I’m all about getting more for less. Recently I discovered how my hobby could be used to help with my need!

When trying to be creative in deciding on a Halloween costume and decorations this year, I turned to one of my other pastimes: auctions. Many years ago I learned to attend folk art auctions to discover unique artwork, furnishings and accessories. Many of the items I found became used as interesting Halloween pieces, alongside my other Halloween decorations.

Never before did I think of marrying the two.

Folk art auctions feature a wide range of objects that reflect the artist’s craft traditions, and traditional social values, which provided for uniqueness. Folk art is generally produced by people who have little or no academic artistic training. Folk artists usually use established techniques and styles of a particular region or culture. Folk art auctions include paintings, sculptures and other decorative art forms. Some artists also consider utilitarian objects such as tools and indigenous costumes as folk art. For the most part, the category of folk art auctions exclude works by professional artists.

I found the uniqueness (and sometimes amateur nature of the items) make the costumes and decorations truly one-of-a-kind. Never again will I fret about “what to wear!”