Jack - in progress

I do a little more on this guy every time I have my mache material out. He's intended to become a fabulous, 40's style paper mache Jack O'Lantern container (like this one).

There are lots of vintage Halloween decorations that follow this basic shape, texture, look - they are so much fun. Mister Macabre has some awesome ceramic ones photographed over at his blow (no. 1, no. 2).

The base is so very easy. You would need:

• a small, roundish balloon
• the lid to a spaghetti jar
• tape

I taped the lid to the bottom of the balloon, covered it in mache strips, and let it dry. The lid came out much easier than I was expecting after I popped the balloon. I drew my face on before cutting out the eyes, and I'm using homemade paper mache mud to detail the face (one agonizingly slow afternoon at a time -- I keep doing this after finishing larger projects, and running out of mache mud before I can completely finish).

I plan to add a wire handle to it or use it as a candle holder ('cause I live on the edge like that - fire hazards be damned!).

More to come once it's done...