[The Skeleton Crew]

A while back someone posed a question to me; I must admit I had to stop and think about it for a few months. The question was "are you a haunter" and my reply is no. I know what your thinking, you build props and display them for Halloween so your a haunter. I don't see it that way. I am many things but a haunter I am not. I consider myself an "obscure artist" which is one who uses unusual art materials (skulls, bones, pieces of dead wood and other "organic" materials, some paint, a touch of malevolence) sculpts it into a frightening creation and then breathes life into it. I simply use Halloween as my "gallery" for display, it gives it more meaning. Many pieces I have created have never been displayed, they don't even exist anymore. For me it's about the process, the creation, the evolution of an idea or thought. So the question is "Do you Consider Yourself to be a Haunter ?"

 

[Kdestra]

A while back someone posed a question to me; I must admit I had to stop and think about it for a few months. The question was "are you a haunter" and my reply is no. I know what your thinking, you build props and display them for Halloween so your a haunter. I don't see it that way. I am many things but a haunter I am not. I consider myself an "obscure artist" which is one who uses unusual art materials (skulls, bones, pieces of dead wood and other "organic" materials, some paint, a touch of malevolence) sculpts it into a frightening creation and then breathes life into it. I simply use Halloween as my "gallery" for display, it gives it more meaning. Many pieces I have created have never been displayed, they don't even exist anymore. For me it's about the process, the creation, the evolution of an idea or thought. So the question is "Do you Consider Yourself to be a Haunter ?"

Very interesting perspective : "creation, the evolution of an idea or thought"
That's exactly how I feel about my garden. Everything in the front garden is meticulously mulched, pruned, fertilized & grown for a burst of autumnal colors. I even grow mini pumpkins up the trees so that when the leaves fall off ~ you can see the little pumpkins hanging like ornaments. The pomegranate tree fruit ripens to a deeper red during October. Then we sit outside drinking pomegranate Margaritas while enjoying the garden graveyard.
In the end, I am not a Haunter - I'm an October Gardener

 

[Tasty Brains]

I have neither the time, talent, or patience to create my own builds, but I relish many elements of Halloween as a sort of season, I do collect materials and decorate outside and I try to do the 31 Nights of Horror movie challenge the last few years. I am an "Octoberist".

 

[The Skeleton Crew]

I like both October gardener and Octoberist. I too am an avid gardener / landscaper. My front yard was nothing but a mulched slope when I built my house. So I saved a bunch of large stones and boulders from the property and used them to build the planters.

I also grow my own corn, to use for my Halloween displays, and attempted to grow pumpkins. However I still have not been successful at growing pumpkins, I guess it's just to damn hot where I live. I typically get my seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. They have a great variety of rare seeds, especially corn. They have some beautiful varieties of red, orange and black corn which is what I plant.

 

[halloween71]

I am a haunter I think about my haunt and things I will do many hours in a day. My house my clothes everything about me reflects it’s a everyday love.I am many things to many people but a haunter is me. I build a lot and have built a lot of props I look at everyday items and wonder if they can serve a purpose in my haunt. My granddaughter calls my props nans boos she is a future haunter.But anybody that knows me knows Halloween is everyday of the year not just October.

 

[Malicious]

Not a haunter. I think of myself more as a memory maker. For me Halloween is a way of bringing my family and friends together, and the ability to make it memorable ( costumes/ props) It comes from great memories of Halloweens past that my parents gave to me that I want my kids and grandkids to experience and remember

 

[13doctorwho]

I've wondered that myself. Halloween is a huge part of my life every year. I have decorated the lawn, worn a costume, and passed out candy my whole life. I'm not sure what a haunter is. I build props and costumes, I display them for Halloween... but I don't create a walkthrough with actors and jump scares. So, I'm just having fun... I don't know that it matters what I call it...

 

[internet troll]

I can’t believe it never occurred to me to just plant my own corn. Thanks for posting that.

 

[Michael__Myers]

I like both October gardener and Octoberist. I too am an avid gardener / landscaper. My front yard was nothing but a mulched slope when I built my house. So I saved a bunch of large stones and boulders from the property and used them to build the planters.
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I also grow my own corn, to use for my Halloween displays, and attempted to grow pumpkins. However I still have not been successful at growing pumpkins, I guess it's just to damn hot where I live. I typically get my seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. They have a great variety of rare seeds, especially corn. They have some beautiful varieties of red, orange and black corn which is what I plant.
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I like your skulls that are spirits rising from the graveyard. Never seen or thought of something like that.

 

[The Skeleton Crew]

I can’t believe it never occurred to me to just plant my own corn. Thanks for posting that.

It grows really well in warm / humid climates. I had to water it twice a day until the roots got established then I only had to water them once in the morning. Depending on where you live plant in late April to early May then you can harvest the corn in August and let the stalks die and wither thru to September. Then you can harvest the stalks and let them dry a couple of weeks just in time to be installed in October. Make sure to let them dry in the sun for at least a few days to a week otherwise mold will grow on them.

 

[internet troll]

It grows really well in warm / humid climates. I had to water it twice a day until the roots got established then I only had to water them once in the morning. Depending on where you live plant in late April to early May then you can harvest the corn in August and let the stalks die and wither thru to September. Then you can harvest the stalks and let them dry a couple of weeks just in time to be installed in October. Make sure to let them dry in the sun for at least a few days to a week otherwise mold will grow on them.

Thanks for the Tips. Plenty of cornfields where I live so it should grow. Just never occurred to me to plant my own.

 

[The Skeleton Crew]

I like your skulls that are spirits rising from the graveyard. Never seen or thought of something like that.

I made about 50 of them in various sizes for my display a while back. They actually glow in the dark as well. Here are some old post about them:

Static: - Shallow Grave Cemetery 2018 Sneak Peek

For 2018 Shallow Grave Cemetery presents "Garden of Souls" : Enjoy

www.halloweenforum.com

Ghost in the Garage
Atmosphere Effects: - Ghost Prop Help

I developed a new concept for the "tortured souls" so I scrapped most of them, the only ones left are the prototypes. The new concept is far more detailed and sinister. I decided to add partial bodies to some of them so they could interact with the tombstones more as well as some new props I'm developing. The idea is to have a "black figure" summoning the "tortured souls" from the earth only to be collected by the "soul collectors."

 

[Tworivers71]

I am a haunter I think about my haunt and things I will do many hours in a day. My house my clothes everything about me reflects it’s a everyday love.I am many things to many people but a haunter is me. I build a lot and have built a lot of props I look at everyday items and wonder if they can serve a purpose in my haunt. My granddaughter calls my props nans boos she is a future haunter.But anybody that knows me knows Halloween is everyday of the year not just October.

I agree 100%. I am without a doubt a haunter and proud of it. I am constantly thinking of things I can use for props. I just went back to my old job for a lil while. They needed me for a bit and being in the entertainment industry, I made off like a bandit....with black concert drape for prop use as well as lighter material for a ghost theme....hint, hint. My poor brain is always scanning for items and ideas for props. If you could take a peek up in my attic, there would be no question in your mind how deep my passion for haunting is. I'm already planning next years display and it's not even September yet....

 

[Tasty Brains]

I can’t believe it never occurred to me to just plant my own corn. Thanks for posting that.

I was thinking the same thing when I read that! It was one of those "Eureka!"-moments. Why not just grow your own corn? Genius!

 

[Tasty Brains]

I agree 100%. I am without a doubt a haunter and proud of it. I am constantly thinking of things I can use for props. I just went back to my old job for a lil while. They needed me for a bit and being in the entertainment industry, I made off like a bandit....with black concert drape for prop use as well as lighter material for a ghost theme....hint, hint. My poor brain is always scanning for items and ideas for props. If you could take a peek up in my attic, there would be no question in your mind how deep my passion for haunting is. I'm already planning next years display and it's not even September yet....

I ain't goin' in that attic. No sir! No way!

 

[Kdestra]

I can’t believe it never occurred to me to just plant my own corn. Thanks for posting that.

Squirrels are my nemesis!!! They destroy my corn every single year!!

 

[Kdestra]

It grows really well in warm / humid climates. I had to water it twice a day until the roots got established then I only had to water them once in the morning. Depending on where you live plant in late April to early May then you can harvest the corn in August and let the stalks die and wither thru to September. Then you can harvest the stalks and let them dry a couple of weeks just in time to be installed in October. Make sure to let them dry in the sun for at least a few days to a week otherwise mold will grow on them.

I literally puled out my Glass Gem corn last night. The squirrels shredded it. How do you stop them?

 

[PRO5OHHO]

My reason for decorating is very similar to yours OP. I'm no haunter, heck I don't even enjoy haunted houses or scary movies. But I really do enjoy creating props and Halloween is basically an Art Gallery Show/Party for me right now.

• I love the atmosphere of Halloween night.
• I enjoy creating, brainstorming and troubleshooting.
• My job is very technical/mechanical and my family responsibilities are overwhelming and draining, i.e. I'm the only responsible adult IN my family. I NEED a creative outlet.
• I enjoy bringing joy to others and helping them create good memories with their family/friends. If I can bring a smile to one TOTs face, it's worth all the hard work.
• This hobby allows me to spend more time at home with my older dogs. 🐕
• It's the cheapest hobby I've ever had! And for me, hobbies are a constant necessity.

 

[Tworivers71]

I ain't goin' in that attic. No sir! No way!

Awww C’mon! They will behave. I promise😉

 

[Tworivers71]

I made about 50 of them in various sizes for my display a while back. They actually glow in the dark as well. Here are some old post about them:

Static: - Shallow Grave Cemetery 2018 Sneak Peek

For 2018 Shallow Grave Cemetery presents "Garden of Souls" : Enjoy

www.halloweenforum.com

Ghost in the Garage
Atmosphere Effects: - Ghost Prop Help

I developed a new concept for the "tortured souls" so I scrapped most of them, the only ones left are the prototypes. The new concept is far more detailed and sinister. I decided to add partial bodies to some of them so they could interact with the tombstones more as well as some new props I'm developing. The idea is to have a "black figure" summoning the "tortured souls" from the earth only to be collected by the "soul collectors."

Love it!!! I’m doing a ghost theme next year.