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 archival 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…
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
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!
Such a great idea. Thanks for the detailed instructions. Your labels are great! Halloween will be here before we know it…
🙂
Kitty
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!
Oh what fun labels you have created for Halloween
Alison
Love your labels and the ideas to go with them!! Daisy~
Very exciting and fun ideas! 🙂
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 🙂
V…
Ur imagination amazes me…I always love your ideas.
🙂
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
What fun! Thanks for sharing your ‘spell’ making tips with us! Now I need to go find some jars!
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!)
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!
These are fantastic! You are so clever and imaginative, dearest V! xoxox
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….
You are adorable! I love your ability to get totally into an idea. So inspiring! And BEAUTIFUL pictures. Wendy xxx
That’s so cool! Pretty and yet Halloween wonderful. You’re a genius.
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!
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.
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
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
Hey, Sister from another Mister! These labels are fantastic! Good ideas! Where did you get your clever from?
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
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!
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
Love it all, of course~!
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!
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
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
http://www.hjcompton270.blogspot.com
wonderful labels, looks like you really had fun!
(OHWOWOHWOW) – which means “OH WOW!” This is my favorite entry of yours. I love these and the bits of oddity inside each jar. <3
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
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
These are toooo fun! I love all the inventive ingredients! You are so good and ‘making do’ and making pretty.
These labels (and what you did with them) are amazing. You are so creative, I love it.
I adored browsing your shop
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!!
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
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 ^.^
Amazing. So glad to find you!
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
Such great tips here…the hot glue and coffee filters…hmmmm, may have to play around with that one!
x..x
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
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 :)!
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
I love you magical labels, so very very spooky and whimsical 🙂
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
ONly you . . . only you Miss Vanessa can concoct such spells 🙂 I wonder what magic lies ahead 🙂 I hope nothing really really spooky 🙂
Wow these are amazing. You are very inspiring, thank you!
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
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You are just the most wonderfully creative and magical person. This is fabulous.
xo Isa
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
love love love all the pretties in this post
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
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these…you’re amazing! So beautiful and whimsical!
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
I love those labels!!! What perfect ways to package Halloween gifts!
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!
Miss Vanessa,
These labels and jars are fabulous!
~ Gabriela ~
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
Wow, I love your blog and your jars are the coolest thing ever- thank you for sharing your great ideas!
🖤
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 🖤🖤🖤
How cool! I can use these for our annual church halloween party! Great ideas too!
What a wonderful inspirational post you`ve made, those lovely stickers and great ideas, made me glad to read and see…
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!
Good Morning Vanessa, Your blog is so amazingly imaginative & just so lovely to read!….What a treat it is to visit!…..Heidi XO
Wonderful post! Great creativity…and wonderful photography!
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
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!
Oh how wonderful!
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
I’m in love with all of these!!!
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!
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!
So pretty!
I will have to work on my jar collection. The labels look so great on them! Plus, that dragon’s breath! neato!
I think you are so amazing.
truly amazing!!
thank you for sharing yourself to all of us lucky enough to read you blog…
~jess
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!
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/
I think everything on this website is wonderful. One question, where do you find the time?
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. 🙂
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
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 ?!
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 ?!
hoooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwllllllll
This was the most perfect post for spell bottles! The tutorial is so wonderful to the follow and the images are amazing. Thank you!
featured these on my blog today. thanks
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
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
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
http://www.mungaro.com
Great ideas. I just moved and have a ‘magical’ desk area. I can’t wait to decorate using these and wine bottles!
My Dragon’s Breath isn’t working. Any tips?
I love your designs!
Can you tell me what font the Star Dust label is in as I’d like to use it
for my Harry Potter school project?
thank you
This article is so good. I’ve been troubled for several days with this topic.
https://juarampo.co/
But by chance looking at your post solved my problem! I will leave my blog, so when would you like to visit it?