Haunters are an ingenious bunch. They’re always thinking of ways to make their props and decorations more realistic, elaborate, and impressive. While their efforts are no doubt scaring the pants off their victims, sometimes simpler is better. How often to do you hear that “gore isn’t scary” and that mood or “hinting at the monster” is what really gave someone the chills?
I stumbled upon this Hand in a Box prop, and could immediately imagine the shock of those who unwittingly pushed the red button. “…the observers are supposed to push the ON button. After a while the lid of the trunk opens, a hand comes out and turns off the machine. The trunk closes – that’s it!”. Normally I try to present project ideas that come with at least a few instructions, but this simplistic prop seemed very worthy of mention anyway. Imagine this chest sitting on a pedestal at your front door. Before knocking to get their candy, Trick-or-Treaters would invariably push the button and scream as the hand shot out and slammed the lid. I am probably far too motivated by the screams of kids, but that thought is inspiring me to try my first pneumatic prop.
For all you other animated prop newbies, here are a few online resources to get you started. If you make a prop like this (or have already made one), please let us know!
It happened quietly, but 365 Halloween celebrated its first birthday this month. As with any labor of love, it’s almost hard to imagine a time when this site hasn’t been a part of our lives. When we’re not actively blogging or posting tutorials then we’re planning new website features, collaborating with other Halloweenies, tweaking code, or designing a new layout. All year long. It may sometimes look a little sleepy around here, but we’re always planning new and awesome things for our fellow Halloween lovers!
If you haven’t visited 365 Halloween in a while then you’ll notice our brand new look. Dig around a little more and you’ll see new features like;
Listing of the most popular posts (automatically updated)
From now until Halloween we will be rolling out lots of other goodies, and updates will be daily again. In short, 365 Halloween is going to kick a lot of a$$ and we hope you’ll come by, contribute, and be a part of it. If you’ve got a website, MySpace, HauntSpace, etc. please help spread some Halloween luv and post a banner.
{democracy:1}
There are still a few bugs lingering throughout the site, so please bear with us while we sort through them. If you see anything wonky, drop us a comment and let us know. We spent, no joke, the last 2 solid weeks at our laptops from sunup until sundown working on everything, so we’re taking a few days to kind of slow down.
Also, if you e-mailed us at any point in 2007 but didn’t receive a reply, please e-mail us again! It’s quite possible that we didn’t receive your letter.
The Halloween 2007 season is finally upon us, so get out there and have some fun with it!
During a recent search of “handmade Halloween” auctions at eBay, I discovered a seller who is sure to impress and delight my fellow Halloween lovers. Among the pumpkin covered hair clips and collaged Halloween cards, the gory goods from sleepyhallowprops really grab your attention. The store is run by Erik, a high school student trying to make money for the summer up into October. His specialty is butchered limbs, so if you’re planning on Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Saw themed decor this year then you know where to go.
Erik says, “I love Halloween and have been making props and decorating my front yard since I was little. This summer I decided I would take my skills and use them to make some extra money and to make quality homemade props that people can enjoy too. I will be making props to be regularly listed on eBay until the end of October. I am creating and sketching out new plans for more props that I will be making and selling soon. I am hoping soon to open my own Halloween prop website and selling homemade Halloween props.”
When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls. Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still.That is the time when deals are present and you should create your own Haunted Mansion with full size working replicas from Gothic Manner. Was that cheesy enough for you? That’s right foolish mortals, everything from the coveted Haunted Mansion Gate Plaque, the infamous 4 stretched paintings, the all-knowing Madame Leota, and even the wallpaper and doors in the spooky hallways. It’s all there and it’s all on sale.
They only have one sale a year, and this is it! It’s over October 2nd, so remember to act quick because some items vanish without a trace before then. As a special bonus for those who deck out their mansion with over $250 worth of ghastly goods will get a special gift. Those who get even more spooky decor will get even more free gifts.
“Makers” were born to create amazing Halloween projects. Whether you’re a reader of MAKE magazine or just a DIY inclined individual, you fall into this category. Like an evil MacGyver, you can probably take any 3 items from around your house and whip up a firebreathing jack-o-lantern or a decidedly unique costume. If 42 of “the craftiest costumes to amazing animated props and the latest in computer-controlled haunted house effects” piques your interest then you’ll want to pre-order MAKE Mag: Halloween Special Edition. It ships late August which, in Halloween-preparation time, is about 5 minutes away.
Congratulations, Halloweenies: you’ve made it to the 99 day mark in the 2007 countdown to Halloween. Like your high school woodshop teacher, we’ve just unceremoniously dropped a digit, but in this case it’s cause for celebration. Just 3-ish more months until everything comes in shades of orange and black, scary movies are playing on every channel, and you can finally shed your 9-to-5 gear for that badass costume you’ve been working on for weeks. Good times!
We’ve been planning for the 2007 all year, and are getting really close to unveiling our new site design and this year’s theme as well as a casketful of articles. If you’d like to be alerted when we unearth everything, just subscribe to our feed. Also, 365 Halloween just moved over to a new server in preparation for everything, so if you see any broken stuff please shoot us an e-mail so we can resurrect it.
Now would also be a good time to send in submissions if you’d like to see your Halloween-related website, book, art, event, music, haunt, whatever featured on 365Halloween.com. We’ve got a lot planned for this year, and although we’d like to feature absolutely everything we find, there’s only 2 official staff members here so guest writers are really encouraged.
Autumn will be here before you know it, so enjoy the rest of your summer while it lasts!
Haunters are an ingenious bunch. They’re always thinking of ways to make their props and decorations more realistic, elaborate, and impressive. While their efforts are no doubt scaring the pants off their victims, sometimes simpler is better. How often to do you hear that “gore isn’t scary” and that mood or “hinting at the monster” is what really gave someone the chills? 
It happened quietly, but 365 Halloween celebrated its first birthday this month. As with any labor of love, it’s almost hard to imagine a time when this site hasn’t been a part of our lives. When we’re not actively blogging or posting tutorials then we’re planning new website features, collaborating with other Halloweenies, tweaking code, or designing a new layout. All year long. It may sometimes look a little sleepy around here, but we’re always planning new and awesome things for our fellow Halloween lovers!
Congratulations, Halloweenies: you’ve made it to the 99 day mark in the 2007 countdown to Halloween. Like your high school woodshop teacher, we’ve just unceremoniously dropped a digit, but in this case it’s cause for celebration. Just 3-ish more months until everything comes in shades of orange and black, scary movies are playing on every channel, and you can finally shed your 9-to-5 gear for that badass costume you’ve been working on for weeks. Good times!
