How to Make Spooky DIY Halloween Decor (Quick Overview)
To make this spooky Halloween decor, prime thrifted glass vases white, then hand paint black stripes and checkerboard patterns with acrylic paint. For the matching black roses, hot glue ping pong ball eyeballs into faux black roses. It is a cheap, beginner friendly project made mostly from thrift and dollar store finds. Here is how I did it.
You’ve probably seen these glass vases everywhere. They’re a standard size and shape that you can get from any florist or grocery store. I picked up mine at the local thrift store for 99 cents each!
When I got them home, I washed them out, let them dry and then sprayed them with white spray primer.
After that I used black acrylic paint and small paint brushes to paint on the stripes and the checkerboard patterns. I used a colored pencil to draw the outline before painting.
You could seal them after, but I didn’t bother since this is just seasonal decor.
Next, I took some faux black roses and glued in some ping pong ball eyeballs with a hot glue gun.
And that’s it! Super easy and fun project to add to your Halloween decor!
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me pay for operating costs for the blog and are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!
Here is everything you need to make your own:
- Thrifted Vases (striped vase, checkerboard vase)
- White Spray Primer
- Black Acrylic Paint
- Paint Brushes
- Faux Black Roses
- Ping Pong Ball Eyeballs
- Hot Glue Gun
- Hot Glue Sticks
Painted Vases and Eyeball Roses FAQs
How much does this Halloween decor cost to make?
Very little. I found my vases at the thrift store for 99 cents each, and the roses, eyeballs, paint, and glue are inexpensive dollar store or craft store finds. It is one of the cheapest ways to add custom Halloween decor.
What paint sticks to glass vases?
Prime the glass first with a white spray primer, then paint your design with black acrylic paint. The primer gives the acrylic something to grip so it does not slide or chip off the smooth glass.
Do I need to seal the painted vases?
It is optional. For seasonal decor that lives on a shelf, I skipped sealing. If you want extra durability or plan to handle them a lot, a clear sealer spray will protect the paint.
How do you make the eyeball black roses?
Take faux black roses and hot glue a ping pong ball eyeball into the center of each bloom. That is it. The contrast of the eyeballs against the black petals is what makes them creepy.
Is this a good beginner craft?
Yes. Draw your stripes or checkerboard with a colored pencil first so you have a guide, then fill it in. If you can paint between the lines and use a hot glue gun, you can make this.
That’s it! Until next week, happy DIY-ing!
-Selene Builds Things
About the author: I’m Selene Teitelbaum, the DIYer behind Selene Builds Things. I share seasonal crafts, home projects, and beginner friendly tutorials so anyone can make something they are proud of. More about me.
