Jack-O-Lantern

I got a bug to make a paper mache jack-o-lantern in early October, mostly just to see if I could. Two websites were excellent references with great tutorials- STOLLOWEEN and Spookyblue I wanted a great big one, so I started with a 33 gallon trashbag full of packing peanuts. I used some hay bale twine to tie around the bag to form ridges and taped those in place.

Then the first layer of paper strips. For the adhesive, I used 2 parts Elmers All Purpose glue, 1 part Outdoor Waterproof wood glue and 1 part water. Then added the stem. It is just twisted paper with a baling wire core to hold the shape. I also used a couple of shorter peices of wire to help secure the stem to the body of the pumpkin. Paper mache pulp is already being added to build up the surface. There is a lot of dry time between layers.

Newspaper, pewspaper, brown paper bag, newspaper X 3 more, then a final layer of blue shop towel (this material really sucks up the glue!). I cut out the face, used cereal box strips on the cut edges, and used more paper pulp to fill it out. I also added a few warty bumps, then covered all that with the blue towel.

Primed, painted and sealed with spar urethane. It was perched on top of our porch. I can see a whole pumpkin patch full of these for next year!