EEK!
This is “officially” my first post on HowDoesShe and I’m not going to lie, I’m shakin’ in my boots! Working with all these extremely talented ladies can be a tad bit intimidating and, (just between you and me), I’m just fine staying behind the sidelines. So after much persuasion and coersion, (i.e. I had no choice), here I am. 🙂
Halloween is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, sometimes decorating for holidays can be a daunting task if you are stuck in a creative rut. Not to mention, on a tight budget! So, I decided to share a few ideas to hopefully help clear a few of those “cobwebs” you’ve got goin’ on. Warning: These tips are frightfully simple, easy, and inexpensive.
Candy Corn
Decorating with candy can be such an easy way to add a little Halloween spirit! Candy is not only yummy for the tummy but can be used as “eye candy” as well. I chose candy corn because #1: It’s cheap, and #2: I like the bright colors.
When I got my Woman’s Day magazine this month, I just GUSHED over this wreath. It’s gorgeous! But more importantly it looked like something I could really make!
Candy Corn Wreath
Supplies needed:
Styrofoam wreath. (I got mine from a garage sale for .50!) I actually used the straw kind (is that what you call it?) instead of the styrofoam and it worked fine. It was a bit bumpier than the smooth styrofoam but once you get the candy corn on you can’t even tell.
Black duct tape. I used black electric tape instead (because it was cheaper) and it worked great. I found it at the dollar store for $1.
Candy Corn. If you can find the Brach’s on sale then great, if not I used dollar store candy corn and it was fine. (Try to refrain yourself from snacking on them while making it so you will have enough to finish the whole wreath.)
A glue gun.
Patience.
I had so much fun with it, I decided to make a smaller one to hang next to my fireplace.
Cute, right?!
I know what you must be thinking. That’s a LOT of work to go to for something you’re just going to be throwing away. That’s what I thought too. Luckily Woman’s Day has some nifty tips on how to preserve your candy corn before you use it. I used Krylon Preserve It to spray the candy before I started. It takes some extra time but in my opinion is sooo worth it.
Here’s another “spOOktacular” way to use your candy corn. This is my version of a similar tree found at Woman’s Day. This was fun and SO easy to do. I considered spray painting the branches white or black, but I decided I liked the more “rustic” look. Who says candy doesn’t grow on tree’s?
Supplies needed:
Candy Corn ($1 a bag.)
Glue Gun (Try not to burn yourself. It hurts.)
Branches (free!)
Another fun tip for displaying your delectable candy is throw them inside a dish or a candleholder. I just bought a hurricane from the dollar store for (you guessed it) $1, threw my candle on top and VOILA!
Or, you can choose not to put the candles back in, like I did here:
While you’re coming down from your sugar high, try out this next easy tip.
Simply tying a few ribbons here and there can add just that right touch of Halloween charm.
Easiest. Craft. Ever. Yes, I’m calling it a craft.
–
Pumpkins
Of course! What’s Halloween without pumpkins! Can I share a secret with you? (Ok, so it’s not really a secret but work with me here.) 🙂 Get all your pumpkins after Halloween is over. Last year I snagged most of mine at 80% off. They were all a dollar or less!
Throw some in a bin, add some spanish moss and you’ve got a darling centerpiece!
–
SpOOky Artwork
Ok, so not really spooky. I’ve never really been one to decorate with all the blood and guts…frankly because I’m a scaredy-cat. I prefer to stick with more of a cutesy sort of spooky? Can you do that?
Don’t look too closely at my pathetic looking bats. 🙂 Yes, you caught me. I cut them out by hand. I’m not lucky enough to have a Silhouette like SOME of you. 😉 Oh well. Their mangled ears adds character right?
Supplies:
Frame
Newspaper
A Silhouette (Or in my case, scissors.)
Easy Peasy.
–
Spiders
You’ve gotta add some creepy, crawly spiders into the mix. The artwork was beyond easy to make. Grab some scrapbook paper and glue some spiders on! Yup, that’s it! If you want to mod podge your paper that’s fine, but I found that it didn’t make a huge difference.
To create the anthro inspired, Pottery Barn look just grab an apothecary jar, (I got mine at Michael’s with my 40% off coupon) and throw some spiders and spanish moss into the mix.
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Voila! Did you love all my so called ‘crafts?’ The best part….the total cost for everything (ALL the supplies) was around $20!
Did you notice my wreath got moved to the top of my mantle, instead of next to the fireplace? After many failed attempts to try to explain to my daughter that it was not a toy, it got moved UP.
–
Wow, this wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be! (Totally lying.)
I hope I gave a few of you some ideas! Leave some comment love if you’d like. (Pretty please?)
Dawn Chandler says
Love it!! I saw the wreath somewhere in bloglonad before now, but yours is much cuter! Love all the other touches with candy corn too, especially the brances -too cute!! I’m all about frugal so I think you did great! Thanks so much for all of the ideas!
.-= Dawn Chandler´s last blog ..Pictures ARE Worth A Thousand Words Or At Least 210 Words! =-.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says
My gosh! I love the candy corn branches!!!!
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Vanilla cake saved my life =-.
Katherine M says
This is wonderful! I love the candy corn branches and the spider jar! The bats are awesome! I have to make a trip into town today and I’ll be stopping at the craft store for some of that moss! I can’t wait to make some of these cool projects! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!!
LINDA PAYNE says
I loved the ideas. All my decorating this year came from the dollar store. It’s amazing what a couple bucks will do.
Denise says
Great job! I love, love, love the branches!! I am totally into bringing stuff from my yard into my decorating. Can’t wait to see what great ideas you come up with next!
Athienna Calixto says
I just finished my Candy Corn Wreath last week. I jus love it and it was so cheap and easy to make. I love all your easy ideas for those of us who aren’t so crafty but wishing we were.
.-= Athienna Calixto´s last blog ..Smoked Salmon Pate =-.
Kathy says
I’m stopping on my way home tonight to pick up the supplies to make the wreath. So cute! And I love the candy corn with the candles. This is my favorite site! Everyday there’s something new and wonderful. Thank you for all your hard work.
Stephanie@cre8tive says
Finding Fabulous just posted a picture of another blogger who did this wreath, and I love it {and yours too}! I like how you used the candy corn in the vases, too cute.
.-= Stephanie@cre8tive´s last blog ..Master Vanity Renovation =-.
angie says
Adorable! I have a Cricut (and pretend its a silhouette 😉 ha!) and sometimes I think it cuts too “perfect” I love your hand-cut bats! They (and everything else) are absolutely adorable! Congrats on your 1st post! 🙂
leahloo says
Great first post!
I love all the candy corn ideas- especially the wreath! HOW CUTE! And maybe, just maybe, if I have something to craft with all the candy corn I’m given I won’t eat them all. 😉
Marm says
Loved it all! I’m with you on keeping Halloween fun and not gruesome. One question…Did you have to wrap the entire wreath with black tape before gluing the candy corn on top? Would spray paint work?
alysha says
Hey Marm, yes I covered the whole wreath with the tape. I don’t see why you couldn’t use spray paint though?
.-= alysha´s last blog ..Candy Corn- Pumpkins- and Spiders- Oh My! =-.
Celeste says
Looks way cute! I have been taking a stab at things too! I made some really cool art pictures with the gel decorations. Like you, I shop after the holiday and had a lot of cool things to work with for not a lot of money! So fun! Oh, and good job! 🙂
Shelley says
Whooo Hooo! Go Alysha! Seriously, some adorable things here. I can’t wait to make the candy corn branches. Hum,…I wonder how I can keep my 3 year old from eating off the tree? 😉
Nesleirbag says
Hey, Alysha, when you’ve got it, you’ve got it! Clever post with clever, inexpensive ideas! Perfection!
Traci says
The candy corn on the branches are just PERFECT! I love those. And the bats look great too, the should have character! I’m going to try some of these ideas at my house! Thanks!
Caitlin Schmidt says
Great job, Alysha! Awesome ideas. I saw that wreath, too, and LOVED it. Yours turned out so good. Glad to hear how you can preserve the candy corn. That makes sense.
Connie says
You did a GREAT Job!
Ambrosia says
Great job! It all looks amazing!!!
.-= Ambrosia´s last blog ..More Fall Decor =-.
Michelle says
LOVE the easy ideas! After seeing many posts about the candy corn wreath, I now have the courage to attempt one myself this weekend! Thanks!!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Samcom =-.
Leslie says
Totally did some of your creations today and LOVE Them. I just posted on our blog. Thanks for the awesome ideas…can’t wait to see Christmas!
Alysha says
Leslie thanks for the shout out! 🙂 I love how your candy corn tree turned out! You did a great job with all your decorating!
Bree says
Love it!! Definitely going to make some candy cane branches!! Awesome first post! 🙂
Makinzee says
LOL, my flowers and leaves have candy corns in them too and my little one gets so made I won’t give her any (they are really hard–I saved them from last year). Love the branches with candy on it! Super cute ideas!
Janene says
LOVE it – I’m very inspired. I love the smell of Candy Corn and think it’s beautiful…so “fall” 🙂
However, I don’t like to eat it! hehehe
Thanks for sharing
.-= Janene´s last blog ..Prioritizing – its become a priority =-.
Jill Jackson says
Loved all the decorations! They were so simple and yet so fun. I don’t particularly like candy corn but I now have a huge desire to run and buy several bags just for the color they brought. So creative and the crafts were brilliant
christa says
I know this wasn’t at all part of your post-age, but I really love your wedding pic above the mantle. Beautiful! And I like the candy corn in the hurricane glass too…I’m gonna have to go back to the dollar store! 🙂 Thanks!!
.-= christa´s last blog ..Spicy Sausage Fettuccine =-.
Ashley says
I think I just might be able to do these! I love the wreath and candy corn stick-thingys.
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Week 3ish- Homeschooling is its uh well- its =-.
Kat Taylor says
Great first post! The ideas are fun and the price is right. Thank you.
Jessica Jenkins says
Try myvinyldesigns.com – that is where we got the “stuff” to make those clocks for a super saturday.
Cheron Gochenour says
Thanks!
joanne says
i agree with christa, beautiful wedding picture. i love the ideas, and will have to add this to my livingroom. and spiders add a perfect touch of “creepy”
Melissa T says
So many cute ideas – I’m loving all the candy corn!
Melissa
Denise M. says
Alysha…..Great job!!! I LOVE the spider artwork and all of your “spooky” Halloween creations! Youve inspired me. I’m heading to Hobby Lobby after dinner to get some supplies! Thanks for sharing and we will be looking forward to future posts from you! 🙂
Sylvia says
Love your ideas!!! Especially the price tag. 😉 Can’t wait for your next post…you are great at this.
Carrie Preator says
So cute! What an awesome job!
jessica says
You’re such a STUD! I’m so proud of you Alysha! You’re a candy corn maniac – I had no idea!
Garza says
Awesome share! Thank you very much
Jessica Harwood says
Fantastic ideas! I love them! Really makes me want to decorate!
Brianna Van Lierop says
Great Job…Fantastic ideas. Very clever, creative and Savvy just like we like it. Looking forward to your next post.
Smiles~
Bri & Amy
The Savvy Moms Guide
.-= Brianna Van Lierop´s last blog ..Giveaway A Candle & Coffee for a Cause =-.
Dani says
I’m all for “cutesy spooky!”
julie says
Thank you for the fun ideas. I was wondering where you got your spiders?
Alysha says
Julie I got them from Walmart. They come in a pack of 8 for $2. 🙂 Hope this helps!
julie says
thanks…. it helps…
Heather - Chickabug says
FABULOUS first post, Alysha! LOVE your ideas, especially the candy corn branches – SO, SO cute (and budget-friendly too). I’m definitely picking up some candy corn today to make some!
PS. Don’t be shy – you rock! Post again SOON, will ya? : )
.-= Heather – Chickabug´s last blog ..Ice cream sandwiches =-.
Monica says
LOVE this post!!! sooooo creative!
.-= Monica´s last blog ..Halloween Decorations! =-.
SouthernScraps says
Great ideas. Love it all!
TidyMom says
Too cute!! ALL of it!!…….but I think the bats are my favorite!!
Cindy says
I love your “spooky” mantel!! It really does look spooky! I think your bats are very cute ~ why does everything always have to be uniform and “perfect”? Have you ever seen 3 different bats with the same sized/shaped ears?!? I also have a pair of scissors! 🙂
Crystal says
I LOVED all of your ideas! what a quick, easy, fun and CHEAP way to spruce up our house and make it fun for our 2 little kiddos! Thank you for sharing and giving me some well needed inspiration! LOVE IT!!
Stephanie says
you have a gift! love all the great ideas – can’t wait to make some of my own.
Katie says
This is all so lovely! Fall decor is my absolute favorite and I love what you’ve done with all the candy corn!
Deena says
I wandered to your site from a blog link, and I’ll be back for sure. Love these easy ideas to add some holiday flair!
Chris Anderson says
Such fun, darling decorating ideas!! Very clever!!
Jody says
I did the candy corn in glass vases for a BBQ party I had this weekend. HUGE hit except the corn slowly disappeared throughout the night =) I am going to try black and white beans next. I thought Reeses Pieces would be great too but couldnt find any. Thanks for the GREAT tips!!
Carrie says
I’m so glad you linked this to the Spooktacular because the ideas are fantastic! As for the candy corn, I’m not sure I could do those because I have a major sweet tooth and would be too tempted. LOVE the tip on getting pumpkins after Halloween. I’m going to try that this year!
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Halloween Spooktacular- Week One =-.
Michelle says
I loveeee the framed spider. Im going to make this!!!
– Michelle @ Bunch of Craft
Restorative Living says
You’re just too creative!! I love, love it!!
herronali says
I LOVE your ideas!!! AND I LOVE Candy corn!!!! We live in France and don’t have access to candy corn…but if we were in the USA, I’m not sure I could save myself from eating all the candy corn that is needed to make this wonderful decorations! XXX Ali
jen says
Everything is so adorable and seems easy enough. Thanks for sharing some great ideas!
Sarah Weiss says
Where did you find those great spiders? They look much better than the plastic cheapies.
alysha says
Sarah I got the spiders at Wal-Mart, actually. I believe they come in a package of 8 for $2! So, really these are “cheapies” too, but they look so much cuter than some of the other’s I’ve seen 🙂
Jaime says
Love, love, LOVE all the decor! I’m not usually big on decorating for Halloween but with a 4 year old son, I feel almost like it’s a must! For more easy, cheap decorations, I wrote a blog post a couple of Halloweens ago: http://jaime-and-theo.blogspot.com/2008/10/getting-ready-for-halloween.html
.-= Jaime´s last blog ..As seen out of our front door window =-.
Debby Webster says
where do you get the spiders??? they look they have flocked?
alysha says
Debby I got the spiders at (gasp!) Wal-Mart. 🙂
.-= alysha´s last blog ..Bucket O’ Chalk =-.
Shirley L says
I am loving all the candy corn decorations!!! So cute 🙂
Amy Boswell says
Great first post! Don’t stop! You are great at it!!! Especially the economical part! Did you do one line at a time or just branch out from each piece? It looks awesome! Can’t wait to do this! Also – Did you spray the candy corn on both sides? Or, spray them after they were glued on the wreath? Thanks!
alysha says
Hi Amy!
Yes, I sprayed both sides of the candy corn. (Well, I should say TRIED to…I’m sure I missed some.) I sprayed them before I glued them on the wreath, but I’ve also heard that you can mod podge the wreath after the candy corns are glued on. If you decide to spray them beforehand, just follow the instructions on the Krylon Preserve It can for how long to let them sit, ect. Hope this helps!!
Sarah BB says
What great ideas! As much as I love Halloween, I can’t wait to see your ideas for Christmas!
.-= Sarah BB´s last blog ..Confession 4 Age Validation =-.
Jessica Hills says
Just wanted to let you know I am featuring this for FTF this weekend! Stop by and grab a featured button if you would like! Thanks!
.-= Jessica Hills´s last blog ..Pretty Tuesday =-.
alysha says
Wow Jessica, I’m flattered! Thank you for the feature, I can’t wait to see it! I just adore your blog!!
Lisa Kennedy says
Love all the great ideas. I hate candy corn but doesn’t it look pretty when decorating?
Dottie says
I love the candy corn decorations so cute! I can’t wait to try it, thanks!
kyla says
Gorgeous! Love your post! The branches are my fav! So cute!
I think spray paint would work on a straw wreath, but careful with styrofoam-I think it can melt it if you’re not careful.
Everything is just B-E-A youtiful!
Sheri O. says
Hubby just brought home a couple of bags of candy corn that were damaged at the grocery store he runs! I will be adding them to my hurricane candle holder! Gotta love the dollar store!
Diane says
Thanks so much for these simple but effective Halloween decorating tips. I, too, don’t do blood/gore, witches –more of a fall theme so most of these work just great for me. Who can decorate with candy corn without eating? Love it on the tree branches!
Sherri says
You did good, girl. No reason for you to be nervous! Love all the ideas – great job.
.-= Sherri´s last blog ..Bee Pendant Necklace =-.
michaela says
SO adorable! I used a lot of candy corns to decorate our mantel, also! It’s such a fun way to be festive for fall (:
.-= michaela´s last blog ..Its All In The Name =-.
Condo Blues says
I love the candy corn around the candles. But how do you stop yourself from eating all of your decorations?
.-= Condo Blues´s last blog ..My Little Edie Grey Gardens Costume =-.
Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff says
Great work! I love it! Perfect craftsmanship!
.-= Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff´s last blog ..Free Printable Design Happy 1-000 Facebook Fans! =-.
Sandy P. says
You did great with your first blog!!! Love ALL your ideas and will probably do the candycorn on the branches!!! Have a good day and can’t wait til your next blog!!
Alyshia says
Super cute ideas!! I just had to say “Hi”!! Can’t believe you have almost the same exact spelling of your name as I do!
Your Halloween decor looks fantastic!
Alyshia
.-= Alyshia´s last blog ..A Spooky Dining Room =-.
Kaysi @ Keeping It Simple says
I absolutely love these ideas!!!
.-= Kaysi @ Keeping It Simple´s last blog ..Blog Swap- All Things Fee =-.
Karena says
The Candy Corn idea is so fun!! A great project!
I have a Luxurious New Giveaway on my site….Come and enter!!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
.-= Karena´s last blog ..Luxurious 300 Giveaway from Metis Linens =-.
Ali says
I’m loving those branches! I think I will combine them with the vase of candy corn for great centerpieces.
Allison @ House of Hepworths says
I love all your decorations!
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
alysha says
Wowwy! You ladies sure know how to make a gal feel good! Thank you for all your sweet comments. 🙂
-Alysha
Rachelle says
Ok, I am so NOT a crafter, but I think I could actually pull this off! So simple, yet absolutely adorable! Thanks for the super cute ideas!
Elizabeth Jensen says
Hi Alysha,
I hope you are having a good day today! My name is Elizabeth Jensen and I am the assistant Holidays Web editor at Better Homes and Gardens. I am contacting you because I was looking through Beth’s Halloween Mantel Linky Party (http://www.thestoriesofa2z.com/2010/10/halloween-mantel-linky-party.html) and absolutely loved the images you posted of yours! I am currently working on creating a fresh slideshow on Halloween crafts and mantels to feature on BHG.com during the 2011 holiday season and would love to include yours. We would include an image of your mantel, a description and tips on how our readers can replicate it, and of course, give designer credit to you.
If this is something you are interested in I just need you to send me a hi-res version of the image of your candy corn wreath(300 dpi or better), your phone number, primary email address and mailing address. Then, our editorial assistant will follow-up with a form for you to sign so that we can share your image.
A few tips I’d like to include with your mantel:
• Steps to making candy corn wreath.
• Is there anything else you created that you could share tips on?
•Is there anything else/other mantel tips you’d like to share with our readers?
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns! I look forward to hearing from you.
Elizabeth Jensen
Assistant Holidays Web Editor
1716 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
[email protected]
515/284-3694
meagan says
I made the wreath last year and it looked great…..that was, until it MELTED all over my front door!!!! AHHHH!
alysha says
Oh no! Must’ve been hot at your house! 🙂
Leah says
ohhh my you girls are great at what you do! Marking this page for next week, will take some of your ideas xox
Heather Parkinson says
Alysha…Thats TALENT!!! I am impressed!
Elizabeth says
I LOVE that you mostly went to the dollar store and that you used SCISSORS! It makes these cute things all the more doable for someone like me. Actually, I went to the dollar store this year too, and used wired halloween ribbon to frame my front window. And, since it was wired, I made the top spirally and it ended up looking really cute! I also made a wreath out of a black garbage bag and wire hanger, but that has nothing to do with your post! Great job! Cute crafts! Thanks a bunch for sharing them!
Casey says
Now that Halloween’s over, I just might have time to make the candy corn wreath:) Just wondered how it has held up. Did the spray preserver do it’s job, or did you hav to replace a bunch of the candies? Thanks!
alysha says
Hi Casey! I would say the preserver did a pretty good job, and I probably had to reglue only a handful of the candies that had fallen off. 🙂
Thanks for asking!
Crystal M says
I made the candy corn wreat and it was so much fun! It turned out great! Some of my friends want to eat it!
Melissa Wright says
I used your bat idea for my Halloween decor this year! You can see how it turned out (http://moetalksalot.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-now-ever-october.html) so cute while not being obnoxious like so much Halloween stuff. Tomorrow some friends and I attempting your candy corn wreaths!
alysha says
Looks great Melissa! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Heidi says
I love your project! (Especially the candy corns stuck on the branches.) I’d love it if you linked this candy corn project to my Candy Corn Roundup post.
Michelle Koch says
Ok, My candy corn is not sticking to the hot glue?? It sticks at first, but now the candy corn is falling off 🙁
alysha says
Oh no! What kind of surface are you trying to glue them to?
Peggy says
Just stopping by to let you know, I featured this project on my fall wreath post here- http://diycraftyprojects.com/2012/11/50-yes-fifty-fall-wreath-ideas-and-inspiration.html. Please grab a featured button from my side bar to use on you blog, if you’d like. 🙂
Melissa G says
Where did you get the silver vases?