Samhain Stout and Sinister Jack T-Shirt Sale!

If Halloween had a beer, it would be made by the (currently imaginary) 31st October Brewco, and Samhain, himself, would be its Head Brewmaster!

I'm making a run at clearing space and lucky you, Dear Reader, I've decided to have a sale on these soft, comfy, SINISTER t-shirts!

Sinister Jack Spiced Ale, brewed by the darkest souls! T-shirt looks amazing on the living -- or the dead!

Samhain Stout, brewed by the darkest souls! Gray heather t-shirt with Samhain Stout beer label design looks fantastic on the living or the undead!

I have both men's and women's shirts on clearance for $10 plus shipping. They're of exceptionally good quality and the design was a collaboration between artist Bob Lizarraga and myself!

Head over to ShellHawk's Creations on Etsy to purchase your t-shirts now, and in the coming weeks, there just might be a few of my ceramic jack-o'-lanterns to adopt, too!

Don't Go Breakin' My Heart

 Beautifully made teapots by Richard Notkin!

Other examples here. Articles here.

Magic Wheelchair and Haunter Cory Hunt

Click the pic for the newsreel on this wonderful build!

Haunters take a lot of crap from certain segments of the population. From, "It's too early to decorate" (on October 1) to "You're going to Hell!", I feel we're unfairly singled out as people who are weighed in as "not nice" on the judgment scale.

We, of course, know better.

Many of us haunt for a favorite charity. We participate in food drives. We raise money to buy dog beds for local shelters. And we do lots of different things for kids and kids' charities because Hallowe'en is, after all, something of a kid's holiday.

And then, there's Cory Hunt.

Cory formerly ran the Nightmare Playgrounds Haunt before getting involved with West Coast Haunters Convention and the Oregon School for the Deaf.

Cory is the guy that children run to because they instinctively know he's a protector, because he's fun, and because he's just a lovable kind of guy. He's got a heart for the kids, and it isn't even dripping with blood!

It's not surprising that he eventually became part of the magic at Magic Wheelchair, an organization which builds costumes for kids in wheelchairs so they can enjoy cosplaying with everyone at the various conventions.

Cory previously took the lead on a Supergirl costume build for young Zoe, and this time he and his team built a Darth Vader costume for Xavier. Click on the pic above to see the news article from Stockton Con!

For more info about Magic Wheelchair, click here.

Meanwhile, Cory, thank you for being such an amazing and giving human being!

Halloween Tree Painting Progress

I'm not a painter. I don't know how to paint. I've never done it. Kind of. If you don't include my office in my last house, that is.

But considering I've been away from clay for so long, and Hallowe'en calls so loudly -

And Aaron Brothers is out of business and had a sale on everything having to do with painting -

I decided to try.

So this here is my very first painting on canvas.

I have no idea what I'm doing, but in spite of that, it seems to be turning out well. 

Eventually, I'll get it done.  There are lots of pumpkins to paint.

Once it's done, I'll get some prints made.

Meanwhile, I might just be able to get my segment for the Charmed Pot done before the show this week...

Midsummer Scream!

Another Midsummer Scream has come and gone, and I cannot wait for next year, when (hopefully) I can be a vendor there, again!

Artis David Everett of Chicken Lips chats with a
fan next to his delightful dead Madame Leota.

Every year, David Markland and Claire Dunlop - plus the White Bats, their personal army of volunteers - gather together the very best of the Hallowe'en community for this incredible weekend convention. The vendors display a dizzying array of strange, unusual, and spooky wares, from makeup and costuming to movie posters and soaps to paintings and sculpture!

The Ghostbusters of So. Cal. were in the house, with their packs and coveted copy of Tobin's Spirit Guide.

I discovered a new (for me) vendor in Haunted Manor.

 

And there was just so much cool stuff to be had! I really wish I'd had more to spend!

I can honestly say that I'd never seen a mouse murder house before, but I suppose it was inevitable.

The Hall of Shadows was filled with small, walk-through haunts which were a ton of fun, plus there were some very elaborate and drool-inducing displays.

I tell you, when I've paid off all the dang attorney's fees from my divorce, there will be some serious thought about the decorating style of my new place... 

 To all the folks at Midsummer Scream, see you next year!

Monster Coffee

This is about how I feel today, with all the middle-aged lady's lack of REM sleep. Or sleep in blocks of longer than three hours...

I would love to know who made this mug! If anyone knows and can send a link to the artist's page, I'm more than happy to give credit.