Shivers of Delight

I love it when I learn new pieces of information that will probably be of no use unless I'm stuck in an awkward conversation with nothing to say. Did you know that hobo nickels (altered coins) were first carved in the mid-18th century and that the most popular design of the time was the "potty coin" which altered the Liberty figure to appear to be sitting on a chamber pot? There, now this will take up space in your brain too. If you want to make the awkward conversation even better, you can open up your coin purse and show them your recently altered nickel collection. Yes! Matt Petitdemange is carving up coins to look like skulls. You know you want one from a special year to carry around in your pocket for good luck (and awkward conversations.) His shop is called The Hobo Nickel Shop . Sugar Skull on a Half Dollar Coin Skeleton on a Penny Susan B. Anthony Skull Dollar Coin Buffalo Skeleton Nickel Lady Liberty Skull on Dollar Coin George Washingto...

I recently finished reading The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown. Published this past April, the novel is a fictionalized account of the 17th-century, English, witchfinder, Matthew Hopkins, told from his sister's viewpoint. In actuality, little is known about Hopkins and history does not record that he even had a sister, but we do know that he was one of six children and four are known to be boys, so it's possible he had at least one sister. For a concise account of Hopkins read an article by George Knowles Matthew Hopkins: Witch-Finder General . In Underdown's story, Hopkins' sister, Alice, returns to her brother's home after an accident kills her husband. She soon realizes that Hopkins is on a crusade to find women accused of being witches and bring them to trial. Her relationship with her brother is strained and it's through Alice's eyes that we watch the frenzy of witch hunting grow in the countryside. Alice is the voice of reason in this ...

Washington Irving died on November 28, 1859. I know what you're thinking: "Washington Irving, meh." I think we should all take another look at this hip guy. Did you know that he was the person who gave New York City the nickname Gotham? Hello, Batman. And, that there is a cocktail or two inspired by him (but not the actual word "cocktail" that some have credited him with- that was apparently disproved)? And really, where would Halloween be without the Headless Horseman? I know I ask a lot of questions, but The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is often called one of the earliest pieces of American fiction and I say the first American spooky story. How can you not be wowed? Let's go shopping. Washington Irving Giclée Print fron ArtTalesandMagic The Headless Horseman from HeadlessEnterprises Washington Irving Doll from UneekDollDesigns Then, let's make an Irving-inspired cocktail and raise our glasses to him. Because I said so. The Knickerbo...

On November 27, 1972, Count Von Count made his first appearance on Sesame Street. I don't know if you would consider this his birthday, but it is certainly the day to celebrate this well-loved, spooky, puppet. Can it really be 45 years??? Gund Stuffed Animal from shopsy Count Von Count T-shirt from Zimmermantwin FunKo Count Von Count on Amazon The Count Wall Decal on Amazon Count Von Count Hoodie from ChickenPrint1 Count Von Count Yard Art from CSCuteCrafts I tried to find a Count Von Count cocktail for us to imbibe during our celebration, but alas, although I could find a bar in China that claims to make one, I couldn't find a recipe. Be creative.

It's Black Friday and you would think by the name alone I would love it, but no. There are too many people buying useless things so I stay inside. I have decided though if I needed to go out, I should have a black cloak to hide under. It's seems so New England to me, whether it be witch or pilgrim. Wool Half-Circle Cloak from chrononautmercantile 1920s Mohair Velvet Opera Cape from FrockittoMe Flare Wool Black Hooded Cloak from camelliatune Wool Black Cloak from Gabyga Maleficent Rooster Feather Cape from eilasan Black Wool Cape from AtelierMaregaMask These cloaks should keep you warm and safe from the maddening crowds.

Happy Thanksgiving! I always like to honor the turkeys that have lost their lives for us on this day. Perhaps you can incorporate one of these items into your Thanksgiving table decor next year or add a little something special to your outfit. Turkey Skull Coffin Display from ShinerSkulls Turkey Neck Vertebra Covered in Copper Rings from SuperCopper Chicken & Turkey Bone Necklace from apt213 Turkey & Chicken Skull Necklace from apt213 Turkey Leg Bone Candle Holder from SpecialtySkulls Two Yards of Turkey Feathers Boa from OnLineFeathers These might give you an idea for a DIY project today after everyone has picked the turkey clean and you're looking for something to do before you start dessert. Enjoy!

Griselda Tello considers herself a painter first, but assemblage art became a meditative practice for her and so, Tello's spirit dolls were born. Each doll is made from found objects and fabrics and she paints the molded faces. Tello recommends hanging the dolls near a kitchen door or garden gate as a welcome into your home. Her shop is called awesomeart . Mabon Moon  Mother Nature Calavera Sugar Skull Hedge Green Kitchen Witch Equinox Moon Halloween Garden Spirit There are many, many more beautiful spirit dolls like this one in Tello's shop . You might also like to take a look at her paintings.

Many people know that I have a small family shrine in our house as a remembrance to family members and pets that have left this world. It's not morbid. In fact, it makes me smile every time I pass it. It's my little step toward not fearing death, instead, treating it like it's a welcome guest in our house (and as a guest, death needs to behave while it's visiting.) That's why I love the colorful clay shrines that Kirsten Page Bennett is making in her shop My Mind Garden . You can fill the shrines with anything you want to honor be, it a lost relative, a family pet, or President Obama. The choice is entirely up to you. Sunburst Mini Altar Winged Mini Altar with Heart Sunburst Mini Altar Bennett also makes some skull ornaments and candle holders I think you'll like. Anatomical Heart Ornament Sugar Skull Candle Holder Sugar Skull Ornament As Thanksgiving creeps up on us, it would be nice to give a few minutes to thinking about a a wa...

I just finished reading Caitlin Doughty's new book From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death . Published this year, it's Doughty's second book about how we respond to death.  Doughty isn't talking much about our emotional reaction to death, but rather the customs and business of death. Her first book Smoke Gets In Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory  (2015) was her up-close view of the cremation industry in the United States. From Here to Eternity is a loving look at death customs, new and old, that are practiced around the world and that Doughty was able to visit and in some instances participate in. She begins and ends the book with examples of new trends in natural burials in the United States including outdoor funeral pyres and natural decomposition. In between she visits old customs of honoring the dead in Indonesia, Bolivia, and Mexico and new customs in Japan and Spain. Throughout it all, Doughty is practical and straigh...

I have some groovy items to show you that you might want to mark as potential holiday gifts. These are items I wouldn't mind finding addressed to me, wrapped in some glossy black paper with a charcoal taffeta bow. Tiny Skull Ring from Datter Haunted House Skeleton Key Necklace from AbbiesAnchor Spooky All Year Pin from Ectogasm Ghost Candles from HiddenfromtheLight Skeleton Joy Faery from faeryfossils Needle-Felted Wool Skeleton from SomeRabbits Victorian Mourning Print Scarf from KMSxCo There you have it. Seven lovely items for you to covet.

Zed's Zombie Ranch's artists say they "crave the outlandish." Well, they provide it, too. Their shop offers steel sculptures of skeletons in "outlandish" positions and metal wall and yard signs that will make you smile. Sure the snow may be falling in some parts of the world, but just think how those yard art signs will stand out in the snow! The shop is zedszombieranch . Skeleton Playing Banjo Skeleton Guitar Solo Beware of Hell Hounds Sign Do Not Wake The Troll Sign Skeleton with Boom Box Zombie Nom Nom Nom Sign The more I wander through this shop the more I find to love. Spend a few minutes exploring today.