How to Make Scary Signs
Whether you are making props for a scary play, hosting a Halloween party, or simply decorating your home or yard for Halloween, having scary signs such as tombstones and grave markers is a must for the look and feel of the decor. You don't have to search the stores for scary signs; instead, you can make some on your own. With a few supplies and a little work, you can have scary signs that are inexpensive, creative, and fear-inspiring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Poster board, cardboard, or Styrofoam
- Scissors/craft knife
- Marker
- Stone-textured spray paint
- Craft paint
- Craft glue gun
- Red paint, craft moss, rubber or plastic spiders/snakes (optional)
Instructions
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Choose your materials. The best type of materials for a scary sign are those that you can easily cut, manipulate and decorate. These materials include poster board, cardboard and Styrofoam. When choosing your materials, consider how big you want to make the sign, and make sure your materials are large enough.
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Trace the shape of your sign onto your material, using a marker. The shape does not need to be perfect, as tombstones, graves and sign markers are typically scarier when they appear more worn or aged. As you trace, draw some jagged edges into the shape to make it appear less than perfect.
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Cut out the sign. If you are using poster board, using sharp scissors may be easier than a craft knife. If you are using cardboard or Styrofoam, use a craft knife to cut out the shape. Save the scraps and use them to cut out a piece in the shape of a wedge or skinny triangle which you will later attach to the sign in order to allow it to stand up on its own.
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Paint the sign using stone-textured spray paint or regular paint in the color of your choice. Stone-textured spray paint is simply applied in the same manner as regular spray paint, and creates a stone-like finish on the surface of the object being painted. Paint the sign, covering both the front and the back. Also, paint the front and back of the piece that you cut in the previous step in order to make the sign stand up.
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Decorate the sign. Glue pieces of craft moss around the edges of the sign to make it appear old and spooky. Increase the scare-factor by randomly adding blood drops with red paint onto the sign. Glue rubber spiders or snakes onto the sign in the location of your choice.
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Write on the sign. If you want your sign to have writing, determine what you want it to say. Some options include gravestone epitaphs, or other fear-inspiring sayings such as "Beware!" or "R.I.P." Other options include putting symbols on the sign in place of writing, such as a skull and crossbones, or poison symbol. If you are using poster board or cardboard, simply paint the words or symbol onto your sign. If you are using Styrofoam, use the knife to carve the symbols or words into the sign, and then paint the carvings.
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Finish the sign by gluing the back piece onto it and make sure that it stands up on its own. Adjust as needed.
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References
- Photo Credit tombstone image by Vera Kailova from Fotolia.com
