Halloween Crafts

JACK-O'-LANTERNS

TO MAKE:
Cut an opening in the bottom of a pumpkin. Clean out the pulp, using a spoon, knife or kitchen scissors, as needed. With a felt-tip marker, draw a face on the outside, or try a moon and stars. Leave little bridges to keep eye pupils and other inner parts attached. Cut out the shapes with a sharp knife. Place a votive candle in a holder and place pumpkin on top.

Ghost In Lights

YOU'LL NEED: 5 yd of heavy wire for ghost frame; 3 yd lighter (16-gauge) wire and tie wire; strings of about 132 small, outdoor Christmas lights; copper flashing for eyes; pliers; wire snips; electrician's tape; ball peen hammer; large nail.

Frame: Using pliers, bend the heavy wire into a simple ghost shape about 5 feet tall. Hook ends together at bottom. Stabilize by attaching thinner wires across frame. Eyes: Cut two 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" ovals from copper flashing. With hammer and nail, punch a hole through center of each for inserting a light. Punch smaller holes at top and bottom, 3" apart, for tie wire. Lay 2 thin wires across frame, 3" apart, and attach eyes. Lights: Leaving the plug at the bottom, wind the lights tightly around the framework, covering wire completely and adjusting bulbs to point forward. Connect one string to the next. At the eyes, lay the lights along the lower crosspiece and attach with tie wire, inserting a light from back through the hole in each eye. (Hide or remove nearby lights.) Bring the lights back along the same crosspiece and continue covering the frame. Cover plugs and any excess wire with electrician's tape.

Rustic Planter

SIZE: 16" l x 12" h x 4 1/2" w or desired size.

YOU'LL NEED: Aged scrap 1/2"-thick wood or 1x4 pine, two lengths each 16" (sides) and 12" (ends), one 15" (bottom); 1 1/2" x 1/2" x 15" wood strip (handle); 1 1/4" finishing nails; wood glue or glue gun; saw.

TO MAKE: 1. At one end of each 12" strip, mark center point and each side edge 5" below. Cut a paper pattern for a slightly curved taper from the 5" marks to the center point; trace onto the wood and cut. 2. Glue and nail the straight ends of the tapered pieces against the bottom pieces, flush at underside. Then attach the sides, flush on all outer edges. Nail the handle between ends, 1/2" below top. 3. Apply a clear finish or thinned acrylic paint for a stained finish. To age surface, distress new wood by scratching, gouging or hitting it with a heavy metal object. Sand edges to look worn. Apply a stain and wipe off excess.

Wreath With Pomegranates

YOU'LL NEED: A vine wreath; autumn leaves; assorted seasonal elements (we used bittersweet, dried black-eyed Susans, strawberry corn, small ears of Indian corn and rose hips); a glue gun; a few flower picks and tie wire.

TO MAKE: Arrange materials in bunches around the wreath, distributing bright colors as accents against the darker materials. Insert or glue the leaves and twigs of berries in place; glue on flowers. Use wire to attach the corn; use picks for the pomegranates.

Wall Hanging with Feathers

YOU'LL NEED: A fireplace broom; 6 pheasant feathers (from a crafts store); 2 ears of Indian corn; a bunch of wheat; oak or other autumn leaves; 2 apples; 2 wired florist's picks; flexible wire for tying.

TO MAKE: Make a wire loop for hanging if the broom doesn't have one. Then use wire to attach feathers, leaves, corn and wheat near top of broom, tying bunches first as needed. Finally, insert a pick in each apple and attach to the arrangement.