If you'd like to make some original decorations for your home this Halloween, have a go at creating a set of 'crazy heads'. All you need to get started are some polystyrene balls, together with a few basic materials that are easily on hand. So get those creative juices flowing and you'll soon have a set of spooky friends to help your party go with a swing on All Hallows' Eve.
Approximate Time: 40 minutes per head plus drying time
Supplies:
- polystyrene balls- with a minimum diameter of 4 3/4 inches (12cm)
- acrylic paints
- a foam brush or sponge
- a paint brush
- oddments of felt, lace, yarn, etc.
- a pair of scissors
- non-toxic PVA glue
- a long stick, bamboo or narrow plastic pipe
- an awl or other hole-maker
Instructions:
- Make a hole in the base of the polystyrene ball and insert a long stick, use glue to secure the stick, if necessary.
- Paint the ball using a foam brush in a colour of your choice. Let dry. Apply a second coat of paint to ensure even coverage and leave to dry thoroughly.
- Paint on the face in a contrasting colour. Make your eyes look oversized and paint on a scary mouth and nose, too. If you don't like your face, simply reapply the base colour and begin again.
- To finish your crazy head, glue on strands of yarn, lace, or shredded plastic to resemble hair and make a hat or other accessory out of fabric scraps.
- Make lots more crazy heads. Stand your heads in the ground or alternatively, push them in pots lined with oasis and place them indoors.
Crafty Tips:
- Use gourds or small pumpkins instead of polystyrene balls.
- Use emulsion paint for outdoor decorations, or simply coat your crazy heads with varnish to make them weatherproof.
- Place your heads on large, glass jars filled with sweets or decorative stones, instead of using sticks to support them.
By Anne Davies from United Kingdom
