This purple, glittered tarantula isn’t too scary, and I think the kids will agree that this is one fun, Halloween craft idea. The Tarantula in a Cloche is another one of Kathleen George’s Halloween cloches made from a two-liter plastic soda bottle. Kathleen’s DIY cloches are one of my favorite, crafty ways to repurpose two-liter plastic soda bottles (check out her Halloween Eyeball Cloche). Add in a super-sized spider, and you have a clever, inexpensive Halloween decoration.

Halloween Tarantula in a Cloche by Kathleen George

Note: Making the cloche can be a little tricky, so I suggest having an adult make the cloche, while the kiddos tackle the tarantula.

To make a Tarantula in a Cloche, you’ll need:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: 6” x 1” disc; 2” egg; two 1 ½” balls
• 2-liter plastic soda bottle
• Adhesive remover (such as GooGone)
• Acrylic craft paint: Black and purple
• Krylon Glitter Blast: Grape Glitz and Starry Night
• 4mm half round black beads, two
• Purple chenille stems, four
• Thin floral wire, 8”
• Toothpicks
• Thick, white craft glue
• Tools needed: Utility blade, such as an Exacto® knife, or sharp serrated knife; sharp pencil; paintbrush; wooden skewer; knippers; plastic knife (optional)

To make a Tarantula in a Cloche:

Make your cloche

Note: An adult should always handle the serrated knife, and should cut the plastic soda bottle.

1. Use adhesive remover to remove the label from the soda bottle. Thoroughly clean and dry the bottle.

2. Cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle with the utility knife. It’s o.k. if it’s a little uneven. From the top of the bottle to the cut edge, the cloche should measure about 5-1/2” tall.

3. Place bottle in the center of the 6” foam disc and trace around it with the pencil. Remove bottle and trace around the circle again, making a deep groove. Position the bottle in the grooved circle and twist until it’s straight.

4. Using tip of serrated knife, cut a hole in the bottom of a 1-1/2” ball so that it fits on the top of the bottle. Twist the ball onto the bottle until it completely covers the threads for the bottle top.

5. Paint the top and sides of the 6” foam disc with black acrylic craft paint. Insert a wooden skewer into the bottom of the 1-1/2” ball used for the top of the cloche. Paint black. Let dry.

6. Spray Starry Night Glitter Blast onto the disk and the ball following the manufacturer’s directions. Spray on several light coats rather than one thick coat.

Here’s a close up of the glittered, purple tarantula.

Make the tarantula

Note: If a child is making the tarantula, please be sure he or she uses the plastic knife when cutting the foam ball, and supervise the child closely.

1. Cut in half the remaining 1-1/2” foam ball of STYROFOAM Brand Foam. Flatten the wide end of the foam egg by pressing it against a flat surface. Twist together the flat side of a half ball and the flat end of the till the two pieces fit together snugly.

2. Insert a toothpick between the two pieces to hold them together, along with a dab of glue.

3. Insert a skewer into the bottom of the tarantula for a handle, and then paint the spider with the purple craft paint. Let dry, and then spray with Purple Glitz Glitter Blast.

4. Cut chenille stems into eight, 3” lengths for legs. Cut two 3/4” pieces for pincers. Push four legs into each side of the tarantula and bend the legs at the “knees” and at the “foot”. Push the two pincers into the front of the head and bend them to face each other.

5. Glue on two, half-round black beads for eyes.

Create the scene

1. Place the tarantula on the base of the cloche. Be sure the tarantula is centered and the cloche will fit over him.

2. Cut the floral wire into eight, 1” lengths with knippers or old scissors. Bend each piece to form a U. Insert a wire loop over each “foot” to hold the tarantula in place.

Thanks for stopping by today. I know I’m not always here on a Monday, but I have so many fun Halloween craft ideas to share, and I’m trying to squeeze them all in. See you again tomorrow!

Happy crafting.

Sharon