Shivers of Delight

I hope you made it over to The Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween Evening Market yesterday, but if you didn't there are still many beautiful items looking for a home.  One artist I want to highlight is Zan Asha of The Magical Vagabond . Her paper clay and ceramic Halloween figures are whimspookal and so delightful. Here are a few of the pieces in the shop as of this morning. Betty The Batty Bat Witch Box Pumpkin Girl Bat and Pumpkin Ornament RavensWitch Crow Figure Owly Enchanted Ceramic Jar Kitty and Pumpkin Handmade Gloves I couldn't resist adding in the gloves. How cute! Check out the shop for more items including hand painted pieces and prints.

Here we are back at Monday. How does it come around so fast? I've been doing some winter decorating at our house which includes some winter monsters. The Krampus and Abominable Snowman are well represented, but I think a few creepy Christmas elves would be nice to round out the collection. Evil Elf Holiday Banner from tiakinsmanart Severed Elf Head Ornament from Zombie Dollz Store Creepy Elf Latex Mask from McAllister's Masks Needle Felted Elf from WoolArtHanaNana Leprechaun Doll from Toys Carousel Red Elf from Galina Paper Mache Mini Elf Doll from Kuklo Ferma These may not all be creepy elves, but they are certainly not your typical Christmas elf. And what about that elf mask?! That should keep in the kids in line.

It's been a tradition since almost the inception of this blog that on Black Friday I post things in the image of the plague doctor. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would actually live through (so far) a plague. I have to say the selection of items to choose from has greatly improved.  I think it's good luck though that I actually got a booster shot appointment this morning after days of trying to schedule one. So on with the Shivers of Delight Black Friday post.  Plague Doctor Linocut Print from Haereticum Plague Doctor Ceramic Mug from Stone Hands Clan Leather Plague Doctor Key Chain from ASHcraft Workshop Plague Doctor Doll from Atelier Marega Mask Plague Doctor Mask Holder from Whidbey Makers Studio Plague Doctor Ring from ArtULTIMA Plague Doctor Doll from Cosy Dolls We all need a bit of gallows humor to survive, but we also need to get vaccinated, wash our hands, and wear a mask. 

  I know, I know. You have lots to do this week already, but just in case here are a few reasons to sit down and relax. Saturday the 27th (1990) David White Death Anniversary (actor in Bewitched) Sunday the 28th (1859) Washington Irving Death Anniversary (author) Monday the 29th St. Andrews Eve   Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween Evening Market , Online Event, 8pm EST Tuesday the 30th (1947) Death Anniversary of Aleister Crowley   (1982) Release of Michael Jackson's Thriller  Wednesday the 1st Weird Christmas: A Journey into the Dark Heart of the Holiday Season , online Facebook event, 7pm EST (1632) State of Connecticut outlaws witchcraft

The other day I heard a story on the radio or maybe I read it somewhere (remember I have a horrible memory) about a family that decorated their Christmas tree on Halloween while wearing their Halloween costumes and eating their Halloween candy. They weren't decorating a spooky tree, just your typical Christmas tree, but for some reason this story just made me smile.  If you find it joyful and want to blend your holidays together don't be timid! Go all out. I've featured the beautiful, spooky ornaments from Kayleigh Radcliffe in the past, but I think she has a wonderful way of making the spooky seem elegant and festive. This year Radcliffe has ornaments that are professionally printed on wood so the price is very affordable. Saint Nick Dancing with Krampus Cat in a Skull  Krampus Cat Witch and Cauldron Skeleton Krampus in a Snow Globe Don't you love them? There are many more to choose from in the shop plus some original spun cotton ornaments.

I'm just going to put this out there. I'm already having anxiety dreams about Christmas, so creepy Christmas cannot get any more real for me. You too? I find the only way to combat it is to laugh. Frostbite the Snowman from WeeScone Krampus Brooch from There Will Be Cute Krampus Scene Silhouette from Frintd Fabrications DIY Krampus Doll Sewing Kit from Silent Orchid Studio Krampus Art Doll from Mercury and Magpie Krampus Advent Calendar from Sniggle Sloth Krampus Face Jug from WB Pottery Krampus Giclee Print from Tim Campbell Art Well, that should keep the nightmares at bay for a bit.

The extended darkness we're experiencing, while I don't always love it, does make me think about otherworldly creatures. I can imagine (at 6pm...) while I'm in my pjs that there are multitudes of creatures roaming around my backyard- some I recognize, and some I can only imagine.  The fantasy dolls from Shamanic Dolls are the creatures I think may be wandering about. They're perfectly mystical. Magical Tree Spirit  Horned Goddess Forest Spirit Magical Bat Forest Deer Spirit Doll I tell you, if these creatures are wandering around my backyard, I'm going to be staying up a lot later so that I can frolic with them.

Amber Olsen makes weird art for weird people. That's us, right? In her shop Broken Brain By Amber , you'll find a mix of unique items like jewelry, Halloween decor, and cross body bags, but what really caught my attention are the felt art dolls Olsen creates. They're hand-stitched and just right for weird people like us. Small Krampus Doll Plague Doctor Skeleton Ornament Krampus Figures Ouija Earrings Halloween Cross Body Bag Visit the shop to see the Cthulhu dolls. They're pretty awesome too!

  Don't fret! There are still lots of spooky things to keep you occupied. Wednesday the 17th Monster Kitty Society shop early Black Friday sale through the 19th Friday the 19th Papermoon Gallery shop sale, 8pm EST (1999) Sleepy Hollow film release date Sunday the 21st Nevermore Market , 6pm EST (1931) Frankenstein film release date (1967) C. M. Eddy Jr. Death Anniversary (author) (2011) Anne McCaffrey Death Anniversary (author) Tuesday the 23rd (1963) First Episode of Dr. Who on BBC TV (1990) Roald Dahl Death Anniversary (author)

Jada Dodd uses paper clay and fabric to create the spookiest little knee hugger dolls. You can forget about that mischievous little Elf on the Shelf. Her shop is ThePlumChum .  Bat Knee Hugger Ghost Knee Hugger Skeleton Knee Hugger Pumpkin Knee Hugger Witch Knee Hugger Mummy Knee Hugger I think you could have lots of fun with one of these dolls. If you're looking for something more traditional, the shop also carries Christmas knee hugger dolls.