Halloween 'Zines: Haunt

I'm adding a new feature to my October blogging this year: Halloween 'zine reviews!! Growing up as a punk rock kid, I collected many a fanzine through the years. Small, DIY handmade photocopied, low-budget mini magazines that covered all aspects of the music genre, created and produced by the very participants within that scene. There's just something about holding a small magazine that was created and assembled by hand that always felt so tactile and genuine to me. And when I later became a home haunter, I discovered the same medium and immediately began collecting them.

First up is GroovyDoom's Haunt 'zine series. I ended up picking up the entire 10-issue series from the Etsy store and I'm so glad I did. Haunt absolutely nails the Halloween nostalgia in each issue, with pages crammed full of black-and-white Halloween ads, photos and article clippings from the 70's and 80's (my wheelhouse!).

As I flipped through each issue, I was transported back to those magical October days of my youth when I would race home from school and grab the Friday magazine insert from the newspaper, quickly scanning newsprint page after newsprint page of local haunted house ads (which in Northeast Ohio there were tons!) until my fingers were black from the ink. And then at dinner, I would BEG my parents to take me and my friends to each of them.

And while each issue of Haunt is a quick read, there is still enough old Halloween fun to keep me greedily grabbing for the next issue.

The entire Haunt 'zine series is a must-have, with super-cool illustrated covers and loads of old Halloween and haunted house ads. Each issue is a total blast to flip through and is a welcome slice of Halloweens past. And the photocopied black-and-white pages take me back to being a punk rock kid again.

Issue 11 is dropping now and all issues are available at the GroovyDoom Etsy store. Get it now!

  

The Halloween Art Of Hazel M.H.

Halloween may be over for another year, but the incredible artist inspiration continues! 

I just discovered the amazing art of Hazel M.H. and was immediately recharged with those sweet October vibes. A huge collection of 2-color illustrations that really hit that vintage style with just a twist of unique, whimsical grotesqueness.

Hazel's stylistic illustrations absolutely nail that classic Halloween spirit, and I can't wait to add a few of her pieces (available at the Violet Weatherstone Etsy shop!) to my collection.

Be inspired and enjoy!

All images courtesy of Instagram / Violet Weatherstone.

  

"Monsters In Therapy" Series by Iain Burke

Here's a cool little retro-inspired screenprint series that I found while perusing Etsy. Monsters In Therapy by Iain Burke of Mummy's Hand perfectly encapsulates that tiny dark corner of self doubt that sometimes boils up in each of us.

And yes, even spooky monsters aren't immune to it, as each character questions themselves in a unique and truly humorous way.

I really love the 60's old-school monster illustration style of the entire series, paired with bold blocks of color and cool typography. Simple, spooky fun! Enjoy!

Check out the full 13-print series over at the Mummy's Hand Etsy shop!

  

New Jack-O-Lantern From Willow Cove

Man, is this thing COOL! I just received my new paper mache jack-o-lantern from fellow haunter Willow Cove, and I couldn't be happier. He absolutely nailed that creepy, hand-carved Halloween pumpkin feel. So much intricate detail in the sculpt, and super solid on the build. And he even came with a tea light to illuminate his ghastly grin! This guy is taking his rightful place dead center in my Halloween shelf display.

Thanks so much, WC!! He is perfect!! Be sure to visit the Willow Cove Manor Etsy page and pick up a little something for your display, too. Let's support those independent Halloween artists!

  

Latex Masks From LMB Masks & Collectibles

Cemetery friend Brent from Planet Doom Haunted House sent me this link and it's too good not to share.

I had never heard of LMB Masks & Collectibles out of Los Angeles before, but one look at their Etsy page made me want to check them out further. Incredible sculpts and intricate paint details across their entire line of latex masks. Wow! I could easily see a couple of them making their way into my small collection.

Enjoy!

  

"Pumpkin Witch" Ornament By GrimQuiet

I promise that I wasn't looking ahead to that OTHER holiday when I came across this one! But when I happened upon GrimQuiet's "Pumpkin Witch" ornament on his Instagram page, I decided I had to have it. If for nothing else, than to ease the transition from Halloween into that OTHER holiday...

Such a creepy cool little figure of a skull-faced witch perched upon a decaying jack-o-lantern, complete with her little golden bell. And the deal was sweetened by an accompanying sketch done by the artist, Eric Millen! Nice!

This one might not make it onto the family tree this year, but it will definitely be taking a permanent place in my little Halloween collection.

The first batch of ornaments sold out quick, but if you're interested another batch is coming next week on the GrimQuiet Etsy page! Merry Halloween!!

"The Chemist" Voodoo Doll by Artsytartsyandsuch

Now I know the first thought that will go through your head when you see the photo is, "That isn't something that Highbury Cemetery is into. It's too cute!"

And you're usually right, except in this instance. On very rare occasions, I'll drift into the "cute" Halloween realm...

Good friend of Highbury Cemetery, Miss Juli Riedel at Artsytartsyandsuch recently posted a photo of her newest voodoo doll creation and I knew I had to have it. The amazing fabric print pattern used on The Chemist really spoke to the graphic designer in me and I snatched it up the second she put it up in her Etsy store. She found out that it was a little birthday present to myself and she ended up going the extra distance and added a few extra goodies including a handmade birthday card. Super cool!!

So now my newest voodoo doll will take his rightful place among the few other voodoo items on my office shelf (right next to the Highbury feltie that was created by Miss RoxyBlue!), providing positive juju to the entire Cemetery!

If you're interested, you can still get "The Chemist" from Juli's store, Artsytartsyandsuch on Etsy. Do yourself a favor and check out all the cool handmade goodies in her store. And tell her that Highbury sent 'ya!!

  

Masks by VonJekyllArt

So I recently discovered the incredible masks of VonJekyllArt and was ready to post a few of his pieces here. And then PumpkinRot beat me to it!!

No matter, as these amazing pieces could never be shared too much. I really like the sculpting style of his masks, and the muted, organic feel of each. They really are different than any other masks that I have come across and at least one or two will eventually be making their way into my slowly-growing collection.

If, by chance, you haven't seen them yet, please enjoy the killer masks form VonJekyllArt. You can see his full line of masks at his Etsy store.

Voodoo Legba

Scarecrow

Captain "Bones" Barlow

Dahlia

  

Sam Heimer's Etsy Art Sale

Is there an artist today whose work better encompasses the spirit of Halloween than Philadelphia illustrator, Sam Heimer? A whimsical, organic, earthy, vintage and spooky illustrated style with heavy lines akin to woodcut prints, I drool over each new print and toy figure that is released. And ever so slowly, my collection of Heimer prints and toys grows...

If you're a long-time fan of Heimer's work or are just interested to see more, now is definitely the time to pay attention.

Because starting today, everything in Heimer's Etsy shop is on sale for 20% off. Apparently Etsy will be raising their seller fees, to the dismay of Heimer, and he's decided to bail. So from now until July 15, simply use the very cheeky code "FUCKTHISIMOUT" and get 20% off everything in your order. And with a large array of incredible Halloween prints, books and clothing, NOW is the time to start your collection or grow it even larger!

  

Aiden's Monsters

I picked this one up from Monster Brains and knew I had to pass it along.

Aiden Reed is a five-year-old boy battling Leukemia. He and his family are selling his monster drawings to help pay for his chemotherapy treatments.

You can read Aiden's story here, and you can buy his drawings at his Etsy store.

I'm in for a Frankenstein and a Wolfman.

Stay strong, Aiden!