Be A Gypsy Fortune Teller Machine For Halloween!
This Gypsy Fortune Teller Machine costume came out of the plans for a Halloween Party we are having one year. My daughter thought having a Fortune Teller a fun activity… but then she thought that she would like to carry the costume forward to Trick or Treats. Dressing like a fortune teller is easy enough…..but how to make a Fortune Telling Booth portable?
Cardboard… the is answer to most Halloween problems. A large cardboard box… cut and painted to look like a booth from the waist up…. and carried with a belt harness.
We cut openings for candy “payments”…. and printed up a load of fortunes to slide out of a slot.
There’s even a glowing Crystal Ball.…
Sure, there are a bunch of steps, but you can choose how elaborate you want to make this costume. We found some great sheer fabric for the side windows, but it’s not necessary. And we were lucky to find the skirt at Goodwill…and scarves? I got bunches.
Quick Look at Contents
Gypsy Fortune Teller Machine Costume
The Costume was little awkward for Trick or Treats (it’s hard to reach out for candy from inside the booth) but we solved the candy collection issue, and my daughter loved it! She practiced her Fortune Teller voice for HOURS! (drove us all crazy reading our fortunes!… gotta love it)
My daughter really enjoyed being Madame Zola on Halloween, and the costume was a HUGE HIT.
So cute!… people were stopping her along the trick or treat route to take her photo (she’s a ham, so she loved that). Little kids were giving her some of their candy for a fortune.
Note… the box got a little heavy for her after a while (she’s only 9), but at that point we took it off, and she just carried the glowing crystal ball in her hand.
Also, the clear cellophane cover was bothering her, so we removed it. You can decide if you want it or not.
How to Make a Gypsy Fortune Telling Machine Costume
It Started With a Rough Sketch
Madame Zola’s Booth Was Conceived
We Assembled Our Supplies
(Some From Thrift Stores, the Rest from the Craft Store)
Large Box – Big enough to wear
Duct Tape
2 Belts- To Hold the costume on
Crystal Ball– Upside down glass bowl
Candles– Battery operated tea lights
Duct Tape
Fabric – Back ground fabric… black or purple
Clear Cellophane– To make window covers and fill the crystal ball
Duct Tape
Spray Paint– to cover cardboard
Paint to make a sign
Duct Tape
Gypsy Costume– Skirt, Peasant Blouse, Scarves for hair and maybe around waist
Duct Tape
Trick or Treat Sling Bag
Duct Tape
Oh! and Don’t Forget the Duct Tape….
InCharacter Costumes Girls Gypsy Dress Costume, Multi Color, X-Large
Unisex Cross Body Shoulder Bag, Hippie, Gypsy Sling, Hobo, Monk, Alms, Beach Burgundy Elephant DesignGypsy Child CostumeProTapes Pro Duct 100 PE-Coated Cloth Economy Duct Tape, 60 yds Length x 2Youngerbaby 24 Pieces Battery-Powered Flameless Flickering LED Tea Light, Amber Yellow40 in. x 100 ft. Sparkle Wrap Clear Cellophane Wrap Roll Pkg/1 New
&
Fortunes!
We found fortunes online but you can come up with your own…. Our Fortunes are for Cookies
Print them up… and cut them into slips
Step by Step Photos… How to Put it All Together
Cut the Front Window… Leaving a space to make a Candy Slot and a Fortune Slot
Cut Side Windows for Visability
Cut Side and Back Flap to about 3 Inches… Tape to Secure
This just smooths the bottom of the sides and back
Duct tape is AMAZING
Let the Kids Help Make Their Costume
They Can Cut Cardboard Under Supervision
Bend the Front Flap in Half and Tape
Duct Tape To Reinforce… this will be the shelf for the crystal ball
Tape the Shelf In Place Securely (it’s hard to tell, but this is a view from the bottom)
Duct Tape Reinforce ALL of the Edges
Makes it Look Neater
Spray Paint is Efficient
Make Sure You Don’t Get it On You
Painted and Ready for the Next Step
We Cut the Holes for Candy and Fortunes… Reinforced them Too
Cut 2 Slots in Back… and Two on Shelf
Run Belts Through and Attach
Put Your Gypsy Inside, and Measure to fit
Cut and Tape
Criss Cross the Straps for Added Support
They Will Cross in the Back
Decorate Your Fortune Teller Booth
Make it Look Great
Tape Shiny Fabric Along Back Wall
I Used Duct Tape… and Gave it a Folded Drape Look
We Covered the Sides and Top with a Sheer Spiderweb Fabric
You can leave it open if you want… My kid loves Shiny Things
Reflective Tape
Stick this on the Back of the Box…. Safety First!
Create a Crystal Ball Effect
Load Your Glass Ball with a bit of Crumpled Clear Cellophane
Battery Operated Candles Are GREAT!
We Used them in the Crystal Ball… and as Interior Lights in the Booth
Whhooooo….. It Glows…..
She Can Lift the Ball up to turn the Light On and Off
Paint Your Sign
We Used the Name Madame Zola
Our Gypsy…
We Found a Beaded Skirt at Goodwill… and the Blouse was in the Closet
Scarves? I got loads… but Goodwill will have them too..
We used a Bag that I bought on a Cruise to Mexico… it slings over her shoulder, and rests on her side. She can collect candy and stash it in the bag with one hand…
The fortunes went into a side pocket of the purse
She handed them out through the slot in exchange for candy!
