Severed Eye

$5 - $10 (based on 2019 prices)

Makes one framed eyeball

Part of 2020’s twisted carnival theme involved Dr. Victor’s Oddity Museum, a collection of bizarre artifacts meant to resemble the curiosity exhibits customary in turn-of-the-century travelling shows. To achieve this, I crafted a bevy of familiar oddities, from mummified mermaids to shrunken heads. For this prop, I wanted to accompany these sideshow staples with a medical display that would add extra gore to the haunt.

• One small, white ping pong ball (1 3/8” in diameter)
• One to two feet of red yarn
• One 4 oz. bottle of all-purpose tacky glue*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat brown*
• One 0.44 oz. bottle of clear nail polish*
• One 5” x 7” frame
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in metallic copper*
• One piece of 8” x 11.5” cream-colored paper
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in nutmeg*
• One 0.3 fluid ounce bottle of red food coloring*
• One 4 oz. bottle of clear, all-purpose tacky glue gel*
  

1. Cut a two-inch section from the yarn and fray the ends. These will serve as the veins for the eyeball. How bloodshot you plan to make the prop all depends on how thinly you separate the strands: a thorough division will produce a finer appearance; thicker clusters will create a more inflamed looked.

2. Apply a light layer of glue to the ball and, using a needle or other finely tipped object, spread the yarn strands across it. It may help to consult an anatomical image during this step. Also, to aid in the process, create a small stand to hold the ball (I used an upturned paper plate with a hole cut into it).

3. After the glue has dried, paint an iris and pupil onto the eye using black and brown paint. If you worry about your artistic talents, you can print eyeball templates for several Halloween-themed websites and adhere the image to the ball rather than painting it.

4. To give the eyeball a glossy appearance, give it one or two coats of clear nail polish. Akin to steps two and three, the use of a small stand during this procedure will prove highly beneficial.

5. Once the nail polish has dried, cut ten strands of yarn in varying lengths and glue them to the back of the eyeball to form the optic nerve. Although this may look goofy now, the effect will be much more impressive after you apply the blood glue.

6. Remove the backing and any glass from the frame and, on a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, apply an even coat of black spray paint. Although I only used one coat, you may want more depending on your desired coverage. Keep in mind, though, that this is the base coat and much of the black will be covered by the metallic copper paint.

7. Once the paint has dried, detail the frame by apply a layer of metallic copper. You want to give the illusion of worn metal, so gently brush the paint along the raised surfaces of the frame in a quick, back-and-forth motion. It may work best to experiment with a scrap of cardboard first.

8. Glue the cream-colored paper to the backing and trim the excess. To enhance the aging process, dust the paper with a light coat of nutmeg spray paint. By holding the can over twelve inches away from the surface and making quick flicking motions, you can achieve the illusion of dirt. You can also apply a flecking of black paint and smears of brown.

9. Position the eyeball onto the backing and glue it in place. It might help to temporarily reattached the frame to guide its positioning and ensure it is properly centered.

10. In a plastic container (because the food coloring will stain, use something disposable or that you won’t mind dying), pour in your desired amount of clear glue gel and slowly add red food coloring to the solution until it achieves the sanguine hue you desire. To give the blood further density, add blue food coloring and mix well.

11. On a newspaper-lined surface, apply the blood glue to the prop and allow it to fully dry. You can use an old spoon or plastic utensil to strategically dripple the liquid along chosen areas or pour it haphazardly for a gory mess.

12. After the glue dries, reattach the frame and, if it did not come with a hanging hook, you can attach a store-bought version or use steel wire to create your own. For added support, glue the backing in place, especially if you plan to display this prop in windy conditions.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.