Hello Helmar Fans and Arty People.
Kristina here with my first post using the awesome products from Helmar. Today's post is Halloween related, fun and easy to do, especially with the kids. A great project to try before Halloween. I made a paper mache pumpkin and witches hat, with an open bottom to put led tea lights in (please do not use the real flame tea lights!).
Helmar Craft and Hobby PVA Glue
Helmar Spray Adhesive
Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish
Helmar Super-Tac Glue
Ripped up newspaper or magazine paper
Sharp Knife
Glitter
Balloon
Cardboard for witches hat template
Orange and brown acrylic paint
LED Tea Light Candles (No open flame candles)
I started the pumpkin by blowing up a balloon to the size that I wanted the pumpkin to be. I did a small and medium sized pumpkin. Before beginning I recommend ripping up the newspaper, as this makes things easier when you have sticky hands. I covered the balloon in Helmar Craft and Hobby PVA glue and proceeded to cover the whole balloon in newspaper.
I allowed each layer to dry before applying the next layer of newspaper and glue. For a strong pumpkin I did four layers of paper mache on the balloon. Allow the paper mache to dry very well before the next step.
To make the pumpkin more "pumpkin" shape I drew some lines on the dried paper mache to indicate where the ridges of the pumpkin would be. The black lines won't have any more newspaper glued to them, but in between the lines I build up the paper mache to make the curves of a pumpkin with lots more newspaper and glue. I found the best way to do this was to rip up the newspaper, put it in a disposable container, pour some glue and a touch of water into it and mix it all up. Then apply it in between the black lines on the pumpkin, building it up to look more pumpkin shape. Once done, allow to dry, I hung mine on the washing line and it dried fairly quick.
The next step is to apply the first layer of colour. I used orange acrylic paint and covered the whole pumpkin. When it was dry I cut a hole from the bottom of the pumpkin, big enough to allow the led tea candle lights to be placed in. I also cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin for the stem part. I used Helmar Super-Tac glue to apply a stick to the circle cut from the top to make the stem.
NOW FOR THE FUN BIT!!
Cutting out the face in the pumpkin! It can be anything you want. It doesn't even have to be a face. Search the internet for inspiration, you are limited only by your imagination. Just make sure the cuts are large enough to allow the light to shine through. I went for the typical spooky face.
After this I applied another coat of orange paint and slight streaks of brown paint in the creases of the pumpkin. When the paint is dry, apply a layer Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish and then place the pumpkin on top of the led lights and watch him glow!!
The WITCHES HAT process is very similar to the pumpkin.
I got some cardboard, rolled it into a cone shape to be the base for the hat.
I bent it a little to make it look more witch like.
Then I did the same process I did for the pumpkin, covering it in glue, applying a few layers of newspaper, and allowing it to dry. To do the rim of the hat, I placed the hat on a piece of cardboard and traced a circle around it, the size I wanted the rim, and cut it out. I then cut a hole in the centre of this rim to allow the tea lights to fit in. I placed a ring of Helmar Super-Tac glue on the rim and attached it to the hat.
When it was thoroughly dry and attached I applied a couple of layers of glue and newspaper to the rim of the hat. I decided to make my witches hat black, so out came the black acrylic paint and I covered the whole hat, twice.
Then I cut some holes in hat so the tea light could glow through. I just imagined that the owner of this hat did not take very good care of it, so it was in tatters.
Next step is the band on the bottom of the hat. Glitter!! Yes, sparkly shiny glitter! I put some painters tape around the bottom of the hat so the spray adhesive would only be applied where I wanted it. I chose red glitter, I sprayed the bottom of the hat with Helmar Spray Adhesive and I shook the glitter all over it. Pretty.
I removed the tape and did the same process for the top of the hat, except with black glitter, then I sprayed it with Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish and I placed the tealights under it. And Voila, a simple, fun and gorgeous project that the whole family can do.
Thank you so much for visiting the Helmar blog. I can't wait to produce some more exciting projects!!
