

[Lorraine lewis]

Wow, I love your blog and your jars are the coolest thing ever- thank you for sharing your great ideas!

[somepinkflowers]

♥

only YOu would help us
learn the Ways
of making Dragon's Breath.

:-)

this is One reason
i come over here------>

you Know Things
and i do thank you for it ♥♥♥

[Alice]

How cool! I can use these for our annual church halloween party! Great ideas too!

[Katrine K]

What a wonderful inspirational post you`ve made, those lovely stickers and great ideas, made me glad to read and see...

[Lynda]

COOL :) Halloween is my favorite holiday! My house would already be totally covered (with probably no walking room) if I could afford to buy all the halloween stuff I wanted. Your blog is one of my favorite reads. You are like the "super awesome" version of Martha Stewart! lol...Have a good day!

[heididevlin]

Good Morning Vanessa, Your blog is so amazingly imaginative & just so lovely to read!....What a treat it is to visit!.....Heidi XO

[David Everett]

Wonderful post! Great creativity...and wonderful photography!

[pam aries]

poison and Spells.. sweet fairy bells..goblins and witches..drunken toads falling in ditches...bones clinking and cauldrons stinking....ahhh such a deadly list...all in the name of a Fanciful Twist~~~a poem by the Witchest gal in the WEst or maybe South

[Pixie]

Oh, I wish I had a compost heap! lol...that is the nicest trolls ear I think I've ever seen! You are so creative. I look forward to new posts each day...but no pressure!

Thanks for the tips on making the jars. I love them!

[Sherry B]

Oh how wonderful!

[natalea]

I can't take the creativity! I'm always so blown away! I'm off to buy my labels and try to create some magic! xoxox natalea

[Emma]

I'm in love with all of these!!!

[Teri]

I think I may have completely fallen under your blog spell... I am in love with it! I found you through another blog on a rainy day and Halloween is my favorite holiday EVER! I hope you do have room for one more faithful follower!!!! Great photos!!!! Great story... and project!

[Keisha-Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams]

This is so cool! I'm going to have to post a link to your blog on my party blog. I love the idea of just going in the back yard and making potions and spells! How cool!

[Chris]

So pretty!
I will have to work on my jar collection. The labels look so great on them! Plus, that dragon's breath! neato!

[Jess Satnick]

I think you are so amazing.

truly amazing!!

thank you for sharing yourself to all of us lucky enough to read you blog...

~jess

[Hannah C]

oh, how i love these labels! i had to share them with my blog, so i linked this today! thanks for the beautiful, spooky product!

[Green Family Blog]

These are such great ideas for Halloween potions! Great work... Check out our article on creative homemade potions made from recycled light bulbs;

http://www.oureverydayearth.com/2009/10/16/creative-homemade-halloween-potions/

[Dot]

I think everything on this website is wonderful. One question, where do you find the time?

[Lizbeth]

So i discovered your blog while searching for pictures from the mad hatter in alice in wonderland, and I am very glad i did. Your little creations are absolutely lovely, i fell completely in love with them.
Keep up the good work. :)

[samantha]

hi my name is samantha and i wanted to know if there is a postins to make me in to a maermaid if there is i was hoping you couid give it to me thank you for your time

[claween wolf]

great sight im a hallows eve expurt and this is a page that has like blone me away i prufer spells but this is much easyer and more amazing it makes me want to wage my tail and howl im a clean exspeller you know not black magic but this is just great to conclude my comment this is for you stars
hooooooooooowwwwwwwwllllll
:) signed clawdeen wolf

not a real wolf ?!

[claween wolf]

ok if you know me and have already read my last comment this is awsome iread some more and its so c0000l my tail is still waging
i believe everyone has the side of them with a monster or postion like spell or act my fav monster is the wolf aka waerewolf
i read a legand and here it goes

a master once told his butler go hunt me a fruroshis beast and in return ill bring you great happyness and all aloong the wife was in the kitchen cooking as the butler leaves on his great hunt the wife desides to go to town the butler returned with the paw of a wolf as he ran through the kitchen to tell his great master that he hath found the beast the master and wife were morning and the butler spotted the wifes missing hand she admitted that she was indeed a were wolf and they had to kill her at town cross a riliges cross in the middle of a circle of wild black and puple roses the butler and the master ate the roses and burnt the masters wife a tear roll down each cheak in unison the howl town starred

clawdeen wolf

real wolf am i ?!

[claween wolf]

hoooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwllllllll

[Amy Reese]

This was the most perfect post for spell bottles! The tutorial is so wonderful to the follow and the images are amazing. Thank you!

[ruedevamp]

featured these on my blog today. thanks

[human pheromones]

Well, perfume products is a human attractions but of course if the love potion help a lot,why not using it. Thank you so much for sharing so informative. lol

cletsey

[Paulette Winch]

This is the best sight I have come across. Suits my mind thoughts 'down to the ground'.
I love the ideas, menues, verses etc. I 'do' halloween every year, my friends,and now their friends can't wait each year for Halloween to come around. Thanks heaps

[Marley Ungaro]

Thanks for sharing! Looking for more ideas for my son's gothic castle dollhouse's wizard's room (his Christmas present is going to be a homemade HUGE castle dollhouse)...thanks!

XOXO, Marley Ungaro
www.mungaro.com