To learn more about the fascination behind spooky crafts, Bored Panda reached out to artist and Halloween enthusiast Greg Cummings, who makes eerie Oak Lane Cemetery displays every year to showcase his works. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads tutorials to show how he makes frightening props and teaches others so they can make some of their own. 

We also contacted BattyJade, a fellow maker of all things uncanny, who shares her artistic process on YouTube and sometimes dabbles in playing horror video games. 

Cummings tells us that he’s been a huge fan of sci-fi and horror ever since he was little. “I learned to draw at an early age, and most of my drawings were of monsters, aliens, and, of course, dinosaurs. 

Once I became an adult and had kids of my own, I remembered how awesome the houses that went all out for Halloween were and decided that we would be one of those houses. My artistic talents and interests were the perfect match for making spooky stuff!”

BattyJade’s interesting hobby started in her early years too. "Honestly, I've just always loved weird and creepy things since I was young. I liked art and crafty stuff too, I acquired a lot of hobbies. It started with collecting creepy things, but I didn't have much money. I kind of realized, ‘Hey, I can probably make a lot of this cheaper’. That turned into, ‘Hey, I can make even cooler stuff than this’, and now sometimes I really let my imagination take me to some scary places.”

To Cummings, the process of making creepy items isn’t that different from ‘conventional’ crafting, but some thought still has to be put into how the prop will be used. “In my case, since my display is all outside, I have to take care to use materials that are long-lasting and weatherproof. 

Motors have to be sheltered, and wires need to be protected. I use a lot of latex, and latex breaks down over time and even faster with sun exposure, so repairs are needed every year for some props when they come out of storage.”

Meanwhile, for BattyJade, the biggest difference is the lack of reference material. “Because spooky stuff is a little unconventional, you're less likely to have guides for what you're trying to do. I've had to make up a lot of my projects not really knowing what I was doing. Also, there’s lots of better material shopping during the Halloween season.”

One of Cummings’ favorite creepy crafts that he has made is an impaled corpse in their witch scene. “It is a decaying body impaled on a tree limb coming up from the ground. It's very realistic, and I'm very proud of it,” he shares. 

If BattyJade had to choose, it would be the giant Man-Eating plant. “It's the first craft video I made and probably the most work I've put into a project, as well as the biggest. It sits by my front door in my living room, and I smile at it every day. It looks so amazing, and people always ask me why I don't sell it, I'm like, ‘I can't, that's my child!’”

We were also curious to know how the public typically reacts when they see their creations for the first time. BattyJade shares, “I get mixed reactions to my crafts. It's a craft-by-craft basis. Some are super positive and supportive, and say really sweet things! Others just look at me like, Girl, what is going on inside your head. Some people just ask why I made something, they don't understand why I'd want something creepy or weird. But I live for that stuff, so to me, it's perfect.

Meanwhile, Cummings told us, “Most people seem to really enjoy my work. I have had very few negative reactions.”

In a previous interview with Bored Panda psychologist and founder and CEO of the Private Therapy Clinic, Dr. Becky Spelman explained that engaging in slightly disturbing activities such as viewing or making creepy crafts can be therapeutic and help combat stress and anxiety.

“Engaging in activities that are slightly unpleasant or discomforting but ultimately harmless can provide a sense of control and a way to confront fears or anxieties in a controlled setting. It's a way to experience and process negative emotions in a context where the individual feels safe and in control.”

However, in order to feel the therapeutic effects of crafting, the creations don’t have to be necessarily morbid or spooky, as research suggests that regardless of the medium, this activity can boost mood, improve self-confidence, and reduce stress. The repetitive nature of such tasks helps to calm the body and the mind, while their completion gives a sense of accomplishment and helps to keep the mind sharp. 

Several studies have shown that knitting and crocheting can decrease the risk of losing cognitive abilities as people age. Recent research by neuropsychiatrist Yonas Geda, MD, found that knitting protects the nervous system and may reduce dementia by 50%. It can also be soothing for those who already experience signs of dementia.

More interestingly, yarn crafts are proven to help with insomnia. Focusing on a soft, soothing, easy, and repetitive project allows the mind and body to wind down enough to go to bed. A study by the Mind/Body Medical Institute found that 100% of insomnia patients reported improved sleep, with 90% being able to give up medication.