4. Distressed Apothecary Poison Bottles
Transform ordinary glass bottles and jars into an eerie collection of Victorian apothecary vials. Gather vessels of various shapes and sizes, from amber medicine bottles to clear glass jars. You can find free printable vintage apothecary labels online, featuring gothic typography and Victorian illustrations of cobwebs, skulls, and mysterious potions like “Arsenic” or “Nightshade.” Print these onto standard paper, tea-stain them for an aged look, and adhere them to the bottles using Mod Podge. To make the glass look dusty and ancient, mist the bottles with a mixture of matte sealer and a sprinkle of dark grey chalk dust or real dirt. Fill them with colored water, dried botanicals, or plastic specimens to complete the haunting laboratory aesthetic.