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?

Decorating for Halloween

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If you haven't started decorating for Halloween yet, these images will inspire you! My youngest was born on Halloween and of course we have a big celebration, so I like to do some fun and festive decorating. 

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Isn't this owl grand?

 I absolutely love it, am inspired by it and must create something similar to it!

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The mantle is one of my favorite places to decorate for Halloween. 

When I get mine done I will share it with you.

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I don't know if white pumpkins are a product of genetic modification- but if they are, what a great success!

I think they are incredible- not to replace orange pumpkins but as a compliment to them. They are amazing!

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Every year, the kids and I do a Halloween project. 

This is what we will be taking on this year and I'll put together a tutorial for you. We are collecting our jars -stay tuned for that.

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Use florist foam (available at craft stores) to create these fresh flower pumpkins.

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Another idea that I will use this year- I'm so excited to decorate this year! 

"Honey- get the stuff down from the loft!"

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What do you think of the painted squash skeleton heads? Aren't they cute :)

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A very clever way to decorate a bookcase.

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Of course you need some spooky candles!

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A beautiful and understated fall table setting.

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Hopefully, this year we won't need the fireplace before October 31st!

This is a cute display.

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Absolutely my style -Love, love, love!

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Pumpkin totems are fun. I like these with the stars and moon glowing.

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You know I love birds- even crows (except when they wake me early in the morning with their incessant "caws"). They are a great decoration for Halloween- Poe would agree!

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Cloches make everything look better.

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Notice how the carving matches the wall covering. Details, details!

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This image inspired me so much that I decided to paint some pumpkins of my own and sell them! Thus my infrequent postings as of late. Sorry! 

I'm hoping to have my pumpkins at Village Ace Hardware by the end of the week. 

Baldwinsville store for sure, hopefully, Fayetteville store as well. I'll keep you posted.

Below are a couple of mine

Do you decorate for Halloween?