Monday, August 31, 2020

Macabre Mix Monday

If you're new to this blog, Macabre Mix Monday is when I bring you items that caught my eye from a variety of artists this past week. If you see something you like keep an eye on that shop because I'm sure it will be stocking up soon.

Spooky Little Blue Ghost from Dreaming Squid

Witch & Cat on a Broom Ornament from Anats Poly Dolls

Hand Painted Cardboard Hat from Lizzy Fink

Scarecrow Hat & Mask from Craft Prop Maker

Jack-O'-Lantern Leather Hair Slide from Rhinestone Bones

Paper Cut Conjoined Twins from Freud's Bride

There you have it. That's what my wandering eye spied last week. 

Friday, August 28, 2020

Cute Halloween Signs: The Sawmill Shop

I like to introduce you to a smallish shop today that sells cute Halloween signs to hang on your doors and walls. The signs are cut and printed and come in a variety of sizes from tiny at about 3 inches to just right for mailing at 12 inches. Many of the Halloween cutouts are created from Johanna Parker designs (with permission), but also of retro designs. Best part of all is that they're super affordable and you don't need a coupon. I think you're going to like them. Take a look at The Sawmill Shop.

Oh Bats Wooden Cutout

Frankenstein

October 31 Witch Hat

Ghost with Jack-o'-lantern

Glow Away Jack-o'-lantern

Golden Pumpkin Advertisement 

There are about 75 different Halloween signs in the shop right now. You're going to want to purchase more than one.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Peculiar Halloween Characters: Susie Krichbaum

Are you as astonished as I am that after all these years I'm still finding new (to me at least) Halloween artists? I've been writing this blog for over 6 years now and while I occasionally repeat artists that I especially love, most of the posts are fresh shops! I don't think people realize just how many artists specialize in this genre and how many everyday people buy it. The majority of the art works aren't being purchased by Goths and spooky looking kids. They're purchased by the everyday adults with a secret passion you barely notice at the grocery store- or wherever. Halloween art collectors are like a secret little society where they don't even know the other members! I'm going to have to do something to bring us all together. Maybe a Zoom meetup is in our future? Hmmmmm, stay tuned to this bat channel for updates. 

In the meantime, let's take a look at the Halloween art from Susie Krichbaum of Art by Susie K. I really like Krichbaum's clay creations. They hit the sweet spot between spooky and adorable that I gravitate towards. Let's take a look.

Harvest King

Ghost on a Twirling Broom

Raven Art Doll

Hard Knock Afterlife

Black Cat Party Popper

Stella Stahling Walking Spiders

Take a peak in the shop today to see the other fun pieces being sold.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Halloween Paper Mâché: Folkstyler Primitives

Michael Davis has been adding new Halloween figures to his shop and if you like the vintage look, you're going to love these paper mâché pieces. Last year I purchased a bat from Davis's shop Folkstyler Primitives that is so adorable! I have my eye on a new piece for this year.

Skull Candy Container

Witch Box

Crow on a Pumpkin

Witch Candy Bucket

Smiling Pumpkin Bucket

Halloween Owl

These pieces are all reasonably priced and so much nicer than what you'll find in the big box stores. You won't be disappointed.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Tiny Terrors Tuesday: Village Display Design

Last year I challenged you to create a miniature haunted room box in time for Halloween. I really enjoyed seeing what you all created and have had a few people ask if I'm going to do it again. LET'S DO IT! I'll put up a Facebook event in the next week or so, but in the meantime, I want you to consider creating a room, diorama, or entire house on the theme of a spooky book you love. Aim to finish the piece by mid-October.

In case you'll be in need of a spooky cemetery, I found some incredibly creepy tombstones from Village Display Design. These miniatures are handmade from resin and will work with Dept. 56 and other miniature displays for sale out there. I don't usually post resin pieces, but these are so awesome I had to share them with you. 

Tombstone with Sleeping Figure

Miniature Gargoyle

Cemetery Bench

Winged Skull Tombstone

Miniature Coffin

Miniature Monument

Don't be intimidated about creating a miniature scene. This is your chance to create your dream Halloween!

Monday, August 24, 2020

Macabre Mix Monday

I ran into some luck when American Airlines agreed to refund my pre-COVID purchased ticket even though I think it was originally a non-refundable purchase. Hats off to them and good fortune to me since I've been able to use the money to purchase Halloween art these last few weeks. It seems like everyday another artist announces that she has stocked her store with new goodies. Nothing has been delivered yet, but I'll be sure to share what I've purchased on Instagram.

Are you getting the urge to re-stock your Halloween collection? Well, I might just have a few suggestions for you on Macabre Mix Monday.

Pumpkin Trick or Treat Figure from Carrie Crafts

Pumpkin Head Doll from Julie's Creative Ideas

Spun Cotton Skull Ornament from JessicaKat

Miniature Skull in a Walnut Shell from Joan Hanlen

Embroidered Spirit Board Hand Towel from DarkxDesires

Felted Skull Brooch from ZN Mystery

Pumpkin Stud Earrings from RyanBeTryin

Posable Paper Skeleton from The StoryBox Studio

Halloween Wreath from Main Street Craft Shop

As always, buy directly from artists and check the rest of their shops for delightfully spooky pieces.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Artistry of Three Halloween Art Show!

This quarantined world we live in is having a positive effect on the number of Halloween art shows I can attend this year. So many are going online and new ones are popping up everyday. Case in point: Artistry of Three

Three well-known Halloween artists who have been friends for many years have decided to join together for the first ever Artistry of Three show this Sunday, August 23rd. The sale will begin at 8pm EST and you'll need to decide which of the artists' shops to visit first because they're each selling from their individual websites. The artists are Laurie Hardin, Joyce Stahl, and Nancy Malay

I'm going to show you a few examples of their work today to help you decide. Keep in mind that these pieces have already been sold, but will give you an idea of what will be for sale on Sunday.

Trick or Treat Frankie (Sold) by Laurie Hardin

Lula and Her Talking Pumpkin (Sold) by Laurie Hardin

The Addams Dolls (Sold) from Joyce Stahl

Conjoined Twins (Sold) from Joyce Stahl

Pumpkin Witches (Sold) by Nancy Malay

Witch Art Doll (Sold) by Nancy Malay

Not having to pay for traveling costs, hotel rooms, and meals just means I have more money to spend on art!

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Halloween Folk Art: Whimsies Handmade

Kelli Martin's shop is full of Halloween folk art witches and ghosts right now. I love this time of year when Halloween artists starting stocking their shops. You know that by October the best pieces will have been sold. 

Forget about buying anything except Halloween art right now. Do you really need another mass-produced, resin Halloween product? You owe it to yourself to buy something original and handmade. The shop to visit today is Whimsies Handmade.

Primitive Witch Doll

Cheesecloth Gray Ghost

Primitive Pumpkin Man

Black Cat Folk Art Doll

White Ghost with Candle

Pumpkin Lady Doll

I'm running out of room on my Halloween collection shelves. I might just have start hanging pieces from the ceiling!