Halloween Wishes

CAN YOU GUESS THE HALLOWEEN COSTUME THIS YEAR?  GANDALF AND SHADOWFAX, THE LORD OF THE HORSES

Happy Halloween to One and All

 Wishing my lovely readers, friends, family and anyone else along for the ride a Happy Halloween.  It has been a busy Holiday Season  and I thank all the guest of the Haunted Parlor for stopping by.  I have some last looks at the haunt before deconstruction begins tomorrow.

Have a safe and happy Halloween. 

Fun Vendors from the Oddities and Fear Fest.

My daughter and I attended the Oddities and Fear Fest in Colorado Springs the weekend of October 23-24.  Basically, one pays 13 dollars for the privilege of shopping for cool stuff in a single location.  The vendors peddled all manner of interesting merch.  It was easy to pick up a few unique pieces for myself and for gifts.

The Art and Murdercrafts is the brainchild of Darron Laessig.  The skulls are made from upcycled filing cabinets and lots of items one sees in a thrift store.  You know I am all about making old new again.

Atomic Pixies are a collective of female artists who draw fine art and comics. They make a variety of prints, stickers and pins.

H.K. Lovejoy makes custom headstones and gravemarkers.  You can find her art here. 

My old pal Faery Grove Candles was there. 

I couldn't resist this cute Kampus soap from her.

 My friend from the Stained glass studio is call the Uncanny Granny. 

I picked up this nightlight as a Creepmas gift for Baby M.  

 Below are examples of vegan taxidermy as in no animals harmed to make these things.  I like that they don't reek of formaldehyde.

Some Manitou favorites who I have blogged about before were in attendance.  K8e orr and Queen Mab both work out of the Manitou Arts Center.

All in all, a fun day.  These events seem to be growing in popularity so be on the look out for one near you!

Ghost Tours

 All through the month of October, the Manitou Springs Heritage Center is hosting Ghost Tours on Friday and Saturday Nights.  This year like last year, they are pairing with another nonprofit, the THEATERdART.  As tours were cancelled last year after the first week due to rising covid cases, it sure was nice to see everything back on schedule. 

We went on an early tour to hear the spooky tales of Manitou's past.  Here are some fun pictures of the actors doing their thing.

 Tonight is the last night for the tours.  In celebration and thanks, the cast is invited to the Haunted Parlor for pizza and drinks.  One more chance to light the haunt!

Mansfield Monsters

 I got a super cute print at the Oddities and Fear Fest by Doug Mansfield of Mansfield Monsters.  I would send you to a link online but  alas the website isn't much.  You will have to be content looking at my picture of my purchase, the hatbox ghost done in a fun mid - century modern style.  I got just the 11" x 17" frame for this one.  It's perfect for the haunted nursery!

They threw a little sticker into the bargain because I had to wait while their square malfunctioned.  Not like I was bitching or anything, I had all the time in the world.  Still, I will take a free gift.

Natatat

 Another swell retro artist with really cute prints perfect for my haunted nursery.  She is Natatat out of California.  Her stuff is really cute.  This is Spooky Stan:

You can buy her work here.

 

 

Hysteria Machine

 My hair stylist is a goth gal and a kindred soul. This is her cool business card.  A while back, as she was cutting my hair, she mentioned an artist she follows called Hysteria Machine.

There are some very interesting dark goth pieces on the website.  They are all handmade works of art.

They sell things to wear including horns, crowns, halos, and eye covering mask.  They also make home decor. Below is a picture frame.

Beautiful, handmade bespoke pieces of  dark art are sold here so check out their wares, even if it is just to drool and dream.

On a separate note, Dex, our fearless Countdown to Halloween webmaster and talent behind the blog AEIOU and Sometimes Y, has posted an interview with yours truly.  You can check it out here if you fancy.

Oddities and Fear Fest

 Baby M and I are headed to the Oddities and Fear Fest Saturday.  One of my friends from the stained glass world had a booth so I showed up to support her. Naturally we dressed for the occasion.

 The vendors were fun and varied with a couple from Manitou Springs.  There was a lot of real dead stuff. I can't say I was the least bit inspired to purchased a beaver fetus in formaldehyde.  The smell of that chemical  makes me sick. Plus cutting boards paying homage to Jeffrey Dahmer are just not my thing.

For entertainment, they featured a circus who were a bit novice.  The  juggler repeatedly dropped  his meat cleavers yet his fingers stayed intact.  That was my first clue that the cleavers were fakes.

Hellscream Haunted House and the Haunted Mines had a fun booth. I enjoyed hanging around with them.

There was also a hearse display so Baby M and I got up close and personal with these.

The booths were fun and I liked the wares of quite a few vendors.  I plan to do a separate blog on some of my favorites and my purchases! I bet you can't wait.   Cheers and head over to Countdown to Halloween for more seasonal fun!