• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pillar Box Blue

  • Home
  • Denim
  • Maps
  • Valentines
  • Crafts
    • Sweaters
    • Marimekko Crafts and DIY’s
    • Seasonal
  • DIY/Upcycling
    • All Upcycling
    • Ikea Hacks
    • Tin Cans
    • Round Ups
  • Christmas
  • About Me
    • What Is Upcycling What You Need To Know
    • Press & Working With Me
    • Link Ups
    • Privacy Policy
    • DISCLOSURE
    • Contact Me
You are here: Home / Crafts / How To Make DIY Halloween Lights With Old Bottles

How To Make DIY Halloween Lights With Old Bottles

4th September 2019 by Claire Armstrong 47 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
upcycled bottle halloween lights

Last Christmas I made some fabulous illuminated bottle lights for my home. I loved them so much I thought why not make some DIY Halloween lights too.

You can use any old bottles for this craft as long as they are clear glass. I like bottles in a different of sizes so I used a variety of bottles from different drinks.

It also gave me an excuse to finish the small amounts of gin I had in the cocktail cupboards. Why is it that gin is always in the best bottles?

Scary Upcycled Bottle Lights For Halloween

What makes this craft is those very affordable cork lights that you can get from either the internet or your local dollar/pound store. These handy little lights enable you to make DIY Halloween lights in bottles without having to drill into any glass.

empty bottles

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What You Need To Make Bottle Halloween Lights

  • Old clear bottles in a variety of shapes and sizes. I used a mixture of gin and juice bottles.
  • Halloween shaped stickers, silhouettes or die cuts.
  • If using die-cut shapes and not stickers you will need some kind of temporary spray adhesive.
  • Black spray paint
  • Orange spray paint
  • Cork wine bottle lights
what you need for DIY halloween lights

How To Make DIY Halloween Lights in Bottles

1. The first thing to do is to remove any lables from the bottles you are going to use. I find that if I soak the bottles in hot soapy water for about half an hour most labels simply then peal off.

If after soaking you are still left with a sticky residue where the label was. Either scrub this with a scourer or you can get a special sticky label remover.

soaking labels off bottles

2. Next, dry the bottles and then choose what silhouettes you want for the DIY Halloween lights on each bottle. Stick the Halloween stickers or die cuts onto the bottles. If you do use glue for this then make sure you use a repositional/temporary adhesive.

Halloween die cuts
Sticking Halloween die cuts on bottle

3. Then spray paint the bottle either black or Halloween orange. I painted a few bottles black and a few bottles orange so I ended up with enough bottle lights for a Halloween light display.

spray painted Halloween bottle

4. Finally, once the paint has dried carefully peel away the Halloween shapes. Then all that is left to do is to pop one of the cork lights into the top of each bottle.

cork light
upcycled DIY Halloween lights bottle

I love the way the lights shine through the Halloween silhouette. You can easily create a fun DIY Halloween lights display for your mantle by using a variety of bottle shapes in both orange and black.

DIY Halloween lights

These DIY Halloween lights really are at their best on the dark nights when the tiny fairy lights inside the bottles shine through the scary Halloween shapes.

The cork lights are very easy to use, they just have a simple on-off switch on the top You can buy the string lights in various lengths and can even get rechargeable ones.

If you still have the original corks from your old wine bottles, save them for another fun Halloween craft. They can be turned into spooky Halloween wine cork Characters to hang in a garland.

DIY Bottle lights for Halloween
upcycled halloween bottle lights
Halloween Bottle Lights
Yield: Illuminated Halloween Decoration

Upcycled Halloween Bottle Lights

Upcycled Halloween Bottle Lights

A fun and unique Halloween decoration for the home made by upcycling old bottles. This is a great craft to do with the kids. It's a very affordable Halloween decoration that is great for the front porch or the mantle.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • An assortment of old clear bottles.
  • Montana Gold Black Spray paint
  • Montana Gold Orange Spray Paint
  • Repositional adhesive
  • Halloween shaped die cuts
  • Cork lights

Instructions

  1. Soak the empty bottles in hot water to remove all labels
  2. Stick the Halloween die cuts to the bottles.
  3. Spray paint each bottle either black or orange
  4. Once the paint is dry remove the Halloween die cuts
  5. Insert cork string lights into the top of each bottle.

Notes

It's the cork string lights that make this project. By using these lights there is no need to drill into the glass bottles. You can use this method to make illuminated bottles for other holidays, such as Christmas and Valentines.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Montana Cans 284274 Spray Gold GLD400 2070, 400 ml, Orange
    Montana Cans 284274 Spray Gold GLD400 2070, 400 ml, Orange
  • 10 Pack 20 LED Wine Bottle Cork Lights Mini Fairy String Lights Copper Wire, Battery Operated Starry Lights for DIY, Festival, Wedding, Party, Indoor, Outdoor Decoration (Warm White)
    10 Pack 20 LED Wine Bottle Cork Lights Mini Fairy String Lights Copper Wire, Battery Operated Starry Lights for DIY, Festival, Wedding, Party, Indoor, Outdoor Decoration (Warm White)
© Pillarboxblue
Project Type: Upcycle / Category: DIY Upcycling

If you want something a bit different for Halloween instead of the usual orange and black colors, then check out this illuminated pink neon DIY skull decor. These Halloween bottles featured under B in the A to Z of upcycling.

There are some lovely vintage skeleton pictures to download here. If you liked these bottles’ lights don’t forget to check out some of my other illuminated crafts and DIYs.

  • String Art Neon Heart Sign
  • Shrink Plastic Heart String Lights
  • Fun DIY Light Box Sign
  • Map Luminary Bags

Or if you are looking for more Halloween & Fall crafts then check out these.

  • Cute Halloween Treat Bags
  • DIY Light-Up Pumpkin
  • Pine Cones Fall Mason Jars
  • Free Vintage Halloween Postcards
  • The Best Acorn Wreaths & Garlands

For more affordable Halloween crafts visit cheapandthriftyliving.com

Filed Under: Crafts, Seasonal Tagged With: bottle, bottles, halloween, halloween lights, lights, string lights

Previous Post: « How To Make An Upcycled Light-Up Pumpkin Three Ways
Next Post: Tutorial For Painting A Shed With Colour And Pattern »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debbee

    14th October 2020 at 12:46 pm

    Claire, this is my first look at your blog, coming from Party in PJs. These decorated Halloween bottles are spooktacular! I hadn’t heard of the wine cork lights before. Great tutorial too. Pinned.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th October 2020 at 4:29 pm

      Ha ha ! Thank you

      Reply
  2. NINA LEWIS

    12th October 2020 at 7:46 pm

    I love, love, love these Halloween lights! This is something that I’ve just GOT to make! I’m going to feature this at our Party in Your PJs tomorrow night on my Grandma Ideas site. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome idea!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th October 2020 at 5:30 am

      Thank you, that’s awesome I look forward to seeing the feature.

      Reply
  3. Naush Samama

    12th October 2020 at 5:30 pm

    I love upcycle projects ! Your Halloween lights are perfect. They really look high end. Bravo !
    Thank you for sharing it with us at Meraki Link Party.
    Naush

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th October 2020 at 5:28 am

      Thank you so much, they do look good on the porch at Halloween.

      Reply
  4. Amy

    7th October 2020 at 8:06 pm

    So creative! What a fun craft. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th October 2020 at 6:37 am

      Thank you so much, they do add a fun and spooky glow to my decorations.

      Reply
  5. Kasia

    7th October 2020 at 11:16 am

    I love how these turned out! Such a simple and creative idea to recycle unnecessary bottles 🙂 I’ll be making Christmas ones this year. Thanks for sharing the tutorial, Claire!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th October 2020 at 7:25 pm

      Thank you, Kasia. I’ve made Christmas and Valentine’s one too, great to use the cork lights all year round.

      Reply
  6. Kathy A

    7th June 2020 at 4:33 pm

    These are so cute. My daughter is a wicked Halloween fan and I love making stuff for her! May have to try some!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th June 2020 at 1:07 pm

      Thank you, they are very easy and fun to make I’m sure she’d love them.

      Reply
  7. DecorCraftDesign

    11th October 2019 at 4:55 pm

    Beautiful Halloween Bottles Decoration, it’s hard to choose one, I love all!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th October 2019 at 5:11 pm

      Aww, thank you so much.

      Reply
  8. Rhonda Gales

    22nd September 2019 at 1:43 am

    I love how these turned out. Perfect for a mantel or vignette. Please share on my Sunday’s Best linkup. We’ve started our The Witching Hour theme. The linkup starts every Saturday night at 8:00pm EST. I’ll be Pinning your post to my Halloween board.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd September 2019 at 10:18 am

      Thank you so much. And I will share.

      Reply
  9. Ann

    16th September 2019 at 11:55 pm

    Great idea! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s. I will be featuring you tomorrow night on my blog!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th September 2019 at 7:39 pm

      Thank you, I look forward to seeing them.

      Reply
  10. Julie

    15th September 2019 at 1:14 pm

    These are very cool, and you are forced to drink things in interesting bottles too, to prepare for this! – what a great hardship! I’m thinking a Christmas version might be fun too.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th September 2019 at 3:07 pm

      Thank you, Julie. That was the best bit finishing off all the stuff in the lovely shaped bottles. I already have a Christmas version too!

      Reply
  11. Sylvia | Grace for a Gypsy

    14th September 2019 at 9:25 pm

    Stopping by again, found you at the Vintage Charm Party #199. sharing

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th September 2019 at 3:08 pm

      Thank you so much and thanks for the share.

      Reply
  12. Kippi

    13th September 2019 at 1:12 pm

    I love Halloween and these bottle lights are perfect for my decorations. Thank you for sharing how to make them. I am pining.
    Happy Fall!!
    Hugs,
    Kippi
    Ps. Pls share on my site at the You’re The Star blog hop

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th September 2019 at 6:23 pm

      Thank you so much and for the star blog hop.

      Reply
  13. Sylvia | Grace for a Gypsy

    11th September 2019 at 5:20 am

    Cute ideas! Love the skeletons! Going to share with my granddaughter who loves decorating for Halloween.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th September 2019 at 6:33 am

      Thank you, it’s kind of creepy and cute at the same time.

      Reply
  14. LISA

    9th September 2019 at 7:57 pm

    so cute ! I love the dancing skeleton 🙂
    xo Lisa S

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th September 2019 at 6:24 am

      Thank you, the skeleton is more cute than scary.

      Reply
  15. Michelle Leslie

    9th September 2019 at 7:43 am

    These turned out great Claire. The orange one with the orange Dia de la madre mask is gorgeous and that little skeleton is too cute. Guess I’m going to have to start drinking gin instead of beer 😀

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th September 2019 at 6:23 am

      Thank you, Michelle. I do like the orange Mexican skull one too. Drinking gin is sometimes the right thing to do !

      Reply
  16. Linda at Mixed Kreations

    8th September 2019 at 7:12 pm

    Awe these turned out super cute! The perfect Halloween craft! It’s hard to choose, but I think the skelton is my favorite!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th September 2019 at 6:10 am

      Thank you, yes I like the skeleton too, he’s kind of cute and scary at the same time,

      Reply
  17. Christina Woodcock

    8th September 2019 at 3:03 pm

    These are adorable Claire! I had never heard of cork lights how cool!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th September 2019 at 6:09 am

      Thank you. Cork lights are fun and make a great present too.

      Reply
  18. shantana

    6th September 2019 at 3:52 am

    How Lovely these look. Greetings from Sydney and wish you a lovely weekend.
    Hugs,
    Shantana

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th September 2019 at 7:03 am

      Thank you so much. I hope you are having a lovely spring down under.

      Reply
  19. Michelle

    5th September 2019 at 11:25 pm

    Awesome Halloween bottles! Looks like a fun project.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th September 2019 at 7:04 am

      It was fun to do. Great if you can get a variety of bottles different shapes and sizes.

      Reply
  20. Anita Holland

    5th September 2019 at 12:07 pm

    Great Halloween bottles. Pinned

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th September 2019 at 8:49 pm

      Thank you and thanks for the share.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Week 246 Sunday's Best says:
    4th October 2019 at 2:34 pm

    […] DIY Halloween Lights from Pillar Blue Box […]

    Reply
  2. Welcome to The Witching Hour on Sunday’s Best Linkup - A Mama Tale says:
    29th September 2019 at 4:59 pm

    […] DIY Halloween Lights from Pillar Blue Box […]

    Reply
  3. 12 Creepy Halloween Crafts You Can Make - TheTellMeWhy says:
    23rd September 2019 at 8:28 am

    […] by B Inspired Mama Ghost Can Wind Chimes by Real Coake Craft Stick Spiderwebs by Typically Simple Halloween Bottle Lights by Pillar Box Blue Spooky Spider Soap by Happiness is Homemade Batty Ghosts by Atta Girl […]

    Reply
  4. 12 Creepy Halloween Crafts You Can Make – Mix Of Tips says:
    22nd September 2019 at 7:04 pm

    […] by B Inspired MamaGhost Can Wind Chimes by Real CoakeCraft Stick Spiderwebs by Typically SimpleHalloween Bottle Lights by Pillar Box BlueSpooky Spider Soap by Happiness is HomemadeBatty Ghosts by Atta Girl […]

    Reply
  5. 30 DIY Halloween Decorations That Gained’t Break the Financial institution - Wow Home says:
    16th September 2019 at 9:44 am

    […] Tutorial by way of Pillar Field Blue […]

    Reply
  6. Chocolate Chips, Let's Celebrate! + HM #250 - Life With Lorelai says:
    13th September 2019 at 4:30 am

    […] Upcycled Bottles to DIY Halloween Lights from Claire @ Pillar Box Blue […]

    Reply
  7. Funtastic Friday #245 - lovemycottage says:
    13th September 2019 at 1:00 am

    […] pick: How to Make DIY Halloween Lights in Bottles from Pillar Box […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Me

Subscribe to newsletter

Search This Website

Denim feather wall decor

How To Make Denim Feather Wall Decor

Tiled square Boho Moroccan planters

Make Beautiful Moroccan Planters In Under 10 Minutes

9 unique blue jean rug DIY's

How To Make A Blue Jean Rug, 12 Unique Ways

Free printable maps

Wonderful Free Printable Vintage Maps To Download

DIY No Sew Denim Rug

How To Make A Cool Denim Rug Without Sewing

Copyright © 2021 Pillar Box Blue on the Foodie Pro Theme