Craft Project: Crazy Heads!

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:

1. Make a hole in the base of the polystyrene ball and insert a long stick, use glue to secure the stick, if necessary.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 from United Kingdom