Etsy's Handmade Blog
Guest Curator: CoolHunting
Story by ahmekay
Published on October 28, 2009 in Spotlight 		Photo by

Yokoo

Born on a raspberry farm in Northern California, Ami Kealoha worked at ReadyMade Magazine before moving to New York and taking up as CoolHunting.com's managing editor and video producer. (Check out their videos — amazing!) From helping her mother milk goats when she was young to silkscreening annual Valentines and building her own bed frame, making things only ups her appreciation for design and culture.


Avoiding Halloween clichés relieves holiday anxiety and lends year-round purpose to buying costumes and tchotchkes. Like when looking for Cool Hunting, I chose items that you don't see everywhere else and that make you say, "hmmm."

 

Vintage skeleton head

Halloween reminds us all of life's temporality, but any badass will tell you that looking death in the eye is a full-time job. With this vintage skull, you can do it in a way that pairs folk art with rock 'n' roll. From bluebellbazaar, $39.

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Two blackbirds Perch Headband Sparrow

Granted, only the fashion forward can pull off Hitchcockian headgear for an everyday look, but it can double as decor too. By charmschooldesign, $44.

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gift set - mini rose stem swizzle sticks - porcelain

Like skulls, these thorned stems point out that everything comes with its share of pain. Fortunately, these porcelain sticks are also beautiful mini sculptures of the organic form. By laurawallstaylor, $25.

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Baby Doll Soap-green

Disembodied doll heads rank high on my "most creepy" list. This green soap version minimizes the gross factor by coming unscented, but it doesn't help much. By stinkybomb, $5.

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Tiny Real SNAKE BONES Ribs Vertebrae Glass Vial Jar Silver Gothic Unisex Necklace Pendant Small

When I was in high school, I learned that a friend's mom would bleach the bones of dead birds that she found. I did the same when I discovered my childhood cat, Bunny, in the forest. I know, it's weird, but they're so delicately beautiful and morbid. By CatacombsOfLondon, $29.

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Blossom Slug

For years Cool Hunting has been trying to come up with a word that means both creepy and cute, which is the perfect way to describe this knit slug. By lullabylily, $10.

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Vintage Black Lace Collar Bodice Piece for Costumes, Clothing Design, Altered Art or Clothing, Victorian Steampunk Wear

This Victorian lace collar instantly transforms basics into a period costume and works as an accessory for normal wear. By MaryNotMartha, $6.50.

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Blood Orange Jam

My grandma used to buy bread that the local bakery dyed orange and black to celebrate Halloween. Blood orange jam keeps food thematic without the red #5. By lemonbird, $7.

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plain bone hair clip

Another accessory that makes for both an unfussy costume and a weird accent any other time of the year, this felt bone clips easily into hair or anywhere else. By mrsevils, $6.

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black Kanzashi pirate of love

Created out of folded paper, this "pirate of love" eye-patch works as a mask or as an object for the home. By ccaspia, $12.50.

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It's the Great Pumpkin Hat, Charlie Brown

Okay, this pumpkin head hat pretty much screams "Halloween," but I love the goofiness and its testament to how well-deserved Yokoo's Etsy-lebrity is. $60.

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Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive!

Halloween Trends Guide | Halloween Blog Posts | Steampunk and Noir Guide

Tags ahmekay, Ami Kealoha, bloggers, CoolHunting, creepy, everything else, fashion, geekery, Guest Curator, Halloween, holidays, New York, shopping, SPOTLIGHT
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98 comments     Login to add your own!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. maclancy

I love all of these items and especially am amazed at the black lovebird headband and slug.. I love all of them!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. ekohdesign

love. that blossom slug is amazing. and yokoo is my hero!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. girltuesdayjewelry

Beautiful and unusual finds! My fave is the Blackbirds Perch headband.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. craftsty

Awesome finds! I love the black Kanzashi pirate of love.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. ovgilliesdesigns

Interesting selection!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. lorilooms

Luv the swizzle sticks! Great finds! ;)

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. spacejam

awesome picks!!!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. MilkGlassVintage

So cool! I love "The Birds" headband.... I'd feel just like Tippi Hedren circa 1965. Now if I could just fit in that fad tweed skirt she had in the movie :P

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. itsokmydear

Great finds! How about a Phoenix Beauty for this halloween! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. RageoftheAge

What fun!! Those swizzle sticks are so cool!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. alexkeller

the bird headband has it - perfect to dress up as the woman from The Birds - of course!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. seababejewelry

Trick or treat!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. seababejewelry

omg, the little slug!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. kitschcafe

i love halloween and love autumn even more!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. poppyswickedgarden

OOOOH There are some really great choices here! Those Swizzle sticks are great and that Jam looks incredible!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3 p.m. KBShimmer

Love the finds, great picks!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. thelovelythings

awesome awesome awesome finds. the slug is so sweet! (unlike real-live slugs...)

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. hautehookeddesigns

Cool. Yokoo LOL Love your stuff!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. seababejewelry

Congrats on your big news too, Yokoo!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. Cantrix

Such great finds!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. TamsyTrends

Great picks! I think my favorite is the blackbirds headband, but I gotta say, the green baby head soap is sooooo creepy!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. SewnNatural

super duper. love the slug!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. IdaJefsen

Excellent choices for the season :)
I love the bird head band..haha!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:37 p.m. TheCottageCheese

That pink knitted slug is hilarious! Finally, a slug I want to hug instead of squash with my boot.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. artlab

This is great!!!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. Madelynnnn

Is it weird that I kind of like the awkward baby head soap? Haha

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. RobotsAreAwesome

Sadly, not as crazy town as most of those awesome items, my Jiggly Wiggly Robot Sculpture, Trick or Treat Pete:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Oct. 28, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. bylynnkrestel

too funny! esp that baby head soap!!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:08 p.m. dharma8designs

Creepalicious! I love the baby doll head and the bird headband and almost everything else. This was a fabulous collection.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. lovesmenot

the baby head soap is creepy.

i want to wear that fantastic pumpkin hat out, along with the painted on jack o lantern face... what fun!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. aymujer

Etsy-lebrity! Awesome!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. odiliafu

Oh, so creepy, weird and crazy!!! Love your picks!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. klacustomcreations

cool finds, love the knitted snail and pumpkin hat, watched Charlie Brown last night too!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. reiddamnit

Love the picks, I definitely lean on the side of unusual when it comes to fashion.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. soule

Some cool stuff (and people) featured here!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. rebeccasanchez

Trippy

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. MyMoms

Cool picks! So surprising! Thank you!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. SpringColors

very cool

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. birdie1

it's slug love right here.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. blueberryshoes

oh em gee amazing! love love love the crow headband. mine is in the mail!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. SimpleJoysPaperie

Wonderful selections!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. starvingartistbazaar

great picks! wish i saw the bird headband earlier. now i have some ideas for next year. :)

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. SmallEarthVintage

Such cool and unique finds! I've been coveting charmschool's birds headband since I read about it on HUzzah's blog.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:48 p.m. louloudo

crute? creppute? cuteepy? No, none of these are descriptive enough. I see your problem. Love the slug though, and all the other stuff!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:55 p.m. lovelygifts

Creative pieces!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. fernfiddlehead

love that pumpkin hat and the jack-o-lantern face. Brilliant.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. fantasticbeasts

That collar is pure melancholic beauty. Which means it makes me happy. Lovely selections!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. VixVintage

I love the slug, thanks!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 6:25 p.m. tealandgold

the slug is amazing.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. pinkytoeclothing

love the slug!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 6:43 p.m. aBreathofFrenchair

That slug is so cool!! I love the pumpkin hat too!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 6:50 p.m. recycledwares

very unique picks.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 7 p.m. oldworldprimitives

Fab finds!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. craftpile

cute!!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. kmwatkins

Awesome picks! That slug is great.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. paramountvintage

haha, "etsy-lebrity" what a great word.
i agree. she has the most amazing, modern, and creative concept.
LOVE IT!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. theenchantedcupboard

Love the pumpkin hat!!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. dustyrosevintage

woh, that eye piece/patch thing is amazing!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. LisaFerinDesigns

these picks are all amazing! Love the blackbirds headband and the bone hair clip--my daughters 1st Halloween costume (at age 10 months) was Pebbles from the Flintstones--so I made her a similar, but not nearly as stylish, clip. That was pre-etsy....

Oct. 28, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. hellome

What amazing finds, especially love the black bird headband, doll soap, and slug.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. baublestore

How about a whole team of slugs- so cool. Hmmmm a word for creepy and cute that is a hard one...how about cutencreepy?

Oct. 28, 2009 at 9:46 p.m. asundrynotion

The pirate of love is a wonder! I had no idea paper folding goes so far beyond traditional origami.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. CDChilds

I love the bloosom slug. So cute!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. Fullearths

THOSE are awesome!!!

Oct. 28, 2009 at 11:15 p.m. amschimenti

very cool, very creative...like the vibe...it's fun and eclectic

Oct. 28, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. jewelera

Black birds head band is my favorite! nice selection.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. Fullearths

Ok,..and I have to admit, those SLUGS are soooo cute! I WILL be making me some of those!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 2:13 a.m. OopisNein

Very nice!

I really like everything here.

: )

Oct. 29, 2009 at 6:06 a.m. Art2ArtColorado

*really FUN article and love the spooky finds!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 6:27 a.m. time4coffee

Spooky? No weird? yes most should be on Regretsy

Oct. 29, 2009 at 6:37 a.m. Oriol

It was nice to see Ami Kealoha here on the strque! I've bee following coolhunting for a long time! Love that post!!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. KattyKinns

Love them, especially the slug XD

Oct. 29, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ChristinaWard

It's a halloween convergence! Babyhead soap by my favorite people (Megan & Rob) found by my favorite website!

Congrats M&R!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. HinasApprentice

Such cool picks! Love the words Etsy-lebirty and Hitchcockian'. Oh and the guy rocking the bone clip is the best!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. lisaroy

so great! love the bone clip - so Flintstones!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ecoblingcouture

Very cool picks! I have always liked Yokoos pictures!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. mythunderstood

Some times you feel like a slug, yes!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. shopgoodgrace

oh my goodness! The blackbird headband!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. blueskyclouds

I love how offbeat these items are.

Oct. 29, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. Iammie

Nice picked!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. niTeBecOmEsdAy

oooh, pretty swizzzle sticks! clever.

Oct. 29, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. ccaspia

it's my mask ^^
thanks =D

Oct. 29, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ArtisticIntentions

Fun stuff - very different items for Halloween!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. BPyarns

great picks! especially love Yokoo's Pumpkin Head hat!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. PurseParts

Great picks. I love the knitted slug! Who would have thought to knit a slug? I love creative people!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. PoeticPaintings

YAY! For that Northern California creativity!

Oct. 29, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. PipocaHandmade

Beautiful, haunting and cute all at the same time! Well done!

Oct. 30, 2009 at 1:50 a.m. 1AEON

"Lovebirds two blackbirds Perch Headband Sparrow Wonder Alice Band" is pretty crazy!! love it!

Oct. 30, 2009 at 6 p.m. charmschooldesign

thanks everyone! coolhunting - I loved your picks for the Brooklyn Flea this spring, I'm a big fan and honored to be here!

Oct. 30, 2009 at 10:29 p.m. blackscrapcat

the pink slug is the cutest!

Oct. 30, 2009 at 10:30 p.m. blackscrapcat

The pink slug is just the cutest -- you know, for a slug!

Oct. 30, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. AWEshop

I adore the Rose Stem swizzle sticks!!!

Oct. 31, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. jbeaudet

Very cool and unexpected!

Nov. 1, 2009 at 6:27 a.m. JesseMosher

cool

Nov. 3, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. beezmiller

Fun finds! The lovebirds are a hoot!

Nov. 3, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. rainbowfabrics

thats my husband with the bone....hehe

Nov. 3, 2009 at 10:29 p.m. PyxusPassionProject

swizzle sticks, birdie headbands, eye patch - So many awesome finds!! luv it 8)

Nov. 3, 2009 at 10:30 p.m. PyxusPassionProject

swizzle sticks, birdie headband, eye patch - so many awesome finds!! 8)

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