PropPics page4

In Spencer's Gift Shops (U.S. novelty shop franchise) there was an item which looks like a gloved hand sitting on a black plastic base. It was designed to carry a drink across the bar and deliver it to a patron. The mechanism was designed so that as it approached the edge of the bar or table, a drop pen device would activate a switch and the hand would stop. At about 20 dollars it looked for all the world like something that would make an interesting magical statement. Whether played seriously or for comedy relief, it is an eye-catching prop.

The hand was covered with a thin coat of putty and then worked for the scale effect. Nails were turned into claws and warts were added for effect. A little acrylic paint and you have a beautiful prop.

The base was covered with sargassum moss for hanging baskets and can be found in any nursery. It has the same appearance of Spanish moss that hangs from the trees in the southern parts of the country. Applied with a hot glue gun, it covers the base and makes an interesting "Nest" in which the hand sits. One final step was to take a piece of chamois skin and cut a patch large enough to cover the disk, which serves as the palm of the hand. The patch was emblazoned with a symbol befitting Cthulhu and was attached with hot glue.

The disk is the activating switch and the weight of a glass or a deck of cards will start the battery-operated motor and the hand goes in a straight line wherever it is pointed.