Spooky Dragon Eyes From Plastic Bottles

Hello guys!

Today we will make spooky dragon-like eyes that you can use for Halloween crafts, decorations, jewelry and more. And they're made from plastic bottles and soda cans, so they won't cost you much - if anything at all!

Supplies

• Plastic bottle
• Soda can
• Tape
• Paper towel or napkin
• Paint and paint brush
• School glue

Optional:

• Sharpies
• Toothpick
• Needle

Step 1: Creating the Eye Lens

First, cut off the foot of a plastic bottle and try to make it as symmetrical and flat as possible in order to create a plastic dome - i.e. the eye lens!

For bigger eyes, you can also find other round parts on your plastic bottle - normally the top parts of bottles have curved bits that work well for that. As long as the plastic is even a tiny bit domed, it will create the effect that we want!

Step 2: Creating the Iris

Next, you'll need to cut a piece of a soda can so it fits right under the plastic dome. You can find nice colors on the outside or use the silver inside. Straighten the metal with a round object like a pen.

Step 3: More Iris Techniques

You can also use Sharpies to make the iris colorful.

Another technique that I recommend on dark colors: Use a needle to scratch lines on the metal - it will make the pupil pop and also creates a beautiful and realistic effect!

Step 4: Creating the Pupil

For the pupil I use black acrylic paint since it is matte and opaque. I like to paint it on the metal, but you could also paint it inside the plastic dome.

Pupil on metal: creates an effect where the eyes follow you a bit

Pupil on plastic: the pupil stands out and looks even more creepy to me, but it will cast a shadow which is less realistic

Step 5: Taping

Now you can assemble everything with thin strips of tape (I take a normal sized tape and cut it into 4 strips). I put the tape about where the eyelids will be.

Step 6: Making the Eyelids

To make the eyelids, you can use a paper towel or a napkin - the thicker it is, the better it works for making eyelid folds.

Cut an eye shaped hole into it and see how big you want it to be. Then apply glue with your finger or a brush and stick it to the eye. If you want, you can create folds to make the lids more realistic. Then trim the paper towel and glue the rest to the backside.

Step 7: Painting the Eyelids

Now it's time to paint the eyelids! Whatever paint you use, make sure the paint is not too wet.

I like to paint on a second color with a dry brush and only a tiny bit of paint for some more dimension.

And if you get any paint on the eye apple, you can easily scratch it off with a toothpick once it's dry (it's kinda satisfying :p)

Step 8: The Eyes in Use

The eyes can be used for many things:

• The door sign is made from styrofoam and coated with napkins and paint. I matched it with the eye that I put on it.
• Fot the bottle I attached the eye first and then covered the rest with napkins and paint.
• Poke a hole in the eye (ouch) and make jewelry!

More ideas:

• Put an eye on a book
• Use the eyes in masks for costumes
• What would you do with the eyes?

Comments

[SmallTigey]

😡😡😡

[snowf7]

You got my vote! So simple and the items needed are easy to find. These eyes would be great on a paper mache doll, dragon or any other animal. Turn the pupil vertical for a cat or snake.

[Randomona]

Thank you so much! True I would love to see them on paper mache creations :)

[Treasure Tabby]

Nice! much less messy then the conventional way of using epoxy.
Great tip! Thanks.

[Randomona]

Yeah it's good to have alternatives :) thank you!

[WVSundown]

Great use of recycled materials!! Thanks for sharing!

[Randomona]

Thank you, I'm glad you like it! ☺️

[Dinseyfide]

I appreciate that all the materials are easily on-hand and recyclable! I will be sharing this with my costume-design daughter. She’ll love it! Thanks!

[Randomona]

I'm happy that you appreciate it, thank you! ☺️

[ladybgood]

Got my vote! Cheap, easy, and uses stuff I already have. Good luck!

[Randomona]

That's so sweet, thank you! :)

[DIXIE58DIXIE]

What a Fun idea! you got my vote. I have seen, no pun intended, eyeballs in a lot of ways but this is unique. Good luck.

[Randomona]

Oh, thank you so much ☺️ I'm glad you like it!