Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Creepy Specimen Jars and a Tutorial

Martha Stewart

True confession- I have a thing for creepy looking specimen jars at Halloween. Whether it's body parts, insects, or some sort of mutant rodent- they are by far my favorite kind of Halloween decoration. 


Martha Stewart

Leave it to  Martha Stewart to make specimen jars chic! It was years ago that I saw a feature in one of her magazines (presumably one of her October issues) where she had skeletal hands under a cake dome and severed fingers in small trinket boxes- it's all quite morbid but add some glitter and it kind of makes it less edgy, right?


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There is something mysterious about them!


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Admit it - you are looking at these and wondering what the heck are they!


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Martha Stewart

They don't have to be creepy to be interesting. Here plants and tinted liquid are used to give it an ominous look.


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Last week  I posted this pic as part of a Halloween decorating post .

Here is my very simple, family-fun version:

Supplies Needed: 
Jars
Spray paint
Creepy insects
Sticks
Moss



Step 1
(Optional)
Spray paint the sticks (I used silver and white)
Spray paint the creepy crawly things.



Step 2
Spray paint lids.
When dry, glue moss into the inside of each lid.



Step 3
Glue creepy crawlers to sticks that have been broken down to fit within the jars.



Step 4
Carefully screw the lids on.


Step 5
Sit back and be creeped out!




The kids thought it would be fun to glue spiders onto the outside of the jar "so people would think that they escaped" oooh, scary!




Here is one more for inspiration.


I like the specimen jars with liquid in them better- I guess that's the next project!
Either way, this is a very fun project for the kids.
Pretty creepy, huh?


14 comments:

  1. Holy smokes I LOVE THIS! I may have to make a few and try to sell them at the booth. Thanks for sharing - these are great!!!!

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  2. I love this post! Call me weird, but I love seeing these kind of creepy Halloween decorations, too! These are so fun and intriguing at the same time. I love the skeletons in the jar and your creepy insect project as well.

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  3. These look awesome. I love Halloween!

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  4. Totally fabulous. I have used old apothecary jars and chemistry equipment as decoration for years. Gives a sort of geek nerd feel to my bathroom.

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  5. Yep, yep! Creepy!! I was eating a cookie (like a kid, I know!!!) and I didn't really enjoy seeing that brain!!! LOL

    But this is fun! My kids would love this kind of thing around the house. But just for Halloween! :-)

    Have a great day and thank you so much for your sweet comment!

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  6. This is awesome. I love those skulls near the top.

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  7. Creepy but so fun - especially for the kiddos. Do you watch Modern Family? They did a knockout Halloween episode last season - I'm hoping for another good one this season.

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  8. Gross!! My son will love these so thanks for the tutorial:)

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  9. so glad for the tutorial--my kids will absolutely love this!

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  10. Woah, these are totally cool! Your kids must have had so much fun, definitely encourages imagination!!! I really like the inspiration pic with the tinted liquid and plant specimens. They could look great with some funky labels too...like newt brains or whatever;)

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  11. I am so laughing, you really like your holidays don't you? I bet your kids think they have the coolest Mom around! Fun and scary....

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