Little Pearl Haunt: Thrifty Thrills: Oddities & Curiosities

As large as the Halloween stores are, what they actually offer is limited and rarely varies year after year. You can quickly either accumulate, or determine you don't want, every mass produced prop out there. Frankly, much of it isn't that great. You can invest in a quality prop such as the one's from Grandin Road, but even they only release a handful of new things each year. If none of those new items suit your haunt, you may be wondering where to find your next, great prop.

In addition to all the wicked options found in the aisles of your Home Improvement store, thrift stores can offer up a bounty of blood-curdling boo. After years of being a "go to" place for costumes, many actually set up a whole Halloween section. There are obvious finds - store bought props often find their way to the donation bin. The real gems though are hiding in the kitchen/housewares aisles, often overlooked for their petrifying potential.

Candle holders, glass bottles, trinkets & figurines, candelabras & lamps, vases, wall sconces, mirrors, food serving items, old photographs & postcards, doilies, lace, jewelry boxes, old tools... who knows what you'll find. The item doesn't need to be inherently frightening. Look for things that are unique, that catch the light and eye, that cause you to just pause for a moment and wonder what it's story is, can make one feel uneasy or unsure of their environment and being uneasy is the gateway to frights.

Goodwill, Out of the Closet and Salvation Army are usually well stocked but I really like visiting the smaller, mom and pop shops, for serious treasure hunting. If you're lucky, you've got one that's been there since the dawn of time and is run by someone who loves garage sales and flea markets. Their shelves tend to be filled with as much dust as items but oh, the glory that awaits. If you're in LA, you simply must check out All Things and More in Sun Valley. I try to make an annual trip if not more and it's always fruitful. Give yourself lots of time to dig deep and open your mind up to the possibilities.

If you're really, REALLY lucky, you've got a Habitat for Humanity Store nearby. Pick up chandeliers, large mirrors, highboys, wine barrels, metal gates and more to benefit a purposeful cause at a more than reasonable price.

Best part, this is a great activity for the boring non-Halloween months when you're Jonesing for a fix. Check out my post about haggling for tips on saving even more on your treasures.

Here's some of my favorites...

I got a bee in my bonnet and wanted a birdcage. Found this beauty on Craigslist and still can't believe how lucky I got. I noticed it had been up for 2 weeks, the price dropping every few days so I offered him $20 and he bit...

Little figurines like this monkey adds a moment of curiosity and that bunny bottle opener is downright off-putting....

An octopus coat hook? Why not...

Some colored bottles from Goodwill and metal candle taper holder from All Things and More...

Phrenology head off eBay, candle holder from the Dollar Store and Glass Cloche from All Things and More. Still not sure what will go under the cloche, a heart perhaps?

Jewelry box and Dragon stand with stone ball from Goodwill, tassel from All Things and More, Hear/Speak/See No Evil from eBay. Total: $10

This guy I found at Home Depot

Replace the wine bottles with a crystal ball and fortunes await. Wine caddies like these are often on the shelves of thrift stores, mostly overlooked as they aren't easily identifiable.

Just got back from a new favorite Thrift Store with locations around the US, Red, White & Blue Thrift Stores. They are jam packed with finds - silver for Pirate Haunts & Haunted Houses, crystal and brass for Haunted Houses, baskets & boxes for Swamp Shacks, Pirate Haunts, Tombs and more. I even found a boomerang! A boomerang! Egyptians were buried with throwing sticks that resembled what we know as boomerangs. So while not even the same continent, what an absolute find! And how weird would it be to add to a "wall of weapons" for a Cabin in the Woods? A boomerang!!

Check out some of my finds from today...