Tuesday, December 15, 2015

KRAMPUS is coming!

And if you've been a naughty little girl or boy, you got some 'splainin' to do!
The Dark Yule Lord, bells and all
Most Americans are completely unfamiliar with the ancient Germanic legend of Krampus. 
He was a consort of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus), and the two would travel together on Christmas eve with two distinct functions: Santa would bestow gifts upon the good children, and Krampus would dole out the punishment to the bad ones. 

Punishment would consist of being beaten with a switch, then stuffed into a wicker basket, and taken away forever to parts unknown. Definitely not the kind of ending  you'd want on your holiday season!

I have long loved the character of Krampus, and this season, created two new ornaments in two different styles. The one above is the "Big Krampus," measuring a whopping 7 inches in length and 4 inches wide. Completely hand-sculpted from Sculpy and then painted over the course of two full days, with many layers and shadings to give him his scary countenance (I like to think I succeeded!). He's been mounted on a double-thick section of material (faux crocodile), and adorned with tufts of two different colors of faux fur. His big bulging eyes and pointy fangs glow in the dark! 
From a black chain dangles three bells that, as history goes, announce the arrival of the Dark Christmas One you hope never arrives at your home!
Red bow and double bells 
The next Krampus is slightly smaller, a bit less intense. He measures in at about 6 inches by 4 inches, and is adorned with a red bow and a larger pair of silvery bells. 

He too is completely hand-made and decorated, with the surprisingly bright glow in the dark eyes and fangs.


Both of these fellas are available in my Etsy store - 
with special ***FREE*** domestic shipping!
But only for this week - 
this offer ends Friday, December 18, 2015.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MacabreWebs




In Bavaria, Krampus catches the naughty. (Video from the New York Times)