Megaphone

$5 - $10 (based on 2019 prices)

Makes one megaphone

After years of attending a variety of haunted houses (both novice and professional), I have noticed that detail is one of the major factors which can either make or break a display: I have seen professional attractions ruined by its absence and rookie shows elevated by its subtle incorporation. Due to this factor, I spend energy and time each season making items that, although not overtly scary, can be used to bolster the haunt’s details and enhance its theme – the bloody milk bottles for 2016’s haunted farm, for instance, or the skull rosaries for 2017’s La Llorona premise. This megaphone was among those items crafted for 2019’s carnival that, although it may have been overlooked by some patrons, helped set the tone for the haunt’s overall theme.

• One twelve-inch toy megaphone
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat black*
• One package of raffle tickets (about two-hundred tickets per package)
• At least four tablespoons of dark roasted coffee grounds
• One pan large enough to soak the tickets
• One 4 oz. bottle of all-purpose tacky glue*
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in nutmeg*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat brown*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in metallic silver*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat red*
  

1. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, apply an even coat of black spray paint to both the inside and outside of the megaphone. 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 coffee-stained tickets.

2. Boil enough water to completely submerge the tickets and pour it into the pan. Add the coffee. The longer you allow the coffee to brew, the darker the stain will become. Likewise, greater amounts of coffee will produce a richer stain. Submerge the tickets into the coffee mixture and soak them until they reach the color you desire. I soaked mine for four days and scattered the coffee grounds over the tops to add spots. Remove the tickets from the water and allow them to dry.

3. Tear apart the tickets and cover the surface of the megaphone with them, leaving the decorative bands and mouthpiece untouched. This process works best if you move in stages: apply a layer of glue to one section, press the paper down until it sticks, and repeat the procedure.

4. After the glue has dried, dust the megaphone with a light coat of brown spray paint to add age and distress. To give the appearance of dirt, hold the can over twelve inches away from the prop’s surface and make quick flicking motions. You can also apply a flecking of black paint and smears of brown paint to enhance the weathered look.

5. Paint the decorative bands and mouthpiece silver. Depending on how worn you want the metal to appear, you can either apply a light dry brushing over the raised surfaces or completely cover the black paint with several even coats of silver.

6. Once the silver paint has dried, dab red paint onto the decorative bands and mouthpiece. I used an old paintbrush with splayed bristles; however, a sponge or paper towels will work well.

7. After the red paint has dried, repeat the process with brown paint. During this application, be careful not to cover too much of the red paint.

8. Complete the rusted patina by applying a slight flecking of black paint. You can do this by either quickly flicking a paintbrush or using an old toothbrush and strumming your finger across the bristles. Since this process flings paint everywhere, it’s best to perform it outside.

9. The prop can be embellished with additional details, such as clusters of bugs or bloody handprints, to cater it to your haunt’s chosen aesthetics.

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