Unleashing Creativity: A DIY Craft

How to make a witchy potion

If you are a crafting wizard, you've come to the right place. Today, I'm taking you on a magical journey about how to create your own decorative potion. Note: this cannot be ingested. It is only to sit upon a shelf and give you joy. This craft is where you finally say, "Now I can put those random items I saved to good use." My mother had always loved crafts, so everything I used to create these potions, I found around the house. However, if you don't have these items readily on hand, they can be easily accessed at any store.

Items you'll need:

• A glass bottle (I used a flower vase)

• Food coloring

• Water

• Rubbing alcohol

• Mica powder or old sparkly makeup

• Fake flowers

• Hot glue

• Cork (I used a wine cork)

• A metal chain

• Charms

• Twine

• Wax or acrylic paint

• Scissors

Let's get started. First you will fill your bottle a little over halfway with water. Then measure 1tsp. of rubbing alcohol and dump that in the water. Next, scoop out a heap of mica powder or sparkly makeup in the mixture. I know that sounds a bit funny. The correct way to make these potions is using mica powder, but I didn't have that at home. After a little research, I found out mica powder is often used in makeup. So, I had the idea to put my old makeup to use. I found an old eyeshadow pallet and scooped it in there. It worked out pretty well! After you dump the mica powder in there, give it a stir with a stirring stick. Next, you'll want to choose what color you want your potion to be. I ended up mixing blue and green food coloring to give it a dark and moody feel. Only put 2-3 drops of each color. Now give that another stir, make sure it's all mixed up. Lastly, for the mixture, add your fake flowers. I had a couple white flowers on hand, but any will do. I say more flowers, the better. Then you can see a flower no matter what angle you look at it. If you want your potion to be fuller, top it off with water, but be careful to leave room for a cork to go in the top. Now, it's time to decorate your bottle. Start with cutting down the cork, until it fits in the neck of your bottle. I just hacked away at mine with scissors until it fit. Then, put lots of hot glue on the cork and shove it in the bottle's neck. Make sure to hold it in place for a couple of minutes to dry. Once it is sturdily in place, move on to the twine. Wrap it tightly around the neck of the bottle and secure the end with hot glue. If your twine seems fuzzy, take some scissors and give it a trim. Now it's time for the final touches. Take your chain and fasten your charm to it using pliers. If you want a certain design with your chain, add some drops of hot glue to make it stay in place. Once you are happy with its placement, it's time for the dripping effect on the cork. I think this really pulls it all together. It makes the potion feel authentic and as though you personally pulled it from a witch's shelf. Now, I didn't have any wax on hand, so I thought of what I could use. Turns out acrylic paint gives the exact same effect as wax, although it took more intentional details. If you are using wax, just pour it on the top of the cork and let it drip down. But if you are using acrylic paint like me, you'll want to add a giant glop on the top and take a paint brush to help guide the paint down the side of the cork. I used a LOT of black paint because I knew it would thin when dry. Then I creatively made drips by hand. It gave the same effect as the wax! Once you make the drips, let it dry overnight. By the morning, you'll have a perfectly witchy potion! I hope you create a potion of your own. It's a great craft that doesn't have to be just for Halloween. You can be a little witchy all year round. This is also fun for any age. I made one with my 10-year-old sister and she absolutely LOVED it. If you do make one, I'd love to see it. Don't be shy, send me a pic of your potion in the "Contact" form. Happy creating!