Catching up with Nick of NightMind and his annual Candy Bowl, where his faithful acolytes submit horror shorts. A nice spooky way to spend those first few days after Halloween.
Since the vid is age restricted, I can’t put it in the post, so here is Candy Bowl 2023.
My fave so far is What’s Inside with Mark.
We had 89 trick-or-treaters! We’ve lived here three years, and the number has steadily gone up. Might have something to do with the giant (20 feet!) cat in our front yard. We’ve become so known for him, I decided I’d better get a spare before they’re no longer available. It’s this guy, if you’re wondering. He’s $50 less on Amazon, but Fraser Hill is the source.
He’s a pain to deflate for windstorms and such because his legs tangle on the re-inflate, but we had to do it last night, because those last seven ToTs ignored the closed garage and the dark porch, marched themselves right past the recycle bin blocking the path, and came to our door. Yeah, we gave ’em candy. Then we deflated the yard.
So apparently it’s NoBloPoMo? Which I guess is November Blog Post Month, or something. NaNoWriMo has much to answer for. Well guys, I just posted for 30 days straight, so I’m not sure you’re gonna get every day for November. But the car is still in the shop, so I suppose I have to fill my time somehow.
And there’s Hallowvember to consider, right?
This jack-o-spider from Pills Against Boredom left me in awe. I know how to needle felt, but I’ve never had the patience to get something so solid and smooth and gorgeous.
Look at him! LOOOOK! I would love him and squeeze him and call him George, but I don’t want to ruin him (though he doesn’t seem particularly fragile) and I’m not sure George suits. Maybe Arbogast?
I don’t think I ever shared this when I made it, because it would have been a letterboxing spoiler. Letterboxers, especially in the PNW, love gatherings. After I’d moved to Florida in 2015, some friends back home requested I make a special box for their Halloween event. This would not be planted in the woods like most boxes, but shared at the table during the event. I got a notification that it was shared just recently, which made me so happy! I figure eight years on, I’m safe to share it here.
I loved making this thing so much. This might be the first time I used Verday Metal Paint, which is still available from Sandra Evertson. Love this stuff.
The book contained six coffin boxes…but only four had stamps in them. The other two had screamers. I wonder if the batteries are still good?
When I first got into polyclay, I bought a book by Donna Kato that showed how to make an inro (pronounced eenyoh) box. The clay I used was too soft, and I wasn’t experienced enough. Also, instructions in books, eh. But recently she’s started a Youtube channel! And with that, she uploaded a video tutorial, which I’ll include below.
So I finally made my first inro box!
It’s in Halloween colors, of course, with a little raven charm on the bottom.
I used Cernit, which is translucent with that mottled appearance you see. The box is by no means perfect, but I am certainly pleased with my first effort. Here is Donna showing you how to make your own:
Artisans Cooperative has a good selection of handmade Halloween items. I picked up this tiny pumpkin from Drifting Spirits, all the way from France.
Lily makes tiny raku spirits to bring a bit of peace to your home. I love him.
