Thread: Halloween Decorating for Cheapskates...

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Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate being frugal. In fact I've pretty much 'built' my haunting career around that concept. For that matter, I finally broke down and bought a digital camera that takes stills and video(no sound) to document it all. (see my album for last year's haunt as an example) I've also been thinking of sharing my experiences via YouTube in a series of video/slideshow tutorials. Not just 'Decorating for Dummies' mind you, but more like 'Haunting for Totally Inept Tightwads'. Basically, all my props to date are of the static variety. No Hydraulics, Pneumatics, no computer controlled light and sounds. Don't get me wrong, they'r great, it's just that they've never been an option for me, either budget/ability/storage-wise. The most technologically advanced props that I have are the mini-strobe behind my Reaper the pair of hanging torches on my deck, and my ceramic fog-mister in my witches cauldron. I also have no power tools to speak of, short of an electric drill. Nor do I have any electrical, machine shop, or woodworking skills/experience. So basically what I do, any one can do...

I thought since I wasn't going to start on YouTube until I start setting up in mid September, that I'd give you guys dibs on my endeavors...

Hey, Im here for you too. I've never been one to spend alot of money on making props. (I buy alot of them because it's like a collection to me. I collect alot of Horror stuff.)

Pneumatics, Mechanization, or any type of motion to a prop has never been an option for me. i admit, I've experimented- but I'm just not ready for it. In the future, maybe- but for now- I like my props static.

Kudos to you for those of us cheapskates that have just started. :]
Good luck!
-Anthony

There is certainly nothing wrong with static props and frugal is fabulous. Have you thought of recycling newspaper by using it to build paper mache' props. I posted formulas for making your own paper mache' several months ago. I will search for it and add it to this post. I will also post a picture of a fabulous prop made from paper mache' for under $20. Just food for
thought!

Papier Mache - Tutorials - Some Advanced Papier Mache Recipes

Mr. Hemlock Dench | AranaMuerta.com

The YouTube videos sound great. I'm right their with you when it comes to static props. Last year was my first yard display (actually, its was my fist Halloween with a yard...) and all I've been able to come up with are some decent tombstones. But that's what I like about this forum; there are people here of every experience level. And as far as I've seen, everyone is really helpful and encouraging. Its been great.

My husband wishes that I could be more frugal!! I think your props look great. You're one up on me, I've had no luck carving foam pumpkins. What tools did you use to do yours? They look great.

And deadlypeanutboy, I totally agree, everyone on this forum is helpful and encouraging. It's been a great place for me to get ideas and how-to's.

Thom_Serveaux It's good to see ingenuity and creativity still lives. Totally cool dude. I to have no electrical or mechanical skills. The only thing that separates us is I do have some wood working skills and equipment. I only have a hand full of store bought props. Everything else is dumpster diving and paper mache. The link below goes to my how to site. Paper mache paradice. LOL

CRYPTOPROPOLIGY

Originally Posted by MHooch

My husband wishes that I could be more frugal!! I think your props look great. You're one up on me, I've had no luck carving foam pumpkins. What tools did you use to do yours? They look great.

Thanks, it's been a while, but as I recall it was a combination of a serrated steak knife, and about a couple of those little pumpkin carvers that come in kits. Two because after the first three or four pumpkins, the handle of the first carving 'saw' broke clean off. Don't get me wrong, they work reasonably well, but they'll only take so much stress. (man was my hand sore!)

You know, for the last few years Pumpkin Masters has made a little battery operated reciprocating saw that you can put those little Pumpkin Masters saw blades in (see link below). I’ve seen them at Wal-Mart, Target, etc. I don't know how well they work, but I thought they look pretty cool. It will definitely take the cramp out of your hands.

Pumpkin Masters | Power Master Power Saw

Thanks for the heads up, I was thinking of expanding my 'patch' but dreaded the potentially near lethal carpal-tunnel syndrome..

Thanks to both Thom and deadlypeanutboy!