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How to Make a Realistic Witches Cauldron {From a Plastic One}

September 8, 2020 By Laura Leave a Comment

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Witches cauldron with bones and fire Halloween decoration

Learn how easy it is to transform a plain plastic Halloween cauldron into an old, worn witches cauldron that looks like old cast iron. It’s easy and the results are incredible!

Witches cauldron with bones and fire Halloween decoration

Every Halloween I pull out my favorite large black cauldron and use it for Halloween decorating or to add candy to for our church’s trunk or treat. I love the shape and size of my cauldron, but I’m just not crazy about the shiny plastic look it has to it.

This year I decided I would figure out how to add texture and depth to my witch cauldron with paint and two other things I’ll be sharing with you. I just love the result!

Faux fire Halloween prop with black witches cauldron

My witches cauldron is much more convincing and looks like it’s lasted through hundreds of years with bubbling toxic potion inside. This would be perfect to use at a Halloween witch party!

Keep reading to learn how to create your own realistic looking cast iron Halloween cauldron. I placed mine over a fake fire prop I create with just a few supplies. You DON’T want to miss this fun post that makes such a realistic fire out of spray foam!

Painted witches cauldron for Halloween

Realistic Halloween Cauldron Supplies

  • Large witch cauldron– Mine came from Oriental Trading and came in a set of 3 different sizes. I used the large cauldron and it’s a great size!
  • Flat black spray paint- I had the best luck with chalkboard paint because it’s the most matte spray paint
  • Brown paint
  • Copper paint
  • Mod Podge
  • Sand
  • Spanish moss
  • 2-3 foam brushes

How to Create the Perfect Witches Cauldron

Add some texture

Here’s what our cauldron looks like before- shiny and plastic-y, but with a great large shape and a handle on each side.

Large black witch cauldron

To add some grit and years witch use to it, I mixed some sand with flat Mod Podge in a plastic cup.

Mod Podge and sand mixed with a foam paint brush

Paint mixture on large witches cauldron

The result was a gritty, goopy texture that I added all over the surface of my witch cauldron with a cheap foam brush. Although the mixture looks white now, the Mod Podge dries clear. This leaves behind the sandy texture on the cauldron.


Dried sand on large Halloween cauldron

Add more texture

Now for even more texture! I used this same technique again, but this time I cut up small pieces of Spanish moss with scissors. Next I added them to Mod Podge and painted it on to create a thicker texture. I added them around the top of the cauldron and in random places around the sides.

My goal was to make it look like years of chunky potion pieces that oozed and bubbled over in the pot and got crusty over the years. Gross, right?!

Spanish moss on black cauldron

I ended up pulling off any pieces that were a little too big that I didn’t cut as well with my scissors, then I let this dry completely before the next step.

Paint it black

Next up was some flat black paint. I first added a few coats of an ultra matte spray paint and I wasn’t impressed. My cauldron still looked to shiny for my taste so I had to switch strategies.

I had half a can of chalkboard paint left over from a previous project so I tried adding a coat of that over the top. It worked perfectly and gave me the total matte look I wanted.

Textured black cauldron

Be sure to use multiple light coats of spray paint instead of one coat with lots of paint. This helps to get the best look with no paint drips on your cauldron.

Add years of use with paint

Now for the fun part! I was loving the way my cauldron looked at this point with all of the texture I added, but it was a little too flat. I knew paint would add some depth to my witch’s cauldron and make it look old and worn.

A dry foam brush was loaded with some brown paint and a little black paint added. This made it look like rust and acidic potion caused discoloration over the years.

The key to this is using just a little paint at a time. I would add a small amount of paint to my brush, then blot the brush on some cardboard to take off some of the excess paint.

I used this technique all over the cauldron, but added more towards the top and down the sides to look like witch’s brew bubbled over and dripped down the sides.

Sorry I don’t have a photo for this step. I did this at night since I couldn’t wait until the next day because I was too excited!

Faux fire Halloween prop with black witches cauldron

The finishing touches

To finish off the cauldron, I added some gold metallic paint to the ring handles on the sides. Then added a little more of the brown and black to take away some of the shine and make it look older.

I also added a tiny bit of copper to my brush to add a little bit of metallic to the cauldron.

I just LOVE how my witches cauldron turned out! Can you believe the transformation?!

Witches cauldron over faux fire

Place cauldron over faux fire 

To really take this project over the top, I created an incredible fake fire to go under the cauldron. This faux fire complete with ashes and bones lights up and looks like real fire as it’s getting dark!

Halloween bones on fake fire prop

You won’t believe how easy it is to make this fire with spray foam, lights, fake bones, and paint. Creepy, right?

Painted witch cauldron and fake fire prop for Halloween

It looks like the fire has been going for a while with ashes and burnt embers. Check out how to make the fake fire prop.

It’s the perfect accompaniment to your new cauldron!

More Halloween and Fall Ideas

  • Fall Stove Top Potpourri Recipe
  • Spooky Easy Glow in the Dark Punch
  • No-Sew Hedwig Baby Owl Costume
  • DIY Fortnite Bush Costume
  • Halloween Wood Sign with Cricut
  • How to Make a Pumpkin Diorama
  • Creepy Witch Fingers Halloween Snack

Halloween Party Ideas

  • Free Printable Halloween Invitations
  • Creative Ghostbusters Party
  • Goonies Halloween Party
  • Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Party
  • Haunted Forest Halloween Party

Have you started getting ready for Halloween yet? I’m hoping to pull out my Halloween decorations this week. So excited!

 

 

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About Laura

Hi! I'm Laura, owner and creator of Make Life Lovely, a creative blog filled with creative craft tutorials, DIY projects, party tips, holiday ideas, home decor, and so much more! Make Life Lovely is dedicated to making everyday life more lovely, and I hope to inspire you and show you how!

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