Oh hello there, fellow crafty ghouls and goblins! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a haunted cauldron of creativity, we’re making custom background papers that are absolutely to die for (not literally, but they do have that spooky charm!) These eerie beauties are destined to wrap around some fabulously faux Halloween candles I’m working on... three different styles, if you’re curious! But first? We make the art. Because what is Halloween without a little grungy, gothic glam?
Please note: This article contains affiliate links, and that means that I may earn a commission if you buy something. Read my full disclosure here.
Halloween Tissue Paper Walkthrough Video
PRODUCTS USED IN THIS VIDEO
- Cheap paint from stash
- Medical tissue paper
- Brayers
- Gel plates
- Gel plate texture plates
- Stencils from stash
- Stencil Revolution (Evil Eye and Ouija Board)
Medical Tissue Paper + Gel Plate = Crafty Witch Magic
So here’s the deal: we’re using medical tissue paper (yes, the crunchy kind from your last check-up) as the canvas for our spooky stenciled wonders. Why? Because it’s thin, textured, and takes paint like a dream. Perfect for wrapping around candle shapes without bulk!
Supplies for our Wicked Workshop:
- Gel plates (a.k.a. magic squish pads)
- Stencils galore: Harlequins, evil eyes, Ouija boards, checkers, circles... you name it!
- Paints: Purples (yes, multiple), citrusy green, teal, gold, yellow, and good ol’ lamp black
- Brayers (and maybe a Lego block or two for bonus texture)
Now, let’s talk paint. Do you need the fanciest stuff on the shelf? HECK NO. In fact, fancy paints like Tim Holtz Distress Paints didn’t even play nice on the gel plate. Cheap craft paint for the win!
Let's Get Messy – Halloween Style!
This was a painty, layered, glorious mess in the best possible way. The goal? Knock out a ton of background papers FAST because I need them for three candle projects: toilet paper roll candles, revamped LED candles (hi, HomeGoods stash!), and a super spackly, papier-mâché taper candle idea. More on those later!
Here’s the spooky scoop:
Orange & Yellow Magic:
- Orange and yellow are like PB&J... just meant to be.
- Gold adds a little hocus pocus sparkle.
- Pro tip: Roll off excess paint onto another paper - you’ll thank yourself later.
Purple & Black Drama:
- Hello moody, mysterious vibes.
- Swapped between light and dark purples with touches of gold for elegance.
- Added black stripes, diamonds, and even an evil eye stencil for that extra BOO-tiful finish.
And yes, everything’s a bit chaotic, but that’s the beauty of it. Each paper is its own little haunted masterpiece.
Layers, Layers, and More Layers
Don’t be afraid to go wild. Paint too thick? Add another layer! Print not perfect? Slap a stencil on it! Honestly, half of the papers I wasn’t sure about became my absolute faves once I layered in some black checkerboard or spooky gold grunge.
Also, remember that time I forgot to tell you what kinds of candles I was making about five times? Yeah, that happened. But I promise you’ll be seeing those soon. For now, this was about laying the groundwork… LITERALLY!
Final Haul: 34 Spooky Background Papers!
That’s right. THIRTY. FOUR. Deliciously eerie, hand-painted background papers, all ready to be wrapped around our creepy candle creations. Did I pile them up wet? Yes. Did they stick together? Also yes. But was it worth it? OH. YOU. BET.
Here's what I learned:
- Don’t fear the mess
- Too much paint? Who cares. Roll with it
- Craft supplies aren’t museum pieces - USE ‘EM
- Your “ugliest” paper might just turn out to be your favorite.
Coming Soon... The Candle Chronicles
Now that we’ve got our backgrounds, it’s full steam ahead into faux candle territory! Toilet paper rolls, thrifted LED tapers, and yes, even some fancy molded ones courtesy of a Mother’s Day coupon (thank you, Desy). Stay tuned - I'll be sharing how these papers transform into spooky stunners in the next post!
Until then, happy haunting, witches!
Here are some more Halloween articles you might love:
- How To Make A JACK Spooky Sign – Halloween DIY Crafts
- DIY Decor – My Halloween Mantle (Purple and Orange Theme)
- Paperclip Dangles Charms – Halloween Edition
