Through the 1950's All Hallow's Eve was lit by candlelight. Pumpkins from the garden were carved into jack-o'-lanterns or one could go to the local five-and-dime to find wonderful cardboard or papier-mache lanterns made in Germany or America.
Browsing at an antiques show a few years ago I found a book about Hallowe'en collectibles. As a lifelong Hallowe'en nut I enjoyed looking through it and seeing how our ancestors decorated their homes, clubs, schools, workplaces, etc., for the holiday. These objects have a charm, magic and mystery to which today's decorations can't hold a candle.
Most of these were inexpensive, ephemeral items not meant to last beyond the celebration of the holiday and hence are rare. From dusty attics or cellars they may emerge today to delight new generations, and they're sought eagerly by collectors. "Rare" translates to "expensive," alas. You may have the luck to stumble across something at a flea market or garage sale; if not, you'll need to rely on antiques dealers, collectors themselves (who may be willing to part with one of their treasures now and then), or auctions in the real world or on the Net.
One thing that really caught my eye in that book was a tissue and cardboard fireplace screen from the 1920's with cats, owls, a witch on her broomstick and a jack-o'-lantern. I wondered if I could find one so started looking on eBay, only to discover my pocketbook was much lacking for such a goal. Well, so much for that. By the way, in a 2002 auction one went for over a thousand dollars.
Then it occurred to me there must be a way to make one, though I'd never been the arts-and-crafts type and I need a ruler to draw a stick figure. One thing led to another and you'll see here what a lot of patience and razor blades can do.
Some of these items are direct reproductions, as close to the originals as I can make them; others are inspired by, or take motifs from, antique decorations. Everything is done by hand, cut with a single-edged razor blade.
Many thanks for stopping by. I'd enjoy hearing from you with comments or suggestions.
Bruce R. Beaman
Ghostlight/Café Spiff Design
Browsing at an antiques show a few years ago I found a book about Hallowe'en collectibles. As a lifelong Hallowe'en nut I enjoyed looking through it and seeing how our ancestors decorated their homes, clubs, schools, workplaces, etc., for the holiday. These objects have a charm, magic and mystery to which today's decorations can't hold a candle.
Most of these were inexpensive, ephemeral items not meant to last beyond the celebration of the holiday and hence are rare. From dusty attics or cellars they may emerge today to delight new generations, and they're sought eagerly by collectors. "Rare" translates to "expensive," alas. You may have the luck to stumble across something at a flea market or garage sale; if not, you'll need to rely on antiques dealers, collectors themselves (who may be willing to part with one of their treasures now and then), or auctions in the real world or on the Net.
One thing that really caught my eye in that book was a tissue and cardboard fireplace screen from the 1920's with cats, owls, a witch on her broomstick and a jack-o'-lantern. I wondered if I could find one so started looking on eBay, only to discover my pocketbook was much lacking for such a goal. Well, so much for that. By the way, in a 2002 auction one went for over a thousand dollars.
Then it occurred to me there must be a way to make one, though I'd never been the arts-and-crafts type and I need a ruler to draw a stick figure. One thing led to another and you'll see here what a lot of patience and razor blades can do.
Some of these items are direct reproductions, as close to the originals as I can make them; others are inspired by, or take motifs from, antique decorations. Everything is done by hand, cut with a single-edged razor blade.
Many thanks for stopping by. I'd enjoy hearing from you with comments or suggestions.
Bruce R. Beaman
Ghostlight/Café Spiff Design
