This content originally appeared in the 2024 winter issue of Spooky Little Halloween—The Magazine.
Meet John Brhel, the Halloween lover behind Spooky Shake Studios.
You’ve likely seen his iconic ‘Every Day is Halloween’ cake design around social media or one of his adorable characters encouraging you to make every day feel like October 31st.
In 2024, he even added to his resume his own artwork being tattooed on a final girl icon: Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Get to know him in this quick Q&A!
5 Q’s with John Brhel
1. Tell us who you are and what you do in the Halloween community.
My name is John Brhel, and I make and sell original art and merchandise under the name Spooky Shake Studios. I draw art that celebrates all things spooky and Halloween—from costumed trick-or-treaters to partying monsters to cozy fall scenes—and I put it on stickers, prints, buttons, shirts, and just about anything you can slap a design on!
I’m really active on social media, so I regularly post my art and content that celebrates all aspects of Halloween, from the goofy to the nostalgic. (Find him on Instagram and TikTok.)
2. Why do you love Halloween?
I love Halloween because it’s the most fun holiday out there and the best day of the year. Unlike some holidays where there can be a lot of pressure and anxiety to buy expensive gifts or meet impossible social obligations, Halloween is one day that’s just all about having a good time, dressing up, and eating candy.
I also just love the aesthetic—pumpkins and ghosts just SPEAK to me—and the nostalgic memories it always conjures.
3. How did that love lead to opening Spooky Shake Studios?
I had been drawing original art for a few years and realized that the majority of my work was spooky-focused. I found that I just loved drawing Halloween-themed stuff in particular and that those pieces tended to resonate the most with people.
So I went full-speed ahead into building my shop and brand around Halloween. It’s so fun making new Halloween art (there are a billion ways to draw a jack-o’-lantern!) and connecting with fellow spooky fanatics around the globe.
4. What are some of your favorite pieces you’ve created for the shop?
I really love making art that celebrates the nostalgic side of Halloween. Some of my favorite pieces have been my spooky sounds tape, the pumpkin leaf bag, the retro burger meal, and the treat bag. Outside of those, I’d have to say that the ‘Every Day is Halloween’ cake is a favorite because that piece has resonated with so many people. It’s just so cool to see how much love it has gotten.
5. How do you celebrate Halloween all year long?
Drawing Halloween stuff almost every day definitely helps, hehe. But outside of that, I drink pumpkin coffee, eat candy corn, watch spooky movies year-round and spooky/Halloween figures and comics. And I love buying new Halloween art and merch from small businesses/artists like myself. I just got a few new pieces for my office from some really talented spooky artists, like Lydia Jean and Rhode Montijo, and they just make me so happy!
More from Spooky Shake Studios
Here are a few of my favorite items currently in John’s shop:
