Believe it or not, from all the props made this year, making Billy’s tombstone was probably the most frustrating. In hindsight, since it was my first-ever tombstone made from foam ( I know, can you believe it?), I probably should have watched a few videos from the more seasoned creators, that have. Yet, I overcame the mishaps, and learned along the way. I’ll share what I did, and what I’d change, for the next one I make.
Continue readingTag Archives: Stranger Things
Making Easy Lava Cracks in the Ground for Halloween
After seeing the last season’s episodes of Stranger Things, I knew I wanted to recreate Vecna, the lava cracks in the earth, Billy, and Max. I watched a few other creative tutorials, but as usual, I decided to make mine a little differently. The differences in my version of lava cracks vs. others I found online:
Continue readingStranger Things Halloween Yard Haunt Adds More Characters
Sorry for the lack of posts, but 2023 has been a whirlwind of events. From throwing the biggest home graduation party, vacations, life, and then creating new characters from the Stranger Things series – it’s been hectic.
Let’s Break Down the Previous Years of Stranger Things Props Made
Continue readingThe New Additions to our Stranger Things Yard 2022
Now that Halloween is over, and props are back down, I have a little time to share my latest additions to my Stranger Things yard haunt. Last year, I created The Mindflayer, with over 200 feet of legs, Nancy’s arm coming out of the tree from the Upside Down World, a Gate, Will Byer’s Castle, Eleven, and an Alphabet Wall that actually spells secret messages.
This year, I added several more props, and created a different scene from Season 2, episode: The Gate. Continue reading
How to Make a Real Hair Beard for a Costume or Prop
Are you having problems finding a decent beard from your local stores or online vendors? You’re not the only one. After scouring Amazon, and other places, I felt a little desperate. I was making Hopper, from Stranger Things to go into my Halloween yard. I thought, how hard can it be to find a normal beard, that didn’t break the bank? Continue reading
Fast and Easy Stranger Things Demodog Heads to Make
Adding to our second year of our Stranger Things yard, we added a more visible gate, where demodog heads are scattered upon it. I even built a life-size, animatronic demodog that turns his head, when sensors are triggered. No, this is not that tutorial. It was not easy, nor fast. But the demodog heads on the gate? Easy Peasy. Follow these quick directions, and you’ll have a Stranger Things vibe in no time.
Making The Tree Portal From The Upside Down
Since I decided to build an Upside Down World for my 2021 Stranger Things Halloween display, making a huge Mind Flayer was a must. It was the first thing accomplished. Then, making all kinds of vines.
Next, it was The Tree Portal. The scene when Johnathan pulled Nancy back out of the tree, from The Upside Down World, must have struck a cord. Because I was determined to recreate it.
I knew whatever I used, had to hold up to the elements, allowed for a light to shine from inside out, and show Nancy’s hand through the goo and vines, reaching for Johnathan. This is how I accomplished it: Continue reading
Making Vines for Your Stranger Things Yard
After creating a Mind Flayer for my roof (tutorials Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), I knew the creature needed something more: Vines. The Upside Down World was filled with vines that hung everywhere, and vines that attacked. They were a part of the hive mind, associated with the monsters of Stranger Things.
After scouring the web for prices on vines, it was clear: My budget couldn’t afford the 100 or more feet needed. Continue reading
Part 3 of The Mind Flayer Build
This is the third and final installment of how to build a Mind Flayer. In the Part 1 tutorial, you’ll find how the frame body was made. Part 2, goes over the head build. For Part 3, I’ll show you how I made over 200 feet of legs.
Supplies Needed:
- Poultry Galvanized Netting (150 ft. x 3 ft.), often called Chicken Wire
- Wire Clippers
- Green Floral Wire, 22 gauge, at least 3 large rolls
- Waterproof Filler : Many, many plastic bottles from 16 oz to 2 liters (about 2 or 3, 30 gal. bags full)
- PVC Pipe 3/4″, 4-5 10 ft. pieces (more if needing to use as filler, instead of bottles)
- Black Plastic Sheeting (should have plenty, if bought suggested size roll from Part 1)
- Heat Gun
- Foam Pool Noodles
- Spray Foam (optional for PVC leg filler, but will definitely need for vines hanging on Monster later)
- Drill or Dremel (for holes in PVC pipe)
Hopefully, by now you know how long your legs need to be, and you know how to use a heat gun. If not, read instructions, and stay focused. You can burn yourself faster than you can imagine. Continue reading
Part 2 of The Mind Flayer Prop Tutorial
Part 1 of the Mind Flayer Prop build, covered how to build the torso. Now we’ll move on to the head, and if not too lengthy, the legs.
Supplies Needed for Building Head
- A Large Cardboard Box (Like from a 45″ or larger, flat screen TV)
- Extra Cardboard for pointed end of head, and protecting work table
- Pool Noodles (at least 2)
- Wire
- Toothpicks
- Red/Black Acrylic Paint
- 2 Hot Glue Guns
- Glue sticks: Clear, red, and black
- Plastic Dip or Flex Seal Rubber Spray
- Plastic bottles or waterproof packaging, and Styrofoam, to add shape to head, and act as filler
- A Can of Expanding Spray Foam (preferably the type for gaps over 1″)
- Disposable Gloves
- Clear Packing or Clear Duct tape
- Black 6 ml Sheeting (* FOLLOW LINK IN PART 1 FOR WARNING)
- Heat Gun with Hi/Lo options
- Scissors
- 6 ft. or longer table to work on
- 2 Plastic coated garden stakes ( approx. 3 feet each, optional, but recommended)
- Drill
If you haven’t gone over Part 1 with the body frame, please do so, before moving on. A few tips there can save you some unnecessary steps later.
Directions:
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