I always like to do an Oriental Trading Co. roundup this time of year. Here are my favorite offerings from the 2016 catalogue.
Big Top Terror Cardboard Stand-Up
I love all their Day of the Dead offerings. This is the basic design.
Day of the Dead Skull Wall Decoration
I handmade a version of these years ago. Not your grandma’s die-cuts.
Bloody Weapon Cutouts
And if you’re looking for something kid friendly, there are adorable Halloween Owl Favor Boxes
Dennis Carlsson gives beloved pop culture cartoon characters a horror makeover.
I particularly love the way he does teeth and shining viscera.
Which cartoon would you like to see Carlsson reimagine?
Be warned:
Sometimes I write fictional surrealist resumes in my head just for fun. I’m definitely adding “Can appear as a disembodied head and hypnotize crocodiles” to my skill set.
The daintiest amphibious juggler.
There is something very wrong with this cat’s hind quarters (or maybe very right as far as he’s concerned).
An unlikely friendship, indeed.
There are not nearly enough meat puns in the sentimental postcard industry.
So delightfully subtle…until you step in the wrong spot, that is.
Thank you, Rachel, for these next two. I’ll quote her here: “No means NO, Jesus!”
…but this is a sweater that many can afford. (I’m sure this man’s parrot has become clinically depressed from living with him).
Genuinely creepy. Not sure where this comes from. Hell, presumably.
I was going to write an individual comment for each of these, but they kind of work as a dyad.
I spent a while trying to figure out this “twelfth finger” thing. Does anyone get it?
Now, a giant chicken absconding with a child, anyone can understand.
Ikuma Nao’s black and white works are wildly detailed, slightly morbid and jarring…filled with many nooks and crannies for the eyes to fall into.
There is a fascination with life amidst death, growth amidst decay. These opposing forces blend together seamlessly.
Just an Insta-Goodies post today, as I recover from an endoscopy…
Buzzfeed has a collection of hilarious public signs and notices that leave the viewer wondering what on earth happened to necessitate the explicit clarification of these “rules” (though in many cases, it’s pretty obvious…and unfortunate).
I truly hope this was done for shock-value by a street artist.
And I hope this is a metaphorical existential reminder that lofty ideas must be brought down to earth and translated into action.
See the rest HERE.
If you’re looking for a holiday gift for lovers of oddities and medical marvels, Dr. Mutter’s Marvels might be perfect.
The book is a mesmerizing biography of the brilliant and eccentric medical innovator who revolutionized American surgery and founded the country’s most famous museum of medical oddities.
Even having been to the museum a few times (it’s an incredible place), I still don’t know very much about Dr. Mutter himself. I’d definitely like to read this. Have you been to the museum? Read this book?
Who had these as a kid? (Thanks for reminding me of them, Colleen!)
Not sure if this is what The Weather Girls had in mind when they belted out “IT’S RAINING MEN! HALLELUJAH!”
Side note: if you haven’t seen the video for It’s Raining Men in a while (or ever), I highly recommend you go enjoy the neon chaos at the cardboard weather station.
There’s something I really love about this. Perhaps the simplicity.
Why didn’t I think of this? Next year…
That Pumpkin.
It looked so much cuter in her head when she thought she wanted to look like a doll.
I wish they still sold these!
Gorgeous Green Man.
The shading on Cruella is absolutely impeccable.
I feel this has meme potential. Why don’t more memes involve vintage monster illustrations?
Poor kitty…
Don’t know the origin of this, but I love the extra written touch.
This kid’s face is not exactly what I’d call “joyful.” At least the trees are happy.
Awesome.
A very intricately done Day of the Dead hanging bat!
This seriously looks like she’s wearing her sister’s skin.
A little macabre for a greeting, no (that pumpkin is crying actual tears while getting murdered). What’s with the gleeful spectators? Is this some kind of Gladiatorial event for squash and…elves?
The source said this is a real Victorian postmortem, but I have trouble believing it’s not doctored. Still…maybe the photographer was just really, REALLY late.
Gorgeous custom Monster High doll!
I wish this item hadn’t been taken down for sale/display. I would’ve done a feature post on the crafter of this fine wooden witch carving.
At first it looks like a strange pose, but my black cat Dr. Morbius does this gravity defying move all the time.
So long kiddies…pleasant dreams…
SheWalksSoftly 