Thread: Orange, Black and GREEN???

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Out of curiosity, what are some "recycled" items you've used or frequently use in your prop building and/or decorating? (e.g., milk jug for head structure) Every time I look at a unique thingamajig or container, I wonder what it could be used to create . . .

Hello GF... I sometimes use 2 liter soda bottles. They are great for making the torso on things/props that are the size of children.. Also, the neck of the bottle can be the neck of the thing you are making..Also, aluminum foil works well and is very versatile..of course you will need to mache, clay or latex the item.

Here is something I made with this method.. Made the head out of clay, glued/clayed that on the bottle, snot rag mache, painted and done

I've only recently seen aluminum foil used and like the results. And the 2-liter - way cool!

I have Spring & Fall Cleanup days in my area.
This is a great resource to not only recycle items headed to the landfill. It also saves me money to spend on other supplies, etc. Over the years I've salvaged: outdoor lighting, outdated light fixtures, chandeliers, scrap wood- plywood & 2x4's, mirrors (both broken & intact), & many wooden doors to help extend my haunt.

Originally Posted by undead_october

Hello GF... I sometimes use 2 liter soda bottles. They are great for making the torso on things/props that are the size of children.. Also, the neck of the bottle can be the neck of the thing you are making..Also, aluminum foil works well and is very versatile..of course you will need to mache, clay or latex the item.

Here is something I made with this method.. Made the head out of clay, glued/clayed that on the bottle, snot rag mache, painted and done

Wow that is cool and was made from a two liter bottle as well!

Large sheets or cardboard for the walls in our haunted laboratory.
Packing styrofoam in odd shapes for details/accents in above lab. Also use plastic packing pieces for the same.
Guts from old televisions and electronics for details on mock up lab instruments
Leftover construction material - sheetrock, 2x4s, etc - for haunt structures.

for this I used recycled Styrofoam that was from an industrial dumpsite free recyle paper tubes from carpet and material rolls , old computer key board for kobs and buttons ,went to a restore building and supply company to get the decorative crown molding for about $3, candleabras from a salvation army $4.00,dollar store cheibs $2, and some decorative lawn edging from dolar store $3 and some dollar store skulls $1 and some scrap paint all for under $20 probably could sell for $1500 or more ive been told

ChrisW - I've bustd open many old alarm clocks with cogs, sprockets and springs for parts in my Steampunk hats and jewelry, but now you've got me wanted to accidentally "drop" some of these old TV's laying around here. I wonder what kinds of goodies they hold inside!

ihauntu - And the organ? WOW! Does it actully function? That is incredible.


As I've been cleaning out and organizing my garage, I've come across so many interesting odds and ends. Of course every milk jug and tin can I empty while cooking I autmatically wonder what it could be used for.

I use styrofoam coolers from work that my meds are shipped in, cardboard tubes from a friend of mine that is a sign maker, foil, bubble wrap, drink jugs, cardboard for walls, dumperster diving I find allot of items, like my tricycle I found for the jigsaw guy,newspaper, drink cartons, just about anything I come across can be used for something, and most of my friends are on the look out for stuff, I've got them trained to eye things. Its the thrill of the hunt....lol

This is beyond cool.

Ihauntu, that is a killer organ too.