New Costuming Project. No Title!

Ok, guys. It's been a while since I have posted a bunch of tutorials. And everyone loved the Chainsaw Tutorial so much! Click here if you haven't seen that post yet! I even won an award with it. Then I lent it to a haunt in Acton, and never saw it again... Boo!

So, I plan to make a play by play of another project I just decided to work on. An Arm piece!

I get the inspiration from a couple of the prop booths at Transworld this year. Especially Gore-Galore!

OOOh, Momma!

but, since I don't have the hundreds of dollars to buy this or make it, I will have to go the Junk-Punk route!

1. First off, I needed to make a standard Base piece which I can build off of.
I was able to find some Large Cardboard Tubing from a package I had received a while ago.

(Ok, I am a pack Rat. I'm surprised I've thrown away anything.)

With the length, I am able to cut it in half and make two. For right now, just one.

 Now, I got the piece that covers the arm. But I need it to stay on my arm without any funny looking strap. So, I need more cardboard...

Cutting out hole for cardboard handle.

Cardboard inserted.

Inside shot.

Arm in.

get a grip!

So, once I have it in the right spot, I use hot glue to anchor it in place.

Not Going anywhere...

So, With that done, the next step is to cap off the top. So, to do that, I used a leftover piece from an earlier project. 

Cutting small triangles into the sides, so I'll be able to fit it better onto the tube.

I attached it onto the top using clear tape. Then I wanted to focus on adding the scariness to it. So, I grabbed this...

Some people Might Remember this piece. I made it from two axes for my Minotaur character 3 years ago.

Protecting the Goddess's Baby.

Well, I normally have some items I make have a shelf life of about 2 or 3 years, before I re-purpose it. Well, time's up! I carefully took both blades off, and saved the handle, tip, and collar for a possible project, and attached the blades to the arm piece.

Oh wait, first, I stuffed the insides of the blades with plastic shopping bags, to make it a little sturdier. Then I attached them to the arm piece .

One Blade...

And Two Blades....

They are only temporarily attached with screws, right now, Until I get a new Pop-Rivet gun. And that's a different rant...

Now, Originally, I was going to put the face of a skull on the top, But I wanted it to look more sinister. I happened to have some scrap foam padding for furniture, so I cut them into cubes, then carved them into grossly shaped spikes, then hot glued them to the piece.

It does look funny right now, But I plan to do a base coat of black latex paint, and that will make the foam spikes sealed and smooth.

That's what I have done for now. Will do a part two when I get more completed.

Later!

Transworld 2014... A constant Reminder.

After a couple years of hiatus, I was finally able to attend Transworld HAA this year. 

For those of you that do not know what that is, Transworld HAA is a Halloween Trade-show (HAA = Halloween And Attractions). It was originally held in Rosemont, IL. It was a super huge how to do. It would host vendors of Halloween masks, costumes, props, prosthetics, party supplies, and music. It catered to not only Vendors of seasonal Halloween Stores, But Haunted house Attraction Owners, as well.

For one year, It made a move to Las Vegas. That turned out to be a bad gamble. So, they then went to St. Louis, MO, at America's Center. And they seem to be doing OK for themselves. Over the past couple years, They have started an admission fee to the show. $50 per person. That is a major reason that I did not attend the first couple of times. If you are running a successful Halloween business, I can understand it. But if you are just a little lonely fan of Halloween and horror, It's hard to purchase your ticket, then have some money left over to purchase other items as well.

When I did go this year, it seemed to have less vendors, than normal. But they were the vendors for more of a commercial seasonal Halloween shop, So, I wasn't heart-broken. But it did look smaller compare to the previous years. 

I did enjoy seeing  familiar faces, and also newcomers on the trade-show floor. Always a Favorite booth to check out is Midnight Syndicate. They are one of the tops for haunted house soundtracking. And their new album, "Monsters of Legend" is a great addition to their melodic arsenal.

The guys at Pumpkin Pulp always has a lot of good masks on display. I even bought a shirt off of them! They also help run Scarevania out of Muncie, IN. Definately need to check them out this year!

Very, very nice...

Bad Jack Productions was also great to see again. They have my current favorite fiberglass mask that I turned into a kick-A Splatterhouse terror mask.

 

                                 What they sent me...                                            What I made......

Now it was disappointing to Find out that Brian Demski, although present at the show, did not have his art booth there. He is an amazing talent, and I hope to spent a lot of money on his work, someday.

A booth I just just discovered this year, and is it's second year running is. Krooked Kreations. One of my favorite masks is a hybrid Rotted pumpkin/scarecrow mask.

And there were other booths that I will list later... But as I said in the title, I keep getting constantly reminded that I am nowhere near where I wanted to be 10 years ago. True, I am making some money on the side making custom props and costuming accessories. I have also been helping with different things for a movie. And I am grateful for all of that. But I honestly thought I would be doing this as a full time profession by now. But if I was to do that right now, I would have to quit my current job. And let's face it, that ain't gonna happen, I love it there! So, until I make it to the big time, I'm just gonna put my head down and keep doing what I do.

That reminds me, I have some commission pieces that I gotta get back to. Later!

PS: If you are reading this blog, and you have clicked on some of the above links, Then hopefully you are a fan of either Halloween, Horror, or Haunted houses. So, please do take some time to check out these honorable mentions that were also at the Transworld HAA.

Haunter's Digest - A very well put together website dealing with just about anything and everything in the haunt industry.

Zombie Army Productions - A big group of people that would provide any help to creating and running a haunted house or haunted event.

Gore Galore - Very grimy and gritty costume, mask and effects shop

Screamline Studios - Another outstanding producer of masks, props, effects, and prosthetics.

Alt Art Resin Pendants! New Post for the new year!

Well, it's 2013. My year! Sorry I've been away. I have been trapped in the cellar of my mind looking for new stuff to dive into. And I've found it. Resin Pendants!

Now, I've worked with resin before. I use it as a form of extreme modge-podging. And i love the way some of these pieces of jewelry look. So, I thought I'd give it a go!

So far I have made 7 pieces, And I intend to make a TON more!

Now, the gamer in me has done four of the seven based off MtG, Using pieces of cards mixed with other mediums.

 Like:

Steampunk Chandra,

Foresee,

Assassinate,

And Deathmark.

I have just now moved on to other pieces:

So, German?

Rolling On 20's

 Yay!

You can check them all out on my Etsy Account!

Junk-Punk Workshoppe

Haunted House Review: Fear Fair in Seymour, Indiana

So, Unfortunately, I was only able to make to one haunted house this year. Fortunately, it was Fear Fair, in Seymour, Indiana.

It was a very well done haunt. Kinda hard to find, as a first timer to the local. But once you've been there, it's hard to forget.

This isn't just a review of the haunt, it is also just a tale of my experience being there.

First off, parking was a very simple task. A+!

Next, I was also happy to see that the ticket booth was far enough from the actual line to enter the haunt, keeping from accidental "You mean I have been waiting here for 3 hours, and this isn't even for tickets???"
A+!

The Line. After waiting for a bout twenty minutes, we asked ourselves if we wanted to wait another 3 hours to go in. No? Good! Cause there are actual workers by the lines that sell speed pass bumps, so we wouldn't have to walk back to the ticket booth. then the wait was a half hour. and when we got out, our original spot in General Admission had only moved 40 feet.

Now with the haunt itself.

OK. So, I am there with my wife, Brandy, and our friends, Jon and Veronica. Non of us really scare that easily  Then we had a father, a son, and a daughter join our group, because the Mother and other son freaked out and ran out from the main entrance.

And we enter the intro room to their new house, Hangar 17. Supposedly a military testing site making zombie soldiers and other monstrosities. It had a nice into, with two tv effects. First was the man greeting us that then started getting attacked. Next was the door to enter had a false window that would play a loop of undead soldiers with some beast at the side. Then they fired at the door, and came to it, then opened. We entered.
I can't really say much else about this new house. I would like to tell you all I saw prop and decoration wise, But I can't. The workers were too busy screaming in our face to "Move our asses" And pointing guns in our faces, and just being in the way. So, the experience was meh, at most.

And then we entered the cinema of nightmares, or whatever they called it. There was a room that was done like a theatre screening room, and you actually walked into the movie screen to enter. It was actually two 4' claustrophobia walls, and since my wife is claustrophobic, I will say that she handled that very well. Then there were different set ups from different horror films. Texas Chainsaw, Nightmare on Elm St., Halloween, Scream, Friday the 13th, Jeepers Creepers, Even a huge Zombie apocalypse scene based on "The Walking Dead".

Very well done rooms and decoration and make up on the zombies. Even had one of my favorite Kill scenes from the New F-13 Film with the Sleeping Bag roast. But I still have complaints.

Now to let you know, these are my own opinions, google does not agree, nor do they condone my thoughts. this is all me.

OK.

First off, 3 Things I hate. Scream Franchise, Jeepers Creepers Franchise, And Rob Zombie's Bullshit Halloween Films. They aren't Scary, and all in all, they were just bad. So I was very disappointed to see them using these two monsters and Bob's version of the shape in this haunt. Jeeper monster looks like Swamp Thing and Hulk Hogan had a baby. and Scream was a spoof of horror films. And I don't want a haunt to remind me of the butchering that Halloween received at the hands of Zombie.

And another thing that was a disappointment. Jason Voorhees. I love Friday the 13th. I even request it as a holiday at my work. And I have a rule. If you are going to play a well known character, then be the character! don't be a cheap knockoff!
The clothes for jason were wrong. And i couldn't get over it. So, much time spent on all this scenery, and not enough on the clothes of the main man from it? Come on.
Oh, and Leatherface breaking character the whole time we were in line, and then not even being there when we went through his exhibit. Booooo.....
But I still give that Haunt a B+. And will plan to go back next year. Maybe they can do a Video Game Horror related exhibit. Silent Hill, Resident Evil. Splatterhouse?!??!!!

My Halloween Costume Finally!

So, I have all the pieces painted and ready.
I just need to finish my mask. I usually like to have my whole head covered. but I needed something original and weird.
I remembered this stretchy silicone toy that I got around 2005. It is like a Koosh ball, but had an opening to put your head in, and had mini holes, too.  I was able to fit my goggles through those holes. And then I just put the respirator mask I made, over them.

The C-Anenomea!

Now I was ready for the big night. And I'll say, it turned out well...

Other people wanted in, too!

I was pleased with the out fit for the first time. I do want to make some adjustments and changes, before I take it to GenCon'13. I need to make a pair of pants, and redo the legs, maybe not have the back stick out so much.

But Still, Very happy with it. Can't wait for next year!!!

Halloween has come and gone...

Well, another good holiday is over. Was well worth the wait.

Started the day by waking up the son and getting him changed and fed. Then came time to carve the pumpkins!
One for the cats:

Yes a Cat face...

One for My Son:

It's a Raven

It's supposed to be a raven...

And me and the wife:

My Favorite freehand face, so far.

Shortly after, My father had shown up with the Halloween Chili. We usually do it every year, but since I couldn't make it home this day, he brought it to us. Sweet.

After chili, It was then time for us to start traveling. We packed up everyone, and headed off to Columbus to meet with the lady from Heartfelt faux-tog-raphy, who took a couple pictures of my Son in his costume.

Then off to Camby, to Visit my Mother and Father-In-Law. My son had his first Halloween Trick-or-Treat, there. We then had to work on our wife's hair, Which her father volunteered to tease it. And he did well.

Then we went back to our home and went trick-or-treating close to our place and visited some good friends. They loved my son and wife's outfit, but stayed away from me.

We all were matching. we went as mad scientists.

We finally took the little Professor home. Fed him his dinner bottle, and watched "It's the Great Pumkin, Charlie Brown", and "a Garfield Halloween", before putting him to sleep. I then took my full costume to the local Bowling Alley/Sports bar I work at to finally show people the finished piece, and they loved it.

Then came home, Fixed Something to eat, and me and the wife settled down to enjoy our Halloween closer, "Trick'r'Treat". It's our new favorite Halloween Movie.

HE'S SO ADORABLE!!!

 Even bumped "Halloween" down to 2nd. However I will watch that next. Not the Rob crap, the REAL "HALLOWEEN"!

I hope everyone else had a great Halloween!

Happy Halloween Everybody!

I will be putting up some new stuff as soon as tomorrow. I Will finish my tutorial, write my review on Fear Fair, And talk about my busy Halloween. I already have a kid trying to purchase stuff off me, but it's a holiday. For me!


Happy Halloween!