Bringing Polyjuice Potion to Life

The Polyjuice Potion is one of the most intriguing and complex potions in the Harry Potter universe, requiring a month-long brewing process and a collection of rare ingredients. I wanted to bring this magical experience to life in a tangible way—by creating my own Polyjuice Potion Kit, complete with every bottled ingredient, recipe cards, and an interactive, swirly, Polyjuice Potion. My goal was to make it feel like an authentic artifact, something that could be pulled straight from a potion master’s storeroom.

I designed and created each bottle label, ensuring that every ingredient had its own unique look and feel. I carefully selected and upcycled vials to fit each ingredient, ensuring they felt authentic to the wizarding world. For added realism, I crafted intricate textures—like the layered transparency of Lacewing Flies’ wings and the glossy, resin-coated surface of the Leeches—to bring each component to life. Every bottle feels like it belongs in a wizard’s potion kit, as if it were pulled straight from a well-stocked apothecary.

This kit includes six uniquely crafted ingredient bottles:

Lacewing Flies — Small green insects named for their large, transparent, laced wings. I created these using polymer clay and transparency film paper—using patience and layers to build up those wings!

Leeches — Small slug-like invertebrates that live in water and feed on human blood. I sculpted these using black polymer clay and UV resin for a slimy, realistic look, carefully positioning them to stick to the glass in just the right way.

Knotgrass — A plant with magical properties. I enhanced a faux plant with a custom paint treatment to add realism and texture.

Powdered Bicorn Horn — Bicorns possess two large horns, shed annually. I used grey sand and refined it further to create a fine, powdery texture.

Shredded Boomslang Skin — Shed skin from a Boomslang snake. I blended two shades of polymer clay, adding texture with netting and layering the pieces to achieve a realistic effect. I baked the polymer in multiple batches to prevent collapse inside the bottle.

Fluxweed — A magical plant that needs to be plucked at the full moon for Polyjuice Potion. I gave a faux plant a paint treatment to add variety to its leaves and stems.

To complete the experience, I handcrafted an accordion envelope containing an ingredient map, an illustrated ingredient card, and detailed Polyjuice Potion recipe cards. As a final touch, the kit includes a seventh bottle—a fully brewed Polyjuice Potion—designed to look like it was freshly stocked in a potion master’s apothecary.

Bringing the Polyjuice Potion Kit to life was a rewarding challenge that combined my love of prop-making, design, and immersive storytelling. This project pushed me to refine my techniques, experiment with new materials, and think critically about how to make each element feel as authentic as possible.

It has inspired me to continue crafting interactive pieces that transport people into a world of magic and imagination. Whether displayed as decor, used for cosplay, or simply admired as a magical keepsake, this piece is a tribute to the craft of potion-making in the wizarding world.