This is a Halloween window display I did for C.A.R.L. Boutique Thrift Store in Ventura, California. This thrift store raises money for the Canine Adoption & Rescue League. When designing the window I wanted to make it impactful and Halloween festive without too much stuff. My budget was zero dollars & zero cents, however I could use anything in the thrift store. I did purchase a couple of items – the fortune teller sign and flowers (a big bag of flowers for $5 dollar from Michael’s Craft Store) and I already had the pink wig.

Although it was tempting to use a lot of items from the thrift store, I needed to keep it minimal. This is because if something sells from the window the employee or volunteer has to leave the store and walk to the window and unlock to retrieve the item, it’s an extra step for them. So my strategy was minimal with drapes, color, and large shapes.

I did the concept sketches below I knew what I actually would be working with. I knew I had the mannequins and the risers but drapes and everything else I was guessing we had in stock.

I also hand painted the C.A.R.L. window sign using acrylic craft paint and gold leaf. (Sign painting is much harder than it looks!)

I tried my best to take photos without reflection but it was impossible.