Category: Shrunken Heads

Fire!

Ah…finally. A proper FIRE.

Stopped by Target last night, for I had been informed their gas firebowl had been knocked down 50%. We get there, and after tracking down the actual way to purchase the dang thing, (Target, you really need a better means of purchasing the big stuff)we were informed that they had none left. But, we were welcome to take the floor model and get ANOTHER 20% off.

Uh. YEAH! So, we walked out of Target with this $250 firebowl for $100.

Filling up the propane tank, and it lights right up, Jen and I sat around it under the gazebo talking late into the evening as the storms rolled in overhead. Something that will more than likely become a normal occurance. This thing will be getting quite the workout over the summer. Cooking smores, hot dogs, just giving atmosphere, whatever.

But, come Halloween, I now have a means to make a proper fire to dance around. It looked great from the far end of the yard. And, it provided me a chance to look at my stuff in firelight, make sure it’s looking good for the big night.

The shrunken heads look SO darn good under firelight. It’s just plain down right creepy.

My mask…I’m not happy with right now. I tried to paint it this weekend. Wanted it to be monochrome, but was avoiding the white/grey/black of the last 2 years. And, a co-worker who always comically names my masks has deemed this one “Shrek”. Green seemed to be a good choice. The idea was to have black on the low lying areas and the raised portions gradually move to a green. Didn’t work well, the whole thing is just green right now. And, in the firelight looked like utter crap to me as I couldn’t make out any of the details.

Jen’s saying that’s mostly due to my trouble seeing shades of colors to begin with and it looks fine. I don’t know what to do. Looking into getting an airbrush. Hopefully to touch up and get the original idea of black around the low lying areas to come out. And, even when painted completely, we’re only roughly 1/2 done with the thing. Plenty of surprises left on this mask. I know I’ve been neglecting my picture duties…promise some will get snapped soon.

And, with the fire pit. May as well try the green fire…

A little spray bottle makes a nice green puff that lingers just a bit. Jen has pictures of that. We’ll have to get them up when I can.

Soaking paper, letting it dry, and tossing it on didn’t do much. Next, gotta try some wood chips. Some way or another, I’ll be getting something I can toss on to add a little theatrics with some green fire.

And, pretty sure the new neighbors have moved in…

Either they had company last night, or it’s some kind of group purchase of the place. Someone was out working the BBQ anyway. Didn’t recognize them, but it was dark. Hmmm…Proper way to greet them…A gift of skulls? Maybe I should start working on Fred?

More updates.

Did a bit of work last night on the mask. Getting teeth started. I’m thinking I might have to go get some Air dry porcelain to get them to go how I want.

Also finished up a tutorial on how to go about making your own shrunken heads.

And, as long as I’m going to be making tutorials, figured I may as well get a section together here to organize that for folks. So, I added in a “how to make your own” section in the sidebar there. Couple links to the tutorials I’ve made for molds and heads right now. I’ll add in things as I either make them, or use someone else’s. Lots of good stuff out there already.

But, mostly, it’s been getting yardwork done. Lots to clean up. Gotta get ready to do the planting. Goals for the weekend: Get the latex on the next batch of shrunken heads, and finish up the flower bed preparations.

Maybe plant some clothes.

And, not to forget. For your viewing pleasure, AMC presents a very special Extremely Crappy Movie Friday night this week. Triple feature:

The Omen: Above average fare for Friday nights.
Damien: Omen II: That’s more like it…but you can do better, AMC.
Earth Vs The Spider: THERE we go. Anything with “Earth Vs” in the title is bound to be excellent…

Busy Weekend.

Been a busy weekend.

First, we started the weekend by putting some real work into the new mask for the first time.

This one is coming along quite nicely. I’m rather excited. The full design will be remaining a little secret for some time yet as I’m not 100% finalized, but am really liking the visions in my brain. It’s too bad I can’t sketch worth a damn.

Anyway, face design is coming along. Needs teeth, needs some details, and the eyes need some work. As usual, this is made with Power Grab over Model Magic clay.

Probably obvious what I’m basing it on to anyone who has walked by my cube at work.

To the rest of you. As usual, more Swap Meet salvages:

Then it was onto the big school project sale, spoken of earlier.

Saturday morning was reserved for soccer games. And Saturday afternoon resumed my search for green fire. I’ve made my own, using alcohol as a base fuel.

However, I’ve become increasingly concerned with the safety of the stuff. Both from fumes and from, well, to put it bluntly, kinda sorta burning a couple of my torches…

So, I heard there was a commercial product using oil. Figured I’ld give it a try in the torches. And, the company listed Rainbow Gardens as a retailer. So, my poor kids got thrown in the car.

First, we stopped by Valley Nursery to pick up a couple pots of decorative grass, for use on Halloween as well as making an easy-to-care-for flower bed along the fenceline.

Then, off to a couple stores in a futile attempt to find some wire clothes hangers. Guess I’ll just have to buy a bail of wire.

Then to Rainbow Gardens, where, we came up completely empty. They sell the birthday candles that burn colors, but not the oil. However, the nice folks at Planet Rainbow had a tiny oil lamp set. One green, one purple, one red. They are looking into getting in just the replacement oil for me.

And, what weekend would be complete without the trip to the swap meet. Where else can you find dirt cheap hair extensions of questionable cleanliness? For my use, who cares if it’s clean.

Of Thrift Stores and Garbage…

Previously I told you we bought an umbrella frame.

Well, fact is, we really needed an umbrella…Just, I’m not willing to trash a $60 umbrella just for Halloween. I did find a $40 one all done up how I wanted online, so I wouldn’t have to trash it, but after shipping, $60.

So, goal for this project: Keep it under $40.

Here is the lovely frame, $5. And my messy garage. The bead curains are even in those cardboard boxes…

Breaking out the box of assorted crap, we find that roll of fabric I’ve been saving for just such an occasion.
A little glue down the ‘ribs’ of the frame, and mash that fabric in place.

There, half done in a flash.

Yes, it’s horribly ugly…all the better. Now, what possible use I need for an umbrella and bead curtains, you’ll just have to keep guessing for the moment.

Meanwhile, on to the garbage.

A little garbage, a little duct tape, a little clay, and there you go.


These ones still need to get all sewn up and properly presentable, and all of them still need to get some hair.

I’ll be getting a more in-depth look at the entire process the next batch I make.

Happy Easter!

Ah, Easter.

Such a wonderfull holiday. When else do children find cute little bunnies, only to swiftly rip them open and bite off their heads?

We’ve had a busy Easter break.

Shopping for some great bead curtains. Though I’ll leave you to wonder what possible halloween use I’ll get out of those for now.

Got the chicken wire up for Kyle to make his own little project. Made a couple more skulls. But the most progress was in the realm of the shrunken heads.

A couple weeks back, I finished the prototype.

Perdy, isn’t he?

Learning from the challenges I faced with finishing that up, I made a couple changes to the lip designs and started prototype 2.

This Easter break, we finished him up.

Came out a little darker than planned, but sewed up much smoother and nicer. So, we went ahead and started production full scale with #3-#5.