Make an adorable DIY ghost mug for Halloween using dollar store supplies! This easy Pottery Barn dupe takes minutes and costs under $3.
Easy DIY Ghost Mug Craft – Dollar Tree Pottery Barn Halloween Dupe
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This Halloween, sip your coffee in style with an adorable DIY ghost mug inspired by the Pottery Barn Halloween collection — without the Pottery Barn price tag.
This dollar store Halloween craft is quick, budget-friendly, and perfect for beginners. Best part? You can make 4–5 of these ghost mug dupes for the cost of just one from Pottery Barn.
💡 Reader Tip: This cute Halloween mug craft also makes an adorable gift! Add a couple of hot chocolate bombs inside and attach a “You’ve Been Booed” gift tag for an easy, thoughtful Halloween present.
The mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe once baked, though hand-washing is recommended to help the paint last longer. Full sealing instructions are included in the printable card below.
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This ghost coffee mug is part of this month’s Thrifty Style Team home decorating challenge — scroll down for more affordable Halloween and fall decorating ideas from some seriously talented bloggers.
This Pottery Barn-inspired mug is a favorite in our house — my daughter is always finding viral TikTok dupes and daring me to recreate them (a challenge I never turn down!).
Other Pottery Barn Halloween dupes on the blog include the cute bat pillow bat pillow and the sherpa pumpkin pillow shown HERE.
Now, let’s make this easy DIY Halloween mug.
Supplies Needed for a Pottery Barn Inspired Ghost Mug
- Ceramic coffee mug (dollar store works great)
- Black acrylic paint (DecoArt Acrylic Paint in Lamp Black recommended)
- Q-tips (or a narrow paint brush)
- Rubbing alcohol
How to Make a DIY Ghost Mug
Step 1: Clean the Mug
Wipe the mug down with rubbing alcohol to remove fingerprints, dust, or oils so the paint adheres smoothly.
Step 2: Add the Ghost Eyes
Dip a Q-tip in black acrylic paint and dab a small circle onto the mug. Start small and build up the size gradually until you’re happy with the look.
Keeping a photo of the Pottery Barn ghost mug nearby as a reference helps — or make it your own with rounded eyes instead of pointed ones.
⚠️ Reader Tip: Keep paint away from the rim of the mug so it never comes in contact with your mouth.
Step 3: Add the Mouth
Center an oval mouth shape below the eyes for a classic “boo” mug look. Want to switch it up? Try writing “BOO” on the opposite side instead.
Let the paint cure for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
How to Make a Painted Mug Dishwasher Safe
To make your DIY painted mug top-shelf dishwasher safe:
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Bake the mug for 30 minutes.
- Let it cool completely before use.
If you only plan to hand-wash the mug, baking isn’t necessary.
Now you can enjoy your favorite hot chocolate or coffee in your sweet new mug.
I just happened to have a small ironstone pitcher handy, so I turned that into a ghost too!
I really hope you enjoyed this easy Halloween craft.
Don’t forget to leave a comment to let me know if you give this Halloween coffee mug a try.
Happy Halloween!
FAQs About Making a DIY Ghost Mug
Yes — once baked at 275°F for 30 minutes, the mug becomes top-shelf dishwasher safe. If you skip baking, hand-washing is recommended so the paint doesn’t chip.
A plain ceramic or porcelain mug works best. Dollar store mugs (like those from Dollar Tree) are ideal since they’re inexpensive and easy to find in bulk.
Absolutely. A narrow paint brush gives you more control for smaller or more detailed ghost faces, while a Q-tip creates the classic rounded dot look.
Let the paint cure for at least 4 hours, though overnight is best to ensure it’s fully set before washing or using the mug.
Yes! Pair the finished ghost mug with hot chocolate bombs and a “You’ve Been Booed” tag for an easy, budget-friendly Halloween gift.
Decorate Affordably with the Thrifty Style Team
Redhead Can Decorate shares a cozy fall corner in her beautiful home!
Our Crafty Mom shows us how to make an adorable ghost mug Pottery Barn dupe using Dollar Tree supplies.
I Should Be Mopping the Floor has a great idea for a yummy fall simmer pot recipe that will make your home smell amazing!
The How to Home teaches us how to make Dollar Store Halloween apothecary jars that look way more expensive than they are!
DIY Beautify made a gorgeous Anthro Minka Pot dupe for under $5. This is on my must-try list.
2 Bees in a Pod shares a gorgeous olive topiary that is a Ballard’s dupe.
The Tattered Pew created a simple DIY Halloween ghost pillow and shows us how to make our own.
Cottage on Bunker Hill gives us helpful tips on where to find free art to print at home.
My Family Thyme crafted a lovely dried hydrangea wreath that you can enjoy all year.
Amy Sadler Designs crafted a felt bookmark with an embroidered initial.
Songbird has great ideas on how to decorate lanterns for fall.
Reader Favorites: More Affordable Halloween & Fall Decor Ideas
- 50 Dollar Tree Pumpkin Makeovers
- Fall Decorating Ideas
- Buffalo Check and Sunflower Fall Tablescape
- Easy Dough Bowl Styling
Ghost Mug Pottery Barn Dupe
Make the cutest Halloween ghost mug inspired by the Pottery Barn Halloween collection. All you need are a few inexpensive supplies, including a Q-tip!
Materials
- Ceramic Coffee Mug
- Black Paint
- Q-tips
- Rubbing Alcohol
Instructions
- Clean the mug with rubbing alcohol to remove any fingerprints or dust.
- Use a Q-tip to dab a small circle of paint onto the coffee mug for ghost eyes.
- Complete the ghost’s face by adding a mouth.
- Allow the paint to cure for at least four hours, or overnight to be safe.
Notes
**To make the paint top shelf dishwasher safe, it is necessary to bake them in the oven. Set the oven temperature to 275 degrees and bake for thirty minutes.
If you are just going to hand wash them, it is not necessary to bake them.
**It’s important not to add paint at the top of the coffee mug, as it can’t come in contact with your mouth.
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You can find me on social media below:
Kelly
Tuesday 25th of October 2022
Awesome Halloween idea and it looks easy to do! Thanks for this!
Kelly https://www.raiderladies.com/
Mary Beth
Friday 21st of October 2022
Oh, Michelle! These are absolutely the cutest. Thanks for sharing such awesome thrifty inspiration.
Kristi
Friday 21st of October 2022
Super cute! Perfect for some pumpkin spice coffee. xoxo, kristi
Kelly
Sunday 16th of October 2022
Oh my goodness these are darling! I love how easy they are and affordable yet still so cute! Well done my friend!
Marianne Songbird
Sunday 16th of October 2022
What a super fun idea! I love it.