This Harry Potter Spell Book DIY is easy to follow and you can make several different versions of books to fill up your Wizarding Library. Be the envy of our Hogwarts classmates with your book collection! In the example I’ve kept the book s a little more generic, but you can easily label the books with some of Hogwart’s traditional curriculum such as: The “Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1”, “A History of Magic”, “Magical Theory”, “Magical Drafts and Potions”.
You Will Need:
3 hardcover books ( I like finding them for cheap at the Dollar Store)
Foam, puffy or 3d letter stickers
Hot Glue Gun with extra glue sticks
Embellishments of choice (plastic bugs, gems, stickers)
Mod Podge
Paper Towel – separated into 1 ply and ripped into sections
Black Paint
Metallic Paint
Distressing Ink
Ribbon or suede
Standard Tools:
Paint Brushes – small bristle brush and sponge brush
Hairdryer
Harry Potter Spell Book DIY
Step 1 – Prep the Spell Book
Remove the cover to the hardback book – discard. Make sure the book cover is free debris. Now we’re going to add embellishments to give the book some dimension.
Attach the foam stickers to make the titles on both the cover
and the spine of the book.
Use a glue gun to make studs, or patterns if desired.
Attach any embellishments that you would like to be black.
Step 2 – Add some “Magical” texture
Make sure your paper towel is separated into one ply and moisten with a couple of drops of water. Squeeze out any excess. You want it to be barely damp.
Place the book open with the hardcover sides facing up. Apply a layer of mod podge on the book.
Begin applying the paper towel in small sections to the cover, back and spine. You want to make small wrinkles and work the pieces around any lettering.
Apply another layer of mod podge using a dabbing motion.
Use the hairdryer for about 5 minutes to dry. If you don’t use a hairdryer, you will need to let everything set overnight and it could take a few days.
To create the metallic raised bars on the side of the book, I used damp paper towl and molded it on with modge podge.
The “compass” on the front of the Mystical Places book was created by hot glue and a fake coin.
The pattern on the front of the spell book was created using 3 d stickers.
Step 3 – Paint the Spell Book
Use a sponge paint brush to apply black paint to the entire cover, back and spine of the book. I find a “dabbing” motion to be most helpful with this craft … for all the painting steps.
Use the hairdryer again for about 5 minutes to dry the paint.
Use the small bristle brush to apply metallic paint to the lettering and any embellishments that were applied.
Try mixing golds and silvers for a really interesting look.
Use the hairdryer again for about 5 minutes to dry the paint.
Step 4 – Make the Pages Appear Worn and Old
Use the distressing ink to apply stain to the edges of the pages.
Crumble and bend the pages without tearing them to create a worn in look.
Finish your Harry Potter Spell Book DIY by adding gems or wrapping in ribbon/suede.
More Harry Potter Crafts:
More Halloween Tutorials:
- Boo Witch Mason Jars
- Candy Corn Bowling activity/ printable
- All Hallows Eve Printable Party Pack
- Fabric Pumpkin
- Jack O’Lantern Finger Puppet
- Halloween Printable Treat Box
- Jack O’Lantern Tote
Want some more awesome Harry Potter Craftiness? Check out how you can convert your mirror into the Mirror of Erised with this tutorial courtesy of Delicious Reads.
Laura says
These books are gorgeous and perfectly spooky. They look easy and fun to make. They seem like a ‘must have’ for the Halloween season. Thanks so much for this article.
Varun Sharma says
Amazing work. Book looks so fascinating. I love this idea a lot.