Halloween’s almost here but if you still need a decorating or gift idea, here’s a quick and easy one.




You will need:

Clear glass votive, candle cup, or other glass piece (The ghosts are made form glass chimneys, often used in hurricane lamps.)
Tissue paper – white and/or orange
White glue or Liquid Laminate
Old paint brush
Paper Towels
Butter tub lid or other palette
Black and white paper and scissors, or black and white permanent markers
Newspapers or plastic table cover
If desired, raffia, shredded paper, or wired Halloween trim


1. Wash the glass well and dry.
2. Spread newspapers or other covering over work surface
3. Tear the tissue into small pieces – about an inch square
4. Pour some of your desired glue or laminate onto your palette. I like to recycle butter tub lids for projects like this. Then, when finished, you can just throw the mess away.
5. Brush some of the glue onto a portion of the glass. Add the tissue, one piece at a time, and brush more glue over the tissue. Work in areas about 3” square. Continue in this manner until entire surface is covered, overlapping tissue as you go. Let dry.
6. Draw eyes, nose, and mouth with a permanent black marker, or cut pieces of black paper and add as you did before with the glue and brush. Add white highlights tot he eyes
7. Add raffia bow to the stem of the pumpkin votive. Add shredded and crimped black paper to the top of one ghost. Wrap other ghost with purchased wired Halloween trim.
8. Add candle and enjoy! OR, for safety, use the new battery operated flickering votive “ candles” available at craft stores. If using a real candle, never leave it unattended!!

This would also be a great project for a Halloween party, or a group such as Girl Scouts. To save time, you can cover the glass with the tissue first and have participants do the decorating. Imagine one of these ghosts on every table for your Halloween bash! Almost any smooth glassware will work. I often find great pieces at yard and garage sales. Also check out the local dollar store for interesting vases, goblets, etc. Colored glass can be used, too. Just be aware that the color of the glass will affect the color of your final piece. Now put on your costume. Light your new decorations, and open the door for the Trick or Treaters!