Pantry Potions: Supermarket Sorcery

When inspiration hits, using supplies already in the pantry means not only savings but seriously cuts down on prop making prep time.   Warehouse-style food and supply stores allow you to buy in quantities that cover both your cooking/cleaning and crafting needs.

Here I've consolidated a list of techniques utilizing common household items.  There's all sorts of info online on each - videos, variations on recipes, etc.  Experiment and find the one that's right for you.  And please share the results and other recipes from your book of spells.

14 days till Halloween...

Technique: Antiquing Wood
Needs: Steel Wool or SOS Pads, tea, coffee
Most of the info out there will tell you SOS Pads don't work.  I disagree so I'm linking my own post about this technique and you can decide for yourself which is "better."

SOS Pad on the left, Steel Wool on the right

Technique: Rusting Metal
Needs: White Vinegar, Salt
Did this for the first time this year and it's just fascinating.  Science and art, doesn't get much better.

Technique: Staining/Aging Natural Fibers
Needs: Tea, Coffee, Pomegranate, Turmeric, Beets, Wine, Baking Chocolate, Soy Sauce, Salt
Prepping the fabric is key.  After that, it's really up to you what recipe you go with.  Tea, coffee, chocolate and soy sauce lead to browns and tans.  Beets, Wine & Pomegranate various reds.  Turmeric a bold yellow.  I like to leave coffee grounds & chocolate clumped up in areas to create darker spots & more nuance.  Be sure to thoroughly wet the fabric before and add salt to the dye bath if you're using cotton.  All of these work well on wood as well.  Age some planks and add some "blood" stains with wine, beets or pomegranate for a battle beleaguered ship deck.

Coffee, tea, chocolate, turmeric

Technique: Dried, Scabby Blood

Needs: Corn starch, corn syrup, onion flakes, red food coloring

Cake this up on gardening and work tools for October, wash off for the boring non-Halloween months.  Looks great, easy to make and easy to clean up.

Technique: Fake blood
Needs: Corn syrup, chocolate syrup, red food coloring
Mix in other things like peanut butter or oatmeal to change up the consistency depending on your needs

Technique: Aging Bottles
Needs: Corn starch, corn syrup, white vinegar
Basically you're making glue.  Use sandpaper to scratch up the sides of the glass bottle or jar.  Paint on your homemade glue mixture, whipping off when it's still tacky.  Mix in coffee grounds or dirt for an extra grimy effect or stain with Turmeric for yellow or beets/pomegranate for red.