This DIY Halloween craft took a little experimenting, but once I found a painting technique I liked, it came together surprisingly well—and for a fraction of the price of the designer version. If you’re looking for DIY Halloween crafts that look high-end without the designer price tag, these Halloween eyeball bowl fillers are a fun project to recreate.
Step 1: Prep the Ornaments
For this DIY Halloween craft, I started with clear plastic fillable ornaments and secured each one to a wooden skewer using painter’s tape. This made them much easier to hold while painting. If you don’t have skewers, a popsicle stick, dowel rod, or anything similar will work just as well.
Step 2: Spray Paint
Next, I took the ornaments outside and applied a few light coats of glossy white spray paint. I definitely recommend using a gloss finish since it helps achieve that realistic, glass-like appearance.
One thing I learned the hard way was to pay close attention to the temperature recommendations on the spray paint can. It was a little too warm when I painted mine, which caused some bubbling and left the finish less smooth than I wanted. Staying within the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range will give you much better results.
Step 3: Paint the Iris Base
Once the ornaments were completely dry, I used an angled paintbrush and a warm tan acrylic paint to create the base of the iris. Instead of painting a perfect circle, I created more of an elongated oval with softly pointed ends to give the eyes a slightly eerie, organic shape.
Don’t worry about making them perfectly symmetrical. Slight imperfections actually make them look more realistic.
Step 4: Add the Eye Color
Next, I painted over the tan base using a medium blue acrylic paint.
While the blue was still wet, I dabbed a darker blue into random areas with a small brush. Then, using a clean dry brush, I gently blended the colors together. This layering technique adds depth and creates a much more realistic-looking iris than using a single flat color.
Step 5: Create a Soft, Cloudy Effect
To soften the blue and create that slightly hazy, realistic appearance, I mixed a little water into white acrylic paint until it became almost translucent.
I lightly brushed this over the iris, allowing some of the blue underneath to show through. It took a few attempts to get the balance just right, but alternating between a damp brush and a dry brush helped blend everything together beautifully.
Step 6: Paint the Pupil
Once everything had dried, I painted the pupil using black acrylic paint.
If I were making another batch, I’d probably add a second, slightly darker black circle in the center to create even more depth. I’d also spend a little more time distressing the tan portion of the iris with subtle variations in color. That would give the eyes an older, creepier appearance instead of such a clean finish.
Step 7: Make Them Extra Glossy
The final step—and one of the most important—was applying several coats of Mod Podge Super Gloss.
To minimize visible brush strokes, I started each stroke on the back of the ornament and pulled the brush toward the front in one long motion. This helped keep the front as smooth as possible while still building a beautiful glossy finish.
I was really happy with how quickly it dried and how shiny it became after multiple coats. If I continue experimenting, I’d love to find a way to make them look even glossier and more like real glass.
Why You’ll Love This DIY Halloween Craft
If you’re looking for DIY Halloween crafts that feel elevated and designer-inspired, this project is a great place to start. These Halloween eyeball bowl fillers are budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and completely customizable. Try mixing different eye colors like blue, brown, green, hazel, or even black to create a display that feels even more realistic.
They’re perfect for styling in decorative bowls, trays, Halloween centerpieces, or layered into your existing seasonal decor.
The Finished Look
Overall, I’m really happy with how these Halloween eyeball bowl fillers turned out.
If I were comparing them side by side with the West Elm version, I’d say my painting technique could use a little more dimension, and I’d love to achieve an even glossier finish. But on their own? I absolutely love them. They capture the creepy, vintage Halloween vibe I was hoping for.
One of my favorite parts of this project is how budget-friendly it is. I was able to make far more Halloween eyeball bowl fillers than I could have purchased for the same price. I also had fun mixing a variety of eye colors—including blue, brown, gold, silver, and black—which made the finished display feel even more realistic.
To style mine, I placed the eyeballs in a shallow decorative bowl that I already owned from Target (I’ll link a few similar options below). Then I tucked a strand of battery-operated fairy lights between them so they softly glow at night. It creates the perfect spooky ambiance without feeling over the top.
Whether you’re decorating a Halloween entryway, coffee table, console, or dining table centerpiece, these Halloween eyeball bowl fillers add a spooky, designer-inspired touch without the designer price tag. They’re one of those DIY Halloween crafts that look much more expensive than they actually are.
If you make your own Halloween eyeball bowl fillers, I’d love to see them! Be sure to tag me on social media and leave a comment below letting me know how yours turned out.
Materials
- clear glass balls
- painters tape
- skewers
- popsicle sticks (instead of skewers)
- black glossy spray paint
- copper glossy spray paint
- navy blue glossy spray paint
- silver glossy spray paint
- brown glossy spray paint
- acrylic paint 16 color set
- tan acrylic paint (I mixed brown with white until I got the desired color)
- white acrylic paint
- navy blue acrylic paint
- black acrylic paint
- mod podge glossy
- paint tray
- paint brush set
- fairy lights
- decorative bowl (option 1)
- decorative bowl (option 2)
- decorative bowl (option 3)
