Create Upcycled Halloween Planters Using Leftover Creepy-Crawly Toys
Toy worms, bats and spiders are put to good use in this arguably super-cute, Halloween embossed planter.
Nikk Alcaraz
If the kids get all the candy after the Halloween haul, that leaves you with those tiny toy insects no one ever really asked for. But food artist and content creator Nikk Alcaraz has the perfect peculiar DIY for using those creepy-crawly toys to make embossed terra-cotta planters for the moodiest of all displays.
Nikk Alcaraz
Materials + Tools
- 3 small terra-cotta pots
- toy insects and bats
- baking soda
- black latex paint
- school glue
- paintbrush
- low-temp hot glue gun
- matte acrylic spray
1. Glue Toys
Round up plastic insects (Image 1). Then take one plastic insect and add a line of hot glue from a low-temp hot glue gun (Image 2). While hot, place the insect on the terra-cotta pot and hold for a few seconds (Image 3). Note: The toy won’t be completely glued, it will just stick in place.
Nikk Alcaraz
Nikk Alcaraz
Nikk Alcaraz
2. Make Paste
In a small dish, mix black latex paint, baking soda and school glue together to create a paste (Image 1). Tip: This works best with latex house paint, and you can get cheap samples of any color at most hardware stores. Use a paintbrush to paint the black paste on and around the toy (Image 2) and fill in any gaps between the insect and the pot (Image 3). Paint the entire pot and let dry for 8-10 minutes. Use a dry paintbrush to knock off any excess.
Nikk Alcaraz
Nikk Alcaraz
Nikk Alcaraz
3. Paint + Spray + Enjoy
In another dish, mix black latex paint and baking soda together until a paintable consistency forms (Image 1), and paint two more coats onto the pots. Let dry completely. Finally, spray the pots with matte acrylic protective spray. Add real or artificial plants and enjoy the creepy-crawly planters on your favorite bookshelf (Image 2).
Nikk Alcaraz
Nikk Alcaraz
Peculiar Projects From Nikk Alcaraz
Nikk Alcaraz is a DIY and food artist based in Los Angeles, California and founder of Practical Peculiarities, a creative hub for all peculiar food and crafts.
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