And now, some favorites from this year’s stock.
I like their whole “Be Very Afraid” line of decorations and tableware.
A few simple, classy black items might go well with…well, pretty much anything.
A special twist on drink umbrellas:
Check out this…wait for it…HANDelabra:
I must admit I swooned over these mini icing knives for cake/cupcake decorating like I was looking at a newborn baby. “Ooooh…so cute!”
Most commercial Halloween products tend to lean toward the colorful, campy side. I love seeing *classy* products like the following.
From the Ministry of Stories:
Welcome to East London’s premier purveyor of everyday and bespoke goods for the living, dead and undead. We stock a pharmacopoeia of different types of fear, a complete range of edible human preserves and everyday household essentials like Fang Floss and Zombie Mints. So we invite clients old and new to come and discover why we’ve been the store of choice for discerning monsters for over two hundred years, and will be the same forevermore.
See more here.
Dang it. These Celestial Buddies are just so cute.
Sun:
Moon:
Earth:
Mars:
They range from $19-30 (a little pricey if you ask me), but oh…the cuteness…
I’ve actually referenced my personal toothpaste squeezing habits in reference to art AND products.
If you’re searching for the most expensive solution to the habit of squeezing the toothpaste from the middle of the tube like I do, look no further!
I feel like there must be a way to make an inexpensive version of this with a few items from Home Depot. Ideas?
I probably should have picked up some eyeshadow skills over the years (or at least had them seep into me by osmosis at the goth/industrial/punk/metal shows I went to when I was younger). But I rarely use the stuff and I’m clueless about it.
Coloron Pro Instant Eyeshadow takes the work out of it with these stick on eyeshadow ovals.
They come in regular colors, but I think the patterns are more worth the cost. I’d love to try one of these for a Halloween party or special event.
Something about this idea reminded me of Homer Simpson’s makeup gun (Coloron has a sure advantage in precision).
See more designs by COLORON PRO.
Here is another one of those items I’d love to have if I had ANY space to put it. There’s something almost lonely, yet peaceful and beautiful about a moon body pillow.
This reminds me of a small dialog I had with a friend many years ago.
Me: Sometimes I feel like I’m on my own planet.
Friend: Yes, but you are the ruler of that planet.
I’d like to combine this with one of those celestial projectors that casts constellations on the walls (if anyone has a good suggestion for a fairly inexpensive one, please share!).
The company also makes a smaller size, which for some reason I find less appealing…though rather inspirational as an item I could make myself (I did make astronomy pillows when I was in college).
I’m posting this largely because the rental of consumable objects baffles me. Any event that warrants a cake presumably warrants the consumption of cake (the only exception that comes to mind is a photo shoot).
But apparently, cake rental has become…a thing.
Don’t even think about eating it. It’s fake. Well, the outside is made of edible fondant, further sweetening the temptation that would be thwarted by a mouthful of industrial foam should one attempt a bite.
I believe some come with a compartment that holds a small bit of actual cake, which kind of makes me want to purchase one as a piece of home decor/utilitarian serving device.
The most absurd aspect of this burgeoning business is the wedding market. According to the site:
Wedding cakes are the center of any wedding party. The newly wed couples dream about their cake, however the cost of wedding cakes can skyrocket, also the possibility of falling over during transportation, heat and humidity for the outdoor weddings can be a major concern. We provide a service, where you can rent the beautifully designed centerpiece wedding cake.
An example:
The cynic in me wonders, have we become so image obsessed as a society that we even prize form over function with our FOOD? The Japanese have some stellar plastic food models, fit for a buffet…
I’d love to hear about a couple who rented ALL their wedding food. Even the appetizers.
I’m not sure whether to thank Art of Darkness for introducing me to Alpha Stamps. I didn’t really need more craft supplies to lust after, but now I’m hooked.
The rubber stamp selection is amazing (and very reasonably priced).
Strange creatures, art, ephemera, alchemy, typography, filigree, gears and poison…things that make my heart sing…
Did I mention the incredible collection of collage sheets?
Nevermind that in my rabid seeking I’ve collected most of the images on this site in my archives over the years. There’s just something fantastic about seeing them out there for use!
Lovers and makers of vintage themed art…prepare to waste some time here.
Allow me a moment of cynicism here. I’m sure there is a whole matrix of factors responsible for the changes in courtship and human partnerships over the years. But sometimes it seems that true (healthy, unselfish, dedicated) love is growing all the more elusive as decades go by.
Seeing a successful couple is like spotting a rare species in the wild. I’d like to go around handing these out.
I’d like a chance to say “Congratulations! You’ve beat some pretty dismal statistics.”
Found true love? You deserve a medal.
