Doll parts for fab [and cheap] Halloween decorations

As a child, I was kind to my dolls, maybe because I didn't have too many of them (Barbie was outlawed in our house). Some of my friends viciously cut their doll's hair, or dyed it, or twisted their legs, or borrowed mom's makeup to paint up a ghoulish face. I admit to participating in some of these gory reconstructions, and maybe that's why I love using doll parts now as part of our Halloween decorations.

All year we've been on the lookout for vintage doll parts and bits we could use to hang in little trees (some made with gnarly branches and twigs stuck into a plaster of paris-filled container) or from chandeliers, or partially bury in bowls or boxes. Some we found on eBay; some at garage sales or thrift stores. The crustier and ickier the better. My favorites are the truly old porcelain parts. Some of those have wire loops (arms and legs, usually) that you can simply tie a bit of ribbon to for an instant halloween "ornament." For some others, I filled bowls and a couple of cubbyhole-type display boxes with black and white sand (easily found at craft stores if you don't have a beach in your neighborhood), and simply stuck miscellaneous arms, legs, hands into it. The more askew the better.

The tiny porcelain parts are great for decorating desserts, too. How about a little arm shooting up out of your chocolate frosted cupcake? Bwaaaa hhaa hahh. Just make sure no one thinks they're made out of candy.

Lastly (or not), I had a fun idea for some of the goofy plastic doll heads we found. Bought a bunch of cheap black frames (mostly 4x6, 5x7) at garage sales and the dollar store, knocked out the innards, and hung a plastic doll head (or foot, or shoe) from ribbon in the center of the frame, like a little ghouly portrait. I simply (and here comes the part I missed as a child) poked a little hole through the head (or whatever part was handy) with an ice pick, pushed some black ribbon through, and tied it at the top of the frame. Add another long loop of ribbon to the frame, and hang from the ceiling (or deep window frame or fireplace) with little tacks.