Anyone who has been reading this blog for any length of time knows I have an affinity for things that are strange and creepy. Not pretend creepy things like fake spiders. I mean genuinely creepy things like old medical textbooks and cheese that sprays out of a can.
This year's Halloween DIY is a reflection of that side of me. I've been preparing for this one particular Halloween craft for 2 years now. And when it was finally completed I texted a picture of it to my niece.
Unlike myself, my niece is not a fan of all things creepy.
Before we continue on, and I reveal what may be the creepiest Halloween decoration ever made, I would like to share with you the text message exchange between myself and my niece.
Curious as to what would prompt such a reaction?
I have been saving chicken and turkey bones from meals for the past 2 years.
I even enlisted the help of various turkey and chicken eating friends. To clean the bones, I just boiled them and scraped them clean. Then I let them air dry for a week or two. I've been keeping a box of bones in my basement for 2 years now. Any repairman who may have got snoopy down there would have been in for a bit of a shock.
My original idea was to make a wreath out of the bones, but I'm still so happy with my original Halloween wreath, that I wasn't ready to get rid of it.
So I changed direction slightly and turned the bones into a picture frame.
Being a lover of all things creepy, when I was a garage sale addict I scored a box of antique photographs and tin types. I went into my creepy basement to look for my creepy pictures and found the perfect one for this project.
I scanned the picture, enlarged it, and to increase the fright factor, I photoshopped her eyes out.
Then it was just a matter of squishing the Dollar Store wreath into an oval shape and hot gluing the bones onto it in a pleasing, yet creepy manner. Oh! And adding the skull on top.
All of the supplies, aside from the bones, came from the Dollar Store. The wreath, the hot glue, and the skull topper.
The total cost:
$3.
The other thing that adds a sense of authenticity to the wreath are the cobwebs.
Which are in fact, actual cobwebs. From my house. Yes. I'm so proud. I gathered most of them from the dining room walls.
Extra bones got placed in a bowl beneath the frame.
Wondering how that text exchange between my niece and I ended?
Shelly
Fabulous! Seriously fabulous. Real bones. Real cobwebs. You've outcreeped yourself.
Laura Bee`
That's f'in freaky. I love it!
There is someone I know that I saved a baby bird skeleton and a dead bumble bee for. He has a bowl of bones on the kitchen counter and makes little art installations around the house. He was thrilled. Should I start sending them to you?
Amanda
What a delightful reason to eat more fried chicken! I think I need one.
erica
Brilliantly creepy.....don't think I've ever described anything as such....you rock (again)
Awesome! Erica
Carole
Brilliant. I love it. The creepier the better!
Shauna
I love it! Although, the baby with it's eyes poked out might still be a tad creepier to me. Both fantastic of course.
Tiffany
Karen...I LOVE this wreath/frame!! So creative & a bit disturbing. Love it!!
Nancy Blue Moon
That lady was creepy before you removed her eyeballs..I am a creepy lover too..Wait..not quite what I meant to say..
cc
It looks great on your wall in your house I love it.... THERE... in my house I know I would have nightmares of that poor woman... But you did a really good job on it..
Ann Marie
What about using those fake skeletons you can find everywhere for the bones? Just dismantle it. You can find different sizes of skeletons. And the cobwebs? Use your glue gun --
Karen
You could, Ann Marie. For sure. But there really isn't any denying this is made from real bones, and that's what makes it look so good. Or bad depending on your perspective. :) ~ karen!
Rondina
Of all the creative things you have done while blogging---this totally gross wreath may actually be the winner. People are drawn to it the same way they slow down to see the twisted metal of a car wreak and to check out the injuries, even though they are saying, "This is so horrible" while they do so. I think it's your finishing touch that makes it. The missing eyes are what people can't handle. With no eyes, she still looks like she is looking at you. This may be your finest hour.
Now to try to forget that I ever saw that.
Karen
LOL! ~ karen
Patricia
Hee, I love it!
You should check out Sharon Kopriva online -- Houston artist, does a lot with chicken bones. I'll never forget going to a buffet at her home after a gallery show -- we all had to put our drumstick/wing leavings in a bowl. You know, for the cause :)
Ms Misantropia
The creepiest part of this is you collecting other people's left overs for years. And then re-boiling them.
The frame is amazing, and your wreath is beautiful.
Jeanne
Oh that is brilliant! I am going to start saving chicken bones today!
Anita
This is my favorite! Die-o-rama is good, but this is great. Wow. Agree, removing the eyes was genius. With she just looks tired. Without, she's eerie. Will you keep it up all year?
Anna N
Genious!
Vanessa M.
O.K...promise me right now that you'll never come to Georgia. Yikes.
Tara
Yeah, I'm definitely a bit wuss when it comes to truly creepy things, but that is SO awesome! I probably wouldn't hang it in my own house, but I love seeing it in yours! Very cool.
Emily
I think its a little nuts but I still love your blog!
Johan
I am still trying to get my head around keeping turkey bones for 2 years. Is it forward thinking genius, or just weird...? That being said, I like what you've done with your bones....