Wednesday, October 2, 2013

DIY Creepy Doll Mobile - For, Uh, Halloween. Yeeeeeah.

I've had a few people ask for this, and since it was honestly a lot more fun to make than I expected, I give you:



 THE CREEPY DOLL MOBILE!... tutorial.

Ok, so this is super simple, but I do have a few tips if you want to make one of your own for Halloween. Or for the guest room. Or the in-laws. Really, the applications are ENDLESS.

First, get yourself some old-fashioned dolls:

So sweet. So innocent.

We scored these four at a Goodwill for $15 total. (The bunny was already broken, so we got it for a dollar.) Dolls with porcelain/ceramic heads like these are ideal, but really anything in a nondescript dress will do. (Old stuffed animals are also great.)

 For the hanging part, grab a $3 grape vine wreath and some jute rope at your local craft store:

Use the rope to make a hanger for your wreath, with three or four strands coming up to a central knot.
 
Now the fun part: DESTROYING YOUR DOLLS.

First, remove any too-modern-looking bits, like the wings and metallic beads on this angel doll:

Next, use a utility blade to slice, tear, and snag the doll's clothing. Rubbing the blade the wrong way does a great job of wearing through the fabric. Tear any trim or lace and let it hang down.


To give your dolls that freshly-dug-up look - but without reducing yourself to using actual dirt - all you need is watered down paint & maybe a little powder makeup. Use a spray bottle like this, filled with brown craft paint and water:

Then give your doll a thorough spritzing/dousing, depending on how grungy you want her to look. Follow that up by grinding in some black or brown matte eyeshadow around the face, hands, and anywhere you want extra stains on the clothing. (I added a lot of black on the fingers and toes, like she's been outside digging. :D)

Some people find dolls scary as-is, but if you want to ramp up the horror factor, try milking out one or both eyes with some watered down white paint:
 
  You can also ring the eyes with black paint or powder, letting the paint drip down her face.

 John found the clown doll the most terrifying, so I did the least to her; just gave her a good coating of painty grime:

 I used black makeup powder on the pom-poms and lace hems for extra "dirt."

The rabbit was way too big, so we hacked him in half and let some of his stuffing leak out:

You could do the same thing with old teddy bears - or any kind of stuffed animal, for that matter.

The little doll I found the least creepy, so I made her extra dirty and also bashed in one eye using a screwdriver and hammer:


Now, at some point, perhaps while attempting to fish out a doll's eyeball with a hooked awl, in the garage, in the middle of the night, you may start to feel this is all a little macabre. Don't worry; that's perfectly normal.

And I'm sure she forgives you.

[Note: You can also try to actually break the faces or heads, but I didn't have any luck banging on mine with a hammer. Apparently modern ceramic doll heads are built to last! And I didn't want to smash it so hard that the whole head would shatter.]

When your dolls are appropriately grungified, it's time to hang them. Literally.

There are several tutorials for the noose knot out there, but I recommend this video for it's hilariously upbeat elevator music and cheerful narrator. SO WRONG.



Now string up your dolls as you like, and tie them roughly to your wreath:


Feel free to hang some upside down or even from the waist, just to mix things up. And leave the excess rope hanging down, too, for extra "decoration."

Now, get some flashlights underneath that thing and take some spooky pictures!


For mine we added a few scary-looking knives in the middle, just as a joke, but I do NOT recommend this unless you use plastic prop knives. Using real knives is stupidly dangerous. DON'T DO IT.

It sure does look cool, though:

:D

Maybe it's because I'm such a wuss and never watch any horror movies of any kind, but to be honest, dolls don't really scare me. (Famous last words?) John, on the other hand, who DOES watch scary stuff, has made me keep this in the garage for the last few nights. And since he wants it gone, and I don't decorate for Halloween, you know what that means?

That's right: GIVE-AWAY TIME!!
 
She wants to come home with you.

So, who wants my creepy doll wreath? Comment below if you do, and I'll pick a winner at random in a few days. (And no, you don't get the knives. Yeesh.)

Oh, and I know I usually ship anywhere with my give-aways, but since this is going to be in a fair-sized box I'd like to limit this one to continental US addresses only, if you please. Unless you want to pay for shipping. In that case, comment away!

The give-away has ended, and the winner is Megan-who-mentioned-she-once-tweeted-me-a-photo-of-StayPuft! Congrats, Megan!

I'll leave you with the only one of my photos that actually comes close to creeping me out:

"Who wants a hug??"

*****

Come see ALL of my craft projects on one page, right here!

277 comments:

  1. Oh yes. Yessss. :D I love that you made a tutorial for this. I honestly thought you pulled the picture off the internet for your last post; I didn't realize you made it! Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh me oh me oh me - oh please me!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is amazing. I work at an arts center and now I want to do a halloween decoration workshop. I'd love to scare my co-workers with this...

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is seriously messed up. And I love it. I do a fair amount of estate sale picking, and it seems like every house has at least one really creepy doll (or if you're really lucky, a whole room full of them). I can't watch scary movies because of my over-active imagination...this post is probably going to give me nightmares!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm throwing my name in! I love Halloween!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another awesome tutorial. You make it look so easy and the photography is outstanding as usual.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My husband's birthday, and our wedding anniversary is Halloween. This would be a perfect present for me to give to him.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think you enjoyed creating this a bit too much if you ask me. Hmmm....

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't want it, but I know someone who would! So I would have you send it to them! Bwhaaaaa!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't know where I would put it, but I want it. Badly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. "And I didn't want to smash it so hard that the whole head would shatter" is NOT a line I ever thought I'd read on Epbot -- but my life is better for it. Please let us know if John ever comes up with a suitable revenge.

    Oh, and I. Don't. Want. It., so take me out of the running... (or is that masterful reverse psychology?...) Mwahahahahah.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to hang this up at my house to scare off trick or treaters. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well, considering I write YA Horror, I can not begin to tell you how much I love this!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yeah, I don't want to have to do that to dolls, in case their spirits want revenge at some point, so I'd rather have the one you've already made. Thanks for the chance to win!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny, I was thinking about doing one doll for my desk at work. You've changed my mind. I don't want the little dolly spirit forever roaming the earth in search of me.

      Delete
  15. I have a friend whose entire basement is dedicated to Halloween and her horror prop building business - all year long. She would LOVE this, and her birthday is in a month. Fingers crossed I win!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This would be a great addition to any Halloween decor, or if you just want to freak out your favorite person who just happens to hate dolls.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Want! This would scare the crap out of the little kids in my neighborhood.

    ReplyDelete
  18. So glad you posted this; I love creepy dolls! I have a small collection that stay in my closet. One is missing a foot and the two that were mine from childhood are both missing their right hands. Don't worry, I still have the limbs, they are just detached! Perhaps severed doll limbs would add an extra creepy factor to such a macabre mobile! Weirdly, when I fished them out of the basement, there was a third severed doll hand... But I can't remember or find its doll!

    More intentional modifications I've made to my dolls include winding various small springs (some of them were from disassembling clicky pens) into the Merida-like mass of ringlets of one and adding eye-patches. Mine is more of a pirate-style, but I could see a more medical fashion being done with a little gauze and medical tape... That would be delightfully creepy! Any bandages would, really.

    I think the creepiest doll I have is the one that is actually just plain white porcelain with painted features. She's like a miniature vampire, resting in a little box in my closet!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is so ridiculously, creeptastically awesome. Especially the rabbit doll, since I've got three bunnies.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I need this in my life more than I need oxygen. I'd hang it by my door to scare off the lame trick or treaters so I can give good candy to the kids brave enough to pass it.

    Also, it would freak out my boyfriend to no end. Considering all the horror movies he's subjected me to, I think turnabout is decidedly fair play.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh this is the most perfect Halloween decoration. Reminds me of the creepy "doll island" in Mexico!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is awesome. If I don't win I'm totally making one.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I want it, but I really think the Bloggess should have it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dang, beat me to it! I could not agree more. ---Another Jen

      Delete
    2. Believe me, if Jenny had even HINTED at wanting it, I'd have sent it to her for sure! I think she gets enough stuff from readers, tho, and this would take up valuable taxidermied squirrel space. ;)

      Delete
  24. *jumping up and down* oh, oh, oh pick me, pick me! puh-puh-puh-pleeeeze Eddie. And a very informative tutorial I might add.

    ReplyDelete
  25. That's so awesome. When I first saw your original picture I thought it was photoshopped, but I should know better by now because you're damn talented. I'd love something like this. My carved pumpkins this year are going to feature Bill Murray and Mike and the 'bots from MST3K, so I need something creepy to offset them.

    ReplyDelete
  26. loving the creepiness. would love to hang this in my home!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Me! Me! I would totally hang this in my bakery. And when people ask what it is, I'll be nothing but nonchalant.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dolls creep me out, but I totally want to do this..

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oooh, I want this!!! It is just the thing to cure my stepdaughter of her porcelain doll-collecting habit. I'm afraid to go in her room at night!

    ReplyDelete
  30. OMG This is so hilariously ridiculous!! I love that you did a tutorial on this. This would totally give me nightmares but my sister would probably love it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Those are so unbelievably awesome! We keep our home decorated for Halloween year-round, and would love to 'adopt' these kids as our own!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Do you think this would freak out my (college aged) students if I hung it in my office? Or in the shared classroom? Do you think I would get fired? I'd kind of like to know the answers to these questions!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I was dying...this is fabulous and I'm so happy to have found your blog ;P.

    My husband has been at me for halloween decos, this should suffice yes?

    ~*Lacey

    ReplyDelete
  34. Dear Jen,
    Teach me your ways.
    How are you not afraid of creepy dolls? I don't really watch scary stuff either, but AHHH.
    That said this will match the bloody handprints forever imprinted on my dorm room door (they were there when I moved in) PERFECTLY.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love it! I'd love to win but I may just have to make my own if I don't. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would love to win it as a Halloweenie decoration.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I was cackling like crazy throughout this whole tutorial. I would love to have that wreath for my Halloween party!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Why the heck not!? I love that you made a tutorial for this too! Rock on! :D

    ReplyDelete
  39. this is So awesome! i don't know where we'd hang it, but i'd find a place for it!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I was just at a few thrift stores looking for dolls today! Didn't find much but I did manage to make it to the hardware store to get the lumber to make my guillotine! Anyway, I would love to win this!! I have a horror themed kitchen all year long so it would be great to have it up in there!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Oh please enter me for the drawing, I have a Halloween-crazy friend who recently moved in next to the cemetery and this would be a perfect gift!

    ReplyDelete
  42. This is so creepy! My oldest daughter is terrified of dolls. I need this so I can hang it in her closet!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh that is so creeptastic! Dolls don't really scare me either, but I must say, that looks like it came straight out of a horror flick.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh indeed that for Halloween I will pay shipping for sure

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love it! Please enter me in your drawing, if we don't win, my family will be making on of these!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Really think this should go to The Bloggess and not me, but I would take it.

    ReplyDelete
  47. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This is soooooo creeeeeppppy. I do not want to win this. haha. :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love it! I would definitely hang this in my step daughters room to scare the crap out of her when she comes over!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Jen,
    I do decorate for Halloween and would LOVE to hang this in my home :)
    Hope you pick me!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I would love to have that.... would hang it in the window at Halloween!

    ReplyDelete
  52. this would make an amazing birthday gift for my friend who was recently introduced to a life-sized doll hanging in a noose. /evil grin

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'd love to have this on my front porch! Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  54. This is so freaking incredible. I LOVE the tutorial and I wish we'd thought of this when my bestie and I made two haunted houses out of black plastic, twine, tent frames, corn, beer boxes, and various and sundry props we either got at rock bottom prices or manufactured ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Oh put my name in the hat! I love how creepy this is!

    ReplyDelete
  56. ooooh you could always ad a dab or to or a redish brown paint for a blood spatter effect nothing like a little blood loss to amp up the fun factor

    ReplyDelete
  57. I sooooooooooooooooooooo need this! Bet if I hung it in my room the kids would stop joining me in bed at night. Of course, my husband might just decide to join them.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love this! It's absolutely creepy and awesome! My bf would hate me if I won it because he hates clowns.

    ReplyDelete
  59. totally love the whole part about bashing in the eye with a screwdriver. i often find myself in the middle of a project, that, when i stop and think about it, makes me slightly fearful for my sanity. but only in a good way. =)

    ReplyDelete
  60. This is so fabulously twisted and I love it! I don't think dolls are creepy, but like you, I'm also a chicken who can't deal with anything scary! That thing would look awesome on my front porch this Halloween... :D

    ReplyDelete
  61. That is fantastic! My GOD do I want it!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Yep, Id hang this in my tree out front for Halloween, definitely!

    ReplyDelete
  63. It may give me nightmares, but I want it!

    ReplyDelete
  64. OMG! I love this! Want! I was never particularly freaked out by dolls myself, or clowns for that matter ... but I have a future-sister-in-law that would have nightmares from this ...

    Can you say perfect Halloween decoration?

    ReplyDelete
  65. SO, I have to be completely honest and say that this is not my kind of thing, but my brother, the film maker wanna-be, loves scary movies and macabre stuff. I would absolutely LOVE to send this to him in the mail. Better yet, is that he's currently at our parents' house. Now THAT would be hilarious. I think they might just be concerned for both mine and my brother's mental health.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I love this. Dolls BEYOND creep me out and yet I'd love to win this. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I would LOVE to freak out my boyfriend with this. LOVE. Seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  68. This would go great above my husband's human skull and pig mask! And I should win... because it's my birthday and I have no cake for it.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Love the rabbit! Would love to win it :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Yes please! Oh the evil things I could do with this!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Ooh, me! Me me me! I have the perfect place for it. Mwahahaha!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. This would be given a good home if I win it. Not mine - the next sucker who stupidly asks me to house-sit.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Bwahahahaha! I love this tutorial! My kids would just die over this mobile...my boys especially!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Yes please! I'm too creeped out to make my own, so I'll have to just try for winning it. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  75. Oh, goodness. I had to look away several times. That does not, however, stop me from wanting this a LOT. A LOT!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Not only was the already broken bunny lucky for you because of the discount but I find it adds some real creepiness to the mobile!

    ReplyDelete
  77. So I have to admit, if I should be chosen, I will in fact be taking a few photos with my cat and then sending this on as a gift that keeps giving, because I think Jenny Lawson (the Bloggess) needs it more than I do.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I know I have just about no chance of winning this, but I can't tell you how badly I want it! Now, I know you're thinking that I could just make my own, but it would just never be the same!!! And the best part is that I already have the prop knives and machete to go with it!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Absolutely!!! This is so awesome, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Shelley in So. IllinoisOctober 2, 2013 at 8:17 PM

    I was completely terrified by the china doll I bought in 3rd or 4th grade. It lived for years with a belt tied around it in the guest room drawer. I was convinced it would come and slice me up with its supernatural fingernails because I heard a ghost story along those lines. So as awesome as this giveaway is, please do not send that monstrosity to me!

    ReplyDelete
  81. OMG IT'S AWESOME! It creeps me out and yet I LOVE IT COMPLETELY! I want it so bad! :D

    ReplyDelete
  82. Jonathan Coulton's "creepy doll" has been playing in my head while reading this post.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Oh my gods, this is incredimazable!!! I love the tutorial too!! It makes me wish I still had the creepy porcelain dolls my mother made me as a kid that were meant to resemble my sister and me!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Oh this is so perfect! I would love to have this just for the fun freak out that will happen when my sister in law who HATES clowns comes by. I may have to make my own if I'm not lucky enough to win. You always have such clever things. I'm inspired to create something creepy and Doctor Who all rolled into one. I see weeping angels in my future.

    ReplyDelete
  85. My girlfriend would LOVE this! Count me in for the drawing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  86. Those are completely & totally incredible!! You've given me ideas to use for my zombie walk too!!! Halloween is the only holiday I really decorate for so I'm going to be picking up some dolls at the thrift shop. :)

    ReplyDelete
  87. I want this. Solely to freak my husband out and then send to my sister.

    ReplyDelete
  88. This would make my entire month to win this! I know exactly where I'd hang it for(ever), err... Halloween. Yeah, Halloween.

    ReplyDelete
  89. I do not want it, thank you. However it is fabulously spooky. Very well done. :)

    ReplyDelete
  90. I would love to have this It would freak my husband and room mate out. It may also possibly keep the mother from coming over lol.

    ReplyDelete
  91. I just got my MIL to get rid of 3 dolls that I had when I was growing up. I couldn't throw them out myself, I was afraid they would haunt me. Yes, I am 50ish and was scared of those dolls. They sat in a cabinet and stared at me. I had take them to a doll repair place, and I told her to give them to the owner.

    ReplyDelete
  92. This is amazing! I was cracking up when I first saw it on twitter but this post makes it perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  93. SCENE: INT. JEN'S CRAFT ROOM - NIGHT
    A young woman sits alone working at a desk in a dark room, the only light coming from the desk lamp.

    JEN (to herself): "Gosh, this doll will look great on the mobile. It looks SO creepy!"
    VOICE: "Who're you calling creepy, Creepo?"
    JEN: "Huh?" [looks around, then looks at the doll in her hand]
    UNDEAD FORMER ANGEL DOLL: "That's right, I'm talking to you... JEN. YATES."
    JEN: [speechless with terror]
    U.F.A.D.: "We don't like having our clothes ripped off. Or getting sprayed with paint water. Or getting our eyes gouged out."
    JEN: "W-we?!"
    U.F.A.D.: "That's RIGHT. The TOYS."

    One by one, the dolls rise up from the desk and the floor, and begin crawling toward JEN:
    CLOWN: "Play with meeeee!"
    LEAST-CREEPY DOLL WITH ONE EYE: "Mommy! Mommy!" [hugs Jen's ankle] "Mommy!"
    TEDDY BEAR TRYING TO HOLD IN HIS DISEMBOWELED STUFFING: "Why?" [leaps onto Jen's lap] "WHYYYY?!"

    U.F.A.D.: "From now on, you must take good care of the toys you get. Because if you don't... we'll find out, Jen. We toys can see EV. RY. THIIIING." [Doll's head rotates completely around.]
    U.F.A.D. (suddenly leaning up inches in front of Jen's face, whispering menacingly): "So play NICE."

    JEN throws U.F.A.D. onto the floor, shakes the other toys loose, and flees the room, screaming.
    In the hallway, she bumps into JOHN, who is carrying a plush Kermit the Frog doll. JEN's eyes widen at the sight of the toy.
    JEN (gingerly pats Kermit's head): "N-n-nice, Kermit! Nice froggy!"
    JOHN (mischievously pushes doll at her, mimicking Kermit's voice): "Hey, Jen, let's do crafts! You could make me into a fanny pack!"
    JEN begins to run away.
    JOHN (chases after her, still talking like Kermit): "Hey, why there're so many songs about rainbows?"

    END SCENE.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MotherIrreverent, this is brilliant! You have a great imagination.

      If you haven't already, you need to join the commenters gang over at Cake Wrecks - you'd fit right in with that bunch.

      Delete
  94. So I DO NOT want this, but how creepyily perfect would that thing be hanging in a room at a haunted house decorated as a nursery, cobweb covered crib, broken rails, and this hanging over the crib cue in creepy child laughter or singing and an empty rocking chair rocking in the corner......

    ReplyDelete
  95. Absolutely, beautifully creepy! I wonder if I can save on giving out Halloween candy by hanging this above our front door....

    ReplyDelete
  96. How awesome! And thanks for the tip about not using real knives. Good point ;-)!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Love this! Pick me! I'll leave it hanging by my front door year round.
    Christine in Phoenix (don't know how to post my name since I'm just creepy)

    ReplyDelete
  98. This is probably a regrettable decision, but I'm going to say I'd like to win this terrifying and disturbing creation. It will make a fantastic Halloween decoration, and maybe make a few other random appearances throughout the year to freak out the hubs (uh, how did that thing get out of storage) or unwanted house guests. I'd like to say I'll make my own if I don't win, but honestly I think I'd be too creeped out bashing in little doll skulls and have nightmares for a month.

    ReplyDelete
  99. I have to have this! Not for myself, but for a friend who is straight up terrified of dolls. I lynched a my size Barbie doll once and hung it in her closet. She freaked out. Then I dismembered it and mailed it to her piece by piece. She was also unable to eat dinner at a restaurant once because a kid had a doll and the doll was staring at her. I haven't scared the dickens out of her in a long time and this would be perfect. Perfect, I tell you! I can get her roommate to let me in and I can hang it over her bed. What better way to say I miss hanging out with you than with the creepiest thing I have ever seen?

    ReplyDelete
  100. Sounds cool! I can't have it(Aussie girl) but still.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Holy crap on a cracker! I gotta have that!

    ReplyDelete
  102. This is brilliant!! Perfection for Halloween!!

    ReplyDelete
  103. That would look great hanging over my desk. Certainly would throw my coworkers for a loop. Just the thing to brighten (or darken) any day.

    ReplyDelete
  104. My aunt collects these silly collector dolls and they are creepy enough. shudder! I can imagine all the fun we would have "fixing" her dolls up for her. bwahaha! Maybe I should share your photo with her. he he!

    ReplyDelete
  105. I will take it, but only if you address the box to my husband so I can watch his face when he opens it!

    ReplyDelete
  106. I can't for the life of me (Is that a bad phrase to use here) figure out what I'd do with it right now, but I want it. There's something unexplainable in that.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Yes, please put me in the pool! My husband just went "Uhhh... I'm not going to sleep now" which means that I really, REALLY need it! Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  108. M husband is putting on a haunted house for kids in the neighborhood so this would be perfect for that.

    ReplyDelete
  109. definitely about to put this in my mother's room and/or car if I win.

    ReplyDelete
  110. We are so into creepy around here, and one town over from Salem, MA, Halloween-town itself. This time of year is a big deal. My best friend throws a blow-out party for Halloween, and she goes nuts with the decorations. Two years ago she turned her bathroom into a murder scene, complete with a blood and body filled bathtub, bloody hand prints on the walls, and crime scene markers. Wanna see? Click here to go to my Flickr page. This mobile would be perfect for her!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Please please pick me!! I could really use this to scare my new neighbors this Halloween. We recently moved to a neighborhood that actually does Halloween, and I would love this above my front door for the trick or treaters. So, PLEASE pick me!! if not, I guess I could just make my own, cause, you know, there is a tutorial for it now. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  112. I would love this for my dorm room!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  113. Omg!! I love it!! I would scare the crud out of my older kids with this!!

    ReplyDelete
  114. Holy crap, Jen. I saw this post on my phone and I thought it was creepy. Looked at it on my laptop, and I couldn't even look at the pictures long. Good job! (I agree with you, John. I wouldn't want it in the house, either!) :D

    ReplyDelete
  115. I'm not commenting to enter the drawing, because I don't want the mobile. If I get randomly drawn, pick someone else! Please!! *shudders involuntarily* I just had to say that if I have nightmares tonight about undead dolls chasing me or anything of that nature, I'm totally blaming you! :D

    ReplyDelete
  116. Wow. Just, wow. I would re-decorate my whole bedroom for this

    ReplyDelete
  117. Don't pick me for the giveaway, I couldn't afford the shipping, but I just want to say that I find this pretty awesome.

    Was there a specific consistency that you tried to reach with the watered down paint, or proportions that you used, or did you just sort of wing it?

    ReplyDelete
  118. Melody wants. Yess.... Melody wants the precious.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Ok, I NEED this in my life! For the record, I was the one who tweeted you the Katie Cook Stay Puft Marshmellow Man recently! Also, the wreath would look great with my sad Santa doll that my friends all say is creepy. They think he's going to steal their souls or something. I swear he's just depressed....

    ReplyDelete
  120. This is just the best thing ever. My husband would hate it. PERFECT. Muah hahaha!

    ReplyDelete
  121. I absolutely love this! The right amount of creepy and if you're not scared of dolls before seeing this, then you will be after! I'd take this in a heartbeat!

    ReplyDelete
  122. Ha! My husband's family is REALLY into Halloween and they've got a whole collection of creepy decorations. This would be a perfect addition!

    ReplyDelete
  123. I need to hang this in the dark corner in my lab where we keep the UV microscope, surrounded by a floor-to-celing curtain. It would be hung in the shadows, gently lit from underneath, where one won't notice it when one goes in to work at the microscope but will be seen when one turns around to leave....

    And there are plenty of grad students who come in to work there at night.

    ReplyDelete
  124. I want it, and I'll pay for international shipping.

    I can picture exactly where it should go. Such very magnificent creepiness!!

    ReplyDelete
  125. I'm throwing my name in there as well! Totally awesome tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  126. I want this so much! So very, very much.

    ReplyDelete
  127. I would keep this up all year, but my house looks like Halloween year round.
    Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  128. It is so awesomely creepy!! It would be perfect for a Halloween birthday girl, like myself! I love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  129. I caught some throws at Mardi Gras last year that we're calling "the evil elf dolls that will kill you in your sleep". They are *perfect* for this...

    ReplyDelete
  130. OoOooO Pick me! I have a husband that is terribly frightened of clowns... This is perfect. :D

    ReplyDelete
  131. Oh, I LIKE this. I have to enter (because that wreath is frickin' amazing--how could I not?) but I'll probably make my own no matter what. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and this just screams "do you know what's *really* in this candy?"

    ReplyDelete
  132. I was just about to say that this would be the perfect thing to hang on my porch when my husband has to work late. Just picture him walking up to the house in the darkness and the outdoor motion light coming on to reveal this thing. Mwaa haaa haaaa. *rubs hands together*

    Yeah that outta get him in the Halloween spirit.

    ReplyDelete
  133. I need this because of reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  134. I'm absolutely terrified of dolls, but I still want this mobile. Maybe I'm crazy... I'm not in the US, but am very willing to pay for shipping :).

    ReplyDelete
  135. I love it! Thank you for writing the tutorial.

    I really don't want it though. Dolls don't scare me, but it is still fairly disturbing.

    ReplyDelete
  136. I slept at a friend's grandmother's house (granny was away) while visiting. The main bedroom was decorated with dolls and the guest room with scissors. I slept in the doll room. My friend (evil, best friend) decided to "decorate" some of the dolls with scissors while I was asleep (because she liked them in her room and thought I would appreciate them), then moved the dolls closer so I would see them right when I woke up (I'm nearsighted). So considerate. Good times.

    ReplyDelete
  137. Dolls have freaked me out since I was a kid. I used to set my Barbie Dolls up under my bed, turn off the lights, run and jump onto my bed with a flash light (I was afraid they would grab me.) and wait a minute before shining the light under the bed to catch them moving. Now I write horror. :D And I really want this! I'm going to try to make one if I don't win but I bet it won't be as cool as this one.

    ReplyDelete
  138. You see, the weird thing about this is that it reminds me of my grandparents' christmas decorations. They have angel dolls that hang from the ceiling... by their necks. It's probably the creepiest christmas decoration ever. Even now I'm grown up they still freak me out.

    It is awesome, but even if I weren't on the wrong continent, I don't think I'd be signing up for it.

    The rabbit is particularly creepy. Although I thought that one was creepy before it was grunged up. There's something about its eyes, so wide and happy... and the anthropomorphism. *shudder*

    ReplyDelete
  139. see, and i thought that the mobile pic was just something you found on the web somewhere, i had no idea you actually went out and made it yourself. bravo lady, you have taken craft tutorials to a whole new level.

    and of course i want it! my lovely little sister has a birthday coming up, and i think this would be the perfect thing for her to see when she opens up her gift from me! especially since she has such a "fondness" for clowns ;)

    ReplyDelete
  140. This is amazing!! I love it! Pick me!! Pick me!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  141. this is hilarious and terrifying. and i am only commenting because i just know the look on my husband's face if this showed up in the mail would be absolutely priceless...

    ReplyDelete
  142. Oh, oh, oh! Me! Pick meeee! I work in a research university, with grad students, and I would so love to hang this in my office. I'm nearing retirement, so it would be kind of a (later) Bette Davis kind of creepy.

    ReplyDelete
  143. I love it!! It's perfect for scaring the crap out of my kids and just in time for Halloween.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Dropping my name in the hat, oh i do i have some plans, i think i might actually have to make one of these if i don't win.. imagine stringing this up in the closet before my brother comes home from work >:) *muahahaah* teach you to wake me up at three am

    ReplyDelete
  145. Love it! I have a few people I could torment with it.

    ReplyDelete
  146. I just wanted to say I don't in anyway want it. Its cool but would give me nightmares....and if I were to win, I would ask it be sent to the Bloggess, as she is the only one who can truly appreciate the creepy and she started it in the first place.

    Can I just say how much I love any tutorial that talks about trying to fish out a doll's eyeball with a hook awl? Bet that's a sentence you never thought you would post!

    ReplyDelete
  147. You? Don't decorate? For Halloween??!!!!?? WHAT?

    ReplyDelete
  148. I hope I win so I can hang it in my living room. Any new date I bring home that flees in horror from the doll wreath will be deemed unworthy of my affections.

    ReplyDelete
  149. My family is insisting that I enter the giveaway. If we don't win, they're still planning on how to make one... plotting/threatening to use my childhood dolly. She's not scary, like they insist, she's just well loved http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/akastephens/IMG_0801_zps4be1bbc8.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  150. my boyfriend told me the other day he thought halloween was stupid. I plan to hang this in his house to greet him when he gets home from work if I win! Renee

    ReplyDelete
  151. I still have boxes of porcelain dolls from my childhood - my mother gave me one every Christmas and every birthday for several years. She would be horrified if I did this to any of them though! The only reason I even still have them is because I think it would break her heart if I gave them away, even though they are all packed away. I suppose eventually I will truck them off to the thrift store, though, and only keep a couple of them.

    And I think The Bloggess has truly corrupted you!

    ReplyDelete
  152. oh this would be an awesome gift for a friend of mine! He paints and has a series called The Suicide Dolls, which is about dolls y'know doing awful things. He's a really upbeat guy.

    ReplyDelete
  153. This would be AMAZING to have! This tutorial also kinda cracked me up. And creeped me out. In a fun way :)

    ReplyDelete
  154. OH MY GOD I NEED THAT.

    and if you don't pick me, i'm making my own. that's fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  155. THIS IS SO AWESOME! Much as I'd love to win this, I'm not in the US (hey Jen, any plans to come to Australia? The Bloggess is going!). That, and my partner can only take so much freaky stuff in the house before he goes insane. Obviously, he has no taste.

    May I suggest that the lucky winner of this masterpiece submits a photo of it tastefully decorating their home? Or a youtube video with creepy music?

    ReplyDelete
  156. My favorite holiday is Halloween, and I get a bit resentful about all the Christmas stuff being out in October. So, I leave my Halloween decorations out until New Years and put my Christmas decorations over them. There's a grim reaper that hangs on our door, so I put a wreath around him (that has spiders in it), and put a santa claus hat on him. We have a cling that goes on our window that looks like dripping blood that says, "Stay Out," so I use white window chalk to write underneath it, "Except for Santa." Stuff like that. One of these creepy doll mobiles would fit in with that perfectly, and I could hang ornaments on it later!

    I kinda don't want to win so that I'm forced to make my own, but I'd end up making a second if I win anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. we have mannequins we've made out of my SO's costumes. he's 6'4" tall, so that means big mannequins, and we hate having to put them away.

      we have a screen-accurate Jason and a witch doctor, and they both end up wearing Santa hats with scarves and ornaments hanging off them. some folks think it disturbing...i laugh hysterically while decorating them and throughout the Christmas season. so you're in good company, there. :)

      Delete
    2. LOL, as soon as I commented on this, Creepy Doll by Jonathan Colton came on my Slacker radio station!

      Delete
  157. Thank you so much for this, always knew there was a use for porcelain dolls :D (also happy to pay shipping!!)

    ReplyDelete
  158. I love creepy things!!!!!!!! Now, if I don't get picked, I will need to go and look for creepy dolls to make this!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

    ReplyDelete
  159. OMG!!! NEEEEEEEEEED THIIIIIIIIIS!!!!!!!!!!!! Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday and I totally creep it up. Little kids to scared to come to my door? Tough, I tone it down for no one. Bwahahahahaha. This would be awesome in my foyer or hanging from my dining room chandelier, which you can see through the front window.

    ReplyDelete
  160. This is the most fantastic thing I've seen and would be an AWESOME piece for my Halloween decorations!! I was actually hoping to do a scary kid's room type theme with creepy dolls, but nothing I'd thought up was nearly THIS CREEPY AWESOME!! I would LOOOOVE to have it!! You totally rawk though for having made this in the first place!!

    ReplyDelete
  161. That's awesomely creepy! I SO WANT THIS!!! You know what I'm gonna do with it? I have a key to my sister's house. I'm going to sneak in while she and her hubby are at work, and I'll hang it in their shower! OMG, it'll be so AWESOME!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  162. Oh yes, I need this, and will be checking out Goodwill today for creepy dolls......they always have clowns!

    ReplyDelete
  163. Good grief this would even scare my cats! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  164. This is so awesome!!!! I am going to start searching for dolls this weekend... I would love this for my daughter's room! She is named after Lenore "The Cute Little Dead Girl" comic!

    ReplyDelete
  165. My little girl's 10th birthday is coming up. She would LOOOOOVE this! She is really into some creepy (and sometimes downright morbid) stuff. I can see her freaking her sisters out with this and relishing every moment! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  166. Creative, but I bet making creepy old dolls creepier is a misdemeanor in some obscure law book somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  167. I am so thankful to be safely tucked away in Canada. I'm going to tell myself that these dolls do not have passports and therefore will not be able to cross the border. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM TO ME!!! Seriously, these photos turned my stomach. But it's cool......I guess. Very creative, anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  168. I would love this!! Definitely going to make one. If I don't win, that is.. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  169. Oh my sweet baby Jesus! That is truly horrifying! And absolutely perfect for my hairdresser/photographer/friend and her husband. Please oh please oh please pick me!

    ReplyDelete
  170. this? is FANTASTIC!
    i mean, not for me. but oh how i hope i win. a dear friend needs me to gift her with this!

    ReplyDelete
  171. I do not want this. :) No reverse psycology; I just wanted to comment and if by some weird chance you DO choose me; please send it to the Bloggess with my compliments. :) I think she should have it.

    I don't love or decorate for Halloween; but I do decorate for Autumn; I love filling the house with autumn colors and leaves. This... doesn't qualify. but I TOTALLY admire your creativity and ..and... ability. :)
    But The Bloggess would LOVE this.

    Hugz,
    Byrdie

    ReplyDelete
  172. Ooo, now I have to see if my mother will let me steal some of those creepy porcelain dolls I used to love. Probably not. Anyway, this would be awesome in my house!

    ReplyDelete
  173. I think the most awesome part of this entire post is that while you were making this terrifying mobile, you stopped and thought to yourself "why yes, I DO need to photograph this step-by-step because I KNOW people will want to see it." you were obviously correct. And it is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  174. Awesome. I dig hilariously creepy home projects.

    ReplyDelete
  175. Don't forget, a hug is just a strangle you haven't finished.... :)

    ReplyDelete
  176. I have some porcelain dolls I've been needing to do something with (though I'm not sure I can bring myself to do this to them). But I'm tossing my name in for the contest because my horror moving loving brother would love this as a decoration in his room and I need a Christmas present for him.

    ReplyDelete
  177. I would absolutely love to use that mobile for a halloween party I have planned. I love your site and craft ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  178. I'd love this for a decoration!!! Or maybe a gift for my Mother-in-law!

    ReplyDelete
  179. I would definitely adore to have this :D Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year, and this would be perfect for my seasonal decor. Or I might just give it to my friend who loves Halloween so much she was married on that night. :D either way, it would be spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  180. Jen, you made me laugh numerous times while I read your tutorial. Your (mostly) serious description of how to grungify the dolls is brilliant!

    Not sure I need that "work of art" in my home, but our niece and her husband decorate for Halloween - we'd give it to them if you select my name.

    ReplyDelete
  181. I'm throwing my name in the hat. This thing is awesome and I could definitely use some decor in my poor, barren apartment.

    ReplyDelete
  182. I think I'm in love. And my birthday is Halloween, so this would be an awesome birthday present. :) Hope I win!

    ReplyDelete

Please be respectful when commenting; dissenting opinions are great, but personal attacks or hateful remarks will be removed. Also, including a link? Then here's your html cheat sheet: <a href="LINK ADDRESS">YOUR TEXT</a>