A perched raven on spooky branches is an iconic Gothic and Halloween symbol, representing everything from death, a bad omen, or a complete void, to being as fulfilling as defining solar elements and used as prophetic messengers.
Ravens are a magnificently curious and mischievous creature that boasts rich, dark plumage and black eyes that plunge through the deepest layer of your soul to easily capture true intentions…
Over the past several years, I have scribbled out/shredded/deleted hundreds of handcrafted raven reflections, attempting not to incorporate these dark feathered shadowy images in the traditional “birds perched on branches” or “stuck in a cage” style, while instead trying to devise an additional tier of emotional perceptions complicating where they are located, and why they exist there. These raven silhouette forms are enhanced with gradual depth and textures in the background to offer an eerie appearance at night, yet shifts through moods depending on the time of day, lighting involved, and additional visual surroundings.
They are meant to be included as part of my Gothic Haunted Forest Bedroom Theme, however, we placed them in the living room in frames first, and now no one wants to take them down… So here’s one of my natural spooky Halloween displays this year with ravens, black floral features, pumpkins, branches, feathers, and potions, on an amber and golden leaves setting:
The raven art is completely reversible, and one forward and one reversed image must be purchased to get the same look as featured above: Raven Posters.
Of course, there was a little additional WebSpinstress Halloween humor hiding in that display, just in case you happened to miss it…
Here’s a very close look at my dancing skull specimen creature – who is handcrafted with love from the finest materials available – the skull shifter knob from my dearly missed 3000 GT, a small driftwood piece from one of our many visits to various Boston coastline hideouts this Summer, and one of the very few leaves we collected that is fully preserved from the nasty Fall fungus this year.
What a special little guy he is! 
If you’re looking to add some extra height to your Fall and Halloween arrangements, a pumpkin topiary is fun to create and makes a memorable display for your guests.
Simply drill and shove a dowel through the middle of their innards and then embellish your stacked pumpkin collection.
BHG has a unique Halloween display of pumpkin topiaries using orange pumpkins, large spiders with painted diamonds and stripes. I love how a portion of the dowels are exposed and painted to continue along with the topiary design. It radiates with masquerade appeal…and I can think of a few special ideas to spooky up the design a little more.
I found this display from Imperfectly Beautiful, who created a tall and whimsical pumpkin topiary. It includes hand-painted black and white polka-dots, ravens, and an elegant birdcage design stacked on top of a planter with Spanish moss placed carefully around the edges.
Black and White Pumpkins are elegant and fun. These pumpkin arrangements are made with just stickers, but you can duplicate the same look by using swirly vintage rubber stamp designs or by painting them yourself. Beautiful collection of centerpieces, by the way…don’t forget to check out the complete blog post!
For other ideas for stacking pumpkins in your Halloween or Fall display, there’s a few of my favorite pedestals and pillars here: Pumpin Topiary Displays. Happy stacking!
Some of the most festive Halloween decorations can be found in your backyard. With only a few extra craft supplies and a little creativity, you’ll have one-of-a-kind Halloween that can’t be bought in stores…
Twigs:
Thin branches can be arranged with flowers and leaves to create a festive centerpiece. Intertwine them together in circular form to create a base for a wreath. You can spray paint branches or dip them glue and glitter for a modern twist. A large branch can stand up in a tall floor vase for a natural Halloween tree.
Leaves:
You can keep them natural, or add a clear spray sealant on the leaves to make them last longer. String them to hang around your home, either by themselves or on a long string together. You can also use Fall leaves on your Halloween dinner table around your centerpiece and dishes.
Other findings:
You may be able to find stones, berries, seashells, or pinecones that will stand out with your natural Halloween decorations. Don’t forget about the little things – spray paint or glue and glitter them to match the rest of your accessories.
Food items such as fruit and vegetables also complement Fall and Halloween settings. Use pumpkins, gourds, apples, corn, grapes, squash, berries and nuts to create arrangements for guests to feast their eyes on.
