Believe it or not, but a lot of fantastic Halloween craft ideas originate from thrift store finds. From baskets to light fixtures, ceiling fan blades to books, thrift shops are full of future spooky projects. And if you need a little inspiration before the eeriest (and best?!) holiday of the year, then you’ve come to the right place.
Milk (Glass) Does a Body Ghoul
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
When it comes to crafting with vintage milk glass, “temporary” is the name of the game! And these Halloween ghosts are a perfect example of short-term alterations that don’t have any long-term impacts. Plus, it sure is nice to find a way to use these vases during the Fall season!
“Magical” Halloween Craft Ideas
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If a mad scientist’s laboratory is what you’re going for this Halloween, then may I suggest thrift shopping for a vintage spice rack? It’s the perfect thing for upcycling into magic potion bottles like these!
Jack-o-Candy Basket
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A round basket from the thrift shop gets a simple jack-o-lantern makeover which turns it into a charming little Halloween candy basket. This is one of those Halloween craft ideas that would be perfect to bring to the office, too.
Skull-e-Button
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This is the perfect creepy craft for anyone who happens to have a stash of white buttons, especially white ones! A skull made of buttons is a simple project to make but is the unexpected piece of Halloween decor you never knew you needed until now.
Creepy Candles
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
You know those Christmas window candles that are always at thrift stores? Well, they are even BETTER when spookified for Halloween- and it’s a super easy upcycle that anyone can do.
Halloween Craft Ideas to Sew
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There are fabric pumpkins…and then there are bandana pumpkins. Orange and black bandanas with their delightful paisley prints are the perfect thing for making this popular fall project, and just in time for Halloween.
Halloween Craft Ideas with Ceiling Fan Blades
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Remodeling a room often involves switching out an old ceiling fan for a new one, which means the blades end up at thrift stores. Good thing they can easily be upcycled into ghost ornaments to hang outside in the yard like this!
Halloween Tabletop Tree
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Here’s one of my favorite Halloween craft ideas for anyone who (1) loves vintage Halloween supplies, and (2) loves anything miniature. Because an old earring/mini photo tree like this is the perfect thing to upcycle into a Halloween tree. And the mini ornaments? Vintage Halloween cupcake toppers!
Upcycled Spell Books
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Ahh, the thrift store bookshelves- usually one of the fullest sections at any secondhand store. Which means books are perfect for Halloween crafts- such as these DIY spell books, for example. Such a fun and creative form of mixed media art to celebrate spooky season.
Halloween Crafts with Flower Pots
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Terracotta flower pots from the thrift store are already orange-ish, which can only mean one thing: Jack-o-lanterns! And faux cacti as their “stems” is just the icing on a Halloween cake, if you ask me. This is definitely one of the easiest Halloween craft ideas out there.
5-Minute Ghost Lights
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Glass light shades from ceiling fans and bathroom sconces often end up at thrift stores after a remodel. But look how PERFECT they can be as little ghost lights! This Halloween craft takes just a few minutes to make, and their eerie blue/indigo glow makes all the difference.
Spooky Spider Webs from Grandma’s Craft Stash
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Let’s face it- a lot of Grandma’s doilies end up at thrift stores. But you can upcycle her hard work into Halloween crafts like a fun spider web to hang on the wall. This Halloween craft project is especially perfect for any torn or stained doilies, as well.
Upcycled Halloween Wall Art
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A tree print from the thrift store (and from a big box store before that) is the perfect thing to “spookify” for Halloween, isn’t it? It’s not valuable art by any stretch, which makes it a great canvas for all sorts of creepy additions like this.
Halloween Craft Ideas to Embroider
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At the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with using those hoops for, well…embroidery! In this case, a thrift store sweater in bright orange was the perfect canvas for some Halloween embroidery.
Easy Halloween Decorations with Figurines
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You know all those dust-catching figurines that fill up thrift store shelves? A little black paint and some haunted red eyes transform them into the spookiest little figures for your Halloween decor. ESPECIALLY if they happen to be a little broken- missing arms or a crooked head just add to the creepiness. Talk about easy Halloween craft ideas, eh?
Jack-o-Lantern Door Hanger
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Remember how we used to put paper plates on top of wicker chargers to feel fancier? It seems silly now, but a LOT of those paper plate holders ended up at thrift stores. And it just so happens that they’re perfect for repurposing into a jack-o-lantern door hanger.
Cookie Cutter Crafting
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Normally, you might not put cookie cutters and Halloween craft ideas together in the same sentence. But they are perfect little “molds” to use when trying out needle felting projects. How cute are these little Halloween figures that I made from a set of vintage Halloween cookie cutters? Obviously, any shape would do, and they’re perfect for turning into handmade brooches for your jacket or sweater.
Jack-o-Lantern Coasters
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Since we’ve already upcycled some thrifted flower pots, let’s not forget about the terracotta saucers that go underneath them. Aren’t they delightful when repurposed into jack-o-lantern coasters? Another one of the easiest Halloween craft ideas you can make.
Thrifted and Upcycled Halloween Craft Ideas
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There are JUST. SO. MANY. IDEAS. from thrift store finds, right? No matter your style and taste in decorations, there are plenty of Halloween craft ideas out there for you. And most of them are ridiculously simple- whatever your level of crafting experience is. Either way, Happy Halloween, and…
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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