VintageGriffin.com

Wow!

There's such a glut of utterly ordinary Halloween fare that it seems like you may never be beguiled again by something that's equal parts spooky and fun. Crate and Barrel has made a stand-out contribution to a favorite holiday with its spider spatula. It's different enough to be charming, and icky enough (the thought of a spider swimming in one's batter has definite "eewww" factor) to be cool. And fun. I have to have one of these before they're sold out -- which I strongly suspect they will be.

Functionally, it's what a spatula should be. Silicone that's heat resistant up to 800 degrees. Maple handle. Appropriate for use with non-stick cookware. Has a rounded corner, so it's great for scraping batter out of bowls or sauce or mayonnaise out of jars.

Again, get one before they're sold out (which I think they will be). Exclusively through Crate and Barrel.

Spider Spatula: $6.95

By now, many devoted Halloweeners have heard of the work of Eddie Allen. He mixes lenticular photography with antique photographs to create delightfully eerie and enthusiastically gory portraits of "normal people" that change as the viewer moves. A little Victorian girl sits on an oversized seat, her masses of thick, gently curling locks cascading down her shoulders like ribbon candy. Take a few steps to the right and watch as her entire face becomes hirsute. Her lips draw back in a snarl. Her eyes bulge and protrude. Little Hannah is now a bonifide were-child.