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:

Stranger Things Comes to Charlotte, NC

A close up of the Mind Flayer’s head. It sits on a 10 foot body, with over 100 feet of legs, positioned on a roof. Image Copyrighted 2021, Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved.

With an unrelenting pandemic, coupled with the rest of the world’s chaos, how could I not think of, The Upside Down World, of Stranger Things? It seemed like the most appropriate idea for our 2021 Halloween yard.

After mulling over the size of the Mind Flayer, the next consideration was how to get it on the roof. I’ve seen a few folks have one stand in their yard, and thought, NOT BIG ENOUGH! My husband said, “Build it, and we’ll figure a way to get it up.” Also, it couldn’t just be a Mind Flayer, but the whole yard had to be an Upside Down World.

Welcome, Dr. Finklestein!

Dr. Finklestein now joins my NBC family. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved

Just a brief post to introduce my latest Nightmare Before Christmas, Halloween prop created: Dr. Finklestein. I’ll try to add the tutorials, when I get the chance. He joins Jack Skellington, Sally, Lock, Shock, and Barrel, Oogie Boogie, and the Duck/Vampire prop. Zero, the ghost dog, was sadly showing his age, so I actually found a new one the same size, and is now happily flying in the yard too.

If anyone wants to scramble to make this fella, he stands about 5 feet or less, and I used extra couplers of 40 degree or 90 degrees to have him sit. So if you follow my usual PVC prop skeletons (See Lock, Shock, Barrel), you’ll be able to figure out the sizing.

The tutorial for Dr. Finklestein will be split into a few different segments, because there are too many steps (especially the head), to put into one single post. If you were determined or had help, all could be complete within a week. But alas, it took me at least four weeks to finish. If you want every post sent directly into your email, click the ‘Follow’ and you won’t miss the entire process. Thanks!

Two New Nightmare Before Christmas Props Added to the Family

Made from a vintage duck blow mold and a doll, Nightmare Before Christmas magic was made. Image copyrighted, all rights reserved, Debbie Morrow

If you’ve been checking out this blog, you might have guessed that I love the Nightmare Before Christmas (NBC) characters. I’ve made the Mayor, Jack Skellington (with a few improved remakes or blunders), Sally, Oogie Boogie, and Zero. As you can see from the image, I’ve added a duck and baby vampire to the family. I’ll be breaking these tutorials into two posts for the sake of shorter, more manageable reading.

The Duck Tutorial:

You’ll Need:

A Plastic Duck Blow Mold

Large High Heat Glue Gun

Piece of Styrofoam or Foam from a Boxed Product

Black, Red, and White Acrylic Outdoor Paint/Brushes

Spackle or other Pre-made Drywall Compound/ Large Brush

A Dremel Saw or something else that cuts plastic easily

Artificial Nails

Tweezers/Marker

Super Glue Industrial Gel ( NOT liquid) for plastic and other materials

A Protractor or any round shaped item you can use for outline

Sally From The Nightmare Before Christmas – Completed!

Just completed prop of Sally (Nightmare Before Christmas). Image CC All Rights Reserved, Debbie Morrow

Here’s my latest prop creation. The tutorials will be coming shortly over the next few weeks. I’ll split it up into sections, since it was quite a task to complete. Now I’m off to make the mayor from The Nightmare Before Christmas!