Shivers of Delight

I posted about the animal masks from MiesmesaBerni several years ago, and the shop has lived on my "favorites" page since then. There is something about the quiet calmness of these masks that attract me. I always say if you have a good mask, the rest of your costume could be a ballgown or tuxedo and you'd look fantastic. Everyone should have one artist-made mask in their collection. Mimmi's masks are made from paper maché and hand-painted. They're simply lovely. Crow Mask Unicorn Mask Fox Mask Wolf Mask Bird Mask Pig Mask There are more animal masks to choose from in the shop. Think about wearing these with a group of friends. You could even outfit them like bandits or hunters- so many possibilities! The best part is that you can display these year round.

Yesterday evening, for the price of just $5, I was able to join in on a Zoom meeting hosted by The Morbid Anatomy Library . First of all, if you're not signed up for notifications about events from The Morbid Anatomy Library you're missing out on some great scholarly lectures about the oddest, coolest, macabre things in our world. The museum closed over a year ago (I was able to visit once), but the library has relocated to the Green-Wood Cemetery's Fort Hamilton Gatehouse in Brooklyn, NY. You can't visit at the moment because of the pandemic, so they've moved their lectures online which works great for those of us not close enough to visit. The library also has an online shop and classes. Yesterday's event was with filmmaker, Ronni Thomas. You can read about him on his website The Midnight Archive . Thomas is a passionate, artistic, punk, kid (I call him a kid- not because of his age, but because of his childlike enthusiasm) who said that he enjoys making film...

On this day in 1881, Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau died in New Orleans. Whether or not you believe the stories about Laveau, you can't dismiss the fact that this black woman held much power in New Orleans during her life. The New York Times even published her obituary.  Today seems like a good time to show you the MisChief Dolls made by Connie Born. While the dolls aren't Halloween related, they do have an air of mystery and power.  Born had been making the dolls for nearly 20 years before her gallery was destroyed by hurricane Katrina ( read her story here .) After a ten year lull, she started making them again and they're available in her Etsy shop Mardi Gras MisChief Creations . These dolls definitely hold the magic of Mardi Gras, Marie Laveau, and so much more. Marie LaVeau MisChief Doll Mayura Royale Art Doll NOLA Magic Art Doll Victorian Steampunk Lady MisChief Art Doll Fantasy Fairy MisChief Art Doll Madame Pepe MisChief Art Doll Each doll is a one-of-a-kind, hand made p...

Beena Miller says that she wants the people who wear her jewelry to look like they just came out of the movie Mad Max. Sounds good to me! I also think that anyone with a touch of the goth will love them too. The shop is Black Urn Jewelry . Cemetery Ring Deaths Head Ring Band Toothy Grin Necklace Snake Bite Necklace   Double Horn Moon Ring X Marks the Spot Coffin Nails Necklace The shop will also make custom teeth pieces with teeth you supply.... Think about that.

If you're like me you've been wearing your own Covid-19 uniform for the last several months. Mine consists of black yoga pants and a t-shirt or a blouse if I have a Zoom meeting. Same thing every day. I've tried to put on a casual skirt a few times, but I just felt weird and went back to the yoga pants. I'm starting to get the urge for some new clothes now. I still don't want to wander around stores though and so do most of my shopping online. Then I remembered Obsequies ! Ash makes clothing that's comfortable with just the right amount of spooky-artsy. HalloHarvest Moon T-shirt Transylvania Twist Dress BatTeeCrazy T-shirt Jack O Lantern Crop Sweater Bat Pastels and Pockets Skirt Never Trust the Living Long Sleeve Shirt Spooktacular, right?!  Most items come in S, M, L & XL sizes. I've already ordered something.

I have some creepy miniatures for you today from Northern Lites Minis . They're perfect if you're creating a laboratory for a mad scientist, insane asylum, or perhaps a mortuary. It's all part of Shivers of Delight's Tiny Terrors Tuesdays. Teresa Dudley is creating a mini B-movie set in her shop. 1/12th scale Hospital Operating Table Miniature Leech Medical Jar and Leeches Tiny Crate of Morphine Bottles Alien in Biohazard Container Miniature Surgical Needles Dollhouse Medical Brain Transport Leather Strap Hospital Bed Miniature Straight Jacket Believe me, you have never seen a miniature shop like this one. There are so many incredible pieces here that you're going to want to create scenes just so you can use them.

I'm back after a contemplative week. There is so much happening right now that I put the blog on pause so that I could absorb what is taking place without being overwhelmed. I'm still feeling the weight of the world, but I think following a routine helps me keep going so, here I am. I feel like the prints and cards from Danse Macabre UK are soothing for me right now. Even in darkness there is beauty. Alice Durose describes her work as "An unabashed, unashamed celebration of the gloriously grotesque and the magnificently macabre." Fly High On Hallows Eve Print (also as a card) Tarot Deck, Major Arcana Cards Time Enough for the Earth in the Grave Print Didn't Bleed Red Card Take the Flame Inside You Print Hand of Glory Card Set of 3 "Mourning Glory" Prints Any of Durose's pieces would make a nice point of meditation. Don't you think?